Elder B in Zimbabwe: Views

Alright so this week was another interesting story that I am excited to share with you guys.

Okay so on Tuesday we had to take our car to the Nissan dealership to get the window fixed. We got up super early and on the way to the dealership we got stopped by the police and the guy told me that I was driving without a window.... And I'm like, "Yeah because somebody broke into my car" And he is like, "The fine is $10. Not 20 not 15 but $10" (saying it like a sales pitch to try to make it seem like not so much lol. Tryna gimme a discount ticket whatever that means) But then I was like, "So let me get this straight, I get broken into and robbed.... and now I have to pay you?...." And he was like, "You have to get the window fixed before you drive on the road." So if you guys couldn't have already guessed, nobody in Zimbabwe offers that kind of service in the ghettos where we live. So there was no way we could have gotten it fixed. So I tried to explain and then he wouldn't budge. Realizing we were already late to the Nissan place, I gave him the money and got outta there. When I was giving him the money he was like, "So how was your day?" And I was like, "Well it WAS going perfect." hahhahahaha then he just laughed and happily stole my $10. The police here only get paid by the people they stop so they always have lame tickets they give. They are super corrupt and will do anything to get money. Its ridiculous but its also so funny. So the next time that happens I'm just gonna mess with the cop hahaha and eventually get out of it. Luckily we got paid back at the office so thats good. It was a funny way to start off the week though.

So for the first part of the week we were back to taking combi's everywhere so that was as fun as it sounds hahahaha. It was my sons first experience with them so it was funny. Without the car it made things harder but, like every experience here, it was humbling.

So like every night this week I have played my comp in chess and ya boy is still undefeated. like 7-0 right now. Still got it haha.

The middle of this week was a struggle because we had to prepare 3 people for baptism which made things crazy! We had 3 this week! I'll attach pictures but on Friday we had a service for the first guy, Tatenda and he is a rugby coach so on Saturdays he is always busy so we had the service on Friday. And he has always been a quite guy so we had our concerns about baptizing him and if he was really serious about it. But after the baptism when we invited him to bear his testimony, he said that he posted on facebook that he was being baptized that day! hahaha and he was super thankful! So cool. And he asked me to do the ordinance for him and I was so shocked! Because we have been teaching him with the Muchekwa family and the father of that family is very good friends with Tatenda. So I expected him to choose Brother Muckekwa. So yeah I baptized him and then was part of the confirmation for him. Super cool. And the Muckekwa's told us that Tatenda was really excited about it and very happy.

The next person was a girl named Dionne and this week was crazy because we taught her all of the commandments in one lesson hahaha we were flying through the lesson. But she is super smart and we had no doubt of baptizing her so it was dope. And she is already enrolling in institute and hasn't missed a day of church since we started teaching her. Powerful convert.

The last one is a funny story. So the kids name is Loveridge and he has been really excited about the baptism and has been coming to church and has a lot of friends at church. So the funny part is that when I was baptizing him, he told me his name was Loveridge Layaan Simbarashe. So I baptized him with that name and then on Sunday he told us a different name for the confirmation, saying his name was Loveridge Kapuka.... So we did the ordinances for the same person using different names..... So now we get to spend the first part of this week trying to find out what his actual full name is and then tell him that we have to redo the ordinances hahahaha yayyyy.... Nah it'll all be okay. We're just confused why he told us different names. Dont get it. Oh well. So next week hopefully we will correct that mistake.

The funny thing about the font is that the faucet is super slow so we have to get a hose from outside to go thru a window to fill the font every time lol. Super jing but things in Africa are just done differently. Also the water is always super cold. Refreshing on days when its really hot. hahaha on those days, I'm really glad when they ask me to baptize them.

So yeah this weekend was crazy. And at the start of the next month I think we have 4 more baptisms scheduled! Exciting times!

The other day we found these bags of chocolate milk at the store and now they are my new favorite thing. its amazing hahaha

We found another scorpion in the house the other day. So thats cool.

And I got murked by mosquitoes one night. I woke up in the middle of the night with like 20 on my arm lol. But then I fell back asleep and when I woke up at 6:30, there were almost all gone. So basically I'm becoming immune to them. hahaha kidding.

So today for a district activity we went to this place called the National Heroes Acre. And its this huge memorial to all the Heroes of the liberation of Zimbabwe. Its super cool. We got some sick pictures that I'll attach. Then you'll see why I titled the email after Drake's album "Views". Just look up the album cover and then you'll get it.

But yes all is going great for me here in Zim. Crazy as ever but super fun every day. Even the bad days are super fun. Gives me more stories to tell. I love these people too. They are so humble. I can't say it enough. Its hard to explain. But I love them. Love this gospel too. The confusion amid my area is confirmation enough that our church is true. So many people blindly believe in "the word" and think they know the Bible and the gospel so its fun to confound people and to teach them simple truths that they don't know. And this church is sooooo true my goodness. I love being a part of the marvelous work.

Love you all.

Stay Steady Grindin'

Bho.

Cheers,
Elder Anderson