Hal and Janis

  Attended a baptism today for Sylvester. Unorganized and chaotic. It was announced in Sacrament meeting that the baptism would be right after the block meetings. When it was time for the baptism, the bishop was in a meeting. The elder’s didn’t know where any baptismal clothes were. We waited quite awhile. I was trying to talk to Sylvester’s mother and her friend (both are taking the missionary lessons) which was difficult because of the language barrier.   Then someone decided to call off the baptism until next week!! That did not set well with Elder Phelps!!!  I remembered seeing a few baptismal suits at the mission office so Hal hurried to get them. Before Hal left to get the clothes he talked to a member of the bishopric and the Elders about fellowshipping and the importance of following through with commitments and how baptism was more important than meetings or anything else they could be doing.  The bishopric member was really good and started talking to Sylve...

 We had a young lady with an 8th month old baby call and come to the office today. She had driven 7 hours yesterday to move back to Lusaka. She asked where the church was for Sunday. She is a member. We located the one closest to her new home. We made arrangements for the Sister missionaries living in that area to help her get to church on Sunday. And then she quietly said to me, “may I speak to you in private?” Sure, but I had no idea what I was getting into. When we walked into a different room she said, “I’m having bad thoughts.” Some tears and then she told me about her suicidal thoughts. No job. No family support. On her own. No friends. The cutest little baby to care for. I tried to reassure her. She was loved and needed! To make a long story short, a lady who works downstairs came up and talked to her. So grateful because I was having a hard time understanding her. They made connections with common acquaintances, namely the lady’s parents. Found out that this girl was neighb...

  I totally understand why missionaries always talk so highly of their mission presidents!! Elder and Sister Whiting are the salt of the earth. So personable and yet spiritual giants!! Our first interview with them lasted over two hours but we were so well taught by them. One thing they pointed out was concerning our purpose here in Zambia: “Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. (Luke 7:22) Did you catch what Jesus did for the poor? “To the poor the gospel is preached.”  We are surrounded by the poor here. If we feed them today, they will be hungry again tomorrow. If the gospel is preached to them and they accept it, they receive power from on high through the Holy Ghost and thus become rich. “He that has eternal life is rich. D&C 6:7 “Eternal life is the phrase used in scriptur...

 It’s always fun to have visitors! We get so many you know! These two, Elder Leavitt (from Rexburg)  and Elder Dore (from Zimbabwe) are currently serving as media specialists for the mission. The mission has a Facebook page where they have obtained referrals for teaching. They have some nice posts there! You can check it out at  https://www.facebook.com/comeuntochristinlusaka/ Elder Leavitt was super nice and shared his mother’s recipe file with me. She is a cook for a hunting lodge. I’m excited to see if I can reproduce her great cooking!

  Girl’s night with these lovely ladies was a delight! Sisters Phekula, Keitirile, Managasau (top picture) and Sisters Johnson, Mangena, Bhembe, Tafirenyika. Sister Whiting and one of her daughter’s who was visiting was there too but they managed to miss the pictures some how! Yes, learning names is quite the challenge!!! but these girls are the best…so happy and loving their service as missionaries! We watched “The Other Side of Heaven” and ate popcorn and cinnamon rolls😀. Serving in Zambia is a breeze compared to what Elder Groberg went through!!! Now while we girls were doing our thing, the boys (including Pres. Whiting, his son who is living with them, a son-in-law, and Hal) tried to go see a movie but it was sold out so they went and ate pizza instead. Dad thoroughly enjoyed his conversation with President Whiting!!

  Royce is one of the guards at our place of residence. She has become my friend even though I sometimes l(usually) have a hard time understanding her. Royce got married when she was 15 and has 4 children. She works the day shift here which is at least 12 hours. She is usually here longer than 12 hours! Sometimes the person who is supposed to replace her doesn’t come and she can’t leave until he comes! We have tried to be friends with her by bringing her something to eat in the evening. She is always appreciative! She has asked to know more about the church so we have given her missionary pamphlets to read. She offered her contact information. We did not ask for it. She tells me what she has read so I know she is truly reading. The missionaries have talked to her once, I think.  She wants to get a better job. I can’t blame her! She sits all day outside. At least there is a place for her to get out of the sun and rain, if needed. I wish I could think of something that she could...

 We live about 8-12 minutes from the mission home, depending on the traffic. I think I pretty much hold my breath the entire time we travel, going or coming! Narrow roads, pedestrians, motorcycles, and no traffic order, just chaos, especially at intersections! Oh, and a stop sign (which are very few and far between) means “slow down” but you can keep going!  If we go to the store there are 2 roundabouts that we have to go through that are CRAZY!! The Zambians have a thing with roundabouts! They are everywhere, including in parking lots!! I was reminded of a scripture in 2 Nephi 3:33 that reads, “O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy. Can I just ask to be encircled by his protection and the path...