"The Power of the Word" & the secret to gaining answers to prayers.‏

Chad reminded me this week of this statement by President Ezra Taft Benson:

"You must also bend your efforts and your activities to stimulating meaningful scripture study among the members of the Church. Often we spend great effort in trying to increase the activity levels in our stakes. We work diligently to raise the percentages of those attending sacrament meetings. We labor to get a higher percentage of our young men on missions. We strive to improve the numbers of those marrying in the temple. All of these are commendable efforts and important to the growth of the kingdom. But when individual members and families immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, these other areas of activity will automatically come. Testimonies will increase. Commitment will be strengthened. Families will be fortified. Personal revelation will flow."

(The Power of the Word) 

  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1986/04/the-power-of-the-word?lang=eng

Here in Mozambique the Church subsidizes ninety percent (90%) of the cost for scriptures. This is a great blessing to the members. A paperback triple combination costs about $.52 ! A paperback Book of Mormon sells for $.50. However, shipping and delivery is very difficult here. There was a time for about six (6) months in which we were not able to receive any triple combinations. Hopefully, this will not occur again. 

Meaningful Scripture study can be a blessing in everyone's life. I do not know anyone that studies the scriptures daily that does not regularly attend Church.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said: "..the secret of gaining answers to prayers is prior obedience to the Lord's [commandments]". ( DNTC, vol. 3, pages 391-392) 

Here are a couple examples of this:

Zeniff states:  "..... Nephi was more faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord—therefore he was favored of the Lord, for the Lord heard his prayers and answered them" 

(Mosiah 10:13).

The prophet Joseph Smith received this revelation: "They were slow to hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; therefore, the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, to answer them in the day of their trouble.  In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me" (D & C 101: 7-8).

A week ago today, Friday, at 7AM, we picked up the two elders on the left (E. Bigelow & E. Lake) to go to the airport having completed their missions. 

Here they are getting ready to pass through security. Elder Lake on the right had been serving as the branch president in Inhamizua. He gave away his suit to the new branch president who did not have a suit.

 

 Later on this Good Friday, this police officer stopped me and noticed that the registration on our truck had expired. He said that because I was a missionary he would forgive me without any fine. After thanking him I asked permission to take his photo.

 The missionaries use these tables as study desks. They sell for $28/each. We had four additional missionaries arrive, so I stopped and bought four of these tables, made by these eight men in this photo.

 Isn't it amazing that 36.5% of the worlds population lives in China and India ? The US which is the third most populated country, is home to only 4.44% of the world's population.  We are indeed the lucky ones....

 Our guard Jose can remain in this squatting position for a long time.

 

 Elder Rameka from New Zealand was just released as the branch president in Chimoio and transferred to Manga 2, for his last transfer before going home. This is outside his new apartment just after he arrived on Monday this week.

 

 

The good branch president in Dondo (Rui Moda) works as a police officer.

 

Yesterday, was a training meeting for missionary trainers. Here are 14 elders packed into a small room to listen to President Kretly provide the training.

 

 

Sure love you!

Easter Week and my First African Funeral {but probably not my last :( }‏

Hello!
This week's highlights:
On P-day we went to a going-away party for Elders Bigelow and Lake who were going home next Friday. This idea was 

cooked up by the Manga ZL's. So I made a giant jello cake 

(my dessert choice of late) and the Dilles bought rolls and 

we all went across the street to the beach. We were late 

getting there because Dad had to go to the bank that 

morning but we finally made it.

 Group shot:

Sandi and I pretending that we're playing soccer. 

Convincing, aren't we??

Later that day, we found out that one of the ZL's, Elder Cummings, was being transferred to Maputo to be the new AP so when we picked him up that night, we teased him that he'd organized the party for HIS going-away.

 Here's a crazy huge spider that lives on the bush outside of the elders' apt. He caught himself a big dinner!

At the airport:

Tômásīa had called me last week and told me that her brother had died. The funeral was on Tuesday and I wanted to go, so when Isabel came to clean, I told her that I'd go with her. Dad was off moving some elders into a new apartment so he couldn't go. I was cooking and didn't watch the time so when Isabel quit early and said it was time to go, I told her at I wasn't showered and dressed. She said, 'No problem. Just put a capalana on.' I said 'Really?' and she said 'Sure.' So I hurried and put one on and off we went. We had to walk because Dad was off with the truck but it was just at the hospital about 6 blocks away.
We were quite the picture - a white lady in a capalana with Isabel - hurrying down the street. Walking fast, in the equivalent of a sheet wrapped around your waist, is not an easy thing. But we made it! And then we waited.....and waited....and waited.
So, here's how it works: when somebody dies, you can have the service at a church or at the hospital. The mom is not a member (Tômásīa is a the only active member in the family) so she opted to have it at the hospital. When we walked in the gates of the hospital grounds, there were about 200+ people standing around. I was the only Caucasian that I could see.

Each family is given a time to be there for their funeral. Ours was 1:00 pm, the hottest part of the day. Apparently, there's a list with the names and times, but people pay bribes to be bumped up on the list so you could be first on the list but the last one to be called. Oh boy....
At 2:30, somebody said it was our turn next, so we moved across the street to be closer to the place where the funerals are held. The 'chapel' is a cinder block garage with a raised concrete alter-like thing in the center. Each family has about 15 minutes to use the room. When our turn finally came about 45 minutes later, a truck with the body pulled up to the entrance, the body was unloaded, and we all moved into the room. The preacher said a few words and a group of people sang while everyone filed around the body and out the door of the building. The body is in a black coffin and covered with a white cloth pulled up to the mouth. It was all so strange but I still got teary and sad for the family.
Death is so common here and when it happens, they often don't know what the cause is. They don't question the doctors, if they even had the money to see a doctor, which they often don't, so they never know why the person died. They're such a stoic people and most don't shed a tear but there were a few mothers/wives that got hysterical. I watched a mother being carried from the building by five other women while she wailed in grief. Another woman being carried was limp; I guess she had passed out. It was very sad. Apparently, cameras are not used at funerals, which is so different from our culture where we take pictures to have memories of the funeral. But I did take a picture of these people all climbing into the truck that has the body in it to ride out to the cemetery.

They will ride hanging out of the truck all way the way to the cemetery just to get a ride there. I couldn't go because I had to teach my English class so I walked back home by myself. I hurried to get ready for class and had to drive the van because Dad wasn't back yet. Yabba dabba do!

On Thursday, we went with Larry and Sandi to the elders' new apartment, which has already sprung a leak. :(

This is Elder Sip making the greasiest - but puffiest - eggs I've ever seen:

We stopped at a plant seller for Larry to buy a pot for an avocado plant that he's growing and then tore home for my English class. I played the song, "Hot, hot, hot!" for them because we were learning pronouns and it has all the pronouns in the chorus ("I'm hot, she's hot, he's hot",etc) but something got lost in translation and they didn't really get it. Oh well...just trying to liven things up a bit. ;) 
But at the end of class, I showed the Easter video, because it only has written words, so they could practice reading. I showed it first in English and then in Portuguese. They loved that! One of my better students raised his hand and said he understood all the words except "outcast." That was a little tricky to explain. I acted out a fishing cast and then explained the context and they got it.

Friday, we had to take the two elders to the airport at 6:00 am, not my finest hour, especially when I'd stayed up til 2:00 am the night before and 1:30 am the night before that editting for Chanelle. (I love my kids SO much!!) So I was operating on 2 cylinders.....
It was a bummer goodbye for these guys - they were ZL's together.

After they left, we had to wait around for new group of elders that were flying in. Here's the newbies arriving in their first area: I gave them the "It takes awhile to adjust so if you're kinda freaked out, it's totally normal." talk. The third elder from the left is from Laie!

When we got home, I crashed while Dad went to help the elders move some more stuff. That night, we went to dinner. On the way back to the car, I saw a homeless person sleeping in a alcove. After we got in the car, I decided to go give my take-away (What do we call that at home? I'm losing my English...!) to the man. I was kind of nervous because you never know, so I put it down and scooted it across the cement to him. Boy, was I surprised when he turned over and then started to sit up!! It was a girl! I told her the food was for her and she had the blankest look on her face. Then I got back in the truck and watched as she opened it up and started to eat. I waved to her as we pulled away and she smiled and waved back. Wonder how long it'd been since she last ate...

Saturday we went to the church for baptisms and then went to buy rolls for Primary. They were hot so we had rolls with honey when we got home. YUMMM!!!!

Sunday was Easter but here's the thing: not one child knew it was Easter - not one. They celebrate it here. We saw people walking around with palm fronds the week before but these kids have next to nothing so it was just another day for them. They do like our new "bread" tradition. I taught about the life of Christ and then showed them the Easter video. They were mesmerized. I wish they were that quiet every Sunday! ;)

Well, that's our Easter week. It was kind of sad and not much variety in pictures, so here's some random ones for y'all:

Me and the local clean-up crew:

Pizza delivery - on their heads. It must have been a big order cuz a line of 7or 8 guys went past us with pizzas on their heads. Notice the rag wound beneath so they don't get burned.

Here's the big market in town opening up in the morning. The guy is spreading the tarp over the top for rain or sun. Not the sturdiest thing to be walking on.....

Selling bananas that have seen better days.

Saw this guy on the beach. Not sure what's in his bags but he had a lot of it, whatever it was!

And a personal favorite - taking the goat for a walk on a leash. Oh Africa!! ;)

Love you guys!!!

"your families are well...in me there is all power." (D & C 100:1)‏

On the evening of October 11, 1833, Joseph Smith, the prophet recorded a personal concern: “Very well in my mind. The Lord is with us, but have much anxiety about my family” (1:419). The next day Joseph and Sidney Rigdon together with Freeman Nickerson, a recent convert, arrived at the Nickerson home in Perrysburg, New York. It was on this day that the Prophet received the revelation recorded in section 100.

"Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my friends Sidney and Joseph, your families are well; they are in mine hands, and I will do with them as seemeth me good; for in me there is all power." (D & C 100:1) 

This verse has been a comfort to Mom and I from the time we decided to serve our mission. How blessed we are to have the blessings of time, health and resources to serve a mission. 

While many are praying for us here, we pray daily for those at home, including our great neighbors and business associates. 

Now for some pictures of the week:

Mom and I eating pizza at the brand new Luna Mar hotel.

Last Saturday, we had our monthly training meeting for the seminary and institute teachers. 
There are never any leftovers... 

Just outside the room where our training was taking place there was a wedding party coming down the hall.

The bride and her two children

This is our good District President Alfredo Camalizene.

In the front lawn of the Manga chapel.

This week on P-Day, the elders had a going away party for two (2) elders that start their return home tomorrow.

The two elders returning home are in the front.

On the left is Elder Bigelow from Phoenix and on the right is Elder Lake from Burley.

These women are collecting small clams to eat.

The missionaries were able to catch a ride in this very new chapa as we left the beach. 

Our apartment is directly behind these apartments.

The Van pulling away with 20 + riders!

Sure love you!

Goodbyes and Good News!‏

Oi (Hi!) 
   This week starts off with good news from across the ocean - the China travelers returned in 

one piece! Yippee! That was a "Whew" relief! Here's a few pics from their trip: 

 What an adventure!!  Glad they are all back safe and sound!!! 

 We found out last week that our cute neighbors are 

moving, so Monday Vita found out that I didn't know about a couple of grocery stores and said that she 

had to take me that day so she could show them to me. So off we went! The one store was so, so tiny 

but they had sliced turkey and whipping cream, something I haven't been able to find. And pretzels! 

 Oh, the simple joys...Last week, Vita - the mom - sent me a text saying that Christina, the younger 

daughter wanted me to help her with some homework. She said, "I can help her but she wants you."

 So I said "Sure, send her over." Turns out it wasn't help with her English class or a report, like I've 

done in the past.  It was a colored and labeled map of Africa - with all the terrains and had to be 

on cardboard and have a legend, yada, yada. 

 Yeah, it was one of those dreaded 'parent projects' that I thought I'd left behind years ago. 

Two hours later, we were done!

  ( she did get a 94% on it and said she was the only one that turned it in on time....score!) 

 The next day, we had them over for dinner. The dad, Enrico, had already gone to Maputo 

so it was just the women folk.  Isn't Vita pretty?

So, we found out that her sister was just baptized in Maputo and her mom is investigating the church. That was a surprise and reminded me yet again that you never know who's watching you, so be mindful of what you do - or don't do, like not being as kind as you should be. It reminded me of that time that we were on a trip somewhere and we ate in one of the airport restaurants before we boarded the plane. I had noticed that some people were watching us and thought we were being too loud. It turned out that they were the flight crew on our flight and one of the stewardesses said to me, "We were watching your family in the restaurant and we were saying that you all seemed so happy and seemed to get along so well." I thanked her and told her that we do have a good time together but I remember thinking at the time that it was a good thing that nobody did something rude or ornery. I've never forgotten that. Anyway.....dinner. I made BBQ chicken, but wasn't sure if they liked it - I've never seen anyone eat it here - so put it on the side but after coaxing the girls to try just a little, they did, and LOVED it! And ended up putting it all over their chicken.

The next day, Isabel had asked if Sandi and I could take her shopping for the food for the lunch for a Relief Society activity that was on Saturday. I told her 'sure' and to bring her two girls if they wanted to come. Riding in a car is a novelty for them so I thought they would have fun and then she wouldn't have to leave her girls. Mariana ended up coming along too so it was a party. ;) Here we are dropping everything off at the church:

Later, Vita asked if I could follow her to the airport to help her take her things there to ship to Maputo so she wouldn't have to make two trips. I was so nervous! I hate driving here with the crazy roads/reverse steering wheel/reverse sides of the road, dodging goats/bikes/pedestrians that are more afraid of the rain than cars. It really is nuts!!! But I did it just to help and prove to myself that I'm not a scaredy-cat. But I prayed fervently going and coming. I'm happy to report that I didn't hit anybody - or anything - and found my way back home by myself. (She had to stay to oversee the shipping.). Here's a picture I took yesterday to give you an idea of the traffic. 

The chapas are like N.Y. taxi drivers and come within inches of your car. We've been scraped and once we had a truck come at 40 mph and he clipped our car and knocked the mirror clean off. I thought we were goners that time. I shut my eyes a lot when we drive......really. Bikes, people, motorcycles, chapas, and the little chapelas (the tiny red 3-wheeled car) cut in front of you with no warning. It's very scary!
That night, the Boriellos came by to say their final goodbyes. I'm gonna miss them...:( Vita wanted a picture of us with the girls.

Friday, the Kretlys came in for Zone Conference. We took them to the new apartment for some elders - the ones that have been without water so much. Their new apt is so nice! They sent us a text the night they moved in and said it was the best shower since the MTC. Haha! We laughed, but knew what they meant because when you have been without water, you are really grateful to get it back!
Saturday was the District Relief Society activity. After we arrived, Isabel asked me and Sandi to go to the local paderia (in the rain) to buy rolls for the lunch.

  Here's me and another girl loading up the bags of rolls. They were huge bags!

The paderia on a Saturday morning...

Loading the rolls in the truck:

That's a 50 kg flour bag full of rolls!
Isabel had asked Sister Kretly and I to speak. I spoke on charity and gave examples of what people have done for us since we have been here, like the bracelet that one girl, Rudy, made me and the family that had us to dinner. I was going to read the sand-dollar story while I held up a sand-dollar, so I had a little panic moment when I realized that I'd forgotten to bring the story. There are a lot of weird words in the story that I don't have the vocabulary to translate off the top of my head, and I hadn't memorized it in Portuguese, so I just told it in English and Sister Kretly translated it for me. "Adapt"and "go with the flow" are part of our mantra here.
Sandi did a crochet demonstration. She's figured out how to cut plastic grocery sacks into strips and crochet them to make stuff. It's pretty cool and the ladies loved it because they are not creative here. Here's some one the things that she's made. It all made from plastic grocery bags!

After we spoke, each Branch did a performance. Here's Beira 1 doing a dramatization of the organization of Relief Society. 

 Mariana played Joseph Smith. They did a good job but it made me chuckle a bit...;) 

Here are the pioneer women:

Here's Joseph Smith and Emma (as played by Mariana and Emilia):

It was Chad's birthday so I made the signs and took them with me to the activity, looking for photo ops. Everybody was happy to help...
Here's the whole gang helping me wish Chad a Happy Birthday!
Everybody wanted to hold the signs. The gal in front looks happy, doesn't she?? Ha!

This group did a modeling show. That's kind of a big thing here: to just walk in a line and model your capalana. 

  Dad and I were at the church for a baptism the day before and these gals were practicing their walk so I asked them if they wanted me to show them how we model in the U.S. They said "Yes!" So I showed them and they all applauded. It was hilarious! But I noticed that they did do the 'stop, pause, turn, pause' technique so I guess they took it to heart. ;)
I held the gal on the end's baby while she modeled. He was a healthy little guy!

This group danced and they got into it. They were fun!

Then Ana Maria (my cute little widowed mother of 8) cut loose! I love this woman!!

That night, Brooke and Josh face-timed us with more good news and told us they are expecting #3!!! Wowie, Wowie!! That was a big surprise!!

Then dad surprised all of us, while Bee and I were chatting, by saying, "Here's some good flights for Virginia." I told him that he better not say that in front of Brooke unless he was serious and he said, "Of course, you've got to go back." So, Wahoo! I'm going to the U.S. of A. to see my little grand babies and meet the newest one!! Oh, and to help Brooker...;) I know I'm in for some reverse culture-shock so it should be exciting. But I'm way excited to see the babes!! So September it's 'goodbye Africa' - temporarily...
Sunday I had the sweetest thing happen: two boys were standing by the car and when I got out, one came up and handed me an orange. I asked him if it was for me and he nodded yes. He was so shy that as soon as I said thank you, he turned and darted off. Gosh, I appreciate it when the people give me things, but I also feel bad because I know it's usually a big sacrifice for them.
The people here aren't very demonstrative and especially with their kids. It's interesting. They do love babies here but after about age two they don't really hold them or touch them so it was weird for the kids when I hugged them or patted them. They didn't know what to do. But now they all come up and they'll lean against me or sit by me and lean on my lap. Today, a boy, about 8 or 9, came up while I was talking to someone after church and sat down and held my hand, so I squeezed his hand and he squeezed me back. Some other kids had gathered around, so he passed my hand to his friend and I squeezed his too and pretty soon everybody wanted to hold my hand and squeeze it. Funny kids. :)
Well, that's our week! We love you guys and pray mightily for you every day -

 often multiple times a day! ;)