The Last Hurrah

Well This is It!

My friends and most importantly my family, I hope you have enjoyed this 2 year journey with me as a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This week marks my last and final week on mission. Crazy to say that, but these past two years have been packed with adventures, emotions, and growth. Mission is the best decision I have made in my life and I don't regret one part of it.  

It has changed my life, my perspective on life, and my relationship with my father in heaven. 

Although these words may be generic... haha They are true. There has been so much that has happened that I don't even know how to describe the type of experience that it was. 

But I will truley misis the people of Zimbabwe. I have grown a bond and love for everyone that I have met in this mission. It is something that I will never forget. And the most joy I have expereince has been here. In Africa, serving the people of ZImbabwe. Because that is what has pushed me through these two years, helping, serving, and watching the lives of people change. I will miss this once in a lifetime opportunity. 

I just want to leave with my solemn testimony. I wish I could pour my emotions onto this screen, but typing only goes so far. haha 

I know that this is Jesus Christ's church restored back to the earth. With out a doubt I know that Joseph Smith was the Prophet called by god to Restore the sacred and glorious truths back to the earth. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. It is real. A real ancient record of the people who once live upon the ancient land of the Americas. And I know that it testifies of Jesus Christ, who is our Savior. Who paid the penalty of sin and pain and afflictions for all of us, so each of us can be perfected in him and return comfortable back to our Father's precence. I know this gospel blesses the lives of those who live it. And I know this missionary work is called of God, and that he send every missionary to the exact place where the people need them. I testify these things to be true, with all my heart, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I love you all and will see you all soon!!! Until we meet again!

Love,

Elder Parco

Pictures:

This week we had a baptism of Langelishe! What a happy ending, as well got to baptize a canidate I taught with the other Elders for 3 weeks! I love this work!

Effective contacts

Hello everyone! This week marks the second to last week on mission, and I am truly going to miss it. But still loving the work and working hard!

Now I just wanted to start off, great news, Elder Mwamba, my great great great grandson on mission, now has a son! haha there was someone who came from the MTC in the middle of the transfer and Elder Mwamba gets to train him. So that makes me a great great great great grandfather to him! haha But besides the little family history:

Exchanges with Elder Masona

This week we had exchanges and I got to be with Elder Masona for the day. He is a native Zimbabwean from Harare. It was super nice to work with him that day. But I learned something that day that we talked about. Elder Masona was trained by a great Elder, Elder Sink. And he was talking about the good training that he had. Well he was saying how they enjoyed talking to as many people in the area they could, and meeting so many great people and doing so much good in the area around. And teaching the gospel to them and making all these connections. But then he said, however, none of them ended up progressing. But he really enjoyed the experience and felt like they did lots of good in the area. Then it made me think, sometimes, it's not all about having people who progress in the gospel, but going around and being an example of Christ. Farming isn't all about harvesting, but planting seeds, watering, taking care of the field, so that the harvests will be in greater abundance when the time comes. That is what missionary work is for. The most effective missionary is one who does God's will and is a true example of Christ. Exchanges, you learn a lot.

Effective Contacts

Well.. with that lesson learned on Wednesday, we put it to the test. On Sunday we set aside some time to go contacting for a bit, and well it was actually super sucessful. We just tried this one street. And the first house we knocked, the father wasn't all too interested, but we did make a friendly relationship with him. Then we saw this couple in the yard doing some gardening, so we shout out to them, greet them and conclude that we can come next Saturday. That was cool. But lastly we go pass this house, and my companion just says high to the people behind the gate. We start talking to them, and tell them what we do. Not totally interested, we were able to get an appointment for the next Sunday. But right before we were going to go, we offer to help this one guy in the driveway to wash the car. So he accepts. And we start washing and creating a neat connection with them. We got to know them better and learned a bit about the famliy. It was awesome! Service is always the way to the heart!

Well I love you all and hope you had a great week! Until Next Time!!

Love,

Elder Parco

pictures:

-We helped out with a wedding at the church! It went well!

Angels are among us

Angels are among us!

Hello once again family and friends! This week was once again another great week. Miracles happened and everything ended up working in the end. But there is this one instance that I want you tell you about.

So in the area we are teaching this older baba named Bro. Champion. He is this older man, who is the most friendliest person on the street. He owns his own little street shop selling snacks, as well as repairs shoes and electronics, and says hello with the biggest smile to all who pass him on the street. He has it all. But this baba just really wanted someone to talk to. So we go and try to teach him some of the gospel lessons... haha however, it is more like he is teaching us. Because every time we go there, we sit down, and he just starts teaching us what he learned in the pamphlet, then goes off about some life lesson that he has learned in the space of his lifetime. It's hilarious. haha Although we aren't exactly able to get in much words, every time we go there something good happens.

For example, on Wednesday we go there. And as we are teaching, he calls over this lady and asks her to join us and for her to start reading the pamphlet out loud. Then not much later a member comes over to us and asks us to visit her a her less active husband. Then after the lesson we were leaving, and this lady comes up to us and asks us "I see you guys walking the streets everyday, what inspires you to do so?" So we share with her the message of the Restoration, and plan a visit with her. It was a miracle. But it doesn't stop there. When we go to visit this baba on Friday, as we are going to leave, this other lady comes up to us, with a broken heart and asks us to pray for her. Then we also leave a small warmfelt message with her, and set a day we can see her. All these things happened at that little shop of the friendly old man.

Now I don't know if this baba will ever progress, but the things he is learning is enlightening him, and he just loves to share it with those he sees around. And his countenance is bringing others to hear about the message.

Although he is just an investigator, he has been an angel in my eyes.

I hope everyone had a wonderful week this week! I love you all and wish you all the best weeks! Until Next Time!

Love,

Elder Parco

Pictures:

-Zone conference!!! One with the comp! One with Elder Bollinger and Elder Riggs, and One with the bus!!

Change

The Area

Well after the first week of success we continued to tackle the area. And this week sadly was not as precious as the last week. But all in all, things are still going well. But one thing that I am starting to see in this area, is that we are starting to create a nice connection with the members! It nice. As well something I always love to do here on the mission is to help people. Whether it be a short message that they needed or actual service. Every bit of it I love and embrace. Like this week we helped someone dig a hole for composting. yes many blisters appeared but I loved doing the service. This is why I love the work. Just making friends helping them and changing their lives. I wish I could do It my whole life.

Change

Well this week there was a bit of change in the area. We moved out of Nketa 9 and are now neighbors with our Bishop in Nketa 8! I am so happy for the move, and now I have experienced two new things on mission! 1) This will be the first time I have ever actually lived in the area that we are assigned to. And 2) This is the first time in a two man house!

Yeah My mission has been something else. And yes.. still have never set a foot in a car my entire mission. But it builds character. Anyways pictures are available for all to see the new house we moved into. It's nice. But it gets cold at night. haha

And with the topic of change, just wanted to add a little something more about the change on my mission.

Here is something I realized: We always are changing, ever changing and progression. But it depends on the direction we take. But for here I have seen so much change on my mission. I am a completely different person from when I have started. But the change that happened wasn't planned. It was just God's doing. I am giving myself to him, and he is changing me every single day, every moment, and when I go through I may not realize the change,but looking back it's there and it's significant. Yes. People always say mission is hard. And it's very true. But change only comes when there is pressure. Now I only have 4 weeks left. Many of my weaknesses are coming to light, but I just want to take advantage of these last 4 weeks to see how much more I can change before I come home.

I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love,

Elder Parco

Being the Lord's hands

The Crew is Back!

Well The first week of the transfer is back and the news is true! Elder Kambuzuma is back in Zimbabwe! Well We got to hear the full story from his side but basically. First he was supposed to go to the Ghana MTC but plans chaged and he went to the Johanasburg MTC. Then... he was still supposed to go to the Zimbia mission after MTC. But new revelation came and he was reassign again to be back here and finish he mission in the Zimbabwe mission. So now it's us 4 in the house again! No changes from last transfer! But word hit today that me and Elder Kambuzuma will be moving out into the new house they got us in Nketa 8! So that will be exciting!

The many New Investigators

This week we had many many new investigators. And the coolest thing was the way we found them. We either visited a member, or an investigator and have a fall through, but end up finding someone at the house to teach. It was something pretty cool haha. But my two favorite members who give us many people to teach are William and Vannessa, both recently baptized of a year. We go to there house since we were teaching the mom, and find out that the mom wasn't feeling the best, so before we were going to leave, they were like, "Wait! We need to find people for you to teach!" So once again as they did before, we went out into the street and they just would talk to the nieghbors and are like, "Hey come here to learn about the gospel!" haha And well with thier efforts we were able to teach Prince! Who is related to another investitgator we were teaching. And well we taught him and he seemed super interested! And it was awesome! he had many questions and serious ones too! So now we are ggoing to meet him this Wednesday!

Being the Lord's Hands

This week was one that was pretty miraculous. So frist we were on fire this week from the fresh MTC spirit that my companion had. But with that special spirit we were able to be at the right place at the right time. It seemed that any time we had free moments in the day, we planned to visit a so and so member. And we go there and realize the inspiriation in the decision. Whether it be a hard day, or a blessing that needed to be given. We were there at the perfect time. It was amazing to see. And the greatest feeling to have. Knowing that the Lord trusts you enough to lead you to these circumstances, to be an answer to someone elses prayer. That's what I love about the mission. Really seeing the divine design of God's work in the process.

Well I always love you all! Have a great week! Until NExt time!

Love,

Elder Parco

Pictures:

-Me and my comp!

Baptisms and Lucky Finds

Baptism off Atlositso

Well we can say that this week was pretty cool. Another good week in the trio. And after roughing out the edges of logistics between our two areas, it went beatifully. But this week we were able to have a baptism of a now newly powerful member. Atlositso (haha still can't pronounce the name right) But I can say that she was beyond prepared for her baptism. She has such a strong testimony and her story of how everything happened is quite amazing. She told us that before she met the missionaries, she wasn't going to church for a bit. Then she decided that she needed to join a church, but she didn't know which one. So she said a prayer a lo and behold, the missionaries showed up! And now she is powerful. She is already halfway through the Book of Mormon and has a strong testimony about it. I am so happy now that she can enjoy the blessings from the gospel. 

A Lucky Find

As well this week we were able to get a referral. So we show up to the house and... we found Lucky! That was his name. And he said that he was waiting for missionaries to come to his house. Well we had a powerful lesson on the Restoration and it all made sense to him. As well when we started teaching about the apostasy he shared that he was always confused about the different doctrines in Churches and has switched churches because some things just didn't feel right. So now we are continuing to teach him.

Tatenda (We are Thankful)

As this week on the mention of finding. Last week, as we were walking to the church we came across this lady who stopped us and always wanted to ask, when the church meetings were at our church. Well Conviently (more like God Inspiringly) We ran into her at the perfect time! And this Sunday, she was able to come to church!! It was amazing! Most people here wouln't do that! But she showed up! And she enjoyed the church service.

Well I love you all and hope that your weeks continue to go well! Next week will be my last transfer. SO i wonder what it will bring! Love you lots! Until next time!! 

Love,

Elder Parco

Pictures:

-Just the one from the baptism

Why do we not have faith?

Two New Old Companions!

Well, with the departure of Elder Kambuzuma who is now currently in the Ghana MTC, training there for the next 3 weeks before he heads off to Zambia, I was now companionless. But with the changes that took place in the mission. It was decided that I will now be in a trio with those who I was staying with. Elder Whitier and Elder Tshibangu! Two new companions but two of whom I have served with already before! Elder Whittier for a transfer in Masvingo, and Elder Tshibangu who I served with in Kwuadzana. So it will be nice to be with both of my past companions. Which we will now be doing some double cover in both of the areas that we are serving in. Nketa 1st ward and Nketa 2nd. But ready to start this new temporary adventure!

The Choas in the Week

So with all the jumbling around as well as having Zone Conference and Interviews this week, this week was a pretty busy week. But I can say that I was inspired from Zone Conference and the interviews. So let me just share a piece of that knowledge that I gained.

Why do we not have Faith?:

First off in Zone Conference President gave a profound talk to us. He asked us. Why do we not have faith in Jesus Christ? Then he went to the scriptures, and shared all of the miracles that Jesus Christ did. His miraculous healings, and the power he showed to Moses. Then he said, so If Christ has such great power, then why do we not have faith in him that he can do the same. Then he shared a scripture that touch me. In Matt 11: 29 when Christ says Come unto me and take my yoke upon you and ye will have rest.  Then he asked how do we come unto him? Then the answer was simple. Give him your will. Then he said, if we come unto him, all the problems we may be having all the stresses we could be placed in, you can find rest, if you just have faith in him let the atonement work through you and give him your will. It was powerful especially since that past week was a bit of a struggle for me. And it was true. My yoke was light, and I found rest. Because of Christ's Atonement for us. 

Well I love you all! I hope you have a great week!! Until Next Time!

Love,

Elder Parco

Pictures:

-Took some District Pictures before Elder Kambuzuma left!

-The new Trio!!

-My MTC Buddies!!

-Got home from the Conference and spilled Yogurt all over the pants...

-Nice Picture of the Sun

-Played sports this morning!

Happy Mother's day!

Exchanges with my great great Grandson, Elder Morrison

This week I had the sweet opportunity to go on exchanges with my great great grandson!!! Elder Morrison! He's a sweet guy! Super cool! Proud to call him my Grandson! haha But the exchanges were cool too! But there is this one lesson that I want to share the spoils with. So we planned to see Solomon at 3... but when we got there he wasn't there. but luckily Solomon live in the same house as Vanessa mother does, who Vanessa is that recent convert, her mother not though. So she called us over and we had a great lesson with her. Apparently in the past she really didin't approve of the church and had bad vewis but when we came there that day she was so open and asked so many inspired questions to us as well! Very very inspired. It was soo sweet! And now she wants us to continue to teach her! So that will be exciting. But overall the exchange was great!

A Sweet Find

As well on this week, on Saturday we started a sports night at the church, and this week we did volleyball... however the ball we bought was cheap and popped halfway through the game.. so we just resorted to soccer. haha And well there was this one kid there, after the sporting that was like, I'm gonig to come to church tomorrow! And sure enough the next day he came! And he loved it. Super cool find!

Happy Mothers Day to All

Just want to say!! Happy Mothers day to all Mothers out there!!! Have a great week!

Little update to all!

So just for a little update. Today recently as of when I am writing this email, we got notified that my companion will be reassaiged to a mission in Zambia, instead of Cape Town his original call, as he was serving here in Zim, waiting for his visa. Well he also will be heading for the MTC on Wednesday!! So... that means he's going to be gone! Gonig to be super sad when he leaves! And that means my companion or area, or both might change. but i'll know this coming week!

WEll I love you all Hope you have a great week! Until Next Time!

Love,

Elder Parco

Pictures:

-The Studs on the Street! After we did some gardening in the morning!

-Me and Elder Morrison after the exchanges. Had no food in the house so bought some bread... You'll see why

-It my famliy! From the Skype Love them all!!

-So this is our fridge... consists of expired yogurt, butter, a rotten apple, and an empty 2 Liter bottle... haha yeah... this week was a struggle but we are going shopping today!

Baptisms and Charity

Baptism of Cynthia

Well This week we had a baptism of Cynthia!! It was pretty awesome! Like always baptisms are always a plus and great feeling in the week. I am so happy that she could be able to be baptized and she seemed so happy after the baptism. Also the next Sunday when she was getting comfirmed, she brought a friend with her! That was sweet!

Mini Updates for the Week

So for the minni updates of the week, Sadly Thabo didn't progress as well as we thought he would. He does has questions, but the next two meetings it was more of a challenging questions than learning... so we are giving him one more chance. And told him to read the Book of Mormon if he really wants to find the truth out for himself. But He's a good guy. Let's hope the Book of Mormon will soften his heart. As well some of our investigators were not able to come this Sunday.. which was sad but, I'm not too worried. the ones that have been coming are powerful.

Also on the good news we had found this wondeful famliy that we are going to start teaching! I am super stoked to be teaching them! I'll let you know how the visit goes next week! And we met another investigator with the sweetest and energitic girl ever! haha She took a rag off the floor and started saying it was her puppy, then she started to try to feed me her fries. We'll be seeing her and her mom on Wednesday! Excited for that!

Charity

Well something I would like to touch up on that I learned was this. Charity is the pure love of Christ, and if ye have not Charity then you are nothing. That is something that I learned this week. Certainly missions can get repetative, and lately, I was starting to get into the motions, rather than serving with my heart. Well this week my companion changed that. I just watched him, loving and serving with all his energy to those around me, and it gave me this wake up call. That I really am missing something in the service that I am doing. I'm missing the charitable aspect. Then just these past couple days, I told myself. All I am going to focus on is loving the people. And what a difference it made! Charity is truly the love of Chrsit and it is through him and being like him that change will occur in our lives and those around us. 

Well I love you all! Hope everyone had a great week! Until NExtTimE!

Love,

Elder Parco

Pictures:

-Yeah so we found a sick rainbow! Took some pictures

-Haha while we were taking pictures this one lady just goes across and starts to pose!!! Like "Take a Picture!!!" haha so we took her some photos! I love the people here!

What a find!

The New Investigators! What a Find!

Well this has been another adventurous week in the mission! And a good start to the transfer! Just have to say Elder Kambuzuma is great! But anyways, the week.

Thabo:

First off. Thabo. So we went over to Michelle's our youngster recent convert, and as we were there we asked if anyone in the house would want to hear about the message we had. Well all in the house declined. But they said the neighbor is interested. So he came over and we started the discussions. But this guy is awesome! The next meeting we had with him, he had some honest questions and it was amazing! It was so cool to see his sincere interest. I love this guy.

Bridget Tafadswa Thabiso and Felistas:

So the way we found all these people was pretty awesome! So throughout the day we were working with a member named Peter. Well the time came that he had to go home, and so we let him free then went our seperate ways. Well in the process we met another member Vanessa. And just asking if she had any freinds for us to teach, she said.." No." But then she was like, "But let me find some people for you to teach." So she guides us down the road to the street where she lives and just starts asking her neighbors that are outside. "Hey you should listen to these missionaries and their message about Jesus Christ." haha Well She rounded up two young boys for us, and then we sat down and Felitas came outside and joined us. Then Vanessa said, "Alright I'm going to ask my mom if she is interested." Well couple minutes later her mom comes out. And we have a discussion with those four about the Book of Mormon. It was awesome! And we set more time to meet up with them too!

Mpofu Family:

Lastly the Mpofu famliy. These people are so ready for the message. Well remember how Vanessa was calling random neighbors? Well there was this one boy who wan't free at the moment but said we would stop by at his house later. So the day we went to see Tafadswa and Thabiso again, we decided to knock on his house and see if he was there. Well... Apparently the boy lived at the back of the house because we knocked at the front and this young adult answered the door. We told him what we were doing so he let us in. And then we started teaching the Restoration. And as we introduced the message. he started to ask, "So how do I know which church is right for me?" "I've been going from church to church but can't find what is right?" So we were thinking, well this guy is perfect! Then in the middle of the lesson his mother and his sister come in. And the mother starts asking all these inspired questions as well like, "So why are there so many churches today?" "Which church has the preisthood authority?" "Why is the mode of baptism different in all these chruches?" And so with smiling faces, we answered all of them. And she was super happy! I am so glad that we were lead to this wonderful famliy! Pray that they progress!

Well that was my week!! hope you had a great one this week too! Sorry no pictures this week! But love you all! Until Next Time!

Love,

Elder Parco

Meeting with the prophet

Meeting with the Prophet!

Well this week was sure once in a lifetime type of week. President Nelson and Elder Holland came for a visit! And the whole mission got to come! As for us in Bulawayo, we are about a short distance of a 6 hour bus ride to Harare... So Monday night the whole Bulawayo zone got to stay in the Zone Leaders house so we could rise early and get on our way to Harare. Leaving at 6am.. we finally arrived at Harare at 12. And the prophet came to us at 2! It was awesome! Two Seventies, an Apostle and the Prophet himself, as well as all of their wives got to speak to us. Elder Hamilton, his wife, Elder Palmer, his wife, Elder Holland, his wife, and President Nelson, and his wife. It was a spiritually filled chapel at highlands Harare! And probably will never happen again! But things I loved from thier talks.

 Elder Holland talked about making this mission so important to you that when your future children come up to you to ask you about your mission, you can weep. Because it was such a touching and life changing experience in your life.

 Also I love when Sister Nelson talked about listening to the prompting of the spirit. In her journey how she met President Nelson and the many life decisions that led to prominent factors in her life.

And last President Nelson talked about the importance of eternal marriage and that is how we endure to the end, and bring the blessings of Abraham upon us.

 But most of all I love how we got to see the personal side of all of these chosen leaders. President Nelson is a funny guy. haha He told us, how after he announced the temples that a newspaper reporter commented that President Nelson "Enjoyed announcing the temples" Then he turned to us, paused and said with a smirk on his face..."You bet I did!!" haha 

It was such a great opportunity to see these wonderful leaders of God and am so happy that I got the chance to be here for that moment!

Then after all was over, Got back on the bus and took the 6-7 hour jounery back.. arriving at 1am. haha But totally worth it.

The Powerful Referral!

This week we got a wonderful referral from our neighboring missionaries. So of course we contact the reffereal and set a time to meet at his house. We get there and him and his friend was waiting for us to share the gospel. We share about the gospel of Jesus Christ. And Tonias and Courage had some awesome questions! Well the lesson ends, and then Sunday morning we invite them to church, and both of them came! And staying all three hours as well! Most surprising thing is, they live pretty far away from where the chapel is! They for sure were powerful referrals.

Another Transfer! 2 left!

Well this week marks yet another week of Transfers. For me, I am staying in Nketa. Same area. But my hilarious companion will now be leaving to Kwekwe. Who will now be companions with  Elder Haynie. Me and Elder Whittier stayed here, and Elder Whittier's ex companion Elder Mangwana is going to Bindura. And Elder Whittier's new companion is going to be Elder Tshibangu!! haha My previous companion before I came here. And has for me, I will have a temporary companion, Elder Kambuzuma from Zimbabwe! Who in 4 weeks from now will be heading off to the MTC! 

But excited for another transfer! And to serve with another wonderful Elder.

WEll I love you all like always! Have a wonderful Week! Until NExt Time!

Love,

Elder Parco

Pictures:

-Sleepy sleepy sleepy

-My posterity. (right to left!)

-Mah MTC Elders!

-Elder Horlacher and Elder Gordon

-Elder Tambe!

-Elder Leneham

-Picture with the Prophet! Can you find me?

Zone Conference, Interviews, and Saturday Activity

Zone Conference, Interviews, and Saturday Activity! A Busy Week!

Well this week was sure a week full of excitement! Busy Busy week. But enjoyed the most of it. So first things first. Wednesday we had Zone Conference. Took the 2 hour bus ride up to Gweru to have a wonderfully inspired Conference. Then on Friday, it got a little more tangled. In the morning we had interviews with President that went until 3pm... Well it takes about 1 hour to get back, so we get back and have to get to the area to have an interview with a candidate that we baptized this Saturday. As well we were preparing things for the activity that we planned. So we go with the other Elder Elder Koch and Mbabela, for the interview. While there we had to drop somethings off at a members house who was helping us with the popcorn refreshements. Then at that same time the Zone Leaders were coming for Elder Koch's interviews... But all in all, went on a couple minni exchanges, and when all was done... we then went and filled up the font at the chapel. haha But Saturday went well. Had a bit of a hicupp of picking up the popcorns, but all in all it was sucessful! But that was the jist of the week. Was a fun one!

A Touching Moment

As we were walking to church on Sunday, there was just a touching moment. Ones that I love to see on mission. Just before we got to the gate of the church, arriving 15 minutes early. We saw one of our investigators there! She came early! And not only that but she was so commmited that she came alone early, even though she lives with members at the house. It was soo cool to see her commitment! And we are planning on baptizing her on the 28th of this month!

Well that was my week! I love you all! And excited to shake the hands of Elder Holland and President Nelson tomorrow!! Until next Time!

Love,

Elder Parco

Pictures:

-Well... honestly forgot what I put here.. but I think the pictures are of the Zone Conference and just nice pictures in the area. So enjoy them all!