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!