I'm off to Misvingo!

I Got Transferred!

Another week of Transfers came, and I will be leaving the city of Kadoma! It was a bittersweet moment saying bye to all the people I have met in that area. But now I'm off to a new adventure in my mission. So where did I get transfered to? Well I am now in the area of Misvingo. As Sister Mkhabela says, (mission president's wife), "The island of the mission". It was about a 5 hour drive from the city of Kadoma, but about 7 hour drive away from the city of Harare. So it's pretty far out. But so far what I can tell it's really nice. And it has a nice chapel here. Seems like my areas keep upgrading. haha But I am now companions to Elder Chimtengo who is from Malawi. He a really cool guy! And he has already been in this area for 2 transfers or 3 months. 

So as for my last area, Well me and Elder Richardson both left Kadoma, and noone is coming in to replace us, probably because the decrease of missionaries. But our beloved housemates Elder Condie and Cazier will be taking over both areas, like how we started in the Trio in the beginning of the transfer.

But I am now excited for this new change! We'll just have to see what happens next!

Highlights of Kadoma

Well since I left Kadoma, here are some highlights of it:

The kids would know my name and say, "Elder Parco, how are you?" or "HOw are you Murugu?" then want to hold my hand. 

When we would walk in our area at night, the smoke and dust would stay just above the ground so you would breathe in a bunch of smoky and dusty air the whole night, with your eyes burning. haha not the best. But it was cool

Also the Tech shops  6x6 feet that would sell basic food supplies. They were just cool.

My awesome recent convert rapper friend who can rap like nobodies business.

My other awesome friend who was a great motivational speaker.

Oh and can't forget about the lovely potholes that were there. So bad that cars would actually drive off the road than drive on it beacuse there would be 20 potholes in the space of 10 feet.

And the wonderful members who would love to have us over for dinner every week.

And lastly the amazing Young men/branch missionaries who are preparing for missions that would ask us if they could help with missionary work. THey will be super powerful misisonaries when they go out.

I will truly miss this place, but it was a great adventure!

Until next time,

Elder Parco

English Speaking Mission?

Zimbabwe English Speaking Mission?

The mission language here is English. We teach in English, talk in English, and do all that we can do, in English. However sometimes communication can be a little rough since most of Zimbabwe speaks Shona, and the rest speaks Ndelbele. So here is a real example of a communication mishap that sometimes happens:

It was nighttime, getting dark, and time to go home. So me and my companion just entered into a taxi/car that was going to take us back to town. We sit down and try to start a friendly conversation with the driver:

Richardson: "This car is Big!" 

Driver seeming not to understand us: "What you say?"

Me trying to help: "There's lots of space in this car!" 

Driver exclaiming all panicked: "You left your bag?"

haha it was quite funny but after that it was just silence in the car until we got to the destination, and said "Mai Tabasa!" (Thank you) And left.

But apparently I'm still not the best at English either, because Wednesday I went on exchanges with Elder Condie and we went out to contact some people, and we stop at this one store to talk to the lady there. So we start talking small talk, and then apparently I ran out of ideas on what to talk about because I started to ask a question not really knowing what I wanted to say and said, "So do you have.... Pets? Haha it was the awkwardest pause ever! But the lady laughed a bit and I pulled it off so it wasn't horribly awkward. But yeah So far being out 10 months on mission, I'm still learning the language.

Miracles of the Exchange!

Like I mentioned before, this week I went on exchanges with Elder Condie. And we saw so many miracles happen that day. But there is this one experience that was absolutely perfect:

After teaching some lessons throughout the day, we had about an hour gap or so until our next appointment, so we decided to some companionship study during that time. We looked around where we could sit and Elder Condie picked a spot on a pile of rocks we could sit on infront a gate to a house. We sit down and see this kid go into the gate of this house. Then 2 minutes laterthe kid named Rodrick comes out and asks if we have any books that he can read. So we told him that we can just teach about the books we have. It was great! Just after we taught about the Restoration and ended with a closing prayer, his parents come up to the house and invite us in! The gave us some butered bread and sodas. But then they told us something about Rodrick and us missionaries. The other day Elder Condie and Cazier were walking down the street returning a cricket ball they lost the other day and Rodrick saw them. So he ran to his house and told the parents that he saw the missionaries friends and wants his parents to see them as well. But the time that Rodrick came back, Elder Condie and Cazier were already gone. So me and Elder Condie just happened to sit right outside that very house that Rodrick lived in. It was an abosulte miracle. We ended up teaching the family as well about the Restoration and invited them to church. And this Sunday, the family came. The mom, Rodrick, and some friends. It was amazing!

Then later on that night we were walking back to the house which would of been a 40 minute walk, but Elder Condie and I really didn't feel that well, so we prayed to get a ride back home from someone passing by, and after the 3 car. Someone picked us up and brought us to our street, free of rent!

I now have stronger conviction that ever that in God's work there is no such thing as coincidences and that it is all on the Lord's timing. I know that as long that we are doing the right thing and we follow the spirit, that God will lead us to those that are prepared to recieve the gospel.

Family! I love you so much, it was so nice to talk to you and see all your faces and hear your voices. I hope that everyone had a great week this week!

I love you all!

Love,

Elder Parco

Pictures:

1) Exchanges with Elder Condie

2) We went golfing today! Got so much better!

House fixing

How many Missionaries can you fit into one house

This week must be the fixer upper week because 1) There is now a guy working at our house to make the yard all nice, and 2) The Zone leaders house is being renovated. Which means the Zone leaders are now living at our house until things are all nice and tidy back at the other house. So if you add everything up, that's about 6 missionaries that are living in one house. They came in Wednesday night and I think they will be heading back to there house on Wednesday this week. So it's been quite a party at the house. haha With 6 people, things get messy real fast. But it's good. The Zone leaders are just lodging in the room where Elder Richardson and I study with their mattresses. But it's been cool have a temporary 6 man house.

Just a casual Week

The missionary wok is continuing to go well in the town of Rimuka. We have been preparing this mother and her daughter for baptism. And the mother is so sweet and kind. She is a blind lady who loves to hear about the gospel and tries to go to church every week. And her son Tatenda who was recently baptized weeks ago is so excited to be able to serve a mission when he gets older. I just love this family so much and am excited for this weekend for their baptisms.Also this week I was able to go on exchanges with the Zone leaders. It was a great experience. We met this new investigator in their area that when we taught, was so excited about the gospel and all that it had for them. It was so amazing. He loved it and his wife who didn't know English tried so hard to listen in. It was a great lesson to teach.

Besides missionary work we also did some service. We got to help someone plow/hoe their small field. It was fun but ended up in a couple of blisters on the hand. But I can now say I've farmed on Zimbabwean soil!

Besides the casual things, we had some unusual things happen:

So while me and Elder Richardson were teaching a lesson to a group of three guys about the Word of Wisdom, one of the guys asked a smarty question like "What if you get addicted to a drug you are supposed to take for health?" And asked if that happens if you should stop taking the drug or keep taking it. And then this drunk discombobulated guy with a beanie and dreads listening to the conversation comes up and says with a slurred voice"I got something to say on this" Haha and we were all a little nervous but we let him talk. And he shouted. "If you are taking something that you are addicted to STOP IT!" "Addicted to Alcohol STOP IT Addicted to tobacco STOP IT! Addicted to marijuana STOP IT! Stop Being addicted! Thank you!" Haha it was one of the most funniest moments I have ever had while teaching that lesson. And he totally backed us up on all of the things on the Word of Wisdom. Me and my companion were cracking up while he was totally testifying of the truth. It was awesome.

But this week was great! And it went by so fast! I love you all and hope that everyone had a great week!

Love,

Elder Parco

Pictures:

Welp just have a picture of a homemade burger that we made over an open fire!

A memory found

A Memory Found

We found a powerful new investigator this week! Her name? Memory! We were walking down the street and this lady called us over and said that her friend really wanted to know more about the gospel. So excitedly we set a return appointment with her. When we met her, we taught about the Restoration and asked if she had any questions. Then she said the golden questions every missionary is looking for: She asked, "What is my Purpose in life, and where will we go after this life" Then she continued on saying, "I've done a lot in my past life and just really want to know how to change from my mistakes and become free of sin?" When she said that, our jaws just dropped and was like, "Well, everything you just asked is exactly why we are here!" Haha

 Then this Saturday she came to an activity that us missionaries planned. We shared messages about why families are important, and emphasized on the importance of spending time together. Then with permission we got to watch the movie Home! It was awesome and successful! Although super stressful at first. But it all worked out.

A Powerful Sacrament Meeting

First A fun culture thing: So here in Zimbabwe, everyone speaks Shona. So when sacrament meeting and church comes around, people speak Shenglish. They combine Shona and English together, and I still don't know Shona. But I get the gist of what they are saying. But Anyways...

This Sacrament meeting was a powerful one!  The speakers were so good and you could really feel the spirit. But my favorite part was when we were in the investigators class, and one of our investigators for the first time coming to church said,"That meeting really touched me. I really felt something different inside of me, and I didn't expect that when I came. It touched me so deeply."

After she said that all of the missionaries in the room were smiling thinking, "That my friend is called the spirit."

I know that the spirit testifies of truth and that through the Holy Ghost, we all can know the truth of all things. 

Zone Conference

This week we had Zone Conference which was really nice. Sister Mkhabela talked about continuing our flames that we all once had at the MTC and not letting it die. And the counsel on Leadership was great! Besides that afterwards we got to take a generation picture with my trainer and trainee. Was pretty cool.

Well I had a great week this week! I hope everyone had a great week as well!

Love you all!

Elder Parco

Pictures:

1) Elder Condie and Caizer made this awesome pizze pasta

2-3) Generation pictures Left to Right: Elder Luvuno's son, Elder Luvuno (Father), Me, Elder Young Yen (Son), Elder Condie (grandson)

4) Missionaries heading home this transfer from this conference

5) Just helping separeating maize from the cob

God really does answer prayers

God Answers the Prayers of All

I think that the greatest thing that comes from the mission, is seeing miracles happen in the investigators lives of those you teach! And there is this one amazing investigator, Mai (Mother) Junior. We have been meeting with her for quite some time, to the point where we have been teaching into greater depth of the lessons we share. But on Friday we taught her more about prayers, and how it can be a communication with God. We started talking about how prayers can be answered in different ways and gave multiple examples. Then we asked her if she had an example she has seen in her life. She gave us this story:

Weeks ago Mai Junior wanted to learn more about the Word of God and to understand it a little more. So one day she prayed to God to ask to find help. She asked for anyone to stop by and help her. Then she said a voice came into her head, "They will pass right by you." She looked up and saw me and Elder Barrus (My previous companion) And she ran up to us and asked for a Bible Study! SO of course Elder Barrus and I scheduled an appointment for her. She said that we were an answer to her prayers and was so grateful that God had answered her. 

When she told us this story, I was so touched. Because before that moment, I didn't know that we were an answer to her prayers. We just thought she was some lady that wanted to just have a bible study. But hearing that experience really strengthened my testimony. That as Missionaries, we really are on the Lord's Errand. And that things aren't coincidental. And God really does answer all prayers.

This Sunday she was able to make it to church for her first time!! And she was super early! I was so happy when she came! We are now currently planning out her baptismal date, after we figure out the issues of getting her legally married. I just hope everything works out so she can be baptized. But I know she is converted to the gospel.

Trio Has Dispersed

Sadly all of our adventures as a trio will now be over. Including those rap battles... BUT doesn't mean I can still be good when I get home. So what happened? Well in the middle of the week we got a call from the Zone Leaders telling us that Elder Cazier will be getting a new companion, Elder Condie!! He has come from my home town Bindura! And also.. he's my grandson!! (Meaning Elder Young Yen who I trained (my son) trained Elder Condie (My Grandson)) So he has been joining us in the huge house of ours. He's a really cool guy! And really tall. But we have now continued our fun with our new housemate, Elder Condie.

Amen!

SO funny thing. We went to a house to teach a lesson to a recent convert. And she had a little brother who was about 5 years old. Before each lesson, we always start with a prayer. Elder Cazier was the one who said the prayer. So during the prayer this little kid, who really couldn't understand much English really wanted to make sure he said AMen at the right time. While Elder Caizer was praying, this kid would shout "AMEN!" AMEN" Over and over at random times whenever he thought the prayer was over. Haha it was really funny and then at the end of the Prayer Elder Cazier made it obvious that he was going to finish and the kid gave the biggest "AMEN!" ever. It was a great moment.

So that was the just of my week! MIssionary work is still going great! And loving it! I hope that everyone else had a great week as well!

Love,

Elder Parco

Lumberjacks and Rappers

A Pretty Awesome Sunday!

Things are going great in Kadoma. We are continuing to harvest our success. But this Sunday was a pretty eventful one!  To start off:

I gave a talk on Sunday! When we got to church our branch President was saying that there wasn't people to speak in sacrament meeting today.... so in return. He looked at me and ask me to give a talk. So I did! And it wen really well! Got to talk on this special Easter Sunday. I talked about a topic I have been studying recently. Jesus Christ's Charity. The indescribable, and unimaginable love that Jesus has for us. The love he has for each one of us. His love is individual. "The Worth of Every soul is great." And I have read it and seen it through the ministry that Jesus had on the earth. I read once in Corinthians about Charity. And it said something around the lines of, If ye have not Charity in anything you do to help or serve, then what you do profiteths nothing. It was powerful. EVERYTHING need to be done in Charity. Because Charity is what makes us become like Christ. It is the Pure love of Christ. And it's what people notice. It was a great opportunity to be able to talk on Easter. And it ended up being a great success.

Marvelous Baptisms

Besides the talk, After church we had the baptisms of two of our Candidates. Tichauna and Tatenda! (about 21 and 13) They were so excited to be baptized! And Tichauna afterwards even said, "I  just feel something different in my life. I feel clean. My head Feels clear. I feel good." It was one of the greatest moments. Seeing the change that people have in thier lives is amazing. Also a quote form Tatenda. "I'm so happy to be in the original gospel!" Haha and it is true. This is the original gospel and the true church of God. But baptisms went so well. Although preparation was a bit hectic, the baptism went smoothly and many members showed up to watch. It was yet again, another great success.

Lumberjack Race

Lastly just a little fun with some kids. So when we were on our way to eat at a lovely member who feeds us every Sunday. We saw a gruop of these little kids, trying to saw this piece of wood in half for firewood. So we asked if we could help them. There were two saws. So Elder Cazier and Elder Richardson were sawing on one end of the long piece of wood. And me and this little kid were sawing on the other. So naturally we decided to race each other. And this other kid and I started hauling. We were cutting like true lumberjacks! Smooth and deep cuts all the way! We sawed back and forth back and forth. until that piece of wood fell apart into two pieces. Ending the race and ultimately being the true champions of that competition. Now the other Elders saw may have been really dull and may of had just a slightly bigger piece than we did, but we still came up on top, as the champions.

Watch out for the Next Best Rapper!

SO the Trio companionship is going really well. Elder Cazier and Elder Richardson are two awesome guys. And our teaching has been going as smooth as the cutting me and that kid did. But you know sometimes in a companionship you have a little bit of fun. Elder Richardson has some talent, he can beat box really well. So... causally when we are walking down the street to our area, Elder Richardson throws a beat while me and Elder Caizer have rap battles against each other. And let me tell you.. we are horrible. haha But we are getting better and better everyday. So better watch out. When I get back from the mission I may be the best freestyle rapper out there!

Well I had a great week this week! And the work is continuing to prosper! I hope that everyone else had a great week as well! And as always I miss you all!

Pictures:

-Took some pictures and hung out with some monkeys in our yard.

-picture with Tichauna at his work place

-Celebrating Elder Richardsons Birthday

-A nice salad we made! Super nice!

-Baptisimal pictures

-Picture of some cool artwork on a wall

I'm staying in Kadoma!

Transfers!

Yes this week is yet another week of transfers! And as for the news... I am staying in Kadoma for another 6 weeks!! Although sadly my companion Elder Barrus will be headed to Harare. And I will miss all of his hard work and dedication. But this transfer will be a little different. I now have TWO companions and TWO areas to cover. Basically Elder Caziers companion Elder Mayett left for Bindura, and now Elder Cazier is going to be with me, as well as a new guy Elder Richardson who I actually already know. We met and saw each other in Bindura, when we both served there. But I am excited. These two guys will be very fun to be around! It will be hard to adjust, now that we cover both of our areas, with our investigators, and... we have to walk everywhere. So public transportation might get a little expensive if we  don't want to walk for hours. But it will be fun. And looking forward to this new transfer!

General Conference: The Pure Love of Christ

This week we got to see General Conference. And wow, was it spiritually uplifting. It was EXACTLY what I needed in my current stage in my mission. I've heard once that if you come with any question to general conference, then it will be answered. And I testify that this is completely true. ALL of my questions were answered. So let me tell you a bit of what I learned:

Something that I have had on my mind recently is leadership. How can I be a good leader. Recently frustration has over taken me. Frustration of the reality that everyone has their agency. Obviously agency is essential, it's the best gift we ever will have, but sometimes dealing with other people's agency can be hard. You realize that you have no control in their decisions and what you say may have no effect. But how do you guide someone when you have no control in their decisions. 

S. Mark Palmer's talk really helped me on this one. To summarize, he talked about his experience as a mission president, and how he had a similar question to mine, "How do you help guide and lead someone to change their heart?" He related this question to a story of Jesus Christ in Mark chapter 10. 

There was a man who asked Jesus, "Good Master, What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" And Jesus asked if he was keeping the commandments, and the man said that he has ever since his youth. "Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me." And the man left with his soul grieved: for he had many possessions. 

The most powerful part that Bro. Palmer pointed out was the phrase, "Then Jesus beholding him, loved him" That was the key. Jesus beheld him, comforted him, loved him so much, that he even asked more from that man. So much to ask him to give up everything he ever owned and follow him.

 Jesus Christ loves with All of his heart. I can just see Jesus, with his arms beholding this man, his heart bursting with love, and his eyes starting to get wattery as he looks straight into this man and asks him, to sell everything he has and follow him. Then the man, walking away feeling the love that Christ had for him, but his heart sunken because of his unwillingness to give all that he has. It made me realize, I really don't even comprehend yet how much love Jesus has for everyone. I'm just starting to learn.

But that love was key. It was the key to a great leader, a follower. Bro. Palmer went on and described 4 things that we need in order to help teach those we may be over.

1) We need to see others how the Lord sees them

2) No teaching or learning will happen with frustration and hatred.

3) Love should never be withdrawn.

4) The Lord expects much of us.

This message really touched me. I realized how wrong I have been. Sometimes when things go wrong, or tension occurs, we need to look inwardly first. Look at ourselves and ask "Do I have that Christlike love within me?" "Is what I'm saying coming out of love, to help, to support, or is it for my selfish reasons?" Like Uchtdorf also said, "Fear is temporary and will never change hearts" But Christ's love is the antidote to fear, and Christ wants our hearts to change.

I absolutely loved General Conference and can't even tell you how much I learned from it. I know that Love conquers all, and that Heavenly Father sent the perfect example in our lives. Jesus Christ. Whenever we struggle with a problem, look to him. Whenever we are going through hard times. Always look to him. For he is always there and will help you, and be an example through everything you go through in life. 

I love you all and hope that your weeks were great! 

Love,

Elder Parco 

Pictures!:

Before conference we were in a room with the chalkboard. And all the kids were drawing. I jokingly asked them to draw a picture of me and they did. So I took a picture of each of their drawings.

Oh and we celbrated Prince's Birthday. We told him it was tradition to eat the cake with your hand behind your back in America. So he did haha

Also here is our zone