FIrst Real Week in Nketa

First Real Week in Nketa

Well I can just say that this first week was amazing! We have had so much success in just this past week. First off most of the investigators that we were teaching came to church this week! It was super cool. But as always let's have a little talk about some of the investigators. 

So first off Elder Bondo has been teaching this Sister named Charity. She lives with members in the ward. But this past week we found another investigator from this family. Cynthia. She recently moved in with the family and mainly has a Muslim background, since the people she was staying with before went to that religion. But she is progressing very well as well as with Charity. And it's quite interesting teaching someone with a different religious background than the usual Christianity. 

Also another awesome family we found. So we have a recent convert, whose name is Queen. And well she just recently moved to a new house with a family living there. Well it was the perfect opportunity to teach this family. We taught them the Restoration and came back the next day to share with them the video. And it was powerful. The Mother was touched deeply and gained good interest in the message that we taught! I'm excited to keep teaching this family and see what may come out of it. 

A Prophetic Update!

So just an amazing update before I scidaddle! 

We just received information last week that we will have a special meeting with President Nelson and Elder Holland when they are coming to Zimbabwe! I'm super excited for this! And it was known that every missionary will be able to shake their hands when they come! Haha So glad that I am in this mission!

Well Hope that everyone had a great week! I love you all! Until Next Time!

Love,
Elder Parco

Pictures:

-Our house after playing a little volleyball game with the Elders from the Zone!

Off to Nketa!

14.15 Transfers Down!... 2.85 More to GO!

Well this week was interesting. I thought that Kuwadzana was going to be the place of resting for a while. But turns out God had other plans for me. So this is how it went: It was Wednesday and we were walking through the area working with a member in Kuwadzana. And during that day, we have been playing phone tag with the assistants. Well during the day around 3, I realized that I should probably call President Mkhabela to get things sorted out for my Endorsement for school and a Recommend interview. So I give him a call tell him about these interviews that I need scheduled, and then he asks, "Elder Parco, Have you heard about the transfer news yet?" Me knowing nothing, answers..'I don't think so President..." Thinking about the transfers that just happened. Then he tells me he will call be back, and explains that I will now be going to Bulawayo to Nketa, and leaving Kuwadzana because he wants Elder Tshibangu, (My companion at that moment) To help teach and train another Elder who was struggling with English. Since they are both from DRC. Well then I ask, "So President, when will this take place?" And he said tomorrow. Well we continue in the area thinking, wow, I am going to be leaving tomorrow morning to Bulawayo. 6 hour drive from where I currently am. So we go and visit a couple more people, then 6:30 rolls around and we get a call from the Zone Leaders. And they say "Elder Parco, are you ready for us to pick you up tonight? You will be staying with us tonight then we can drive you over to Bravo (the bus) that will take you to Bulawayo." haha then at that moment I was like, Oh snap! They are picking me tonight?... Well, gotta get home right now! Because I haven't even touched packing yet! Haha so I rush home, pack my stuff in a record breaking time. In time for the Zone Leaders to pick me up. haha

Then the next day pack all my stuff and took the 6 hour drive to Bulawayo. I arrive there around 8. And I was the only missionary on the bus to Buluwayo. So I get off, see no missionaries yet. So I just chill at the side of the street with my luggage. Used someones phone to call the Zone Leaders there and luckily they tell me they just were running late. haha It was quite an adventure. But now today I am writing from my new area in Nketa 2nd with my new companion Elder Bondo, also from DRC.  

Wonderful Things about Kuwadzana

Well things that happened in Kuwadzana before I left:

-First off we found a wonderful father right before we left, We asked him about his religious beliefs and he said that he stopping going to church because he would go to many churches but couldn't find any truth in them. We shared with him the message of the Restoration and he loved it. Super sad to leave this father but I know Elder Tshibangu will do a great job continuing to teach him. 

-I am going to miss this area in general. All the members and the small area conveniently next to the chapel. Going to miss the mama where everyday I would say Maswerea Se? To her, mulitiple times, every time I saw her. And going to miss all of the Recent converts that we had there. Who were super powerful and really knew the gospel. Especially Julius White. Very powerful.

-But I loved this area so much, wish I could of ended my mission here. But now going to start a new story somewhere else.

Wonderful Things about Nketa

-First off Buluwayo is super cool. And very neat city. 

-Second the language here is a bit of a shocker. No more Maswera se and Makadi, But now people here speak Ndebele where they use their tongue to do cool click noises as well. So going to try my best to learn the language here!

-And Third love my new companion from DRC Elder Bondo. Excited for this new transfer and what we can be able to do in this area!

Well I love you all! This week really sparked up an adventure! Hope you all have a great week! Until Next Time!\

Love,

Elder Parco

Pictures:

-Gave myself another haircut

-My stud companion Elder Tshibangu

-Packing and leaving :(

-Walking to play basketball (but really ended up playing soccer)

-Elder Bondo my new companion

-Driving back from sports because we found out the walk was too long... haha

Comfort in the Book of Mormon

Transfers! 14 down... 3 more to go!

Well this day marks a new day in transfers. And as for the news. I will be staying with Elder Tshibangu for another transfer in Kuwadzana. Excited for that. Also this transfer our whole district has now changed... in Kuwadzana 1st ward and Kuwadzana 3rd branch, both pairs of Elders left. And their areas are now being white washed. With Elder Richardson, and Elder Gomez coming into the new house filling Kuwadzana 3rd branch and two sisters will be replacing the elders in Kuwadzana 1st. 

But excited to be living with Elder Gomez and Elder Richardson once again!

Enoch came to church!

So this Sunday was a very joyful Sunday. Enoch came to church! He's not an investigator but he was a Less active member that hasn't even gone to church for the past 6 years! And he came this Sunday! It made me so happy. He came bright and early with his slick white suit! Looking sharp! And the members welcomed his so warmly! "And if ye shall bring one soul unto me, how great will be your joy!"

Comfort in the Book of Mormon

This Sunday we visited one of our investigators who has been going through some hard times in these past weeks. At first when she told us all of her problems that she was having, we didn't know what to do. But at last we decided to turn to the Book of Mormon. And shared with her Mosiah ch. 24. When Amulon was persecuting Alma's people. And we just started reading. Then after the reading we emphasized this verse. 14: "And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions."

And it worked. By the end of the lesson she was calm and at peace. It felt good to help her. It feels good to be a missionary.

Well love you all! Hope you had a great week! Until Next Time!!

LOve,

Elder Parco

Pictures:

-Don't have much but here is a picture of some "flowers" Kids gave me while walking down the street.

New unintentional investigators

The New Unintentional Invsigators:

This week as we were proselyting, we ran into new and powerful investigators. By mistake.

Mai (Mother) Burn:

Mai Burn, or her real name, Tsitsi. Is super cool. So a couple weeks ago as we were teaching these two young adults, Talent and Shingie, there was always this mother that lived across the street. And whenever she was passing us, she would somewhat avoid us and say... "Next time! Next Time you can come!" Haha the first day we came in contact with her she wouldn't even want to tell us her name! So we just named her Mai Burn, since she was wearing a shirt that had the brand name Burn on it. 

Then one day out of nowhere, as we have a fall through from Talent and Shingie, she says, "You can come tomorrow and visit with me. I want to learn." Then to our surprise we respond, "You want US to teach YOU?.. tomorrow??" "Then she said yes. 

So we came and started teaching the lessons. She is awesome! She understands so well, and on Sunday when we taught her about the Resoration, we asked "So will you pray to know if these things are true?" And she said. Yes, but I already know they are true. It was sweet. And sincere. 

Perrie Famliy:

This family I absolutely love. This is how we found them. There was this one investigator that we have been calling. And he has always been telling us to meet with us at such and such day and such and such time. But he never shows. (Probably avoiding us) So on Friday he tells us to come to his house and teach him at such and such time. Well we search for his house from the house number he gave us and when we came there... the family said that he went out. So, them seeing our disappointment, invite us in to wait to see if he will come back. We talk just a bit. Then one of the daughters of the older mom. (Who has 6 kids) was so kind and said, "Well if you aren't going to be able to teach him, then maybe you can share the message with us."

So we did. And first we asked if they had questions. They had nothing, then the Mama/ Gogo (Grandma) comes in and asks. "How do you take the Holy Communion/Sacrament? Do you take it every week or take it once or twice a year?" We answer her that we take it every week to renew our baptismal covenants. Then after we respond she was so happy and started clapping with a smile on her face. saying, "Good! Good!" 

Then she asks us "How do you baptize people? Do you immerse in the water, or sprinkle water, and how many times do you dip them in the water?"

So we turn to Romans ch. 6 v. 4 and say we baptize with immersion representing the death and resurrection of Christ. Meaning once for the remission of our sins. 

Then she was even more happy and clapped again saying "Good! Good!!"

Hahah Then she went on to say that these men share the correct doctrine and that we need to listen to them. haha So we set another appointment for next week! It was sweet!

Melissa:

Melissa is also great. And super willing to learn. We found her when we were going around looking for another investigators house. And well... we got lost but knock on our investigators neighbors house instead. And they say Memory (our investigator doesn't live here, but next door) Then we ask if anyone would want to hear our message. The Grandma, declined. But right before we were going to leave Melissa speaks up, (a mother) And says yes you can come over and share some scripture verses. So we set an appointment. And when we visit her. We first talk about her questions relating to how one can listen to the Holy Ghost. It was a great discussion and we told her now that you know how to feel the Holy Ghost. We want you to pay attention to that during the lesson. We taught the Plan of Salvation. And set another appointment. It was cool

Elder Parco: The Hairstylist!

So this week I was feeling risky! haha I realized that back home haircuts cost tooo much money. Cause here you can get them for 1-5$ haha

So I decided to buy myself some hair clippers and learn how to cut my own hair. So that's what I did! And well It turned out real well actually! So if any of you need a haircut, with just using clippers. Let me know!

I hope everyone had a great week! I love you all! Until next time!

Love,

Elder Parco

Pictures:
-Before! And After Haircut!! Yeah Looking nice!

-Pictures I didnt' post last week!

How God builds us

Baptism and Activity!

This Saturday was the baptism of Julius White. It was such a great experience to see him be baptized. He was so happy. As well two others were baptized that day. A boy in the Chidambe family who was 8! And another candidate of Elder Kabuya and Elder McDougal. (Pictures below) 

But as well as the baptism that day we planned an activity for our recent converts and investigators. And the attendance was really well. There was about 20 people who were recent converts and investigators that attended. 

But anyways for the event we planned to start off with the baptism, then we had a church tour for all of those who were still familiarizing themselves to the church. Then we watched the movie of the Restoration in the chapel. It was super powerful. Every time I watch that movie it makes me think how much sacrifice there was in order for the church to be restored. The saints and Joseph Smith went through so much just because of the testimonies they had about the Restoration.

How God Builds Us

Recently this week I read an article in an Ensign. It said something like. "When you jump with just your own weight, you can jump pretty high. But now add weight, and you can't jump as high. It's not because you have changed, but your circumstances have."

Then that got me thinking... this is the way God builds us. And the way I have seen it throughout my whole mission. 

If you want to increase your vertical or get "big" in the gym, then you will have to put heavy weights just below your max so you can grow stronger. This is how God builds us. He puts us in circumstances that can be hard, or burdens that may feel like more than we can carry. But through him we push through. And the harder we work, the easier the weight is, not because the circumstance is any easier, but that we have spiritually grown to lift more.
God puts us through things that can be hard, because it's the only way we grow. So that when the day comes when the weight is taken off, we will be able to soar into perfection. 

I love you all and hope that you have a wonderful week!! Until Next time!

Love,

Elder Parco

Pictures:

-Got this sweet Zimbabwe shirt!

-Went throuhg a feild took sweet pictures!

-Baptisms!

Powerful members of Zimbabwe

Bro White:

This week I just want to talk about this wonderful and powerful investigator that will be baptized this Saturday! Bro. White. He is by far a super powerful father. And his story is even more amazing! While we were teaching he told us his story. 2 years ago Bro. White had a serious injury/happenstance that cause him to be bound to a hospital bed for months. Left with only oxygen tubes to help support his life. During that time he went through lots of thinking. And decided that he wanted to change his life. As the weeks went on miraculously his health got better. He no longer used those oxygen tubes and his health went back to normal. And when he left that hospital. He was the only to come out of that place alive. 

Then he committed himself that he was going to find Jesus Christs church. He searched and joined and visited a couple of churches. But he couldn't find the one that seemed right. Then as he was walking along he saw two missionaries teaching this sister. (At the time it was Elder Larson and Elder Tshibangu) Then he went and asked if he could be taught. We continued the teaching and that very week he decided to come to church. And although other churches he went to he would stay for just an hour and leave. But this time he felt that he should stay. He did. And now he has felt that he has come to the right church. And this Saturday we are going to baptize this wonderful brother. 

I have seen this brother in just the space of 3 weeks change. He is so much more enlightened and has this peace inside of him now. 

I am so excited for this Saturday and when he shared with us this story. I was completely amazed! 

I know that this is the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. And that this gospel is here for the happiness and peace for us. I love this work!

I hope everyone had a great week this week! I love you all!!

LOve,

Elder Parco

Pictures:

-Yep.. Got soaked again. 

-Bro. Muzinga He's awesome member!

Finding with Faith

Finding with Faith

I think that this week I am starting to learn the power that faith has. Because wow. Had two awesome experiences while we went out to go find.

So first on Wednesday, we had some free time in the day, so we decided to contact people. Well we pick a street and start walking down. Then the very first person we see is this guy selling some snacks at his house. We contact him. Just say a simple hello. Then before we even introduce ourselves, he's like I'll get you a seat so you can teach. Haha

We sit down and find out that he was a past investigator that the sisters used to teach. As well find out that he was progressing very well. Then he tells us that he plays piano at his church that he goes to. Thinking that's the reason why he may have stop progressing, he then says. "But right now I'm teaching another piano player so I can start going to your church. I think he will be ready to play in two week!" Haha it was awesome! So right now we are teaching Talent, and his friend who joined us. (who happens to be the one who taught Talent piano) It was a miracle.

Also on Sunday we set a goal that day that at such and such time. We are going to find a family! haha (And families with a mother and father are hard to find since most are single parents) So the time comes and I asked my companion "What section do you think this family is in?" He said Kuwadzana 2. So we go there and start walking this street. Then just walking for only a minute, I felt that we should check this house. We knock the door and the father in the house yells from inside, "Come in!" Haha So we just walk into the house. And there sitting in the room was a father, a mother, and their two kids. A miracle! And we ask to share a message and the father accepts. We teach and the father is super receptive with great questions. And we leave setting another appointment for next week. It was such an awesome experience. I wish I would have done this much earlier on my mission. haha Because great faith can cause miracles.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful week this week! Love you all!! Until Next time!

Elder Parco

Pictures! Hold your horses cause there's a lot! haha

-Well it rained this week... Alot!! haha

-We made a new friend! Jimmy!! This dog loves me. haha
-Helped a investigator wash her clothes! And got a lesson because of it! Service is the way to the heart! haah

-When you take over the Sisters house, you get cute umbrellas! haha