November 8, 2009

I will send this letter when I can – as we have had no internet for the past week (maybe a few minutes a couple of times). It still wasn’t working today so hopefully someone will get it fixed soon. It does make us feel out of touch with the rest of the world and hope all is well at home.
On Tuesday morning (Nov. 3rd) Pastor Wonder came in to see us. He works out in the Goromonzi area (about an hour from Harare). He wanted Elder Bullock to explain to him about the Book of Mormon. We had talked a bit once before when we had him in the truck. As Elder Bullock explained about the book I could see the understanding come into Pastor Wonder’s face. He said that he wants us to come and teach his people (which we can’t do, again they are out of the center of strength). He said he felt that this was true and he wants his people to have the truth. I explained that what he was feeling was the ‘spirit’ testifying to him. He said I can feel it in my mind and heart and nerves! Then he wanted to apologize because he said that he had a Book of Mormon before and that he had destroyed it. He was feeling really bad! He said that when he was studying religion they had taught about our church but they taught that we are a cult and to keep away from us – so when he was given a B of M he destroyed it. He said that he knows that they didn’t know what they were talking about and he is grateful to know the truth now. We offered him another Book of Mormon and he was happy to take it and said he wanted to read it. We told him he could come back anytime and we can talk some more. We could feel the spirit in the room.

I’m beginning to wonder if part of our reason for coming here is to teach these pastors that LDS Charities has been working with for several years. Other couples have given Book of Mormons but never stopped to explain so that they can understand. Elder Bullock is very good at explaining it to them. If there is anyone at home that would like it explained to them when we return just let us know!!!

Pastor Seka (now just Seka, after leaving his posting and congregation) had his baptismal interview today and passed with flying colors. We were out of town and called him to see how it went. He said, “I really enjoyed it. I was really prepared, I tell you.” He will be baptized on Sat. Nov. 14th and confirmed on Sunday. We suggested to him that a fellow he works with could baptize him and he has asked him to do that. It is strongly suggested that if possible, a member of the ward or a friend should do the baptism so that there is a fellowship established. Missionaries come and go and they need to be bonded with the ward members. Seka has invited several people to his baptism (members and non-members). His friend, Pastor Mhike is coming. He is the other pastor who is working towards moving his family to an area where the church is functioning. Saturday will be a great day!! Merci is still in Uganda but she should be home any day. I know she doesn’t want to miss Seka’s baptism.

On Thursday we went back to visit the boreholes near Chegutu that were done in 2007 by LDSC. We had ask the people to get a water committee together so we could meet with them. It is a 2 hr. drive so we can’t keep running back and forth every week. We were happy to have 9 men there (some from the original committee) and they are prepared to help get these wells working again. The meeting was at the Damangwe Primary school. That is the school that is so poor – there is not a single desk or chair for the children. In fact, we found out that the school ‘head’ doesn’t even have a desk or chair. Some of the children did not even have exercise books (scribblers) or pencils. We surprised them with 18 cases of school kits and they were SO pleased and grateful. (perhaps we should have even taken more but....) When the school ‘head’ saw the boxes in the truck he asked, “How many schools are you going to today?” We said, “Just yours!”. We also gave them 5 balls and some skipping ropes. It is really only a drop in the bucket but it will help them. There are 401 students there. That is where the borehole was still working (needs a bit of maintenance). They have a good sized garden that looks good considering the dry conditions right now. The kids are hauling water in 2 & 4 litre containers to water it. The borehole isn’t really close to the garden either. It makes me want to cry to watch them with their small containers making so many trips back and forth. I suggested to Elder Bullock that we should write up in our proposal for the area to give them an electric submersible pump and a tank and run water lines to the garden, school and also where the village people could fill their containers easier. We don’t know if this will get approved, but we hope so. We will try. Another thought that I had is that we should try and get them a grinding mill. The closest one to the area is 10 Km. away. They could generate some income for the school and buy some of the things they need (books, benches, tables, etc.). A grinding mill would help them be more self-sufficient. We could do an initiative to give them some of these things but perhaps it would be better to give them a way to generate their own income. If they can have the water and grinding mill they could also have a chicken project to help them. All sorts of possibilities. I just really felt a lot of compassion for this area and would love to help them. I hope that is Heavenly Father putting these thoughts in my head and that this is a good project to work on and that our people in South Africa will feel it too (through us) and approve it. We will pursue it and see what happens.

We had the first little rain fall in Harare on Thursday – it didn’t last long but it is a start. On Saturday when we drove to Gweru we hit a storm between KweKwe and Gweru and it was coming down so hard and fast that we had to pull off to the side of the road twice. There were 2 other vehicles nearby and we all pulled off together both times. We made it to Gweru though in time for their district training meeting and had a good a meeting and some good training. There was a turnout of over 100. We talked again about home teaching, visiting teaching and working with councils. I never cease to be amazed at the spirituality of the people here and their willingness to work and serve. They have some powerful leaders and some of them are so young. The strength of the church here is in the young people and the ones that serve missions come back prepared to be leaders.

The hotel we stayed at in KweKwe last night left something to be desired. We will try and avoid staying there again, however, I shouldn’t complain as the sheets were clean and there were no bugs. We drove to Kadoma today for church. We had promised that we would go this week for their primary presentation and they did do a great job. When we had promised to be in Kadoma we didn’t know we were suppose to go to Gweru for the training but it worked out okay. They are all on the same road.

On Friday we went to a meeting at the Henry John Reimer Clinic where we hope to replace their transformers and fix their borehole. There was a decent turnout. This area is farmland. There are about 30 farmers (black) who employ a lot of people. This clinic is for them – about 6000 people. The clinic had ask the farmers to come to the meeting to discuss how they can help sustain the borehole and transformers (protect them from theft) once they are put in. We had two influential people come. One is the MP for the Goromonzi North area – his name is P. Zhanda. He and his son are two of the farm owners. He got the farmers to commit to donating $20/month to pay for security guards and also to have a fund to repair things if there are problems down the road. He got up and handed the treasurer $120 for he and his sons first 3 months worth of contributions. At least he is leading out and doing – Do as I do, not as I say. We had met Mr. Zhanda once before at a “thank you” ceremony and were impressed with him. The people seem to like him. He thanked us for trying to do more charity work in his area. We didn’t realize that were in his area with these two clinic projects we are working on. Afterwards he ask what we are doing for Christmas and we told him that we will be spending it with some of the missionaries (Gweru is our assigned area for Christmas). He said he is going to give us a ‘pig’. He will have it butchered however we want it! I did tell him I was relieved because I was afraid he might be giving us a live one!! I guess we will wait and see how that comes out. Perhaps we can cook it up for the elders. He might forget about giving it to us and that might be alright too.

The other influential person there was a lady and she is currently the executive director of an organization called “Zimbabwe Women Against HIV/AIDS, Poverty and Violence”. She goes to NYC for 3 weeks each year to a big world-wide conference on women’s rights etc. Anyway – it was a great meeting and we were impressed with all that was accomplished. It was one of the best meetings we’ve had so far while trying to get committees to function properly.

The head nurse was not at the meeting because her husband had been in a “combie” accident and she had gone to find him. A combie is a minivan that is used as a bus here – and there are a LOT of them and they drive like maniacs and stuff way too many people inside. Her husband is a school teacher and had taken a combie to Marondera to turn in the grade 7 exam papers. (The gr. 7 kids have all been writing this provincial or national exam this week.) We found out later that the husband was killed in the accident. I don’t know how many others were killed or hurt but when they have an accident it usually is not good news. They could really use some better ‘safe’ driving practises here. We cringe sometimes when we see how people ride. It would be SO against the law in America.

This week Elder Bullock is going to a Zone Leaders conference for a couple of nights (I’m not invited). The other counsellor in the mission presidency, Elder Patterson is coming down from Zambia and will go too. Sister Patterson will be here and I guess I will be spending time with her. Pres. Dube said that we, along with Sis. Dube, should come out to where they are one day for lunch and that we women should go visit the “Lion and Cheetah” park that is in the area. We went there with Taylors once and it was a good place to visit. That is where I was when I held the lion cub.

I’ve gone on long enough – hopefully not so long that you quit reading before now!
Love to all, Elder and Sister Bullock

Monday, November 2, 2009

There have been more clouds in the sky lately but still no rain, until this evening when we got a little. The “early” rains (rain showers) are late starting this year and things are very dry. Hopefully they will start soon and then the people will plant their maize. They plant when the rains start. The real rains should start mid-late November. Those rains are heavy with huge drops of water. They usually last from about 20 minutes to an hour (from what we are told).

We spent the weekend in Mutare and I talked about Visiting Teaching and Jim talked about Home Teaching at the district training. We divided into men and women and then got back together for about an hour where President Chadembuka talked and we each talked briefly about our earlier sessions. I think it was okay. We attended one of the branches on Sunday and thoroughly enjoyed that. We did note that English is spoken well in the branch (no Shona was slipped in, as it usually does in the other branches we look after near Harare). The meetings are suppose to be done in English.

In Sunday School class they were discussing what they could do to help prepare to have a temple here one day. The ladies suggested that they need more Priesthood holders and that the men should get busy and work on that. Then one of the men said, “I think the young women should go out and ‘woo’ some priesthood holders”. Everyone had a good laugh. Relief Society turned into a really good discussion too about visiting teaching and reactivation. I was really impressed with their lessons. They do really well in Mutare. They have a wonderful District President leading them. He is a really good man.

Today the electricity was off at the office so they had the generator running things. The phones and internet were not working most of the day either so it was a bit frustrating as we were trying to get some things done. Finally we, and Mayfields decided that it was a good afternoon to get away from the office and so we went shopping. We went downtown to the fabric stores. Downtown is an ‘experience’ here! We each bought some fabric – it was $2.00 & $2.50/mtr. When we go to Masvingo we will take the fabric to Elizabeth and she will make us a wrap around skirt. She’s a good seamstress. She uses the money to pay her daughter’s school fees. It will cost $5 or 6 to have her make a skirt (I think). She made an apron or two for me already. Sis. Taylor had her make some things for her before she left.

We also went to the flea market today. I didn’t buy anything but Sis. Mayfield bought some African necklaces. I don’t want to buy anything else until after we go to Victoria Falls in April (for our couples conference). They are suppose to have some nice things there for cheap. If I can’t find what I want there then I will get something here – I do kinda know what I am looking for. We have to be careful because we can only bring so much weight home!

We got a phone call late today from the district president in Gweru confirming that we were going there this Saturday for their District training. We didn’t know about that but said we could come. This will be the 4th weekend away. Gweru is 3 hrs. away. We will drive there Sat. morning do the training and then we will drive back about ½ hr. to Kwekwe and stay in a hotel there. Kwekwe is about 30 minutes from Kadoma and we have committed to being in Kadoma on Sunday. (We don’t want to stay at the hotel in Kadoma again!). Our Kadoma branch is having the primary presentation on Sunday and planned it on a Sunday that we could attend so we cannot cancel on them. The next Sunday, the 15th, will be Seka’s confirmation day (baptism on 14th, so we will be here in Harare for that.

We are relaxing at home as I write this. We are just going to watch the DVD of the Priesthood session of General Conference. We hear it was a ‘good’ one.

Love, The Bullock's

Monday, October 19th

We had a good weekend doing our Kadoma Branch conference. All went well but glad it is done. We stayed overnight in Kadoma as it is 2 hours away. We were not really too sure about the hotel but we decided to try it. It was mostly okay except that we didn't have a drop of water in the morning to take a shower or anything. They wouldn't give us a discount on the room and we had prepaid (as that was the requirement and now we know why!).

Sat. evening when we were having supper in the dining room - a movement caught my eye and I told Jim that perhaps a geiko was under a table as I thought I had seen a tail disappear. There was one other table of people and suddenly two of the ladies were jumping up on their chairs to get away from something. I didn't think such things bothered Africans. Anyway the next thing we knew they were standing ON the table and having a fit about something. We thought it was a geiko but I guess it was some other critter (maybe it is good I didn't get a good look or I might have been on the table too). They described it at kind of 'cat' looking with a face like a rat, a weird tail, and stripes like a leopard. No one seemed to know what it was but apparently it had been seen around the place for the past week or so. We never did see it - don't know where it disappeared to. Weird!! The ladies wouldn't come back into the dining room and finished their meal somewhere else. As we were leaving one of the men ask about our name tags and we explained what we are doing here. He said that one of the ladies at the table would probably like to talk to us. It turned out that she is the Director of nursing for Zimbabwe (she wasn't one that jumped on to the table). Anyway, it was arranged that we would meet her at breakfast, which we did. We chatted and exchanged phone numbers etc. They would be interested in working with us if we do a Neo-natal project next year.

We have been looking at two clinics in the rural areas where both have had their electicity transformers stolen so they have had no power for several months and consequently no water as they need power to run the borehole pump. We were there today with a meeting with some community members. It might be a project that we could do - it would help a lot of people. They got a quote on replacing the transformer etc. and it is just over $4000. We don't know if that is a decent price or not. We also have to take our borehole guy out and see what he thinks about fixing that up and what it would cost.

Tomorrow is our trip out into the boondocks to take some humanitarian supplies to a village by 'oxcart'. We are just deciding what we should take. We just talked to the Pastor and he says there will be 300 people (we thought there was 150). We can't take enough to do for all of them but I guess we will do what we can. Should be an interesting day. I'm sure we will be exausted by the end of it. We will take pictures.

We taught Seka a discussion last night and played Elder Holland's conference talk for him. Yesterday was his first time at a church service and he liked it all. He is doing great. His baptism date is set for November 14th. Merci has gone to Uganda to visit her sister for 3 weeks and Seka is holding down the fort for her. She has closed things up but has domestic help that live on the premises. Seka is living there too now and it seems to be working okay. He gets 'tea' (breakfast) and lunch provided at his work so he is fed on weekdays. He is staying in a garage type building and has no way to cook. I ask Sunday night if he had eaten all day and he said, "No, but I'm alright as it is only one day". The other lady brought him something though. A lot of people here only eat 1 or 2 meals a day and I guess they are used to going without when there is nothing.

Emanuel called us this morning saying that they had no food and could he come and do some work. We have no work for him. It is really hard here sometimes to know what is best to do. We can't give them money and we don't have food. We have given Emmanuel some work in the pat and let him earn a little and we've given him some vegetables from the garden but we can't let him get dependent upon us as it cannot be an ongoing thing. We did get him an interview with Bishop Spencer to work at his store but he has no place for him right now.

On Thursday Bishop McMullin, from the presiding bishopric, and our Area Authority, Elder Koelliker, are coming to visit and we are to show them some projects we are working on. However, it doesn't sound like they will be here long so I don't know how much we can show them. At least perhaps we can get some ideas from them as to what they will approve. We think we have some good projects in the works so we can discuss those with them. OH YES, I don't think I told you that we got our school grinding mill project approved. The school was thrilled when we told them and they are already working on getting their building secured. We told them we would be back in 2 weeks to see how they were coming along. We don't want to order the mill until we know that they are doing their part.

We must get going and load up some things to take tomorrow. It is getting late.

Love to all, E/S Bullock

Monday, September 21st

We are glad to report that we feel good about how the branch conference at Marondera went. All seemed to go well and the branch president was pleased with everything. The training we did on home teaching, visiting teaching and working with the councils were all things they needed and hopefully it will help them. I took the keyboard with me and spent some time Sat. with the primary president (she was there early) going over some songs for the Sacrament meeting presentation and the on Sunday I played so the kids could learn the tunes. It was a learning experience for us too, but we are glad to say that it is done.

This morning Seka (the X-pastor) came to Harare. We had set up a job interview for him with Rob Spencer. All went well and Bro. Spencer hired him and will put him through 'management' training for about 6 months at minimum wage ($150/month). That isn't a lot of money but it
is enough. We then took Seka to meet Merci and she will rent him a room (out back of the restaurant) for now and he can likely help her at her restaurant in his off hours. He has to go back home and finalize some things there but plans to be back here to start work next Monday. He was thrilled with the day. He is so very anxious to get here and start taking the missionary discussions.

His two children (3 yrs. and 9 yrs.) will stay with his mother until the end of the school term (first part of December) and then he will move them here. His wife is not back with him yet, although we are all hopeful that she will have a change of heart - or that her parents will. Seka has given up a lot to make this move in his life. He had a pretty good life and he is starting over with basically nothing. It has taken a lot of courage but he is determined to continue on and
move ahead. I wish you could all meet him!

This afternoon we are going out to visit Emmanuel and his family. His wife had her baby boy on the weekend and all went well. He called last evening to tell us that they want us to pick a name for the baby. Apparently that is a real honor. We decided on "Emmanuel James" -- we will see if they like that or not. We will take them a few vegetables from the garden here as they have nothing. That will help them somewhat. We already gave her a new-born kit for the baby.

Some people here are so grateful for what we do for them. We went to Epworth yesterday to see Pauline (the one with the tiny baby that almost died back a few months ago). Pauline wasn't home but her neighbor said that the baby is doing really good. We will go back on Wednesday. The neighbor, Anasia, invited us into her house and ask if I remembered her and her son (I didn't really). I guess she had come here at some point and I gave her boy some clothes. She was so grateful for that and said, "I will never forget you for what you did for me". That was nice.

The Mayfields arrived today and seem like very nice people - not that we expected anything less. Mom--- his mother was born in Magrath. Her name was Isabel Merkley.

It's been a good day and tonight we have been invited to go out for supper with Pres. & Sis. Dube, Deppes' and the Mayfields. We do that when someone new comes.

Love to all, The Bullocks