This is a picture of Bigboy and his family. We went to their home this morning (about 60 km. out on the way to Bindura). We read some of the Book of Mormon with them and reviewed some things we had taught them on Monday. Nice family.

Bigboy, Susan and their 2 children and also his brother's two children who they take care of as the brother and his wife passed away.

We were downtown Harare yesterday about 4:30 and the traffic was worse than usual and it was raining pretty good. The robots (traffic lights were not working) and we got in one intersection and the cars were so jammed up that no one could move at all. Everyone just sat there! There was a big truck next to us and he managed to turn left (remember we drive on the left side of the road) and we were able to wangle our way out behind. YIKES!! It was quite the driving experience.

Traffic jam

February 22, 2010 and February 26, 2010

February 22, 2010

This morning Bigboy, our wheelchair expert, and his wife, Susan, came in to learn about the church. We ask him what had prompted him to ask us if he could come in and talk to us about the church. He said that he has decided he needs to attend a church and he has seen missionaries doing service work in the community and is interested in learning more. He told us that he used to drink a lot at nights and his wife and children were worried about him. He decided 6 months ago to quit. He called his wife and ask her to pray for him because he was not going to drink anymore. When he was late coming home she would call and ask if he was drinking but he never did take another drink after his initial decision.

Bigboy also told us that in 2004 he had a stroke and ended up in the hospital. He told us how he was/is in the business of helping people with wheelchairs after they have strokes, etc. and suddenly he was unable to move his left side. He prayed to God and told Him that his livelihood was helping people and he needed to be able to walk. The next day when he woke up he could move his arm and he could stand up. The Doctor couldn’t believe it. His one side is not quite perfect but he is able to carry on. He works with a wheelchair organization and assembles and fits chairs to all sort of disabled people. He goes around the African countries training technicians to be able to do the same.

We taught them the first discussion. It went well. We thought he lived in Harare but he lives about 60 Km. out but is not too far from Bindura and there are two branches there. He has a vehicle so that helps. We arranged to go to their place on Saturday and meet their children (2 teenagers) and we will review or teach them more.

Jim is busy typing up contracts for the projects that we are working on. Mostly it is fill in the blanks and of course, give some details but it is a bit frustrating. They have to be approved in SA by the church lawyer before they can be signed.

February 26, 2010

O man!! A lot of people here have some sad stories. Lawrence, our policeman investigator, came in to see us. His parents died when he was 14 yrs. old. From that time he has taken care of himself and his younger sister. He quit school and got a job gardening so he could support them and he paid school fees for her so she could stay in school. He managed to do his school at night. He got a job with the police about a year ago and because he has some accounting education they have him working in the office. He really wants to go to school and get a degree in accounting but.........how can he? He is now 27 and his sister is 21 and she is married with a baby boy. The husband is not working and they live with his parents. Lawrence was planning to get married (saving labola) in April, however, his girlfriend, Doreen, is 3 months pregnant. Her parents found out and ‘chased her away’ and she is now with Lawrence. The $200 he had saved towards the labola had to go to the clinic so that Doreen can have maternity care and delivery of the baby. He has a ‘stand’ (small plot of land) that he bought about 6 years ago. If he does not start to build on it by June he will lose it. He needs $240 so he can just even have water and meter run onto the land and that would be enough to keep it. As a policeman he is paid $150/month. His rent is $60 and utilities about $20. The rest goes for food, transport, etc. It just isn’t enough but the gov’t. is not paying more than that. Teachers here also get about $150/month. Some teachers are on strike right now, trying to get more money but unfortunately it is the children who suffer as they are not getting their schooling. It is hard to hear these sad stories AND there are a LOT of them. We wish we could fix things and help everyone but we just can’t. There are a lot of child-run families because of death (due to AIDS a good share of the time).

Mayfields had a wonderful young man come in and apply for a PEF loan for school. He is supporting 3 or 4 younger siblings and wants/needs to go to school so badly but has to work to feed the family. I don’t think they could make it work for him because to get a loan you have to be a returned missionary and he could not serve a mission because he has to support the family. Perhaps they can get an ‘exception’. I’m not sure what has happened with it.

Anyway – sorry, enough of the sadness of Zimbabwe! The auditor is back again this morning to finish off. The SA fellow from the church left this morning early. The audit is going well and they only had 3 or 4 questions for me and I was able to find what they needed. I’m relieved that it all seems in order!!

The electricity is off a lot lately but we are coping. They run the generator here at the mission office when it goes off so work carries on as usual here. At the flat we try not to run the generator too much as it is noisy and we don’t want to irritate the neighbours. We use it to pump the water from the tank for our shower (love having our tank!!!!) and we use it to quickly cook something and then we shut it down. We are doing fine!! Mayfields have moved into the flat next door as of yesterday. It will be nice having them there – nice and close for playing a card game or getting together for a movie night (if we have power!)

I must get back to work. We need to start preparations for our district training assignment a week from tomorrow in Gweru. The topic is ‘the temple’. Elder & Sister Taylor left a nice file of information so that will be very helpful. We just need to come up with a plan/presentation that will take approximately an hour.

Love to all, The Bullocks

----

I have posted 2 other letters below as well! Kim

Greetings from Botswana - From Corn

This is from Cornelia who lives in Botswana. She was here with Reeve, CC, and Lolly for a month or so and we got to know her. She is organizing a day trip to Botswana for us when we go to Victoria Falls in April so that we can see some 'amazing' animals and sights. Thought these pictures were really good -- also there is a letter following her's from CC about what they are doing and the containers. Thought you might enjoy -- if not, sorry!!

Nancy/mom

Hi All

Just a quick email to show you a little of where I live and what I have been up to since the beginning of the year. I know I haven’t written to some of you in a very long time…my apologies, I hope to keep in touch. Work has been hard and I hope it is all in the name of progress. I am great though…still single…unfortunately – the years are flowing by quite quickly these days…its scary! But hope for the best and I am still smiling most of the time. I love my job, as you can see I live in an amazing place. It is high time some of you came for a visit…

These two hippos were fighting… it was amazing to watch.

We were completely surrounded by these…had to wait for them to finish their siesta before we could move.

This guy was right on the side of the road…not even bothered by us.

Blue Cheeked Bee-Eater

…have a great day.

Big Hugs to all

Me

Kind regards

Cornelia Rautenbach

Operations Manager

Chobezi Safaris

Greetings everyone!!!

I apologize for my absence however, I have had such struggle getting to my e-mail while in Zimbabwe.

I hope this e-mail finds you well and excited about 2010! IT is a magnificent year that will be filled with fun, laughter and memorable moments. Just don’t forget to record them and keep them. As you might see below, I got a camera for my birthday and are very excited to show you all how I spend my 2010!!

We are now on the road for a month, and the internet is again up and running! So are we!!! We have spent the past four days in South Africa spending time with a friend who is having some health issues, had a golf day with a sponsor and we are now in Christchurch, New Zealand for a week to play the ‘Pegasus New Zealand Women’s Open’ before heading for Australia for ‘The Australian Open’ and ‘The Australian Masters’. This early start of our golf season is ALWAYS a highlight for us as we really enjoy the sunshine, the beach and the ‘Aussie-atmosphere!’

It has been such a busy time since Christmas, however it has been filled with one highlight after the other.

First... My birthday!!! J

Had a fabulous time with MANY friends visiting for the day. We had an ‘afternoon’ party due to the amount of children that were attending and we had a ‘mexican theme’ with enchiladas, fajitas and all the trimmings. It was SO fun!!!

Left: Reeve, Lolly and I with the Missionary couples that are in Zimbabwe!

Right: The entire ‘crew’ that came to the party! It was SO fun!!

Then we were excited to hear that the three containers we had packed and shipped from America, had arrived. We had them off-loaded on the church grounds (for safety and for easy access) and then gathered the troops to help us get organized. We already had one container there, so we un-packed, organized and re-packed the four containers so it now looks like a shop. We can go in there, locate what we need and then give it out to the most needed people here in Zimbabwe. It was SO much work, however SO much fun with the willing souls showing up to help us. What a Blessing!

We spent three whole days, re-organizing and sorting the containers, however we are SO grateful for the help, the kindness and the willingness of the people there. We are SO grateful for the donations and for everyone making these miracles happen. It really is a miracle, as we know that people’s lives will now be changed AND saved by the items in these containers. THANK YOU to all of you who have assisted!

I am a happy camper these days, I am enjoying myself and I’m happy with who I am and where I am..... Are you?? If not.... change it! Life’s too short to mess about!

Lots of love to you all,

Hugs Cecilie

Our Containers!!!

Hi, Thought you might be interested in this email we got from Reeve, CC, and Lolly regarding the containers they received and we helped unpack last week. Some of their golf sponsors paid for the containers and the shipping and lots of donors, filled the containers. It was a great undertaking. There are a lot of medical supplies. I went with Reeve and we took a vehicle full of medical supplies to a local dr. who has helped us for free when we took a couple of different people there who had come to us for help. There are also a lot of clothes, books etc. in the containers - it will help a lot of people.

Sister Bullock

Greetings everyone!!! (This is CC)

Last week we un-packed, organized and re-packed our three containers that were shipped from Utah in December. Everything in the containers needed to be re-packed and re-organized so that the Doctors could have easy access in choosing their necessary medical supplies. We also needed to know exactly what we had and have easy access to it so that distribution could be made easier.

When we reflected on the amazing miracles, the helping hands, the kind hearts, the sweat and hard work from SO many people around the world, we have only two words to say – THANK YOU!!

The overwhelming feeling of excitement, joy and peace came over us as we realized how many people we could now assist and how many Prayers will be answered through your acts of kindness, giving great ‘hope’ to so many Zimbabweans! THANK YOU!

We have had SO many donors assisting this ‘project’ so names will not be mentioned, however know that we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kind contribution, your help and your effort in making this happen. When the three containers were sent on ‘Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistic’s’ ship from Houston, we were overjoyed and SO very excited! They were on their way! Now we had to go to Zimbabwe to prepare for their arrival.

The rumour had already hit Zimbabwe and the response from everyone was SO fun to see & feel! Willing souls, members and non-members alike, offered to help, so when they finally arrived in Harare on February 12^th, we could barely wait to get started! Some land was cleared by our Church building, so we off loaded and lined up the containers so that we could have easy access!

The sun was shining…And so were we!!!

We already had one container lined up so we could organize and create a GREAT store room for all the donated items!

Volunteers came, old and young and as we provided food and drinks for everyone, they worked from morning to night to help us organize the much needed medical supplies, medicines, food, clothing, shoes, hygiene and new born kits, books, toys, school supplies, blankets and quilts! It was amazing to see how excited everyone was to help us!

As we were unpacking, Reg Nield (Reeve’s Dad) pointed us to a little Family that was temporarily staying close by, waiting to attend an ‘Eyes 4 Zimbabwe’ eye camp. The Father was completely blind (unfortunately he may not be assisted as he had measles when he was younger), the Mother was partially blind however this was rectified with surgery last week, and their little Son was bind in both eyes due to cataracts, he received his eye sight completely this last week after two 15minute operations! AMAZING!

We found food, clothing and nutritional supplements for them immediately…an awesome BLESSING to be able to assist them right away!

Each day we opened an un-packed new container and each day screams of joy and happiness came from everyone who was assisting us. The excitement of the

much needed supplies, food, clothing, books, school kits etc, we could hear out loud ! We were SO grateful for everyone’s participation and kind hearts!!!

We THANK each of you for your service, assistance, time, money and efforts that you put into this great project and for believing that it could happen as much as we did!

We pray that you will each understand the TERRIFIC impact that you have had on the Zimbabwean people! You have helped save lives, answer prayers and give joy and hope to thousands of people who currently are struggling to stay alive.

THANK YOU ALL!

May The Lord continue to Bless you and your family!

Kind regards,

Cecilie, Laurette and Reeve

Pictures

20 Feb 2010 - A big beetle by the Inn on Great Zimbabwe (Masvingo).

20 Feb 2010 - Millipede -- when it rains these guys appear

21 Feb 2010 - Clouds

21 Feb 2010 - Shot of clouds (sometimes they different looking here).

21 Feb 2010 - From truck window on way home from Masvingo