A Wonderful Week - 11/22/2010

Elder Rowe's Current Zone in Christchurch



This week has been a great one, full of powerful Spiritual lessons! Let me introduce you to the "Maupurangas." I totally made up that spelling, by the way, and will for the rest of their names. Caibos (Dad), Viola (mom), Rudo(17year old daughter), and Marko (12 year old son) are a wonderful family from Zimbabwe. We first met Viola on the side of her house weeding while we were door knocking a few weeks ago. She seemed very excited to listen to us and invited us back for a lesson. We were concerned about how well it was going to go because she is slightly disabled both mentally and physically. Elder MacTavish supposes she's had a stroke or something. She has a hard time walking and can't speak very clearly, but can usually understand what we're saying. The first time we met her, we could barely understand what she was saying, but knew she wanted us to come back. So last Sunday (14/11/10) we went over to visit her and mostly just confirm our appointment for that Tuesday (16/11) with her and her husband, but we ended up watching the Restoration DVD with Viola and the kids. Twice! The first time the kids kept coming in and out especially during the main part. And so after the movie ended, we asked them how they liked it. "Yeah, it was nice." And then Viola said she wanted to watch it again! We said definitely.

It didn't quite have the impact it should have had the first time, so I was so glad we could watch it again. And the second time was a lot better and they all got a lot more out of it. They all said they wanted to come to church and before we had even invited them.  We made an appointment to have a lesson with Rudo and Marko on Wednesday. 

So on Tuesday, we went to the Maupuranga's and taught Viola's husband the first lesson-The Restoration of Jesus Christ's Gospel-and answered his questions. He told us he wanted to learn about the Mormons from the Mormons, and that taught him successfully. He said he was so glad to now know what the Church believes, and he was just very glad about the whole message overall. And that he's noticed how much more his wife has been smiling ever since we first taught her. Of course we told him to pray about it so he could find out for himself whether or not it was true. He said he definitely would. Sadly, he said he will be too busy until mid-December to be able to hear more lessons. So hopefully by then the rest of his family will be baptized and he will be more willing to make time for us.

On Wednesday we went back to teach Rudo and Marko. Marko had a friend over and didn't want to listen, so we taught Rudo, and Viola listened for the third time. Rudo, being 17, has her own questions about religion but we were able to answer them and after we finished, she seemed a lot less confused (apparently she missed some important aspects of the movie on Sunday). She seemed very grateful for the Book of Mormon we gave and she was very excited to read it and find out the truth for herself. And so it was great to see Viola and Rudo at church yesterday. We'll work on Marko later.

On Wednesday we also had a wonderful lesson on the Plan of Salvation with Joel, an ex-motorcycle gang member. Joel, who has been looking for a change in his life and trying to do what's right, loved the lesson. He said he had started with so many questions but that they were all answered. And we committed him to be baptized after teaching about the Celestial Kingdom. He said he already has been. We quickly explained about the need for the proper authority to do so.He was fine with that and is committed to be baptized in mid-December (we'll set an official date next time we see him). So that was so wonderful!

More wonderful lessons happened, but those were the major highlights. I just love seeing people's reactions when they realize the truth of this Gospel. "It makes so much sense!" is what they say. If only everybody would realize that. We just need to work in different ways to address their particular needs. So I'm so grateful for the guidance of the Holy Ghost, who is the real teacher. We just speak, but He is the one that is the teacher. I love being a missionary.

Oh, Harry Potter. I will enjoy seeing both movies back to back in 2 years. Unless it's scandalous...

Being a missionary is such a wonderful thing. When I think of how much time I have left until I go home to Utah, it seems really long. But when I realize how little time I have left to teach and preach and work as missionaries do, I realize so much has already gone.

I love studying every morning, and in fact, feel like I don't have enough time at all! So I try to use as much free time as possible to read what I can.


I'm off to go bowling as a party for the missionaries who are leaving this week from transfers (i'm staying of course).

I've been eating bubble gum-gumdrop ice cream the past couple nights. The idea of it is disturbing at first, but I really like it now. Kiwis have amazing ice cream.


I always try my hardest to make sure I'm always smiling! So I hope you are all doing the same. Smiling plants seeds.

Good luck with this next test Dad, I will be saying extra prayers!

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I will try to celebrate the best I can! To start, I want to thank you all for everything! I've learned as I've been on my mission, that I had soooooo much to be grateful for back home. And that I do as well, just being a missionary! So thank you! I will be eating Thanksgiving-like, but also be giving thanks all this week! Or always.

I love you all so very much! 

Have a wonderful wintry week!

Love Elder David John Rowe

P.S. This is a picture of my zone; Left to right: Elder Kitekiaho, Elder MacTavish (the one in the back trying to look cool). Elder Tzanis, Elder Bonnefoy-Jenkinson, Elder Lund, Sister Motuliki, Elder Dave, Sister Wu.
And yes, I am a full tithe payer. :)