Hello Everyone,
I want to say good morning but I don't know if when you read this it will be morning or evening. So I'll just say hello.
This week was great. We helped a member move and it was fun to see how many other Zambians saw an "Azungu" do some work. I guiltily enjoy when others see me, a white person, do work. racism is so different here. I also, because of all my experiences, understand racism on a whole new level.
Sunday was one of the best days of my mission. Church was amazing because I got to partake of the Sacrament. It was also a bonus that 5 people that I'm teaching came to church. Since I'm working in the office all the time I have been so member orientated. After church was a big bustle of energy as I tried to set up as many member appointments as possible, filling almost everyday in this week with them. I'm excited for that. The rest of the Sunday was visiting with members. There is one that we visited first. His name is Brother Andrew Chola. He served his mission from 2013 to 2015 but even though his missionary badge is hanging up he still wears his badge in his heart. I call him the golden member. He came home from his mission with his sights on exaltation. He is so much fun to be around. We spent some time at his home then he accompanied us on a visit to a less active family. The visit was one of the most amazing experiences I have had in my mission. Not because of what happened but of what I felt. This member, Sister Shumba, hasn't been coming to church for a while. We were able to read 1 Nephi chapter 1 with her and the spirit helped me teach how to liken the scripture. I likened her life to Nephi's life found in verse 1. We then finished the chapter. After we finished reading she started to open up more and more. It eventually led to her sharing the real reason why she stopped coming to church. It was actually a sad story. I won't share all of it because it still hits me in the heart. But just how the church becomes your family, when she was going through very hard trials in her life, not a single member in the church made any effort to be there for her. People knew about it because it was an announcement in church for some Sunday's(As I've been told) but not a single member visited her or made any effort to do anything. I was so speechless. I can't imagine how that would have felt. Imagine going through such a hard time such as a death in the family of something and not a single brother or sister makes any effort to let you know they care about you.
We left her with a priesthood blessing and it was a good thing Brother Chola was with us because he was a big help. I understand why the Lord needs us to do our ministering with real intent, not just to say we did it but to actually love people and be there for them. The church is true but sometimes the people aren't. Don't be that person that isn't true. Be a real person. Brother Chola is a great example to me of a disciple of Jesus Christ.
That visit was supposed to happen. We were there to be a listening ear. When we left we were all uplifted and edified and everything felt so much better. As we walked away I felt like I did more missionary work by being there in that home with Sister Shumba than I would have if I knocked on gates all day and talked to many people. I felt real joy, the joy that comes from living the gospel, not just learning it. I felt the joy that comes from keeping my baptismal covenant. "Mourning with those that mourn" It was an experience that strengthened my testimony of how true this gospel is.
Sunday was truly a delight.
I love you all,
-Elder Smith
Pictures:
-The new watch that was gifted to me with the Book of Mormon
-Moving pictures(Elder Funaki is the truck)
-China in Zambia
-Picture of the missionary choir for the Stake conference
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