One Month in Africa!

It's hard to believe that we've already been out for one month! The time has just flown by, & we have had some incredible experiences! So, where to start?!?...

Our second weekend here in South Africa, we travelled to Zimbabwe, which is northeast of Johannesburg (about a 2 hour flight). Thank goodness our Area Director was with us to help us through the ropes of customs, etc. One thing we had never seen before, is all over South Africa, they have "wrapping stations" for your luggage. What is that, you ask? So did we! Thankfully, Sean knew the routine & took us over to a station with miles of plastic wrap on spools. We proceeded to hand our bag to the employee, & he wrapped...& wrapped...& wrapped our checked bags with this plastic wrap. Wow! Talk about an interesting way to insure no one gets into your bags, haha! Then on to the gate...

Shaking hands with Nelson Mandella in JoBurg airport 

Upon arrival in Zimbabwe (Zim, as the locals call it!)... we quickly learned that airport procedures in these smaller countries move at a snail pace. We had to purchase a Visa to enter the country, which was a lot of waiting in lines, just to find out you were in the wrong line & having to start all over again in a different area...oh well. I just kept thinking of the counsel Elder & Sister Shupe keep telling us, "T.A.B., That's Africa Baby!" Haha!

We stopped at the Zimbabwe Mission Office on our way to the hotel. It was great to meet with the Mission Presidency & see what Public Affairs could assist them with. There are so many dedicated people who are serving our Heavenly Father throughout this area, & we feel very blessed to associate with them & feel of their spirits & love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This is Samantha, who has been learning how to do the Mormon Newsroom for Zimbabwe.
I look forward to working with her to  spread the gospel throughout her country through
the blessings of technology.

This is a thriving garden, on the church-owned lot next to the Mission Office & chapel.
A local man has taken it upon himself to plant & grow these wonderful vegetables.

Our Area Director, Sean, grew up in Zimbabwe & had not been back for over 20 years.
So this trip was a "coming home" for him :) What a blessing!
He was thrilled to reconnect & spend time with his "mate", Alex Nichols (they were former
rugby mates, back in the day!). Alex & his wife, Kelly, treated us so sweetly to a
scrumptious dinner at their home. They are truly saints, in every sense of the word
& are doing their part to "Hasten the Work" in Harare, Zimbabwe! 

We took a trip by the Town Hall in Harare, that Mormon Helping Hands from the church have been working to clean up & paint. Here are some pictures of this huge undertaking. It was fun to talk to some of the volunteers & see the smiles on their faces as they help to make a difference in their community. BTW, watch for an upcoming article I will be posting on the Zimbabwe Mormon Newsroom re: this project. Sean took a great video the day we were there with the Stake President, President Mutariswa, explaining how this project was organized.  Quite remarkable :)

We had a great trip, & loved meeting many of our national & local Public Affairs people. Zimbabwe is one of the countries Elder Berg & I specifically oversee, & so we are looking forward to many more visits there over the next 18 months. The church is growing by leaps & bounds there, which is incredible to watch & share their excitement. We will actually be going there again next weekend, to assist with the visit of Elder Cook from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Whitney Clayton from the Seventy & Bishop Stevenson, Presiding Bishop of the Church. These General Authority visits are HUGE & take SOOOOO much preparation...but what a blessing for the people in these countries. They LOVE the Church & their leaders so much, & are very grateful to have some of them visit.

I continue to be in awe of the beauty of this country! I wanted to share just a few of the pictures of God's creations we have seen:

Jacaranda trees like this were in full bloom all over Zimbabwe. They haven't
quite come out in Johannesburg, but I can't wait until they do.
There are dozens of streets all over town that will be covered with an arch of lavendar!

Sean, & his wife Diane, invited us over to their home just before the Kyle's left for a little "going away dinner". Well, let's just say that it was anything BUT little! We were celebrating National Heritage Day in South Africa that day, & the tradition is to have a braai (which is what Africans call a BBQ): 

Sean, the braai-master...grilling up mounds of mouth-watering meat in his incredible indoor grill-oven.
Yes, Elder Berg was in heaven!!!

Sister Kyle, Diane Donnelly, & Elder Kyle. Diane is one of the most amazing cooks I've seen!
She went to culinary school & used to work at  The Savoy in London & her dinner was heavenly!

Diane, Bob & me, in front of their photo gallery of missionary pictures from
Madagascar. Sean was the Mission President there in 2006.

I had a wonderful two weeks of training, under the supervision of Sister Kyle. I am so indebted to her for her patience, love & knowledge. I don't know what I would have done without her mentorship! Well, the Kyle's left last Friday to go home to their family in Austin, Texas...so, I'm on my own. Wow, it was a huge weight on my shoulders, coming in to work Monday morning & muddling through tons of emails, payment requests, Newsroom & Facebook posts to be done, etc. etc. etc. But, each day I feel a bit more at ease. There is still alot to learn, because new things come up. But everyone at the Area Office is so incredibly helpful & understanding, & best of all... I am on the Lord's errand, & He will NOT let me fail! As long as I remember my purpose as a missionary, I will be just fine. I am so blessed to be serving with my sweetheart. He grounds me, & continues to offer his help & love when he knows I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. This mission has already taught me so much about humility, faith, love & service. I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for entrusting this little part of His work in my hands. I love this mission...I love the people...and I love my Heavenly Father & Savior, Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for the many, many words of encouragement & support we have received from family & friends. Thank you, & enjoy every minute of every day, as you make a difference in this beautiful world our Father created for us.

This is my "home away from home" each day at work in the Area Office.
I love having all the windows around me, & looking out over the trees & foliage.
Best part is that we are just a walk through the trees to the Johannesburg Temple.
We are truly blessed!!!