Croc Warriors and Zimbabwe Number Two

 

Good afternoon everyone! I hope you're doing well. It's been a fun week. We worked hard and had a lot of fun with our members as well. And I have a cool new companion. 

Maybe I'll start there. My companion's name is Elder Ngulube and he's from Zimbabwe, which is kind of cool because the missionary who trained me is also from Zimbabwe. He just finished his training and Elubo is his second area. I don't know him that well yet but he seems cool. He has a really deep, manly voice that makes me feel like a girl sometimes but he's ready to work hard so it's OK. And he deep cleaned the bathroom today so I think we'll get along. 

Also, in reference to the title, I went to the doctor for him to look at my toe. He said it was too smothered by my shoes and the scotch tape I had wrapped around it to heal and that I needed to let it air out so it can get better. He specifically told me to proselyte in my crocs which has been awesome. I was floating around Elubo all week. 

This week we worked really hard which felt awesome. Last week we didn't go out really because I was supposed to let my toe heal but this whole week we've gone out and I've enjoyed it so much. I think the break helped me put missionary work in perspective. A few weeks ago it felt like kind of a grind and I wasn't enjoying it as much but being away from the work for awhile helped me see how good it is. I've found that I'm the happiest when we're super busy. 

And this week we were very blessed with busy days. We were able to find some cool new people and the mother and older sister of Gladys, one of our members, came to church for the first time! We also had an interesting experience with a brother named Isaac. We met him on the road when he stopped us and asked us who we were. We told him we were missionaries and set up a time to meet with him on Saturday. Saturday we called him and asked him if he was around and he wasn't, but he promised to come to church the following day. I, in a moment of faithlessness, didn't really believe him because people say that all the time, but Sunday morning he showed up! He said he enjoyed it and will come next week. Big-time miracles. 

One thing I've seen this week is that God gives us what we need when we need it. Not really before or after. Last week when I found out Elder Momoh was going I felt so down. I really loved serving with him and was nervous to be leading Elubo. That down feeling was there all the way through Thursday morning when we arrived in Elubo. However, as soon as we started moving, I felt so good. I feel like I've been given an added measure of peace, confidence, and energy. 

Also I feel like I had kind of an energy buildup. Like you know when you're mad at somebody for a long time and it just keeps building and then all of a sudden it just breaks loose? I feel that was my motivation and energy this week. Like it was building and then this week it broke loose and we just started going. In a good way. I feel really peaceful and optimistic about the future and I know it's going to be a great transfer. And the gospel is true! I love you all. 

Love, 

Elder Johnson