Africa

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been more than a month since I have written and this is a long email – I am not apologizing – it is nice to know that you can chose to read it all or not.. I haven’t written because nothing has been going on; on the contrary, there have been so many tender and touching times that I have felt that I couldn’t express my feelings adequately—but I will try to give you just a peek. Before I share the wonderful missionary experiences that we have had – I will share another experience with driving in Maputo. (Maybe when I return I will write a book titled “My Driving Experiences in Maputo.” Boring title – I will have to think of something else.)

Our car has been without side mirrors for over a month – at first, I was very cautious – always using a hand mirror when I was backing to make certain that I was driving safely. However, after a while that became a bother and I became less cautious – unfortunately. The other day I pulled onto the median. (The area where we park in the middle of the street—I maneuvered past the large tree stump, then missed the potholes where paving bricks had once been, and even missing the sharp edges of the broken bricks.) I felt much like a native when I told the parking attendant that I did not need him to watch and/or wash my car. Most main streets where we park – you will find local young men willing to watch or wash your car – but I did not need their help today because I was just running in to visit briefly with the Dows. (By the way, the Dow’s were in the May 12, 2007 issue of The Church News – there was an article on the water-well the Church had supplied for a village here in Mozambique. They are our Humanitarian Couple – imagine one Humanitarian Couple for all of Mozambique and Angola – where are the willing Senior Missionaries that speak Portuguese?)

Well, my visit to the Dow’s was brief – unbeknown to me, after I parked –a vehicle pulled in a bit close to our car and left its rear bumper a bit extended. We returned to our car. (It is too bad that I did not hire one of the local young men to watch my car – because they always back me out —sure was bad timing to be so self-reliant on this day). Sister Allred did get out to assist my backing into traffic – but she was on the opposite side from the parked car. I was most concern with getting into the street quickly and getting her safely in the car before the traffic came roaring up to where we were. I just did not turn my head around to check my side of the car – hadn’t I just pulled in – so, surely I could back straight back and be okay – NOT!!!!

It sure would have been wonderful if I had backed into one of the many dented, paint pealing vehicles I see all the time – No, I back into a one week old, BMW X-3. Actually, the owner was very nice – not necessarily trusting – we had to drive with him to the dealership that had just sold him the car – to settle the claim immediately – but he didn’t yell at me or anything. Still, he was very grumpy – and I understood – I really did. There is a silver lining to the story (or a “tender mercy of the Lord”) – when the accident happened we were in front of the Dow’s apartment and they came and handled everything – Elder Dow speaks Portuguese. Furthermore, the next day when Elder Dow took the check to the dealership for the repairs –the man apologized – saying that accidents do happen. Better yet, he wanted to find out about the projects that The Church was sponsoring that the Dow’s have been working on. Hummm!

Well, that is enough about my driving experiences – now to my missionary experiences.

On Saturday, May 26th we baptized nine people – one was Osvaldo. He must be about 16 years old and has been attending our English class here in Maputo. It has been fun getting to know him a little—I have been watching as he studied the gospel and as his countenance became happier and happier. When he came up out of the water – he just beamed. The next day he was to be confirmed – he walked to the front of the chapel and was about to sit in the chair where he would be confirmed a member and given the Gift of the Holy Ghost – when he looks at me – gives me a big grin and waves. I actually had little to do with his conversion but I am so grateful for his joy as he committed his life to loving and serving Jesus Christ.

I have many opportunities this past month to do small acts of service for the missionaries – delivering needed items, lending a listening ear when needed, searching for good quotes on gospel topics, and giving them a ride when they are in a bind – the heartwarming rewards cannot be described in words.

My favorite missionary experience culminated on June 10th – but started when I first came to Mozambique. The first Sunday I sat in Relief Society – not understanding a word – but I noticed a woman who kept making comments. I felt that she was someone I really wanted to get to know – but felt it unlikely because of the language problems. However, I soon met Florência and found out that she spoke English. She and I had a lot in common – just like I did -- she had been investigating The Church for a long time and she and I were raised in the same church. I had several opportunities to share the feelings of my heart with her – on one occasion we discussed that she knew all she needed to know – and now she just had to pray intently to the Lord to know what He wanted her to do. She did and she made a commitment to be baptized. Sister Allred and I were invited to go to several lesson appointments at her home – and discuss the gospel. So we feel as if we helped in real missionary work.

A few days before her baptism she had, her baptismal interview – the Elder who interviewed her – said she was the most prepared person that he had interview in the two years that he had been a missionary. She was so excited to be baptized and I was so excited for her to baptized – we were already Spirit Daughters of God and therefore Sisters, we were friends, and now we would be Sisters in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Elder who baptized her said he had never felt the power of the Lord as strongly as when he baptized her and he knows that she has a great work to do. She came up out of the water and just beamed – she stepped out of the font and we hugged and both cried. I could feel the presence of the Lord and He was pleased with her commitment to follow Him.

The next day she was confirmed and once more the Elders who preformed the ordinance of confirming her a member and giving her the Gift of the Holy Ghost – felt the presence of Angels and agree that she has a great work to do here in Mozambique. She emailed me to say that she has never felt such joy in all her life and is ready to go to work building the kingdom – she even wants to serve a mission. (She will have to wait for a while – her son is only 15 years old.)

Yes, the day she was baptized was great – 23 other people were baptized too. Many of the people I know and am thrilled that they made such a commitment to repent of their sins and strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ. On the Sunday when Florência was confirmed – 12 others were too. It took our entire church meeting to have them all confirmed – it was Fast Sunday and no one got to bear their testimony – we just had confirming of all these new and wonderful members – plus the ordinance of the Sacrament and a brief testimony by President Packard – he welcomed and counseled these new members. The feelings in the chapel cannot be explained in words – only felt and it was a glorious day!

Finally, my feelings have been especially tender these past few weeks as we have six of the most wonderful Elders returning home. No one warned me at how attached I would become to this incredible young men. One in particular, has been my translator for five months, worked beside me for five months in the English classes, and become a dear friend. I know these young men must get back to their lives – school, employment, and marriage. They have dedicated two years of their lives and have earned the right to return and continue on – but they will be missed.

Life is good here in Mozambique – I love those I serve with and serve – I wish for each of you joy and happiness – know that you are a beloved son or daughter of God – and therefore, we are all brothers and sisters.

Love, Sister Wick (Pat, Mom, Grandma)