Merry Christmas!

Dear Family,

Seasons Greetings from Zimbabwe

What a blessing it is to have a family that is knowledgeable about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This season is always such a great one to celebrate the birth of our Saviour and the Covenants that He made as the Pre-mortal Christ to the children of Israel both ancient and modern. I love the words of Isaiah as he said,"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."  What a truth it is that Christ is wonderful and through much struggle and experience I have found it true that he is the Prince of Peace. As it has been stated that this season we should "Share the Gift" we have tried our best in Zimbabwe and are doing our best to share everyday what happiness and peace can be found in the Redeemer. This season gives such an opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others who are not of the Latter-day saint faith.

Often I wish I could be the Angel that heralded to the shepherds (although our jobs are similar) "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."  I feel a closeness to this Christmas story as if maybe I could have been one of the angels who was in that great multitude who sang with all there hearts, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." 

I hope that you have found peace in living the Gospel. His kingdom is not of this world. Aren't we part of that kingdom? Do we act like it? Do we have the love to share the Gift that God had for us? If you don't have someone to pay the penalty for your sins, who will?

"Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning."

God Bless You,

Merry Christmas

with love,

Elder William D. Beadle

Hurrah for Israel!!

Dear dad.

what a blessing to hear from you. 

i am so close to making it home it just feels weird. 

we had a baptism and it was incredible the spirit was strong and people came on a day of the week that no one comes.. a friday!! i have to admit we pushed it to be in october to reach our goal of 4 in october. haha. but it was awesome.. even the stake president was there. and the people who were baptised were just so happy and uplifted they just glowed with the spirit... Another family who is strong in the gospel... super awesome and the spirit was so strong.

our ward is inspired and the leaders are powerful. but soon we will be leaving it .. we are getting our own branch!! the stake president did interviews for callings and so by the end of november we should be getting our own place. 

crazy huh.. the lord can do his work for sure...

thanks for your prayers i really need them. 

i love you dad. talk to you next week 

we also met 2 fathers who stay in rugare. They said that they would follow the spiritual promptings they would receive and invited us to speak to the prayer group, so we told the stake presidency that they might want to start another group in Rugare, which is completely possible because this family is good and they already have been reading the standard works. 

it has been a blessing to be here. i have enjoyed this area. 

i am really missing the family and i can't wait to come home and enjoy the blessings of marriage (Oh, my heck!!) (that was me. Mom! :-))

i hope all is well. 

i love you all

What is going on here?

I wonder if they train them in barbering in the MTC.
His dad started cutting hair on his mission in the West Indies, as well. 

I guess someone else is getting ready for a mission, too. 

Okay, ick! 

I'm lovin' the apron! 

Went on a lame safari, we only saw some deer. 

Um... those aren't deer, my dear...

                                                                 

-For Two Years-

To say the least... 

for two years i got to

walk the streets of Zimbabwe, take claim to the name of Christ

teach the gospel, change the hearts of men to come back again.

forget myself and go to work, dive into the world and not be of it.

To say the least..

for two years i got to..

feel the Saviour walk beside me, he saw the things i did, and helped me know what to do.

see the works of the spirit burn confidence into those who put shame upon their name.

learn, life isn't a game or competition but rather a course full of trials with family so near.

for two years, wipe away all your fears 

don't forget why you're here.

Remember who you are and

who these people can become 

because of you and your two years.

New Pants

Pictures are at the end. This post isn't too long, but scroll to the end if you don't have time.

Dear Mom,
yeah why is missionary work all powerful when i am gone.. ugh.. haha.. but that is so awesome.. i wish i could be there. i want to be powerful someday. just like those guys .. i like the analogies. I shared some of what I learned in my meetings yesterday, including from some people in our ward, our stake president and Elder Summerhays of the Seventy(part of the general leadership of our church). 

ya know... although i loved your version of the 14th article of faith(we believe in meetings, we have endured many meetings and we hope to be able to endure all meetings...) we should stop calling them "meetings".. in the book of job it says naked i came into the world and naked we will leave it. it sounds to me when u enter those meetings you leave clothed with something.. instead of meetings we should call them revelatory experiences, a chance to put on more "clothes" so we don't leave the world naked. there is a 14th article of faith never published but it says something along the lines of "we believe in the resurrection .. bla bla something powerful i can't remember. " but it is nice. Is this true? I've never heard this... from the Wentworth letter(s?)?

Conor(Will's cousin) got ripped that is so lame(At Conor's missionary homecoming, the girl who was having her farewell in the same meeting spent 20 minutes telling why she never wanted to go on a mission before she gave her talk. Her change of heart was touching and all, but it left almost 5 minutes for Conor to share his whole mission with us). the same happened in our ward.. the counselor in the stake presidency came so the [speakers] had to show off by giving really bad fire to all of our investigators about tithes and hometeaching ... none of these people have been to church more than twice and barely even had a chance to pray about joseph smith.. ugh.. they went overtime and then gave the stake leader time to talk.. which was bogus .. and we left.. that was bad.. 

tonight we are planning to cook spaghetti for fhe.. we are making it joint with a recent converts family and 2 investigators families. i am super excited. 

we have such powerful families in our teaching pool and now they are becoming members... we had many join us at church. i was so happy. 5 families..
M family- they need to be married but need support from the in-laws. they need courage and patience .. they have a new born baby and a 10 year old. the mom is a security guard. 

M2 family- they felt prompted to talk to us on the street.. they have 4 girls and 3 boys the girls are at school except one. and they are humble ready to join.. they asked bishop if they could be baptised yesterday!

J family- they sent their children to church.. the baby is sick and they are a bit mad that my prayer didn't heal the baby. but job is working for the city counsel.. that is cool. he is happy to learn more about the gospel. 

B family-a young couple with a 6 yr old named mufaro(I think this name mean "i am happy" either that or Elder Beadle is happy about his name) the baba just needs to give up work even tho they need the money.. but they were also directed to us whilst we were tracting. that was a testimony builder.. sister caroline B sucks up all the books we throw at her... literally i might throw a book at her to slow her down .. we are running out of ideas of what to teach.. she just finished Daughters in my kingdom, and now half way through our heritage.. 

and 
M3' family- they love to be married but they don't know how to get the in-laws from the rurals to come.. they need to find some money or something .. not sure .. they are humble with good fellowshippers and i know if they get a few prayers things will work out(that means us--he wants us to pray for them).

this area is sweet we are enjoying the gospel .. keep on praying for me and my comp.. and keep up the missionary work back home. i love you so much mom. 

love elder beadle

The guy in the front is going home in a week. The whole zone(?)

They are having way too much fun :)

Elder Beadle and Elder Miller at Some kind of festival... I wish I knew,,,

Nice!

We don't know this lady but she is carrying stuff on her head(I think this might be rude--at least in our culture)

We are enjoying our new tan trousers (I guess they had to buy new stuff after the break-in).

Do these new pants have... jungle print on them? 

 

Elder Miller giving service... I think

aka Simba is preparing to serve a mission so we gave him a haircut...

...and a name tag and a backpack

March 2014

this work is so great i love it so much. i can't even imagine where i would be right now without the gospel or this mission. 

i am recovered mostly .. from the thieves.. mostly i am just looking for a shaver.. which i will buy here i think.. 

our new flat is sweet. we are on the 2nd floor of this apartment complex. i think it is government owned many good people live with us. the other elders live in the flat below... nice tiled floors and we are working on the geyser. huh? we just need hot water now.. it is so cold.. brr.

we are feeling more accepted by the bishopric they are getting used to our ideas. i think it is real turn around from the past. i am really excited to talk to you guys..

Go Long!!

Yum! Tortillas!
What's with that shirt? I think i might need it :)

Elder Miller
 ...um, do you think these guys really know what they are doing? 

we are having a great time. we are really focused on getting those powerful people that are ready.. did i tell you about Albuman and Caroline.. we found them last week and we are already announcing their names to be married.. wow the church is true. pray for them. they have a daughter who is 6 years old. i haven't met her yet but i am excited to. 

Moses was gone this week.. ugh.. but Dorcus was home she is kinda picking a few things.. she is really intelligent.. she came to conference and was touched by we should thank God in our difficulties. keep on praying for them too. they need to recognise their answers from God. 

now here is the Marira family.. the mom just gave birth and they seem to be a good family they know everything and they are coming to church everytime.. their in-laws are causing grief.. they learned about eternal marriage.. and are feeling guilty staying together without marriage. pray for the in laws to release their daughter from this labola (bride price) tag. 

ugh.. 

anyway.. we are really feeling good about this week. we are planning so much for this area... 

Elder Beadle

Notice the only two guys in this picture without jackets.
Do you think that had anything to do with
the recent theft of some suitcases?

I love this picture.

i am thinking about my future.. i really want to get big into this african themed restaurant i need to write up the details and send it to you.. i need investors and some capital.. i am wondering if it is good to invest in some of these gold mines here.. it is kinda sketchy.. since i wont be here so much and it might be through some people here. maybe it is safer to get into farming.. idk..

He is such a Beadle!

i really love to be out here. i really want to get married.. Like I said...

anyway.. our new apartment is sweet! 

i really love you all so much.. just keep on going. 

i love you.

bye. 

anyhow love you. 

we can skype if you want... i was thinking 9 in the morning i would skype you guys i don't remember my login and stuff. so ugh. .. but i don't know if it will work.. i will try.. if it fails. i will call. ..  (on Mother's Day... For the first time in my life, I'm looking forward to Mother's Day.)

We LOVE it here!

a note from mom(Lorinda): my computer is craaazy. I can't get any pictures to upload for this  post, but the letter is really interesting. I don't usually forward unedited, but this I will because i think you will want to hear his voice.

yeah ... i am just learning more day by day. this new area is a big
struggle compared with my last area. my companion is from farmington
and he seems to enjoy zim.. he was previously in the uganda mission..
so that makes 3 ugandean comps.
we had powerful spirit filled lessons this week. we found one 84 yr
old GoGo who had visited the church about 5 years ago with her late
son (who is a member) only after he died the ward didn't know and she
stopped coming. when we walked in she just let loose all of her
complaints and problems anything and everything money issues family
troubles.. we could tell she was lonesome. suprisingly she remembered
God be with you til we meet again as we left her with a message we all
sang the song. she knew every verse and sang with shocking energy. we
left the spirit filled room and continued on our journey..

 As we searched more members we found none and ended our day teaching
the moses and dorcus family. they are an awesome family but didn't
come to church because they went to an all night prayer at some
pentecostal church the night before... ugh.. (rolling my eyes) but it
is okay.. they need prayers.. they are good people.

when we arrived home that night elder miller went around the side of
the house and found the windowed door smashed into and clothes and
various personal items strewn across the floor. As we entered in we
found many of our appliances and valued things stolen, among those
things were: 3 suitcases(my giant one and two of elder miller's), some
speakers, microwave, pots and pans, socks, shirts, trousers, garments
and 2 pairs of my shoes. Well when we totaled it up it rounded to
$1400 with no delay the mission president was called and we were sent
to stay at the mission office.

well the next day we decided to pack the rest of our stuff and just
stay at the mission office til they get a new house. we got all ready,
the Assistants came and helped pack stuff into their pickup and on our
way we stopped to get some chicken inn(a fast food restaurant, one of
the few.) When the Aps pulled up Elder vance looked back at us through
a smashed backseat window...huh? WHAT! "hey guys." he said.
it turned out that while we were waiting at a stop light someone ran
up and smashed the window with a hammer or something.. but that isn't
all. the bed is open and elder millers last suitcase filled with the
remaining belongings is gone. How they knew about the stuff in the
back i don't know, the truck bed is covered, you can't see in.. my
comp started thinking all these stories that they are after him and
what what.. which seemed a bit logical seeing as they did go through
his stuff more than ours. but we don't know yet.

yeah.. so everyone is recovering from shock.. i have my stuff minus my
shoes and i have no where to put it seeing as i only have one
suitcase. yeah ... but God loves us. and even we are more excited
about emailing this story home than even taking care of our stuff, so
we are all good.

Church was powerful we were given talks about missionary work and i
related mine to easter which was powerful only we didn't even get time
to prep because we were asked right as we got there. but i really felt
something this sacrament. i felt this confident warm clean feeling.. i
really felt the spirit so powerfully.

Considering all the religious excitement, Easter is a huge 3 day
holiday when everyone is just pumped with excitement and energy.
Everyone wanted to come to church!.. of course most of them were
drunks, too excited to see 2 white guys proselyting. yeah we have good
members who feed us so everything is sweet. i love it. missionary work
is work but it is worth the time and effort.

i love you all,
from
ELDER BEADLE