Hapee Birthdae Harry!

I have like 0 time.  But here's my week in recap!

I went to my first Malawian Wedding!  Gloria took us, but we didn't know that she didn't know them until after we got there.  So we pretty much just wedding crashed.  But that is encouraged here, so we were totally fine with it.  It was hilarious, I am opposed to American weddings now.  Here they have this whole ceremony where people dance up to you and give you money in this elaborate way, and then they have people pay to get their pictured taken with you.  Yes.  We paid for this photos.

GLORIA GOT BAPTISED!!!  

I was stressful, but it all worked out.  She made everyone sing her favorite hymn... #203.  Think about it.

It was awesome.  We love her so much!

Welcome to the Blantyre Zone.

Power Out!

Sister Clifford

p.s. Sister Griffus and I totally had a child named after us this week.  It rocked.

p.p.s. It's summer here.  AGAIN.  Shortest winter of my life.

10 Reasons I Love Being a Malawian Missionary

This week was just another week, and I haven't thought much of what to report on. We had President's Interviews and a Specialized Training. For my last Interview, President Erickson lectured me about a three month plan. That is the second time he's given that to me, and none of the other departing Missionaries have received it here. Apparently I appear as if there is no plan or structure to my 'future' life. If only he knew the consistent scheming in my head. Sister Griffus and I were blessed enough to have President and Sister Erickson come and teach Gloria more about the Atonement with us. In the same day we had Elder and Sister Merrill teach another investigator with us. It was such a great opportunity to sit back and learn from the pro's! I wish I would have been able to do that back in my beginning days!

Happy Pioneer Day! This week Grandma Clifford (shout out! hallah!) sent me some great history of my ancestors to keep me going. So I thought I'd share because it cracked me up: "You have all kinds of Pioneer Ancestors from Shadrach Roundy - Tall, rough body guard to Joseph Smith & Brigham Young, & part of the Mormon Mafia, to Alfred Corden - First LDS High Priest in England, In charge of the European Emigration Fund, to your Dutch Felt & Van Winegarten Ancestors, all rooting for your success & happiness in life.  Think of all the hard work & sacrifices & daring they went through to lay the groundwork for us!  FYI, Shadrach Roundy is mentioned in D&C 124:141."  Sweet. Don't mess with me Satan- I have the Mormon Mafia on my side! I really am grateful for the Pioneers though, both in the early days of the church, and all the Pioneers now. I am so grateful that I have been able to be a part of the Pioneer Period of the church in three different countries, and cultures in Africa- it is helped me to grow more than I ever could in an 'established' area. 

I LOVE THE PIONEERS OF AFRICA!!!!!!!

Here are ten reasons that drive me each day to love being a Missionary in Malawi:

1. Fanta Passion. Malawi is the only place it exists. BE JEALOUS.
2. Everyone is so willing to pray. It's almost ridiculous. In other countries I've served in, it could take weeks for someone to feel comfortable enough to pray in front of you. Here they ask to pray in the first lesson.
3. Coke is cheaper than water. A coke a day keeps the parasites away. 
4. We play 'Tourist or Resident' at every Azungu we see. Proven fact: Missionaries are the only white people in Blantyre who bathe regularly. I've never been so irritated by tourists in my entire life. They think they own this place. Whaddup- I LIVE HERE!
5. Here in Blantyre we have our own form of pigeon Chichewa. It's the common 20 words we all know mixed with whatever scraps of formal English we have left with scriptural terminology. 
6. We have ghetto phones where the screens lack color.
7. You know its going to be a good week when you find White sugar. 
8. People love God. 'Too much'. It's all over their mini-buses, their buildings, their shirts, their underwear hanging on the line... everything.
9. No one has internet to look up anti-Mormon literature. #dodgedthatbullet
10. They have the cutest old men. Ever. They get so dressed up to go into town- it's like I'm living in the 1940's. I always say 'Madzuka' too them because I love seeing their toothless smiles. 

Man. Heaven bless Malawi.

Sister Clifford

Adoption (July 14)

I have been formally adopted into the Great Zambia Lusaka Mission. Before I was just on 'Visa Wait', but now it looks as if revelation has been received that there really is no hope in salvaging my Botswana visa. Not like I had much anyway. I mean, my faith was always sufficient, but I know better than that. And the fact that I am at the tail-end of my Mission helps too. 

President Erickson emailed me this week, and we were corresponding about the typical things that Missionaries struggle with as they finish up their last transfers. It's made me reflect about my service over the past 16 months, and how now is the best time to really exercise every muscle I've sculpted and toned. He said that 'you have never been better prepared to do this work', and also how with this time will come with great challenges. I can testify that that is true! And that the Lord truly does prepare us for our finest hour.

Last week we were able to have a Sisters Activity with the Senior Couples. They made us lunch then we had a Q&A session with them. I LOVED it! They were hilarious, yet so wise. The spirit was so strong and I learned so much. It's been some of the greatest highlights of my Mission being able to work with Senior Couples, hear their stories, and learn from all that they've learned. Each Senior Couple that I have served with has been there exactly when I needed them too, and I will be forever grateful for that!

Amongst other things, I was faced with some of the hardest things I've had to eat on my entire mission over the past two weeks. Turns out that Goat really isn't that bad, but that crushed Millet is. Tobwa- the traditional Malawian drink. Never again.

I have seen many miracles and tender mercies this week, both here in the field and at home! The Lord truly does reward us for our hearts desires as we sincerely pray to him and make him aware of all that we are feeling. Man, missions are great. You totally learn to turn everything over to the Lord. I am so grateful for all that I have learned and experienced in my time in Africa. I owe so much to this great place!

Sister Clifford

Azungu Bo

Muli Bwanji brothers and Sisters! HAPPY 50TH INDEPENDENCE DAY MALAWI!!! Who knew that I could celebrate being freed from the British twice in one week! Unfortunately, due to all the elections, all the money is gone though and there was no celebrations. Look like I'll have to wait another year for fireworks. Dang.

Due to a short amount of time and money, this email is going to be a short one.

Things were slow this week. But we were blessed to help to investigators to really progress. I want to share a tender mercy from one of them, Gloria.

We found Gloria while waiting to teach a Recent Convert, she literally just walked in and sat down. We asked if we could share something with her, and she was totally annoyed. We were persistent, and she accepted. It was just a short BRT, but eventually we got to a principle. A few appointments later, we found her in great pain from a cavity. Just remember that Dentists are expensive and rare here, so dental care is done at general hospitals, and the solution is usually just to remove the tooth. We helped her to take some pain medication then to sleep. We came back a few hours later to check on her. Both Sister Griffus and I felt the prompting to ask her if she would like a blessing. After explaining more of what that would entail, she accepted. The Elders came and administered to her. It changed everything. Thanks to the blessing, she understood the power of the priesthood and the divine connection it has with God. She understood how it helps to make the church true. She came to church yesterday, and the Relief Society lesson was on the how we can support and sustain the Priesthood. She bore a powerful testimony of how the Priesthood is there to bless lives and to serve us as Christ would- it moved some to tears. Needless to say, she's getting Baptised on the 27th. We're pretty pumped, but not as pumped as she is!

Yesterday one of the investigators I found and taught got Baptised in Zingwangwa! I wasn't able to go, but Sister Komiha said it went well and that she was SOOO happy. It may also be because due to the divine revelation that we had while choosing her fellowshipper is ending up to leading to a fellowshipping for eternity. We are hoping that one works out. That would make 13 baptisms and 3 marriages on my mission.

That's all I have for this week! Until we write again..

Sister Clifford