VENDORS OF ZIMBABWE

Everyone in Zimbabwe is a Vendor of some sorts!

9 out of 10 people sell TOMATOES!

There are some other VENDORS, and we will attempt to show a few of them, but.....................

If you don't believe that story, then check out these PHOTOS!!!

Each pan of tomatoes were selling for $3.00 each, nice tomatoes!

Same price here, but they weren't quite as ripe.

There must have been 50 vendors in this one spot.

On the way home from Marondera, we would pass through "Tomato Alley" literally 100's of Vendors would line the road back to Harare.

Some of these vendors are as young as 6 years old, and sit on the highway all day long.

 Wild grown honey!!

Sister Heck is about to make a $2.00 purchase of wild honey.

Anyone for flowers?

More flowers!

How about a pool toy, or a Zimbabwe flag off his back.

I love these guys, they stand in the middle of the road, and you literally have to dodge them to keep from running over them!

One of the busiest intersection in Harare!!  That's why they are there.

How about a newspaper, or airtime for your cell phone, only $1.

How about a sack of cow manure??

Or maybe a wooden sculpture.

Roasted corn on the cob, we haven't tried this yet, but we will before we leave.

Just about on every corner, and only $1 for 4 ears.  But no butter.

More airtime and he also will cut your tree down for you, TREEFELLER.

Another treefeller advertising his wares, and you can bet he's not far away either.

How about a tree ripened banana or apple, 5 for $1.

How about a sack of home grown potatoes, kinda like the ones from Idaho, but different fertilizer, if you know what I mean.

Plants, Pots, Airtime, and Cooking Gas!!!!!!!!

You can buy bricks, sand and cement all on the same corner!!

How about a handmade broom?

How about some used clothes!.

Zimbabwe has some of the best stone and rock sculpture artists in the world, they also sell everything they can think of to help subsidize their income.

Hand made baskets!!

YEP!!!

Tree ripe bananas are big here, mainly because they are free to the vendors.

Worms are big here, literally big.

This guy was eating (worms) all of dads profits!!!

This gal got Sister Heck, she told me 4 for $1, and Sister Heck paid $1 for one.  This is what we put our groceries in when we go shopping.!!!!

This is our favorite Vendor at the open market in Avondale open air market.  She will get whatever we want for a great price.  Her name is Agnes, and she is now in the process of reading the Book of Mormon.  What a great lady, and wonderful friend.  She knows all our kids by name and ask about them each time we see her.

These are some of the vendors we see everyday as we travel around Zimbabwe!

CHRISTMAS EVE WITH THE PROS!!!!!

This is Lolly and CC, Lolly is from South Africa CC is from Norway.  They are both on the Ladies Pro Tour, and both are staunch members of the Church and advocates and ambassadors of the Gospel.

On this day, Lolly was our golfing partner and my wife was my handicap.

Elder Raymond had just hit his ball, and we couldn't tell if he was golfing with us or the next fairway over.

If you are golfing with the pros, you have to look like one.

My partner Lolly out of the trap, nice shot and pin high.  We won't discuss my shot.

Perfect form!

These are our two caddies, Tapiwa and Petros.  Petros, my caddy, is a member of the Church.

Long putt!

Straight down the fairway.  Check out the perfect form.

I was out driven on every drive by Lolly, talk about perfect form!!

Did I mention that CC is from Norway, you would have never guessed it from her outfit.  She is such a blast to be around, never a dull moment.

6'2" of sheer power.  Can she ever crank it.

The master eyeballing another tough putt!

CC out of the rough.

Lolly is so good!!

Match over, and guess who one????

May I just say that this was one of the most wonderful Christmas gifts that I have ever received. These two gals along with their wonderful golf coach Reeve Nield made this all possible, and I really want them to know how much Sister Heck and myself appreciate all they have done for us and the mission.  In our eyes they are giants in the Gospel, and we want all 3 of them to know how much we love and appreciate them for who they are and what they represent.  They are the best.  Keep going CC, Lolly, & Reeve!!!!!!!!!!!

CHRISTMAS

AT THE

DUMP

This was a Christmas like we have never experienced before, anywhere in the world that we have been.  These pictures were taken on the 23 of December 2011 at Harare, Zimbabwe, Africa.  Pictured above is Pres. Nield with his friends, who number over 250 souls, and live right at the dump.

When we arrived behind Pres. Nield's vehicle, people were already lined up because they knew what his pickup represented.  They were so humble and orderly

The men knew enough to stay separated from the women so they could receive their clothing, and other articles that were given out.  Normally the men go 1st in Africa,  but Pres. Nield requested that women go 1st, and the men stayed back and let that happen.

As the women came through the line they were so grateful for those gifts that we were able to give to them.  As you can see from the picture, they are smarter than we are, because they always leave their hands free for something else to carry.  They always carry the heaviest item on their heads.

Elder Heck was in charge of handling the boxes for the hygiene kits, each person there received one.

Sister Heck giving orders, "More hygiene kits, Elder Heck"!!

So moving!!

They even received something for their kids to give to them for Christmas.

This gentleman was over joyed!!

Everyone got a dinner roll and lots more.

Not very many of these good people had matching footwear or shoes.

Although they did not really have a thing, they were still very dignified, and wanted to be treated that way.

This young man made the ultimate sacrifice by giving up something that was very special to him in the first place...................................

his brand new, hard to get tennis shoes!  What a guy.  Notice in the background that he is in his stocking feet, and this gentleman is barefooted, as over half of them were.

Everyday uniform.

Check out all these faces!

This is our favorite picture, as a matter of fact we had it blown up and it is framed at our apt.

The women were not afraid to show their emotions.

Pictures are worth a thousand words.

After we handed out all the supplies, the celebration began.

Dancing and singing at the dump!

Heading home with their supplies, and so happy!

Yes! This is home.

This is their front yard and their back yard.

I'll never forget this occasion, and how my wife gave everyone that came through the line a hug, and wished each one of them a Merry Christmas!

Both Sister Heck and I will be eternally grateful for this humbling experience and for the memories of being with these deserving people, who live under these unfortunate circumstances.  Our prayers will be with them and their families.  We are also grateful for Pres. Nield and his wife and family, especially Reeve, Lollie & CC.

THANK YOU!