Mission Adventures in Uganda: Ethiopia and Kampala Zone Conference

Saturday, June 8, 2019

Ethiopia and Kampala Zone Conference

On 2 June 2019, President Collings set apart our newest missionary from Ethiopia. Elroe Woldemichael was called to serve in the Salt Lake City South Mission. He and his family are so excited for him to be able to share the Gospel with the people they have grown to love since Elroe was a young boy. They have many friends who came to Ethiopia as Senior Missionary Couples or Young Missionaries, that are from Utah. He was thrilled to receive his mission call, and will be an amazing missionary. He reported to the Provo MTC on 5th June.

Our final Zone Conference in Ethiopia was really wonderful. We got to spend time with the missionaries answering their questions, sharing testimonies, and giving them some final advice. The missionaries are doing really well, and will be a huge blessing for the new mission president and wife.

I finally bought an Ethiopian Dress. I wore it to Church on our final Sunday. Saying a few goodbyes.

I love making Eternal Friends

Our Zone Conference in Kampala consisted of four zones. Kampala North, Kampala South, Masaka, and Uganda North Zones. The first half was combined. We have many new missionaries who shared their testimony, and then we heard from the departing missionaries. Some of the missionaries then shared musical numbers they had prepared which was really nice. One group of missionaries actually wrote a song that went to the tune Beautiful Zion, which was very sweet. We then divided into zones and President Collings and I observed some of the training in each of the zones. We ended with our thoughts and testimony to the missionaries. There is so much that we want to say to these young men and women. Mostly just a huge thank you for the great individuals that they are. It's been such a blessing getting to know each one of them. This was followed a yummy lunch, and of course, pictures.

We had so many missionaries who wanted to take pictures with us, it reminded me of a wedding day, where you smile for so many pictures your cheeks get sore. But it was worth it!

One of our returned missionaries has come back to Uganda for a quick visit. It was so fun to visit with Matthew Anderson again. We can't believe it's been two years since he left this mission. It seems like just a couple of months ago. He is visiting Uganda and then will go to Tanzania and hike Mt. Kilimanjaro. I think President Collings is a little bit jealous. That's going on our bucket list in the coming years!

Biographical Information

Steve and Tracy both grew up in Utah. Both born into large families who were active in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Steve loved basketball and track, and anything outdoors. He was the second of 7 boys. Tracy was the second of 8 children. She was a gymnast, loved dancing, and always loved babysitting her siblings or the children in the neighborhood. Steve served in the Washington DC South mission, and upon his return was set up on a blind date with Tracy. They were married shortly thereafter. They were blessed with four children, who made life very exciting. Steve pursued a career in business management, and has started and sold several businesses. He has especially enjoyed teaching others about business, and watching them grow and excel in their careers. He has always tried to lift others to their greatest potential in work and in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As their kids grew older, Tracy went to nursing school. She loves being able to care for those in need, who can't care for themselves. After 30 years of marriage, they have learned to rely on and lift each other. They have been humbled as they have seen all four of their children married and starting families of their own. They love their six grandchildren and can’t wait to meet them when they return home.