We planned to meet in the area, which is called Mile 5, at 4:00 pm. As we were traveling to get there, President Collings kept getting phone calls asking us when we would arrive. There were people there at 11:00 am. By 1:00 pm there were more than 70 people waiting for us. These members pooled their money and rented a tent, and a sound system so that they would be able to sit comfortably in the shade, and they would all be able to hear. We were so touched at the sacrifice they made! They had not been asked to do this. We found out after the meeting that they had also made food to share as well. By the time we arrived, at 4:00 pm, there were 250 people waiting for the meeting to start.
Starting on Sunday, April 15, the Mile 5 group will be able to hold sacrament meeting, and church services each week. For now, they will have a tent and chairs put up each week, with a sound system.
The group leader is on the right in this picture. His name is Lekebia Mpande. There is also the LC1 on the left, President Collings, and the LC5.
Others in attendance were the Mbale Branch President and his counselor, Jimmy Okot who is the FM manager, and of course our missionaries, Elder Gwatidzo and Elder Rawlings
President Etiang conducted the meeting. He conducted the business as the congregation sustained the new group leader. We had the missionaries share the story of the Restoration, and teach about the Book of Mormon. Then I was given the opportunity to speak to them. It was the day before General Conference, but my talk was about how we need to minister to those around us. President Collings also talked about how to minister to those around us, and talked about how Jesus Christ was the perfect example of this. He then invited those who have not been baptized to talk to the missionaries, learn of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, and invited them to be baptized. We heard the testimony of the new group leader. Brother Lebekia Mpande will be a great support to the members in Mile 5.
The LC1 and LC5 (pictured above) were invited to witness this historic event. The LC5 spoke after the meeting was over, and offered his support of the church in this area, which was really nice.
There was a group of school children who had prepared a few songs to sing to us. It was very sweet.
Here are other pictures of the people in the village while food was being shared. There was a lot of excitement in the air.
This round of zone conferences was different. We combined almost all of the zones in Uganda, which was really great. President Collings and I taught our portions of the training, we took a break for lunch, then the missionaries separated into their own zones and had training by the zone leaders. Each zone then decided on an activity that had to do with the Book of Mormon. They did role plays, scripture chases, or went out street contacting using the Book of Mormon. It was such a great experience! Only problem was, I kept forgetting to take pictures. I'm sorry there are not very many, but the zone conferences were GREAT!
North, South, and Masaka Zones
Jinja and East Zones
Gulu Zone (they asked me at the end if I was going to take a picture...)
Ethiopia Zone
Street Contacting as a Zone Conference Activity
Every year we have a senior couples conference. It usually takes place in December, but in December our schedule was so busy we decided to push it off until February. We thought it would be a nice activity for the senior couples to do over Valentine's day. Well, in November our senior couple serving in Ethiopia went home. We found out that a new couple would be coming, but not until March. We decided to push the senior couple's conference off until the new couple could be here to enjoy it with us... so this last week we had our senior couple's conference (retreat!). We have a total of three senior couples. One serving in each country, and then us and President Okello, the counselor in the mission presidency. We thought it would be a good experience to explore Northern Ethiopia, and it was AMAZING!!
Easter in Ethiopia was celebrated this year on April 8th. Habtu invited us to have Easter Dinner with his family. His wife made a wonderful Ethiopian dinner.
It was so fun to meet Habtu's whole family. They were so kind, thoughtful, and fun to talk to and get to know. We really loved their generosity and hospitality.
The food was amazing, and after the meal, they brought out this beautiful cake. I said He is Risen in English and in Amharic. It's tradition to let the oldest person cut the cake, which meant that Elder Wright (my dad) had the honors. He started to, but then delegated to my mom. It was so fun.
On Monday morning we were off. We went to Bahir Dar first. We first went to see the source of the Blue Nile. The waterfall was beautiful! It was so fun to get a few group photos in front of it.
Airport picture
Later we took a boat out to a peninsula on the lake where there are two ancient churches. We were able to hike to the churches, and learn more about them. It was so funny, as we were taking the boat across the lake, the water was really choppy and the wind was blowing. We kept getting hit by the spray of the water as the boat would hit the waves. Although it was a beautiful, warm sunshiny day, we were getting DRENCHED! I finally got out my umbrella, which worked really well. Others were protecting themselves with the life jackets that were provided.
There is so much symbolism in the churches. It was interesting to learn about them. It was something that was consistent with all the churches we saw on this trip. I really enjoyed learning about the Ethiopian Orthodox religion.
The drum represents the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the body of Christ.
The wind chimes on the top of the church represent the cries of the children that King Herod had put to death.
People were not able to read the Bible, so pictures were painted on the walls of the church, representing the different stories. You can see Peter losing faith as he walked to Jesus Christ on the water. Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, etc. We learned a few new stories that we hadn't heard out of other books considered scripture.
On the next day we traveled to Gonder, which is also called the "Camelot of Africa". It did not disappoint. There were castles built by different kings over the years, all in one large complex. It was absolutely amazing. We were surprised how large the area was!
The Sisters with a young woman in traditional dress
Where Steve is happiest, in front of the horse stalls. The one nearest the fireplace, is the warmest, for the favorite or most important horse.
The roots growing over this wall are amazing!
Sitting in front of the pool where the Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrates Timket, or the baptism of Jesus Christ. Follow this LINK to an article by Ethiopian Airlines that talks more about the holiday.
This picture was taken from the internet, because I forgot to turn around and take a picture of the actual pool. It was empty.
Off to my favorite part of the trip... Lalibella!!
Here we are in front of one of the churches. This is just a solid piece of stone that has been cut out. They have a covering over it to protect it from the weather now.
Another amazing church. This one is called Emmanuel.
This one represents Noah's ark. This is what it looks like when you walk up to it.
Then you walk down a path
that gets deeper and deeper
When you come out at the bottom, this is the same building standing 3 stories tall.
We are sitting on the steps of the same building
Inside you can see the intricate carving of the stone that is even painted.
These are graves that have been cut into the stone floor representing Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
A little nervous sitting right next to the 3 story hole.
Inside each church is a priest. He is sitting by the curtain which hides the "Holy of Holies", each church has a replica of the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies. Only the priests and deacons are allowed inside the Holy of Holies.
That evening we ate at a fun restaurant. It is supposed to look like wine glasses and a bottle. It was set up on a hill with 360 degree views. We ate dinner while watching the sunset. It threatened to rain, which only made the sunset more beautiful, and never got us wet.
Restaurant from a distance
Closer view of the restaurant
Our fun group
Panoramic view from the top of the restaurant
On our way to Axum. I have to say this was the most thorough security I have been through since before my mission started. Almost every one of us were thoroughly searched. My poor dad took everything out of his pockets, no belt, no shoes, no glasses, no hat, and still they had to pat him down. It was pretty funny. I also had to take almost everything out of my purse. The man looking at the x-ray asked if I had an umbrella, which I took out. Then he asked if I had keys, which I took out. Then he asked if I had coins, which I took out. It started to feel like he was just trying to guess what he saw on the screen, and then would be excited to see he guessed right. We all had a good laugh, once we made it to the other side... Haha.
Look who got put at the back of the plane. The poor man in the back didn't know what he got himself into.
Axum was pretty cool. There are many obelisks that mark the tombs of ancient kings, and other important people. We were able to go into some of the tombs that have been excavated. They say only about 5% of the city has been excavated, and there is a large amount of artifacts that have not been discovered yet.
Inside one of the tombs
This is the church where they say the real Ark of the Covenant is kept. It is guarded in the church on the right by a priest, who stays there guarding it for the rest of his life. Nobody ever sees it. They have built the church on the left as a future home for the Ark of the Covenant. They aren't sure when it will be moved over there. I'm sure that will be a big event. I asked when it was moved last, and they said never. It was brought by the Queen of Sheba, and has never been seen or moved since.
A church built in the 1960's right by the Ark of the Covenant.
This Bible is 500 years old. This monk read out of it for us.
We drove to one final church. This was built in 500 BC. A second floor was added after Christ, so a window was made in the shape of a cross. I loved seeing where an alter once stood, and what looked like a baptismal font.
Beams have been placed to stabilize the walls and prevent future damage.
It probably took 5 tries to get a selfie that worked out! Haha.
Now to end with just a few fun pictures. This should help every couple out there want to come to the Uganda Kampala Mission to serve! It's an amazing mission!
