When it was time for us to take our son Conner and his wife Taylor to the airport, we actually had to fly out before them to get to Addis Ababa for a District Conference. We said our goodbyes, and left at about 4:00, while they waited in the airport for their 11:30 pm flight. I think the airport was hotter than I have ever felt it. I felt so bad leaving them there, but it had been a really nice week spent with them.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia was BUSY! The African Union Summit was being held the same weekend, and we weren't able to get any of our usual hotel rooms. In fact, the hotels we usually go to had a room or two available, but they were charging $700-$900 per night. Obviously, we had to arrange for another option. Two weeks before, when we came in for zone conference, we ate lunch at a hotel that was right by the Meganagna Chapel. I decided to try and book a room there. I called the hotel and they said I needed to go online to book it. When I went online, it made me pre-pay for half of it, and then pay the other half when we arrived. Which I did.
When we arrived at the airport, there were so many people in line at immigration, it was crazy! I thought we would never get through. Once we finally got through, our missionaries were waiting to take us to the hotel. It was pretty late, so we just went directly to our room and went to sleep. The room was... so... indescribable!!
Everything in the room was bejeweled with clear crystals. All the furniture was painted silver with purple velvet padding.
Even the throw pillows and sashes were purple velvet bejeweled with crystals. It was such a surprise. The website I went to showed a picture of the room (I thought). This was not the room I saw online.
The curtains were made from an iridescent purple and fuchsia fabric, and we had this chandelier in the middle of the room. It was difficult to take it all in... I just had to close my eyes. I slept well. (haha) I'm grateful we had a room to stay in. The city was very full, so it was a great blessing.
The next day was District Conference. There were about 160 people who attended the meeting. Many faithful members that I remember meeting during the very first District Conference when we came to Ethiopia 2 1/2 years ago, were there. It was fun to see the faces of our friends once again.
District Presidency: Presidents Eyob, Berhane, and Tenkir
We are grateful for the love they show to us, and for their diligence in coming faithfully to church. There are 3 branches in the Addis Ababa Ethiopia District, and one mission branch in Awassa.
We had to return to Uganda on Sunday evening right after the meeting, because starting Monday was transfer week.
On Monday we had all of the departing missionaries come to the mission home. There were 9 missionaries leaving. It's so hard to believe their time has come. These were some great missionaries. We will miss them so much! There were several who held leadership positions in the mission. Assistant to the President, Sister Training Leader, Zone Leader, District Leader, and even Trainer.
Kubheka, Jensen, Hedzro, Kagson, Khumalo, Gilbert, Chirwa, Abram, and Dlamini
As one set of missionaries go home, we receive another. We received 9 new missionaries, and I feel like we are in good hands. The mission keeps receiving strong, good young men and women. We are grateful for that. Those going home returned to South Africa, Swaziland, Malawi, Ghana, and the United States.
Vetten, Buchanan, Bair, Monson, Antonio, Esquival, Ndzala, Bohimanga, Jenkins
These new missionaries came from the United States, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and DR Congo. They arrived just in time to meet an apostle who literally came 4 days after they arrived in the field. Those who went home requested that they stay for another week just to meet Elder Stevenson, unfortunately, they couldn't be accommodated. It was such a blessing for those of us who were here.
