Gindo Celebration Part I

 October 24th we traveled to Ethiopia and participated in one of life's great experiences.  We took part in the official Grand Opening of the BEKA Center (Bright For Every Kid's Association) in Gindo, Ethiopia.  The purpose of our Cross Canada Chain Reaction Bike ride was to help raise funds for this center.  We traveled about three hours from Addis Ababa to Walisoo with the Canadian Humanitarian Expedition where we stayed over night. 




We stopped to take a picture by a large Worka Tree along the way to Gindo.  Several young people from the community joined in the photo. 























Interesting sites along the way. 










Beautiful Country side at the end of the rainy season. 










Teff field - The grain used to make Ingera Bread, an Ethiopian Staple food. 










Our Bus - Note the tassels and fancy curtains from the 70's.  Only we can appreciate it.  Reminds us of Ken's first car. 











Arriving at the Center  - Vern's first view. 
















As we approached we witnessed the completed center with the children in their school uniforms smiling and ready to greet us. 





Some very happy and grateful Children. 














It was more than we could take and Vern and I were overcome with emotion.  What an amazing experience. 






You really don't know how much you can love others until you serve them. 

Beauty and the Beasts

 We had a Fun Friday with the Sister Missionaries. 
We did manicures, pedicures, a pillow case craft and had some inspiring talks. 

The food was tasty and we built some close bonds with each other. 









Sister Dlamini, Sabisa, Dlamini, Lusiba









I think this is Mater's cousin













Just when you think you have seen it all you get amazed again. 






















We took a drive to the equator on Pday and had a traditional lunch there.   Elder Wallace is in the souther hemisphere and Sister Wallace is in the Northern hemisphere. 























We drove out the Crocodile farm to check out the crocks.  They grow them here and sell the skins for use in purses, shoes and what ever.  The youngest ones we saw were about 6 months old.  Cute little guys? 






























This big guy is 60 years old and has killed at least 18 people.  He was captured and brought here to keep him from eating more. 
We didn't get too close to this one. 


I wonder what his skin would be worth. 













The Ntinda Branch missionaries.  They live in our apartment complex and they are so fun to have around.  Elder Lassig is a Spencer look alike. 
Sister Ofwete, Sister Lusiba, Elder Vihanga, Elder Lassig, Sister Francis and Sister Nayiga.
The had 14 confirmations last Sunday. 





Elder and Sister Cook of the Seventy came for dinner.  We had  a nice visit with them. 

He was in Kampala working on physical Facilities.  We need some more buildings to keep up the the fast growth.



The weeks are going so fast.  There is so much to do and mostly we don't have time to get homesick. 
Spencer and Linden sent some family pictures which we have enjoyed showing off.  We are getting a collection of family pictures which we love.  Keep them coming. 

Part 2 of Humanitarian trip

 The Kids will steal your heart. 













The Soccer Game.  Notice the goal posts. 












These pretty school girls are standing beside a Church. 









Showing respect as we passed by. 












A great vantage point to watch the proceedings from up in a tree. 
















These are two of the Arrow Boys who fought with Minister Ecweru in the battle against Koney.  They did a little military demonstration for us.  These men must have been very young when they fought.  (reminded us of the Strippling Warriors)



















The mothers are beautiful and courageous. 











Again, people's faces say so much





























This Village received Blankets and Cooking Pots.
One young man did not know what the cooking pots were.  I tried to explain to him what they were used for. 







The ladies all dressed up in their best for the occasion.  Lots of color in their traditional dresses. 











1760 cooking pots were distributed this day.    They were very happy. 











Tiny twins.  - Stealing our hearts again. 








The day was a very rewarding day.  The Church has helped many people who need so much.  We distributed 550 garden hoes, 570 blankets and 1760 cooking pots.  There is a long way to go before they are going to be able to pull themselves out of poverty.  They need a technical school, more clean water projects and opportunities for jobs but they are a happy people, grateful for what they have.  We are grateful for the chance to go to their village and meet them.  We are humbled by what we saw there.  We take so much for granted at home.  Simbwa told us when we started on our trip "Leave your Mother's heart at home"   Now we know what he meant. 
President Chatfield counsels the missionaries serving here that missions are the University of Life. 
We have been taught!

Humanitarian Field Trip

Sunday morning we met with Ssimbwa and headed toward MBale for Church then on to Soroti where we stayed overnight. 

We passed rice fields, tea and sugar cane plantations and much lush green vegetation along the way.  It was so beautiful.  The roads were
 the worst roads we have ever seen.  Elder Wallace loved it.  Ssimbwa is an interesting person to listen to and we learned much from him. 







Little girl at Church in MBale














The Church in MBale was originally built as a hotel but was never finished.  The Church purchased it for a good price and it is a very nice building to meet in.  Their branch is growing and the Senior couple there, the Bartons are doing an excellent job of helping the leaders run the branch. 










 Simbwa poses beside some toilets that the Church built fairly recently. 









 Students at work at the school.  I am not sure where the rest of them are.









We headed back through the wilderness to three villages in Kuju district to meet with people who have suffered much over the past few years. 

They had a brutal civil war about 20 years ago.  This is the area where Koni ravaged the people and the villages.   We were traveling with Musa Ecweru who is the Minister of disaster relief and humanitarian work for Uganda.  He was the leader of the malitia that ran Koni out of the country.  He told us amazing stories and showed us where the battles took place.  Seems very similar to the Book of Mormon. 

 The three villages we visited were called Amusus, Aejakitoi and Morungatuny in the Kuju subcounty. 

The name Kuju means little heaven.  Ken told them that we were probably the first Canadians to come to heaven.  They all laughed. 
The honorable Minister Ecweru talked to them in their native tongue and they obviously love him.  He praised the church for all that they do for the people in their area.  They have had many floods and droughts in this area and the Church has been the first aid that has arrived to help. 









The children are many.   Well behaved and very beautiful. 










They loved the soccer balls that we brought for them but we could have brought many more.  We had no idea there were so many people up there. 

A soccer game was underway just minutes after the ball was in their hands.  Ssimbwa said that they would dream of the ball and would have a hard time sleeping because they would be excited to get up early and play soccer (football). 






The faces of the people tell a story. 



















































Meeting under the tree








The Honorable Ecweru talking to the people in the shade of a big tree.  Everyone dressed up in their best. 



(to be continued)