Christmas in Ethiopia - Melkam Genna (Merry Christmas)

Our University Branch put together a choir for the big outdoor Christmas Eve program Sunday afternoon. We sang Joy to the World in Amharic language.

They did a wonderful Christmas nativity program. Hundreds attended.

When the camel, created from two people, sat down everyone laughed.

Another choir of blind girls also sang for us. Obviously all their music was memorized both in English and Amharic. 

Each church branch had a choir. Everyone participated. It was all so beautiful.

I (Elder Martin) was in charge of leading a few fun songs like Rudolph, Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

Sister Martin and I made a few big pots of hot chocolate. It was quickly devoured.

Some of the senior couples made hundreds of cookies.

The next day on Christmas we had a big feast with all the missionaries. They played a few games.

We made mashed potatoes and cookies.

This same week we had a Christmas zone conference. Several talented missionaries entertained us with some music. Each missionary shared another name that Jesus Christ is known as such as Savior, Redeemer, Bread of Life, Counselor, Mighty God, etc. and why that name was meaningful to them. 

The very first BYU Pathway program was completed in Ethiopia in December. A graduation ceremony was held in recognition of their accomplishment. Many of them will continue their education, attending BYU Idaho online. Also the first semester of Institute was completed in Ethiopia, and those students were recognized too.  It was great to see so many of all ages working hard to learn the gospel and continue their education.

What would Christmas season be like without doing a fun puzzle. Prince Edward Island / Anne of Green Gables.

One Sunday in December, we walked to church to find the door locked and nobody there. We thought perhaps we had the wrong time. Then another brother came, we waited wondering where everyone was. We contacted the branch President. He said church had been cancelled because of a protest in that area. Somehow they forgot to notify us.