Elder and Sister Martin Ethiopia Mission: Graduation Gives Hope - Only 1 Chicken Died - 6 Baptisms - Another Zone Conference

Over a year ago we began a humanitarian project that would help members of the church learn a new trade. Over 90% of humanitarian projects do not help members of our church.

We were so happy to see many of them graduate last week. Many have been begging or asking the Church for Welfare assistance.

Some graduated in clothing making, others in hair dressing and a few in furniture making.

I took a picture with the founders of the school who are retiring.

Once graduates pass the government exam they receive some tools of their trade.

This woman held up a rechargeable hair trimmer that was in their gift bag.

They asked Sister Martin and I to present some of the gifts (tools of the trade) and certificates.

There were about 80 graduates, 13 were members of our Church.

This Sister is in our church branch.

After, we went with our mission leaders and a senior couple to lunch for Italian food.

We had one last opportunity to go to Awassa.

We visited all those involved in the egg and chicken business project that we helped start a year ago. We were so happy that only 1 chicken died out of all the chickens. Unfortunately, it somehow got tangled in some wire and was strangled. The wire was fixed so it won't happen again.

Happy chickens and happy owners.

Our Baja driver. When we first met him he said he spoke no English. But Everyday he surprised us with English words like, "Just Relax."

It has been difficult for their business since the price of feed has gone up 20% over the last year. They talked about many ideas like growing some alfalfa or other vegetables that chickens like.

Had a final meeting with locals involved in teaching and guiding the chicken owners to be successful.

Sister Martin and I brought a donation back from people who wanted to help buy an orphanage a clothes washer and dryer. This picture showed the washer being presented.

We were extremely blessed to attend a baptism for 6 new members who have chosen to follow Jesus.

The Spirit of God was truely like a fire is burning.

One of the new members was part of the story from a miracle call shared in our last blog. In November and December our mission didn't have any Amharic Books of Mormon. During a lesson teaching the Restoration, the missionary didn't have a Book to give this man. The member who was helping to teach told him he would lend him his own copy until the books arrived. The man held the Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ to his chest saying that this is the greatest gift.

Sister Martin and I had the opportunity to attend his baptism last Saturday. Yesterday we heard his wife was baptized.

After the baptism, I overheard this new member saying, "memfis qadus", which I understand in my limited Amharic to mean Holy Spirit. He was also making hand gestures like the Spirit was showering upon his body. We were all blessed to attend this beautiful event.

Back to the hotel for a little relaxation.

One of our favorite meals here in Awassa is Fish and Chips, no doubt from Blue Nile Perch, a local favorite.

The hotel is next to a big lake.

Dinner with our Mission Leaders, President and Sister Cowley.

Our taxi we arranged to pick us up the morning of Zone Conference didn't show up so we walked out of the main entrance of the hotel to the street and flagged down another taxi. Incidentally, we missed the group picture.

It was good to see some of the missionaries that we had worked with before at our University Branch here in Awassa.

This was a video from Apostle Elder Renlund who said we shouldn't compare. When he became an Apostle he felt extremely inadequate, comparing himself to other Apostles. When he focused on himself and the gifts that God had given him to share, he was OK.