The work of the Lord progresses in Ethiopia

So something really cool happened last Sunday. All the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ethiopia gathered for the dedication of a chapel in Debre Zeit.

The Church in Ethiopia has seven congregations. Before the explanation of locations, please note two things: (1) there is a map below for your reference and (2) there's no way that map is going to be large enough to be helpful so you should just look these places up on Google Maps (note that because Amharic is the official language, places can be spelled many different ways in English so you may see slightly different spellings from Google).

I'm not positive which are branches and which are sacrament meeting groups (definitely no wards). Three are in Addis - Beklobet, Meganagna, and Kality. One is in Debre Zeit, which is about 30 miles (or 1-2 hours driving) southeast of Addis (in between Addis and Mojo on the map below). One is in Awasa, which is about 170 miles (3-5 hours) south of Addis. The last two are in smaller towns about 30 minutes north of Awasa. As you can tell, compared to the total size of Ethiopia, the congregations are pretty concentrated. Definitely room for growth. In case you're interested, there are two sets of Elders (no Sisters) in each congregation except for Meganagna (which recently moved to 3 sets) and the two congregations north of Awasa (I think there's one set in each).

The current mission president (President Jackson) is leaving at the very beginning of next month, so this was his last visit to Ethiopia. On Sunday, he made the Kality Sacrament Meeting Group (one of the 3 congregations in Addis) into the Kality Branch and dedicated the new building in Debre Zeit. All the different congregations took buses and converged on Debre Zeit.

This is the second official Church building in Ethiopia. Meganagna also has a building (though not as big as the new one in Debre Zeit) in a compound that also has the headquarters for LDS Charities in Ethiopia.

Everything in Ethiopia began with the Beklobet Branch (where I attend). Meganagna and Kality have both split off from Beklobet. We're still meeting in a rented house. We're stretching its capacity, but I like it.

Anyways, so Sunday's schedule started with 9 am abbreviated Sacrament Meeting at Beklobet (opening hymn, prayer, sacrament, closing hymn, closing prayer). Then, we loaded a bus down to Debre Zeit. We got there a couple hours before the 1 pm dedication meeting. Everyone wandered around the new building and met up with friends from the other congregations. It felt like a big family gathering from all over.

The only part of the dedication meeting that was in English was the actual dedicatory prayer (don't worry, they also translated it into Amharic), but the spirit was strong throughout. It felt like a dedication for the country even beyond the building. To sit in the congregation of several hundred Saints representing the Lord's entire kingdom in the country was really powerful. I imagine this is how the early Saints in places like New York and Ohio felt. We're all supposed to get copies of the dedicatory prayer, and they'll hang one in the atrium of the new building.

Afterwards, everyone ate and we drove back to Addis.

The building in Debre Zeit looks really nice. It reminds me a bit of Emma's building in Abu Dhabi, except better...you know, because it's here. It took 6 years for the building to become a reality, so there's a definite sense of accomplishment.

The bus we took. In the second picture, the gentleman in the aisle is President Berhane, our Branch President. If you look closely in the third picture, you'll see some of the Ethiopian Orthodox decorations that adorn many buses, taxis, etc. in Addis.

THE BUILDING. You'll notice from the last picture that it's much larger than it looks from the front.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints plaque in Amharic.

No way! There's grass! Real grass!

I was proud to sit in a room full of such strong members. Unfortunately, none of these pictures fully shows the size of the room or how packed it was by the time we started.

The members of my branch deserve multiple posts just to tell some of their amazing stories. For now, I'll just give some names. The first picture has Biruk (my home teachee) on the far left (sitting by the missionaries) on the bus. The second picture is of Hunde (in the hoodie) sitting in front of the building (seriously, I've got to tell you about Hunde next time). The third picture has Kassahun and Tameru (first counselor in the Elders' Quorum). The fourth picture is Ron. The fifth picture is me with my home teaching companion (and member of the Branch Presidency) Alebachew.

On Sunday, Ethiopia also had a huge home soccer match with South Africa. This was one of the pivotal qualification matches for the World Cup next year. These are the second-round qualification matches. Ethiopia had previously defeated Botswana, and beating South Africa would give them an unassailable lead in their group to move on even before their final group match with Central African Republic.

The match clearly ended with an Ethiopian victory while I was walking home from Beklobet after the bus dropped us off because the city went crazy. For example, I didn't get my camera out in time, but I saw a large bulldozer (there's construction equipment everywhere around Addis) driving down Bole Road at full speed with ~15 guys standing in the shovel screaming with joy.

In a related "of course" story, a couple days later, Ethiopia was given a huge penalty that essentially changed the outcome of the Botswana game from a victory into a 3-0 defeat (both the new defeat and the goal differential really hurt). This is because Ethiopia used a player who had gotten two previous yellow cards in earlier qualification matches (meaning that player should have been suspended for one game). Apparently, putting the player out in a slightly different uniform than usual wasn't enough to fool officials (though this wasn't apparent until the ruling came down over a week after the Botswana match). You gotta love it! All eyes are now on the September 6 match between Ethiopia and Central African Republic. As long as Ethiopia wins, they still move on. Otherwise, things get interesting.

Is it me?...it's me, isn't it?

In case you think that SPA's are the only ones who are leaving, allow me to dissuade you of your misconception. People are continually trickling out. Part of this is that the Directors' contracts are starting to expire as well, but part of it is also just natural turnover.

In the last couple months, several people who have been with the organization for quite a while (considering the organization was still just a couple people 2 years ago) have left.

At the end of April, Mignot, who was Khalid's assistant, left to work as an assistant for the head of some UN donor organization.

While I was gone in the US, Pascal, who was the Director for the Wheat, Maize, and Barley Team and the Markets: Cereals Team left. Pascal is the likable, surly type (kind of like me except also likable). He was seconded to ATA from WFP and has gone back to be the Country Deputy Director for Ethiopia WFP. I actually walk through the WFP "compound" every day on my way to and from work.

[No picture due to US trip...I know, what a slacker.]

Then, yesterday, we had three at once. Armachen, Michael, and Wubet all left. Armachen did a lot of work in procurement and had been around over a year. Armachen is moving on to work for a bank. Michael did ATA's communications work, meaning he made sure all the progress got highlighted and communicated broadly. For example, check out ATA's 2012 Annual Report. Michael had been around like 1.5 years, and is going to work in communications for an initiative of the British Embassy. Wubet was the liaison with all our funding organizations. In other words, ATA may not be able to pay for anything anymore (let's check back in on this in a couple weeks). Wubet had been around about 1.75 years and was employee number 3 or 4. She's starting her own textiles business.

From left to right, Armachen, Michael, and Wubet. My boss, Yohannes, is standing slightly behind them in between Michael and Wubet.

Mike showing how much he'll miss me.

Mignot, Wubet, Michael, and Sarah Platts (farewell previously detailed) all sat really close to me. We were all in the south side of the 9th floor. The only question now is if this is correlation or causation. As I'll be moving teams (and seats) soon, this will give us a good opportunity to test it out.

My hypothesis: People on the south side of the 7th floor are going to start dropping like flies :)

Dillon...and some other stuff but mainly...DILLON

Since I shared that video of Dillon dancing around almost naked in my first blog post, I'm sure the question you've all been having about Lawrence & Erika's wedding is...what did Dillon do?

Well, I'm glad you asked. During the week, every time Dillon did something amusing, I then forced him to repeat it so a picture could be taken. Not quite as real as if I was faster with the camera but still more authentic than reality TV :)

Trying on clothes at the thrift store in the middle of the aisle (another of those things Dillon can get away with that I can't). I'm not sure what he's doing in the second picture, but I know he's riding a pink rocking horse in a sweater vest without a shirt in the third picture.

Just close your eyes and savor that goodness in a can.

So this is what happens when you tell Dillon to smile for a picture. Telling him to say "hi" or "cheese" works much better.

For some reason both Evelyn and now Dillon are enamored with ironing. It's like a retelling of Tom Sawyer convincing the other kids that whitewashing the fence is fun. Key takeaway: Evelyn and Dillon might be perceptible to con-men later in life. Don't worry; the iron wasn't plugged in (otherwise, Dillon's blanket would now be Swiss if you know what I'm saying).

Pretty soon after this, Mark (Dillon's Dad) called to say hello. Dillon was excited to see his Dad but even more excited to see his house in the background. He kept trying to swipe the phone (like you do to move from one picture to another) hoping that it would magically transport him back to his house.

My Mom has those shoes with the toes, which makes them harder to take off. Dillon was up for the challenge (eventually). It only took him something like 20 minutes to get from picture 1 to picture 2 ;) Happy side note is that while my Mom has very small feet, they are still longer than my two-year-old nephew's. We may not be able to say that in a couple years. Side note to the side note - if you just read "two-year-old," looked at the picture of Dillon sitting on Careen's lap, and said to yourself "huh, Careen's really short," then you are mistaken. Dillon is almost three and could play middle linebacker in the toddler NFL (Malcolm Gladwell, you can send your complaints about my children playing football comment to...).

No Dillon, the socks go on BEFORE the shoes.

Hello! My hat is newly ironed! Can't you tell?

I'm wearing an adult's shirt to bed. Now I'm a true Barrett. Seriously, remove the background and this could be Lawrence 20 years ago.

Is this not how you eat apple sauce?

Uncle, mode of transportation, or instrument? Why pick just one?

Evelyn was similarly cute but the wedding stuff was so busy that most of the cute kid time happened after she left on Sunday. However, here's a picture of her pulling herself up by a rope and pulleys at COSI. How many pulleys was that? Maybe Evelyn could play middle linebacker (Goodness gracious, Malcolm! It's a joke.)

Wanted to close with two last things. First, it turns out you can take a lot of food / random stuff back to Ethiopia with you in three empty checked bags and two carry-ons. Ah, unsalted saltine crackers, how I missed you! There's like 10 boxes hidden behind the other food. At my current rate, though, I may need another trip in just a few weeks (and I really am trying to pace my consumption).

Finally, I just wanted to reiterate how happy I am that Lawrence got married. No one deserves joy more. I'm sure you'll enjoy your new roommate more than the 10+ years we shared a room. I love ya bro.

Lawrence got married!

So, in my usual habit, I am behind and will spend this post telling you about what happened the last two weeks. I was back in the US for about a week and a half for my younger brother’s wedding. That’s right, on Friday, May 24, my brother Lawrence was married for time and all eternity to his wonderful fiancée (now wife) Erika in the Columbus Ohio Temple. Congratulations to you both!

If you don’t know what a temple is or how marriages work in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, never fear. We can quickly remedy this. Simply make a comment on this post, and I will happily send you a pair of young men or women to explain all about it. They do house calls and can access you almost anywhere in the world for free. Talk about service!

It was great to see my family and some close friends. In addition to my parents, all seven children were there (most importantly Lawrence). (1) Emma came from Abu Dhabi with oldest daughter Evelyn. (2) Laurel came from Boston where her forced poverty will soon end (see the congratulatory footnote at the end; sorry, you can’t steal the Lawrence/Erika wedding post limelight). (3) Careen came from St. Louis with husband Mark and son Dillon (winner of the largest nuclear family to attend amongst the siblings). (4) I was there. (5) Lawrence brought Erika (actually probably the other way around) from Provo, Utah where they are both at BYU. (6) Meara and (7) Lucien get lumped together because they’re still at home in 9^th and 8^th grades, respectively (sorry, you only get your own identity once you graduate and move out; until then, you’re part of the Barrett family; don’t worry, soon you’ll move on to start your own lonely family of one…like me).

Grandfather Barrett (Dad’s dad), Uncle Doug (Dad’s brother), and Aunt Cindi (Mom’s sister) also made the trek from Medford, Oregon; Reno, Nevada area; and Atlanta, Georgia; respectively. Interestingly enough (or depressingly enough if you’re Granddad), Granddad had to take the same number of flights (three) to get to Columbus from Medford, Oregon as I had to take from Addis (some of my flights might have been slightly longer). In addition, our very good family friend Andy Short drove in from upstate New York.

It was also nice to talk to other close friends via phone (even though this is possible from Ethiopia, it’s a lot easier without a huge time change), and I apologize that I wasn’t better about calling everyone while in the country.

The week leading up to the marriage had several activities. Wednesday night was the open house or early reception or some kind of celebration for the people who live in Columbus at my parents’ house. Following that, it was still early enough for me to head over to the Church building for Wednesday night volleyball (not something I get to play in Addis). By the way, if you want to see shocked / confused expressions on people’s faces, move to Africa and then just show up at things with no warning when you come back to visit.

Thursday was an expedition to COSI (very nice and turns out pretty expensive children’s science museum) and the bachelor party (details redacted except to say nice job to best man Phil)…nope, sorry, can’t let it go (WARNING: What follows is the type of thing that Charles will retype 4-5 times before deciding it’s appropriate; at which point, it will probably still be offensive)…who ditches out on a bachelor party four hours in because they need to go back and spend time with their wives. I’m all for marriage and children being your most important priority besides God, but we’re talking about one night before your friend’s wedding. Seriously? Anyway, you know who you are (and you don’t read this blog, so we can move on). Feel free to mail me any complaints at…oh, wait…they don’t deliver mail in Addis :)

Friday was the big day. It involved some pictures followed by the sealing in the temple followed by a couple more pictures. Overall, I have to give my thanks to the couple for making the pictures part of the wedding way, way, way, way, way less painful than at Emma’s wedding and at Careen’s wedding (I was going to go with six ways but thought that might be offensive…five’s totally okay, though, right?). Anyway, once the wedding was over, the bride and groom vamoosed, so I headed to a reception for a couple friends who were married earlier that day in the temple. Congratulations Tim and Alyssa!

Saturday was the ring ceremony and reception at this nice little park down in Cincinnati. Major props to my new sister-in-law (also my favorite…okay my only…but still my favorite) for the outrageous amount of work that she poured into this wedding. It was very nicely done and the vast majority of the work was done by Erika (Lawrence, good job showing up).

Anyway, I’m sure much nicer and more plentiful pictures are pending from Lawrence and Erika. In the meantime, I took a few below.

The before and after pictures. Look at the change! It's just like a commercial before/after picture set; make them look depressed in the first picture and happy in the second picture with lighting changes! Brilliant!

All the Barrett men who gathered for the occasion (that's right, I'm claiming Dillon as a Barrett). I put in the first picture because my eyes are closed in the second. I put in the second picture because looking at Dillon in the first followed by the second is hilarious. From left to right, Granddad, who's that...hmmm...oh right...the groom, Uncle Doug, Dad, Dillon, Charles, Lucien.

Here's Careen, Mark, and Dillon at the Wednesday night reception. Careen looks happy, Mark looks amused, Dillon looks...I don't know what that is ;)

This was supposed to be a picture of Mom, Dad, and Evelyn. Laurel saw the first picture taken and responded like a champ as you can see in the subsequent pictures (seriously, I was only going to share one of these pictures before I looked at them all and laughed out loud). Also a shout out to Cindi and Emma who are in the background for some of the pictures.

And then there were two...

Congratulatory footnote: Wanted to end with congratulations to Laurel for finishing all her residency shifts. Graduation is later this month and then the hours go way down and the pay goes way up. If it wasn’t for the eight post undergrad years it took her to get here, I might be more jealous.