June 3rd - Another Ethiopia Hosting

Tuesday, June 3rd, we had another hosting from Ethiopia. This time it was Ms Netsanet who is the Registrar for Civil Records in Ethiopia who came to see our family history library and learn why it is a good idea to let our Church digitize her records. Wayne (Family History Department Director) picked her up and Sean greeted her outside the door of the Area Office.




This time we started our tour in the Area Office Boardroom by showing the 'Introduction to Mormons' film. While Sean was setting it up, we found out a little about what Ms. Netsanet does in her government and let her ask us some questions as well. Then we watched the video section that showed the overview of the entire DVD. This is a really good video with several sections on subjects like Family History, Missionary Work, Humanitarian, etc. I get teary every time I see this video. It is amazing what our Church does all over the world.

Sister Kinghorn explains humanitarian project of the Church

We then walked over to Humanitarian where the whole department was there to talk to her about the different facets of Welfare and Humanitarian Services. Sister Kinghorn talked to her about the various humanitarian projects our Church performs in Africa and showed her printed materials and posters of the different projects: Helping Babies Breathe training program, Custom Wheelchairs for the immobile, bore holes to provide clean water, measles vaccinations, etc. Sheree from the Family Services part of it talked about addiction programs to help those who are suffering from all types of addictions and other emotional problems.

Sheree, Kenneth, Ms Netsanet, Elder & Sister Kinghorn, Sister Lee

Kenneth, who is the assistant Director for humanitarian talked about the humanitarian projects the Church has going in Ethiopia now and the ones scheduled for the future. The Photo shows: Sheree, Kenneth, Elder and Sister Kinghorn and Sister Lee. Elder and Sister Lee are the head humanitarian couple in the Southeast Africa Area and this is their sixth mission!

Our next stop was PEF/Self Reliance where the Perpetual Education Fund program was explained. 








We then went to the employment center where Sister Dabell talked about teaching people to start their own business. She and Elder Dabell actually go where the need is and teach about important things to know when setting up a business. The other sister volunteers in the employment center and she told Ms Netsanet about how the center teaches classes about various employment issues: how to write a resume, how to conduct an interview, etc. Visitors are allowed to use computers, copy machines, printers, newspapers and online jobsites to locate jobs. The employment center is for members and nonmembers.

At the Family History Center, we were greeted by Sister Jarve. She and her husband are a missionary couple serving in the family history library. She explained all the records that were available to the public in this library. It is amazing for anyone to see the many ways the Church uses to find ancestors. Ms Netsanet was shown the online program, Family Search, Microfilm records, Books that contain histories of families, etc.

Wayne (left) is the head of the family history department. He travels all over Africa talking with governments about digitizing their records, so they can be made available to the public; but, he explains that safeguards can be put on their records so that people can look at them and write down their information, but cannot download or print the information. I guess it is natural that some governments would not want the public downloading and printing of their country's official records.

We ended up in Sean's office for lunch and had a chat with our visitor to see if she had any questions about what she saw on the tour. She was anxious to get on her way so declined the temple tour, but seemed pleased about what she had seen.

On her way out, we found out Elder Cook was in (Area President of Southeast Africa) and stopped by for a quick 'hello.' He is such a nice man. We are always happy for our visitors to meet him.

Hopefully things will progress in Ethiopian Record Digitization. This is a large work. My job was to take photos again. Elder Kyle helps us with all the details which sometimes involves obtaining visas and making plane and hotel reservations. It is a busy time for all. The Lord's work is moving forward and we are all charged with 'Hastening the Work.'