Saturday, February 22, 2014

Young Single Adult Dance

Susan and I were asked by Elder and Sister Story to help them at the YSA Dance last week.  It was really comical as the Stake only gave them $100 US dollars for lunch, decorations and music.  The decorations turned out to be toilet paper, the food was water and little sandwiches and the music was a combination of Ugandan and American music. Most of these kids are approaching 30 and not married as the boys can't afford the bride price they have to pay the girl's parents. It was like attending a junior high dance with the girls on one side and the boys on the other. Storys tried a few mixers to get things going, but nothing worked.  They finally started a line dance and everyone got involved.  It was lights out after that, we couldn't get them to quit.  This is the first of these dances to happen for a long time and the kids were loving it.  It was scheduled from 2:30 to 5:00PM so the kids could be home by dark. All functions are held in the afternoon as people here like to be home before dark and some live 2 hours from the Stake Center.   I don't know when they locked up the building but it was well after we left.     
 
Line dance that got it going
 

Prossey, who works for the Storys, was the most active dancer.  She is quiet as a mouse but man can she dance.

You can do a lot of things with toilet paper but I am not sure it works too good for decorations.

Mary is a cute girl from Ntinda Branch and she is really good dancer I enjoyed watching her .

Elder Story getting the kids to dance.
 
 
This was a fun activity and there were about 80 YSA attending.  Stake President Okot couldn't believe the turn out. This will be a fond memory for Sue and I.  We love the energy of the kids.

 

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Church Registration in Rwanda

 
Last week Sue and I flew to Kigali, Rwanda to coordinate the Church Registration Celebration held Friday and Saturday.  We had a great committee that had sent out invitations and a promise of 75 people to attend the Friday dinner at the Serena  Hotel, a beautiful hotel in the city.  We decorated tables and set up banners and displays.  It looked sharp as the attendees arrived.  Coming were leaders of government: governors, mayors, and a Supreme Court Justice (who is a member of the Church in Kigali); attorneys who helped  with the registration, several NGO leaders who work the Church Humanitarians, Area Church Leaders, Pres. Chatfield, his wife, Branch Presidents, along with several missionaries and couples. 72 guests attended so it was a big success.  The food was very good and people enjoyed the food and displays.  We had a short program were we showed the new DVD called "Mormons at a Glance," the President spoke, as well as a representative from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.  She has worked with our Humanitarian couple and she spoke so highly about the Church.  It was wonderful!
Saturday, was a celebration for the members and about 150 members and friends attended this function held at one of the branch buildings. .  These peoples enjoy eating so there was a lot of good food, as well as a program, face painting, and games. 
 
 
 
Humanitarian displays
 

Helping Hands table

Youth and Women table

Missionary banner

President Chatfield chatting with attorney who worked on registration

Buffet

UNHCR representative Neimah Warsame addressed the audience and praised the church 

  1. President Chatfield being interpreted as he spoke to members on Saturday

Members at the Saturday celebration