Farewell at Church and Priesthood Ordinations

This was our last full week on our mission to Egypt and there were many tears and goodbyes. On the left are the people who attended my last English class in the Center - Yvette, Victoria, Stella, Samia, Joyce, Paul, and Juma. 
This was the last investigators' group that had dinner and discussion at our home. Kathleen was tired of trying to determine what to fix for dinner, so I made a lot of pancakes. This was also the transition for this group to start going to the Whipple's next week. From left to right Laila (baptized last week), Yvonne, Phillip (behind her), Paul, Wael and Basem (members), Guirgis (member now) and Maged. We loved working with these wonderful people.
Wael painted this picutre for us. He is a wonderful artist. We will miss him especially. His family remains in southern Syria and struggle.
At church, after clearing this with our branch president, who still is in South Sudan, I supervised the ordination of 3 new members to the Aaronic priesthood. Bahar Marcous ordained Guirgis, Salah ordained Peter, and Faragella (FJ) ordained Kuku.
After our church meetings there was food, pictures, and gifts in the lawn behind the church. Kathleen is wearing a gift she was given. From left to right is Juma, who is a counselor with me in the branch presidency, Bahar Marcous, who was our branch president for almost 5 years. I do not remember the next lady. Kathleen and I and then finally Tida, who has been the young women's president for 5 years and Kathleen has worked with her closely for the past 8 months.


Wael gave us this horse he carved. It must have taken a very long time. He has been sick the last few months and I am trying to get him to go to another doctor.
Wael again. The lady with him is Randa, who says the Spirit has encouraged her to come to church and states she wants to be baptized. However, my recommendation is that she needs to learn more and, of course, needs to be interviewed prior to this.
Roselin, who was baptized last year gave this dress to Kathleen.
This is the group of women who stayed for the activity.
Here is the larger group.
The young women will especially miss Kathleen. She has been having them memorize the 13 Articles of Faith. Before this most of them had never heard of it. They get candy for each one that they memorize and they have made great progress. Here Sarah Lino gives Kathleen a big hug.
Juma and I have worked together for our full mission. He is a dedicated and wonderful man. With our branch president stuck in South Sudan, next week he will be the only member of the branch presidency here.
A last picture of our friend, Wael, with us.
 

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