Yes, we think he's good looking

Here's a picture of Kinnon that Aaron and Zsa sent us. Seemed like it ought to be posted here. We're looking forward to them coming to visit us in about three weeks.

Into and Out of Africa

Since Andrew was graduating from Maxwell Adventist Academy, in Kenya, we planned a trip to include some time in Ethiopia. Originally the plan was to help out at the hospital in Gimbie while their surgeon was on furlough. Unfortunately, that surgeon had to leave altogether and, by the time we got there, another local temporary surgeon had been brought in to fill the gap. So I wasn't as useful as I had thought I might be. We did have a good time, anyway. We spent a couple weeks in Gimbie, then went for the graduation, and came back to Ethiopia (with Grandma and Andrew this time) to see more of Ethiopia. Apart from the long hours in Ethiopian aircraft (both in flight[17 hours from D.C. to Addis Ababa] and waiting for flights), I highly recommend it. Here are some pictures from our journey.

A special welcoming ceremony from the Gimbie Pathfinder Club

The hills of my childhood around Gimbie, Ethiopia.

My little sister's grave in the Gimbie cemetery

The new Gimbie Adventist Hospital building

The house I lived in as a child in Gimbie, Ethiopia. Part of the new hospital can be seen rising behind it.

The Dadessa river, one of the tributaries of the Nile.

Rock climbing in Kenya after Andrew's graduation

The beautiful green countryside of western Ethiopia

One of the amazing tomb excavations in Axum. Precision stone work with huge pieces of dressed stone.

At the site of the ancient obelisks in Axum. Nobody knows how they transported and erected those massive pieces of stone. The largest, seen here fallen and broken, is estimated at 560 tons.

800-year-old worship book on goatskin parchment. Still in use.

This is where the ark of the covenant is kept (the one built at Mt. Sinai). Our guide is quite sure of it. Only one person is allowed to enter the building.

Kids, they're everywhere

A Lalibela church with a special covering erected with UN assistance after being declared a World Heritage site.

Our guide explains the symbolism of the crosses the priest is holding

St. George's Church, one of ten carved out of solid rock

Andrew emerging from one of the tunnels at Lalibela

At Tisabai Falls, near the origin of the Blue Nile. Not so impressive during the dry season.

Excursion on Lake Tana


One of many beautiful birds around Lake Tana at Bahar Dar

Back on the beach in Lincoln City, Oregon, with Rommel

Andrew's Graduation Pictures

Maxwell Adventist Academy, Class of 2008

Just "the guys" with their deans

Our good friends, the Skaus, with whom we spent many years in Nigeria

The whole Saunders contingent

Andrew with little friend, Amber Salibio

Class president, Eunice Nguru, gets spiffed up by her mama

Egidia, Gwiza and Elena waiting for the Friday evening service to start

A tribute to parents

Andrew gets his diploma

With the proud Mama

A hug for Grandma

Andrew with Erome and Deborah

Tina and Andrew

Special faces from different places

Brothers reunited

Moise, Chappy and Andrew with their Class Night performance as "Milkshake"