Ethiopia Journal   Stories and Images of Travelers from Shenandoah

Traveler Stories from the Early Days of the Partnership     Final Days     Impressions     Things I've Learned     Easter     Famine     Simple Dreams     Monkey Tales Back to Partnership

February - March, 2008 Rev. Bob von Oeyen, pastor, Bethany Church, Staunton, traveled with the Rev. Reed Hopkins, pastor, Loch Willow Church, Churchville, to Ethiopia during February and early March 2008. They were sent by the presbytery partnership committee as representatives to the Illubabor Bethel Synod's Convention held February 21-24, 2008, in Metu.  They also represented the presbytery at a Retreat in Addis Ababa where the Partnership Covenant between Shenandoah and IBS was renewed.  The Rev. Bob von Oeyen presented a Report, Ethiopia 2008, to the Partnership Committee upon their return.  Read or download the report here.

Dr. Bill Burslem - Dr. Bill Burslem, retired physician from Winchester, served as a staff physician at the Mettu, Ethiopia Hospital under the auspices of the church-to-church mission partnership between the Winchester First Presbyterian Church and the Mettu Congregation . He was in Ethiopia from mid-May and early August.     Bill's colorful stories provide valuable insights about living and working for an extended time in the Mettu area.  Spend a little time with Bill as you read his Mettu Journals, 2004. The Mettu Journals, 2004 - Full Edition - Adobe        (33 pages - allow time to download complete file) Daily/Weekly Entrances May 13-21, 2004 May 23, 2004 May 24-30, 2004 May 31-June 5, 2004 June 6, 2004 June 7-13 June 13 June 14-20 June 20 June 21-27 June 27 June 28 - July 4 July 11 July 12-18, 2004 July 19-25, 2004 July 26-August 1, 2004 August 2- 3, 2004

The Ethiopia Connection: WAHS Freshmen athlete gets unique world view. When Lynn and Sarah Connette returned from their trip to Ethiopia in April, the Charlottesville newspaper, the Daily Progress, ran an article about Sarah, who is also an athlete at her high school. With permission from the Daily Progress, that article is available here.

Harrisonburg First Church Visits Ethiopia - Three members and two pastors visited Ethiopia and their partner church at the beginning of the year. Take a brief  tour with them. January 19-31, 2004

Images of Ethiopia - from Jeff Ryman, Kathleen Haines and Doug Sensabaugh Images from their visit are presented here in pictures with brief descriptions. June 27 - July 11, 2003                                                                                                   Top

Reflections from Bill Cox and Peggy Roberson - Bill and Peggy traveled to Mettu in March 2003 teaching and preaching. Their reflections are shared here in words and pictures March 2003