We arrived at the temple an hour prior to the first dedicatory session. Our plan was to stand outside during the first session to be able to see the brethren come out of the temple to do the sealing of the stone with the mortar. Then we would attend the second session.
As we stood outside on that chilly morning we positioned ourselves so that we could see the choir and the brethren. We were standing right by an audio speaker and I joked with James that if there were any photos that made it to the Church News it would be just like Mike on Monster's Inc. when he is so excited to have his picture on the front of a magazine, only to discover his face is blocked by the barcode. James was trying to get in view of the camera. That's why the picture at this link is so hilarious. Scroll down to the ninth picture and find the audio speaker and see if you see anyone familiar.
We met some incredible people as we waited and walked the temple grounds. They all had wonderful stories to tell about how they found the church and the journeys they had taken to get there that day. One really fascinating story was that of Harold Lazarus from Tanzania, Africa. He had come to Kharkov, Ukraine to study pediatric medicine along with four other Africans. Two of his black friends had been killed as a result of racial prejudice. He had played soccer with some elders at one point, but lost contact. His father died, he had to postpone his schooling and return to Africa. He beat the odds and made it back to study in Kharkov. He found the church, married in the temple, has three children and now serves as the YM president in his branch. His big white smile and happy countenance was energizing. The Lord works in mysterious ways!
James with Harold Lazarus.We also met Carol Makita from KSL news in Salt Lake.
Our celebrity shot.
And some old friends. Dima on the right was the branch mission leader in my first area. Now he is married and working for the church in Moscow. He was a standout then and his whole family is now.
With former Donetsk missionaries.We attended the dedicatory session and were seated in the terrestial room. A repeating theme in the decor of the temple is shafts of wheat. It is symbolic not only of Ukraine, known as the "bread basket" but also of the Savior as the "bread of life." It's beautiful. We had forgotten our white handkerchiefs but a sister made us ones with an embroidered picture of the temple. It is one of the most precious things I brought back. My mission president, President Manzhos, spoke at the session we attended. Our cups ran over.
We lingered on the grounds afterwards just to be a part of the feeling there.
It is a tradition of sorts when the missionaries return home, the members of the church gather on the platform of the train and sing, "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again." As the saints started to return to their homes that evening we kept up their tradition and stood on the platform and waved good-bye to them.
Saints returning to Zaporozhe. The brother in the tie and the sister in the red live in an outlying village and take turns commuting to church on Sundays. They made a great sacrifice to be able to both come the distance to attend the temple dedication. In their train wagon there are just rows and rows of bunks with no dividers.We came home that night with the feeling of overwhelming gratitude for the privilege of being a part of something so spiritual and historical.
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