Dad and I had to go to the center of town for supplies. This is the Citadel. Ancient ruins on a hill in the very center of Erbil. Oldest still inhabited ruins in the world. A few families are always living there so Iraq can claim that history of being inhabited—-6,000 years they say....

At a nice restaurant. Their dishes are a work of art.

Dear Family and Friends,

                        MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Yes, we are homesick and missing you all but the joy of the Savior brings comfort and peace to us as we focus on the gift we are trying to give Him through our service here. Our friend and neighbor in Herriman, Larry Madsen, said it best---"You get to travel around Kurdistan and play Santa Claus with humanitarian aid." That statement reminded us, once again, of our purpose during this time of year: Help Bring the World to Christ, Help Prepare the World For His Coming, and Help Relieve Suffering for the Poor and Needy. 

Have you ever wondered what Christmas is like in a Muslim country or even if Christmas is celebrated? We know the answer!! There are 5% Christians in the Middle East. They usually live together in villages or certain sections of the cities. They celebrate the birth of the Savior, but the rest of the Kurdish people just look at it as a winter holiday season. Decorations are in the stores; trees with lights, decorations of Santa, snowmen, elves, bells, and holly. The part of "Christ" is left out. It's sad. We can't even shout from the rooftops that "He Is the Light of the World". 

HUMANITARIAN

We visited the United Nations Offices with a partner named Eva Said. We visited with a doctor to ask for his verbal support in a Nursing and Midwifery program for her NGO (non government organization). As one can imagine, security is a huge part of visiting these government offices. This poor country has security everywhere and for everything. Half of the roads in the city are blocked off just to have control over traffic in case of an emergency or invasion. Yesterday we went to the Parliament Building and visited with Muna Kahveci, a Secretary of Parliament, to ask for permission for Eva to build a building to teach nurses and doctors how to save newborns and keep the birthing mother alive after delivering a baby. Her training has saved hundreds of lives already in this country but she needs an office building with classrooms to enlarge her program. LDSC helps with her vital programs.

We went to a celebration for the conclusion of our project for Hope Center in Barhaka Camp. All the children had a cute performance for the audience to show what they are learning in the new community center.They have classes of dance, literacy, tumbling, art, and music. They were adorable and so happy to preform---something that was new for them.  Many of these children, about 50%, cannot go to school because they don't have correct papers for the government. LDSC also provided  $$ for a sewing center with new sewing machines, tables for cutting, irons and ironing boards, and other materials. The adult women of the camp, involved in the sewing center, modeled the dresses they have made and they were so happy to show off what they have been creating. They will start selling the dresses for family income. It was exciting for us to see the camp members celebrate their accomplishments.

KURDISTAN BRANCH

We had 9 people in attendance at Sacrament Meeting in our Erbil apartment on Sunday, December 9th. Dr. George Bennett and his wife Marcia, from St. George, Utah were here training doctors and nurses. Also form Provo, Utah, was Dr. Donna Thompson. It was the largest group we've had in a meeting with just Erbil Saints. We had beautiful talks and testimonies. It is always wonderful to have guests and hear from them.

Our faithful and amazing Kunbi from Nigeria completed her assignment in Kurdistan and will be going to Myanmor for her next assignment. We will miss her deeply. She added so much to our little twig of a branch in Erbil each Sunday evening. After much faith on her part, she was finally given a visa to go to the US to see her two sons and new daughter-in-law. The members in our branch are still anxious about a temple trip and we are hoping there is a country with a temple that will permit them entry. It is not easy, but we will find a way. They are ready!

Last Friday we drove to Zakho, a city on the boarder of Turkey and Iraq. We needed to visit a woman with two little boys. Her husband was taught gospel lessons on line from missionaries and was ready for baptism. Three months ago her husband was arrested right from the home and taken away by Asayish (the FBI here). She doesn't know why or where they took him or how long he will be gone. She is thinking he may have said something political at work that someone didn't like. She doesn't think it had anything to do with religion. We took her some cookies, candy, and toys for the boys and other financial assistance. She is worried but was very kind and appreciative of a visit. 

LIFE IN IRAQ

As we watch the shepherds in the fields with their herds of sheep and lambs, we try to visualize the shepherds who followed the star on that night many hundreds of years ago. We bear witness of the child who was born that night, for He is the Son of God. The Son of  our Father who loved all of us so much that He gave us the gift of His Son. What a privilege to be able to understand those words. To have the knowledge in our minds and hearts of eternal truths---and the freedom to live our lives accordingly. Maybe part of Christmas can be reviewing the "Living Christ" and appreciate those inspiring words.

We love you all but love the Lord more. If Kurdistan, Iraq, is where the Lord wants us to be this Christmas, this is where we want to be.

With So Much Love,

Elder and Sister Asay

Mom and Dad

Grandma and Grandpa

Ken and Joyce

Parliament---trying to get permission for a partner to build

a training building for doctors and nurses.

Walking into Parliament Notice the guards in the background

A good-bye dinner for Kunbi--  Hami (we are teaching him missionary discussions), Ken and

 Joyce

Church with Dr. and Sister Bennett, Dr. Donna

Thompson, Hami, Kunbi and Amy from the US 

Consolate. (Amy's security guard and former

 Navy Seal, was also with us but can't have his 

photo taken.

Camp celebration for Hope Center

Adorable little girls--first time preforming!! The women learning to sew in the sewing center made their outfits. Sorry the picture is upside down!

Nurses and doctors in training.

No males at all are allowed to assist in the delivery of 

babies, thus we only train women.

A painting in the Parliament Building depicting refugees

coming into Kurdistan.

November

Dear Family and Friends,

November ended with so much gratitude for the Gospel, life, blessings of family, freedom, and America! We have seen so much sorrow and lack of hope. As we have participated, in a very small part, helping in this country, we find ourselves counting and verbally listing to each other, our many blessings on a daily basis.

HUMANITARIAN

We were invited to go to the Bardarsh refugee camp where most of the Syrian refugees have been taken for the past 6 weeks. We were invited as guests of Prime Minister Barzani, along with several other charity foundations from around the world. The security we saw for miles around the camp was fascinating. Peshmerga were all over the hill tops and along the roads. Ken and I were totally searched before entering the room he was in. He was very appreciative of all that is being done by so many, to help Kurdistan house and feed these families. After he met with us and thanked all the organizations there, Mr. Barzani walked around the camp wishing the thousands of people hope, joy and a speedy return to their homes and country. There have been 17,000 refugees enter Northern Iraq since October 14. LDS Charities has donated most of the money necessary for these individuals to have hot meals as they entered the country and as they were getting set up in their camps. We are now preparing to provide them with a medical clinic, doctors and medicines. There are currently 1.042 million refugees and IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) in this country. They have been welcomed by the Kurdish government and many organizations have stepped up to help relieve the trauma of their situation. It has been amazing to watch all of the goodness around us. Thankfully, the number of Syrian refugees, entering per day, is slowing down to around 140 per day.

We visited the Hope Center at Baharka Camp and saw women busy sewing on the machines we purchased for them. They were sewing dresses for the women of the camp. Also, the children of the camp were in educational workshops learning English and other class instruction. For many of them, this is the only schooling they receive. We also attended a ribbon cutting ceremony for the greenhouses, which we helped get back into working condition. We even planted a few strawberry plants and trees ourselves! We are also helping a very run down public school in our neighborhood. We provided a computer, printer, some supplies, playground equipment, repaired broken windows and got some outdoor toilets working. Prior to putting the toilets back into operation, if a child needed to go to the bathroom, they had to run all the way home. It should be completed by the end of this week.

KURDISTAN BRANCH

Our branch welcomed a beautiful family of five, the Tofiq Family, into the branch last week. They were all baptized in the swimming pool of the Cristal Hotel where we were having a Branch Conference. They are an amazing family and have such a dedicated desire to learn all they can. Member neighbors noticed this great family and just spoke up and invited them to church. Elder and Sister Holgate, in Sulaimani have been teaching them the missionary discussions and we were able to join in on two of the follow-up lessons this past week. We could not be more impressed with this family. The branch is blessed to have them. The family provided three more youth in the branch!

One of our young women in the branch (Valentina) is busy getting ready to go on her mission to London----Visas are NOT an easy thing to obtain---so much work and money, but she is so excited. She said she will do whatever is necessary to make it happen. This lovely young lady will be the second missionary to leave from Iraq. Last month her married, nonmember sister, was sitting in a park in Australia and was approached by LDS sister missionaries. One said to her that God had a message for her. Her sister listened to them and told them she never would have even talked to them, however, since her sister in Iraq was going to be doing what they were doing, she wanted to listen to them:)

This country is still having a lot of turmoil in Baghdad. There have been 400 killed and 8,000 wounded due to protests against the government. They are demanding a change in the government system. We have learned that this would be the wealthiest country in the world (because of all the oil) if the government managed, with the good of the people in mind. Hopefully some changes are made.

FAMILY

Our grandson, Jacob, is being sealed in the Timpanogos Temple on December 21 to Savannah Sumsion. They are adorable and very happy.

Two of our grand daughters, Lilly Summers (Marc's beautiful wife) is expecting a girl in February and Jasay Ann (Whitehead) Goodrich, is expecting a little girl in March. This will bring us to eight great-grandchildren.

 

Our granddaughter, Makell, got home from her mission and got engaged, on Thanksgiving Day, to her boyfriend of 41/2 years; all this while at Disneyland. She left for her mission to Virginia, while he was on his in Samoa. We are happy for them! Their wedding is planned for December 28----to fulfill a dream of being sealed in the Salt Lake Temple---the last day before it closes for 5 years. 

Engagements, weddings, Birthdays, and new babies are all happening without us-------HOWEVER-------our family is very supportive about our missionary service as we try to serve the beautiful people of Kurdistan. They know we are tying to give just a little back for all we've been given. 

We love you all, but love the Lord more. If Kurdistan is where He wants us to be, then

 Kurdistan is where we want to be.

With Love and Hugs,

Mom and Dad

Grandma and Grandpa

Ken and Joyce

Prime Minister Mr. Barzani thanking LDS Charities.

Security for Prime Minister Barzani.

Security guarding Barzani as he walked around greeting 

Syrian refugees.

  

Children at the school we are helping. The love hugs!

They call Ken, "Tall Man".

 

Ribbon cutting at the Baharka Camps' Greenhouses. 

The Tofiq Family just before baptism.

We just love this new family!

Here is a photo of the main wall in their house---they were 

very ready for the gospel!

A photo of their scriptures--after only 2 months of being

taught. Notice how they have marked their scriptures.

Sunset from our neighborhood in Kurdistan.

Last week we were invited to attend a meeting with Prime Minister Barzani at Bardarsh Refugee Camp. Mr. Barzani wanted to thank the organizations who have been helping the situation. He talked to us individually and thanked us for the aid and support. After the meeting he walked around the camp. People were cheering and shouting thank you’s to him. There are about 13,000 people at this camp. We have never seen so much security. As we were driving to the camp there were miles of Peshmerga standing on all the hillsides and along the roads. Mr. Barzani expressed gratitude for all the hot meals the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Charity has provided. Many groups around the world have pitched in to help theses Syrian refugees. We have had the blessing of watching Pure Religion in action.

Sonya gets a new wheelchair AND a Doll of Hope!

Conference in Jordan

Village of Elijah.

Overlooking the Sea of Galilee—cloudy

Jarash Roman ruins.

October 2019

Dear Family and Friends,

HUMANITARIAN:  Supporting Northern Syrian Refugees:

North East Syria, in a wave of violence, had many displaced families, as you know. Kurdistan, once again is accepting all of these refugees. As many as 1.700 arriving each day. The first two weeks 13,500 people came from Rojava alone.

We have been assigned to oversee the project of distributing “Hot Meals”, to those Kurds’ who are being forced out of Northern Syria, by the country of Turkey.  LDSC gave quick support in aiding these much deserving people. 

On Thursday morning we received a call from Mohammad, with Barzani Charitable Foundation (BCF) who has front-line responsibility in the activities of receiving the refugees. They explained that hundreds had already come and had been given aid. They invited Joyce and I to join with them later that day, to greet another group who had been walking for a few days and would be coming across the border later that afternoon. We welcomed this opportunity and drove the three and a half hours north to join them.                      

Traveling on the road we saw a camp, north of Duhok that we had never before seen. It is named Bajid Kandal Camp and is recognized as one of the most desperate of all the camps, in part due to their location away from everyone else and that they are one hundred percent Yazidi, Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) and come from Shinjar. The camp looked very run-down and hurting. The pain and misery seem to have no end!

We arrived at the checkpoint, where the newest refugees are being met. It is in the village of Chellukum. Coincidentally, it lies just about thirty minutes from our Chicken Project in Pakhlujia. We did not realize how close we were to the Syrian and Turkish borders.

After inspecting the kitchen and food preparation areas, we were given a tour of the facility. Looking out across the horizon to the north, we could see the two valleys that feed in from Syria, the two valleys are the conduit for the refugees to come through. They gather in the valley and wait until early in the morning, about 2:00 A.M. and come in one large group into the checkpoint. They wait until the cover of darkness to make their march into safety. They come in groups of hundreds. They are met by security personnel, processed and fed immediately upon arrival. They then are given bedding and a hard cement floor to lay upon for their rest. The Syrians charge adult $200./each for exiting and $70. for each child.

After visiting the checkpoint and seeing the accommodations, we went down to the roadside where another large contingency of refugees had been loaded upon buses for transporting to their permanent camp in Bardarsh, located between Duhok and Erbil. 

The sight of these poor persons told a horrible story of difficulty. The older men were very haggard, their faces told of turmoil and struggle, often they had a faraway look in their eyes, showing signs of despair.      

The mothers sat with babes in arms and indicated sheer exhaustion. Many of the children were draped over their mothers and did not even have a whimper left in them. The young men, they were very resilient and showed spunk; one young man whom I had just given a bottle of water to asked me, “you speak English?’ I said yes! He then went on to say, “Me too, my name is Barzan”. He was full of energy and enthusiasm. This must be how it is with all weary travelers, some down and others oblivious to their desperate conditions. The young men of the camp were running around the grounds.                        

Our hearts ached for these poor individuals. How grateful we are to be a member of the true Church of Jesus Christ, that knows no borders, that greets all mankind with a generous hand of acceptance. A church that prepares to be ready whenever hardship comes. If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear. That is the “True Church of Jesus Christ”! 

Friday, we made our way back to the checkpoint and acted as greeters and helped welcome the refugees into the camp. Prior to greeting the weary travelers, we helped prepare food for them to eat. They cook rice and soup in the biggest of pots, probably fifty gallons.

The group arrived early, about 8:00 pm. We let them settle with the security personnel and then attended to their needs. We assisted in serving them food and then spent time visiting with them until about 12:30 am. 

Through our translator we learned that some were Armenian and that they had witnessed the bombing of their neighborhood. Seven of their neighbors were killed as a result of the bombing and they fled. They said that the civilians are now being targeted, it is not just about the military. The man telling the story was an owner of a restaurant and others were construction workers, mechanics and one young lady was a nurse. Knowing the conditions of the camps they are about to enter, our hearts melted, knowing their conditions would not allow their full potential. It has been our experience to see doctors, architects and agriculturalists be relegated to camp dwellers, no work opportunities. It is most deplorable! 

While visiting the camp members at Bardarsh (this is the camp where most of the daily 1,500 people are being taken) we met one man who became emotional, showing us pictures of his brother. He was lying dead on the street where the Turkish military had shot him and then mutilated his body. The man was in tears as he shared the sad tale. His distress was too much and walked away without any further words. We did not provoke him to tell the sordid story, we believe he was merely wanting to vent.

KURDISTAN BRANCH:

Friday mornings we hold our branch meetings in Duhok. Attending was Salim and his family, consisting of his wife and two sons. They are strongly interested in the gospel; he desires baptism during our District Conference coming up in late November. President Dastan has visited with him and between he and President Akiki, a determination to refer them onto the Area Presidency will be made. Last month we shared about the second missionary from our Branch, Valentina. She is call to the LONDON ENGLAND MISSION and is very excited and ready to serve. She is departing February 19, 2020.

On Sunday we held meetings with Kunbi and Hami. Kunbi works with Hami at the Red Cross. He considers himself a Christian and wants to learn more. He has volunteered to assist us in translating for a public school that we are considering assisting in a Micro Project. The school is quite sad. Windows are broken out, bathrooms are non-existent and very little supplies. If kids need the bathroom them have to run home. No playground equipment or sports balls and the like. We want to give them something to make their education better and more acceptable to a learning environment. 

HISTORY:

Last week we had the privilege of attending a Mission Conference in Amman, Jordan. It was very enjoyable to visit with other missionaries from the Middle East Africa North Mission. We learned from them, had fun with them, and saw many meaningful sights around Jordan. Saw the Sea of Galilee (or the Sea of Tiberias) from the misty distance, the village of Elijah the Prophet and a visit to his church at Mar Elyas. We also visited Jarash, which is the largest Roman ruins outside of Rome. We also ate dinner in two hundred-year old caravansary--which is an ancient inn with a central courtyard for travelers in desert regions.                      

SHARING WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED:

There is a spiritual gathering of wards and stakes but there is also a physical gathering of the Arabic people. Arabs are not Gentiles. They are of the covenant because they are from Ishmael. Blessings went to both Isaac and Ishmael. We see almost daily the gathering that is taking place here. It is really a very joyful event to watch. Elder Singer (of our Area Presidency) told us that the law  is fulfilled but not the covenant. Christ fulfilled the law the first time He came. The second time He will fulfill the covenant. All prophets have looked forward to this day and time. 

In Jacob 5 (middle of the chapter) the master of the vineyard is talking with his servant and saying, "All the trees of the vineyard are good for nothing. Hew them down and cast them into the fire." (the fate of the earth). the servant said, "Let's try one more time." So they did. Trees grew again, only differently. The trees grew too fast and became corrupted. The branches overcame the roots. Now the church needs slow and steady growth so as not to overcome the roots. Elder Singer said the Middle East has more member growth, with no proselyting missionaries, than Russia who has hundreds of missionaries. He went on to say, "Why do we need slow and steady growth if it is the only true church on the face of the earth? Because: to fulfill prophecy of the allegory of the wild and tame trees."

We wait with anticipation to see what becomes of the uprising of the young adults in Baghdad, Lebanon and neighboring countries in regards to their determination to have freedom of speech and religion.

FUN FAMILY FACTS:

Marriages of Jake Whitehead (grandson) and Savannah Sumsion, and Ashley Slack (granddaughter) and Casey Nye!

Great Grandchild birth--Nila Summers to Ryan and Brittany. Two great grandchild expectant births announced: Mark (grandson) and Lily Summers and Jasay (granddaughter)and Corban Goodrich! 

Makell Slack (granddaughter) is coming home from her mission in Richmond, VA on November 21st!!

We love you all but love the Lord more. If Kurdistan is where He wants us to be than Kurdistan is where we want to be.

LOVE,

Ken and Joyce

Mom and Dad

Grandma and Grandpa

P.S. Ken spent our 50th Wedding Anniversary in bed very sick with Shingles. We were homebound for two weeks in October. Even though he still felt terrible (but not contagious) he continued to work hard on Humanitarian projects. He wants sympathy so he asked for his photo to be included. WARNING!! It looks terrible---more like a Halloween mask!-----ugh!!

The sun going down today. It’s the biggest sun I’ve ever seen each evening here.

Syria refugees

Late last night another group of families made it to Kurdistan Iraq from Syria. We feed about 300 They were tired, hungry and full of sorrow. It was, as one can imagine, an extremely painful experience to see the pleading for help in their eyes. Husbands trying to protect their families. Business owners who literally ran away from their dreams. Even a family who saw a neighbor’s family of seven, killed—as they watched. Right now the most important thing we all can do is to pray—- pray that the hearts of leaders of these countries are more full of love for other human beings.

Syrian refugees walked to boarder of Iraq then traveled by buses to a center to be fed and get some rest. They then will be taken to camps. So impressed with Northern Iraq. They welcome other human beings and care for them while others try to harm them.

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Went to Bardarsh Camp today in north west Iraq. 3200 refugees have been placed there in the past few days. Hot meals were being served to the new families who had just arrived. Everyone was busy trying to get settled in their tents. I passed out all the Dolls of Hope I had left. Decided no one needed them more than these children. LDSCharities is supplying the food for the hot meals and a charitable foundation, Barzani Charity Foundation, has organized the cooking and serving of food in two different camps.

 We went to the Syrian boarder to check out the set up for feeding refugees. LDSCHARITIES donated $ for hot food for them. Here are a few photos.
Huge pots of soup and rice
Ken stirring rice
A mosque where some will be sleeping. We are sleeping there tomorrow night. A new group will come in at 2 am.
Buses full of devastated families
Greeting them
Buses entering Iraq
So thankful for LDSCHARITIES!