Typical dress for Muslin Kurdish women.
Shopping for cashews!
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Amedi
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| A restaurant inside a cave |
We had a great adventure today! This is where it is believed the 3 Wise Men came from.
Gate to ancient city of Amedi. Where Wise Men came from. Don’t know those guys.
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| A village market |
Donkey used for carting loads. 
Village of Amedi. On top of plateau.
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
July 2019
Dear Family and Friends,
It's hard to believe but today our mission is 1/3 over. We have learned a lot about; the land, its rich heritage of the prophets who resided here, our testimonies of them, patience for conditions that are not in our norms, and of the many areas we need improvement.
LAND OF THE PROPHETS
Abraham was born in Ur, of Chaldea which is southern Iraq and just below Baghdad. That is obviously the land of Chaldea. We are in the northern part of Iraq, known previously as Assyria. South of us is Chaldea. Babylon (or Baghdad) is central Iraq. These areas are called the "Fertile Crescent". Iraq's national flag has a crescent moon on it to indicate how fertile the land is in the crescent area of the Middle East. It includes the area of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. we have been able to visit the Tigris and have a project there, building a chicken (poultry) farm. The small village of Pahklujia has absolutely no economy and we are providing them three thousand chickens and their accommodation to increase their ability to sustain themselves. We are now putting on the roof of the chicken coop and will be finishing the floor soon, chickens to follow!
Daniel and the Lion's Den
Daniel's grave is located in Kirkuk, Iraq. King Darius reigned there. Kirkuk is a city about 2 hours away from us. We are not allowed to visit that area of Iraq because areas still have some security issues. ISIS is not truly dead. We found it interesting that we are near the place where Daniel was buried.
Jonah and the Whale
When we are driving to our other apartment in Duhok, for our weekly visit to Northern Iraq, we come very close (30 Miles) to Nineveh. Jonah was commanded to preach there and he was not interested to go, due to their refusal of the gospel. He was later swallowed by a whale and forced to return. People here say the city of Mosul, Kurdistan is where he went. Nineveh is actually a large area of land. ISIS bombed Mosul to pieces and some ISIS are still there so we can't go to that city. Many of our Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) come from Mosul and Kirkuk. Their homes, schools and churches were all destroyed. They have nothing to go home to, and are still under potential assault.
The Wise Men
The Wise Men in the Nativity Story are said to have come from Persia to see the Christ Child. Old Persia was Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. Traditional history here claims the wise men came from a village in Iraq named Amedi. I read about it on line and it is beautiful with a lot of history. We are permitted to go there, so we are going to visit that special place in a few weeks. It has a lot of waterfalls and fun hiking spots.
Our Branch
After many hours and hours, we finally were successful with helping Mark Tiyari get his Visa. Remember, he is the first missionary from the country of Iraq. Not an easy task and we could not have accomplished it without two church appointed attorneys and a brother in DC who is a member of the church and works for the US Embassy. Try as we did, we could not have helped Mark on our own. His mission call needed to be changed to Newport Beach, CA, because Canada would not let him enter. He and many of the people of Iraq cannot swim, and he has been so worried, so we took the Youth swimming and he learned a little bit of confidence. Most people here do not know how to swim. Mostly because they stay covered with clothes and the pools usually don't let males and females swim at the same time. We got a lot of strange looks----
Our branch here in Erbil gained a new member! Her name is Brit. Her husband is Arman and he is from Iran. She is a returned missionary and grew up in America. They met in Sweden where he worked in the Swiss Temple and she was teaching school. They now will be joining us on Sunday for Sacrament meeting and Sunday school. Another young adult, Erin Neale, works here and we got a message from the church saying to try to find her. It would be nice to inform her that we have church in our apartment and she can attend. Kunbi from Nigeria continues to be delightful and we love her. She is coming for dinner and FHE tonight. We have church on Fridays with part of our branch in Duhok and then in Erbil on Sundays. The biggest part of our branch is in Suli, about 21/2 hours South, toward Baghdad. Another missionary couple (Holgates from Gilbert, AZ) serve down there. So our branch spreads out over a 5 hour drive with 3 different Sacrament Meetings. It's quite fun!
Ken and I are in charge of Youth Conference in 2 weeks. The youth have never done anything like this before and they have a difficult time comprehending exactly what a "Youth Conference" is. We are excited to show them! We will host games, swimming, discussions, training, food and most of all, unity of faith!
Humanitarian Work
We are working on building two new community centers in different refugee camps. They don't have much to do during the day and the Humanitarian Deptartment is great about approving projects for these centers. Many classes will taught there and other gatherings can be held. Life in some camps is nothing but survival. It's difficult to imagine until one sees it for one's self. We try to find projects that improve life and help them have a desire to get jobs or do some kind of work to earn money. The goal is to move out of the camp and into society. In our hearts, we see the camps as being their future cities. There are so many amassing that they will likely maintain their home there, but the conditions will improve. They say that America is the land of opportunity. Having been in this country for six months we really see the evidence of that. There are so many challenges here, we hope that youth reading this message do not take for granted their quality of life, due to our founding fathers!
Ken and I were on the local news. The church donated $300,000.00 to four different camps for medicine, medical supplies, and some dental supplies. They had a big ceremony and Ken was interviewed by several television stations. I was only in two of the interviews but was glad because Ken does a much better job of it. We didn't know what the interview was really for and didn't have any preparation time. They just said, "Stand here" so we did. Then the camera started rolling!! Here is the fb page if you are interested.
We are still learning our calling. We are still growing in the gospel. We are trying harder to be like the Savior. The harder we try the more faults we see in ourselves---and that sometimes gets discouraging. However-----we love you all but we love the Lord more. If Kurdistan is where He wants us to be, then Kurdistan is where we want to be.
Love and Hugs,
Ken and Joyce
Mom and Dad
Grandma and Grandpa
Photos
Zumba for girls at a camp community center.
LDS C built this center.
Stuffed dolls and teddy bears in a shrink-wrapped bag from Dolls of Hope.
We will pick it up in Jordan in October. Thank you Sister Zwahlen!!
Trying to help camp learn to clean up their community.
More clean up needed.
One of the nicer homes in a camp.
Ken being interviewed for Channel 24 news in Erbil.
Joyce swimming with the youth.
Ken with the youth.
Random pictures
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| Goat head at the bazaar Joyce went thinking it would be a fun place to get souvenirs. But nope! You went to buy food. It was really smelly and not pleasant! hahaha |
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| Little boy getting a wheelchair |
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| Muslim man and his family at Bahrka Camp |
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| Ken teaching |
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| Meeting with Prince of Yazidis and Elder Perkins |
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| little girls getting water |
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| the bathroom for a school in our neighborhood. |
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| Women met in refugee camp |
June 2019
Dear Family and Friends,
Greetings from war-torn Iraq. More refugees continue to pour into this country. They are mostly from Syria. In April it was reported that 400,000 people have been killed in Syria and 6.1 million have fled since March 2011. Many come to Iraq, and mainly Kurdistan. Turkey also receives some of them. In February and March 1,600 civilians were killed. Assad recently had hundreds of citizens killed for population control. So many people are always happy to meet us and say "A mare a key"?? (how they pronounce America) and they put their hands over their hearts. At a park last week many children wanted our pictures and even 4 adult young men asked to take my photo with them---they just wanted a picture of themselves with an American. We continually remind ourselves that as we think of America, our appreciation is the fact, that it is a "Land of Opportunity". We are literally humbled to tears.
Humanitarian Projects
Baharka Camp--as we walked into the camp children rushed to hug us.
They are so loving and sweet. We are working with this camp to help with a children's community center. It's a place where they can do sports, sewing, singing and other activities to use their free time more constructively. They are so appreciative and happy.
A photo of one of the homes. This camp has some cinder block structures which serve as bathrooms or Water Closets (W/C). A lot of camps just have tents. However the tents are nice--mostly from LDS Charities. They are big enough for an open wood burning stove but everyone has to walk (sometimes a block) to the restrooms. They wait in line for food from the government but it's only flour, rice, tomato sauce and oil.
LDS logo on all tents from the church and its also on the back of every wheelchair. Arabic writing at the bottom says, "Strengthening Families". I wish you all could see how much the church does for people in need. What a blessing to belong to a faith that practices the belief of making the world a better place, showing an example of the love of the Savior and helping the world be better prepared for His coming.
We also helped with a fair for the University of Duhok. Nurses came and set up booths to help teach health awareness.
Cutting ribbon for opening ceremony.
One station was to weigh and measure infants to see if they have normal growth.
Our Branch
We drive 2 1/2 hours to church each Thursday for meetings on Fridays, but we have a few members here in Erbil (capital of Kurdistan). We started having Sacrament Meeting and RS/Priesthood Meeting in our Erbil apartment on Sunday. We have a small group of 5 but it will be bigger next month. A newly wed couple is moving here, he is from Iran. We're growing!!
Kunbi is from Nigeria and is a nurse for the Red Cross. Madison is here from New Hampshire, USA. She is a BYU student majoring in business and Middle Eastern studies and is a returned missionary. These women are both endowed, adorable and we have so much fun with them! Many branch members received temple recommends last week. This is a first for all of them and they are very excited. A date for the temple trip has not been planned yet, but it will be to the Johannesburg South Africa Temple. Most members will be able to attend the temple for the first time. The youth are very excited to perform Baptisms for the Dead! One of the men asked, "How do you baptize a dead person?"
News Flash!!! The first missionary from Kurdistan has been called to serve in Toronto, Canada! He is very excited. He will be speaking Farsi. He is scheduled to leave the 20th of August for the Provo MTC. We were assigned to help him get his visa but have learned through a lot of time and effort that it will be impossible without a church attorney and connections from a Church member in the DC Embassy. It is much harder than we ever imagined. Canada is more difficult to enter from Iraq than the US is. We are all praying for him.
Elder Mark Tiyari from Duhok, Iraq.
One last photo----a refugee camp member built this cute little car out of junk that he found in the camp. It actually works. Ken couldn't wait to get in it---we barely fit, but it's really a fun little car--even has a horn!
Baharka Camp. This was Father's Day. Our Father's Day meal was rice with a tomato broth over the rice. They were so happy to invite us to dinner.
Sharing what we are learning:
There are many ways to rob the poor. How do we rob the poor? Do I personally rob the poor? (2 Nephi 28:13)
Of course, by not paying tithes and other offerings, but there are other ways we need to consider:
1. We can rob them of their dignity and opportunity by making them dependent upon us.
2. By improper use of our own resources.
3. By persecuting the poor in heart.
4. Robbing them of hope.
The Lord has given us all we have and He needs us to add to His storehouse (the church welfare program) where it can be given the way He sees fit through His servants on earth. When the poor receive help from the storehouse, they look to God for their gratitude--not us. We are His agents, and part of His plan is that we help them earn it. Then, when blessings come they are grateful to God, not us. We should be cautious to not give to them directly, knowing that God's way is for us to give to Him and he forwards it on to them, through priesthood channels.
The poor need more attention than money. When we give only money and give it directly, we rob them of their ability to change, to improve, to struggle and learn.
This is not easy when the little beggar children all over the streets are grabbing us and begging for money. We are learning the principle--slowly---but we are learning.
We love you all but love the Lord more. If Kurdistan is where the Lord wants us to be then Kurdistan is where we want to be.
Love and Hugs,
Ken and Joyce
Mom and Dad
Grandpa and Grandma
Ken shared some thoughts in our scripture study this past week that I am adding.
In my reading I look beyond the words to understand the meaning, as it applies to us. Let me illustrate the comparisons. Prior to my points, read Ether 6: 3-12; Understand, we are going on a voyage (life) and we are going to need help throughout our lives. Our objective is to return to our heavenly home to obtain Eternal Life. The metaphors in this account tell the story.
Verse 3: LIGHT “The Lord caused stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women and children”.
We are all born with light unto ourselves and we have the light of Christ at our birth. Paul taught the people of Thessalonica, “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (1Thessalonians 5: 5)
Verse 4: PREPARATION “…When they had prepared all manner of food that thereby they might subsist upon the water…and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lord their God.”
We are promised that if we are prepared, we may inherit a place in the celestial world. “For if you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you.”(D&C 78: 7)
Verse 5: TOSSED “And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.”
Our life journey is one of constant challenge. We are tossed with difficulties of despair, fear, obstacles of our own making and others beyond ourselves. The Lord said, “We will prove them herewith”, and so He is.
Verses 6,7: BURIED “And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea…there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish…therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters, they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.”
“When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed; When you are discouraged thinking all is lost; Count you many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”(Hymn 241 Count Your Many Blessings)
Verse 8: WIND “And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind.”
Our journey is sure, we are headed to the promised land (Eternal Life) and it is through the blowing of the wind in our lives that bring us to our journey’s end. President Eyring has said that His hand is constantly in directing our lives. The winds are placed before us to give us a direction that will ultimately be for our good. He is in charge and he knows what is best for us to be developed into His attributes. “When He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (Moroni 7:48)
Verse 9: PRAISES “And they did sing praises unto the Lord…and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord.”
Do we pray unto our God as did Enos? Do we pray unto Him to receive his spirit as did Alma? Do we celebrate His many blessings as did Ammon, “Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever.” (Alma 26: 37)
Verse 10: LIGHT CONTINUALLY “They did have light continually, whether it was above the water of under the water.”
Does our light ever shine, even when we are buried by our troubles? We have been promised by the Lord that He will be our light in the wilderness; “if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments…as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land.” (1 Nephi 17: 13)
Verse 11: DRIVEN “And thus they were driven forth, three hundred and forty and four days upon the water.”
We know not how many days we will be driven towards our promised land, but we must endure the winds and the waves of our journey! “He that is faithful and endureth shall overcome the world.” (D&C 63: 47)
Verse 12: TENDER MERCIES “And they did land upon the shore of the promised land. And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them.”
It is through our Faith and Faithfulness that he extends his hands of deliverance to us, shall we not be ever grateful for the tender mercies, which is given through His sacrifice, His atonement? “But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.” (1 Nephi 1: 20) Our reward is Eternal Life, through Him, our Promised Land, even the Celestial Kingdom
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