February 2019

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  Dear Family and Friends,
  

  We have been in Kurdistan for three weeks now. We have been so impressed with the way we have been treated. It has made us a bit ashamed that we didn't go out of out way at home more to help people we see in the streets find their way around. An example of their kindness is told where Ken and I were looking for a point of interest. We asked a shop keeper where it was and he jumped up and started walking fast down the street, urging us to follow. Ken was thirsty and asked the man if he would like some water (as Ken had his money out). We past a shop selling water and the man stopped and pulled out his own money and bought us each a bottle of water. He then continued down the road urging us on. Wow, would that happen at home? 

  
  

  Our little group of saints here are so excited about the fact that we will be made a branch next week. When the announcement came in church last week there was a huge gasp of joy. We had thought there was a branch here already but when we got here we learned they were a "Group". A certain number needs reached to become a branch. So it will happen next week and there is a lot of happiness! The Branch of Kurdistan will be comprised of all members in the Province of Kurdistan. Our District President is President Akikki and lives in Beirut Lebanon. It will take him many hours to fly here for the creation of the branch. He will have two stop overs in route, not easy!

  

  
  

  This is the group from Duhok and is just a handful representing the current members in the North. Another group in Sullimanayah (to the South) will join with us in Erbil. The two groups are separated by about six hours and Erbil is central to them. We have apartments in both Duhok and Erbil and travel each week between them.

  
  

  
  

  The cute red haired girl in the middle is here from the US to help teach English and her aunt behind her is teaching nurses to help newborns. They are going home tomorrow. The other American couple is from Gilbert, Arizona and serving about 3 hours from us, In the city of Sullimaniyah.

  
  

  We went to visit refugee camps last week. LDS Charities donated hundreds on tents to a camp full of Syrian refugees. Here is what the tents look like. BCF is the charitable partner that works with us in providing aid. 

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  This is a very cute and happy family. These people have been fleeing from Isis for several years. The fighting is calming,  but their homes are gone. A beautiful thing about Kurdistan--they are helping the very countries who have been trying to kill them--the Kurds. They have Christ-like love for other human beings. We have been taught by their kindness and love.

  

  This gentleman is one of the IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) which is a person from inside of Iraq who lives in one of the tents provided by the Church. We are supposing that he is a man who has more than one wife, because we went into his tent compound, consisting of several tents and there were multiple families. Those not identified as IDP are refugees from Syria and other countries.

  
  

  When we go to the villages, we see many produce stands along the highways. People are trying to make all the money they can, any way they can. They sell chickens and turkeys along side the road and people buy them, take them home, kill and eat them. We saw two men yesterday picking some kind of vegetation, within weeds, to take home to eat. We are cautioned not to give beggars money and it is very difficult. Some of them are Gypsies. We understand that it just creates more people begging instead of working but it's still difficult. Last week a child asked came up to Ken and started kissing his chest and asked for a bite of his ice cream bar, so of course Ken gave him the entire ice cream---every day we are reminded of our blessings in America. America with the Gospel, homes, and life without worry about when the next bomb may hit. Almost every building, malls, stores and apartment buildings have security guards. We have made some new friends. One even let me hold his AK 47--

  

  

  
  

  The man standing next to Joyce is Nazim, and is one of our NGO partners. He is so generous, very wealthy and said, "If you are poor, then I am poor". He has taken us to his home and fed us some wonderful Middle Eastern food. Their food is great!

  
  

  We are still learning our responsibilities and how to keep busy. We hear it takes a few months to figure it all out so we are practicing patience.

  
  

  We love these people already. We love all of you and ask for your prayers for the Saints here who are just learning the gospel and the ways to live it.

  
  

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

  
  

  With love, hugs and wishes of blessings,

  Elder and Sister Asay

  Ken and Joyce

  Mom and Dad

  Grandma and Grandpa

  
  

  
  

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