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.