March 2020

Dear Family and Friends,

The 9th of March we traveled to the Red Sea with the students and snorkeled at Eilat. On the way, we saw Masada and the Dead Sea. The next day we went on the Rampart walk on top of the Old City wall. It was interesting to see the city from another view and look down into the city streets.

On March 12th we learned we needed to leave Jerusalem and return home. It was such sad news to all involved. Last night we learned all the students are leaving, as well. The sadness was overwhelming and their time was very limited so they started trying to squeeze all of Jerusalem in that they could.

Life in the BYU Jerusalem Center was always busy and enjoyable.The students were very motivated to keep busy and active. They had intramural volleyball and basketball going on and Ted Talks---all student motivated. One day a few of the students asked if they come over and make some cookies. We had so much fun with them. They missed baking cookies! 

 We had several tour groups come to the center from the United States the first few weeks of March and then learned tour groups would not be entering Israel, temporarily. It was hard to call the tour companies and make it known to them. It was so disappointing, as one can imagine. We also had to tell them no guest were invited to come to Sacrament Meetings.

Our mission has been difficult but amazing. We have been so privileged to learn about these countries, the history, people, different religions, food, customs and love for the people. We have seen sights that are history sights of the Old and New Testament, even the Book of Mormon. We once heard these words, "Bear your testimony every day and when necessary, use words." We tried to make that our goal even thought we could not share our verbal testimonies in either Iraq or Israel. Our appreciation for the Middle East and the difficult way of life for most of the people is humbling. 

We will be released from our calling tonight and will forever be grateful for this experience.

We love you all---but love the Lord more......

Mom and Dad

Grandma and Grandpa

Ken and Joyce

Snorking at Eilat

Rampart Walk

King David's City

Eilat, Israel

Downtown Jerusalem

Cute students making cookies. They brought 

us flowers.

Winter Semester at BYU Jerusalem Center  2020

Driving past the Dead Sea on our way to a resort on the tip of the Red Sea😊

Some cute students gave me flowers for letting them come over to make cookies in our apartment
Snorkeling in the Red Sea at Eilat, Israel.

February 2020

Dear Family and Friends,

Our Sacrament Meetings are held on Saturdays in Jerusalem. Today we met in the Center for our meeting, and I must say it was one of the most reverent meetings I have attended. The large picture window located in the Hall oversees the entire “Old City” of Jerusalem. We sang the Sacrament Hymn, “Behold the Great Redeemer Die”. As we sang this beautiful song, I noted the words exclaiming the sorrowful and brutal treatment from evil men taking from the earth the very person who created this heaven on earth. With this setting, we were overlooking the land where those very events, as poetically phrased in the hymn by Eliza R. Snow had taken place. It was so memorable for me! Looking at the place of the events and singing the song, what could be more memorable?

Earlier in the morning, Joyce and I had attended choir practice with the students of the Center. As a special and significant coincidence, Craig Jessop (former director of the Tabernacle Choir) was there and conducted the choir in the song, “A Childs’ Prayer”. Wow, was it a moving experience! I don’t cry when singing, but the words were so touching and with the guidance of Brother Jessop, I was moved to water in the eyes…both of them. 

Sitting on a hillside near Jericho during a field trip, I noticed that a shepherd let his goats move freely upon the mountainside. The terrain was very steep and the trail that he was traversing was narrow and somewhat dangerous. At one point he arose from his seated position to follow their movement. They started off beyond the point that he was wanting them to go. Rather than getting in the midst of the animals (and possibly disturbing them) he navigated down below them and worked his way in front of the animals without them knowing what he was doing. 

Once in front of them he made movements to bring them back to move in the direction that was most secure for their safety. As they began moving down the hill, there was one goat that constantly strayed from the flock, he stayed vigilant to assure that he was not lost. At one point the heard began taking another route that was again wayward. He picked up rocks and began throwing them at the lead animal. They got the point and turned again to follow the proper path. There was a learning experience for me in what I was viewing.

Lesson: The Lord sits by the wayside and observes us in our life’s’ experiences. 

Occasionally we stray from the desired path and he moves into a position that gives Him the advantage of re-directing our movement without disturbing our agency.

When we, individually find ourselves out of control or moving to points that are dangerous, he gives us obstacles blocking our movement (like throwing rocks). These rocks may be viewed as rules, commandments or direction that we do not understand. But when observed or obeyed, we are the beneficiaries of his wisdom. Commandments do not restrict us; they provide us counsel that enhances our freedom. Rocks can be good, when they provide direction. There is an adage that says, “Don’t kick at the pricks”. This is to mean that pricks can be restrictions that provide safety!

Yesterday, February 4, was a day of touring with our young BYU Students. We traveled by bus to several sites, including the place of where the Assyrians held siege over the Jewish stronghold in Lachish. We saw how they had built a ramp up the softer side of a “Tel” (man-made mound hill) that is surrounded by a large wall. The Assyrians were coming in the year 700 BC to defeat the Israelites. Their attempt failed, but it set up the next siege by the Babylonians in 600 BC by Nebuchadnezzar, who captured Jerusalem and removed the Jewish people to Babylon; Of course this was coincidental to Lehi’s revelation and warning to take his family to the promised land. 

Next, we traveled to several Tel’s that housed the people throughout the region. Most of them had underground cisterns that collected water for their use during dry times. Interesting that these cisterns were in both natural and dug out caves. During the rainy season they collected large amounts of water for the dry days.

From a mountain top we viewed the valley that was represented as the ground where David defeated Goliath. We then drove down to the valley and walked through the brook where he had selected five smooth stones in preparation for his battle with the giant, Goliath. The students (and Joyce) were given sling shots and invited to select their own stones and put them in their slings and give it a go; Needless to say, they were challenged to hit their mark, or any mark for that point. 

We are seeing some incredible sights and learning so much about the sacred ground. Today for a point to my conversation, we saw large cloud coverage that surrounded the “Old City” similar to what was told when the Savior was Crucified. The clouds were ominous, and I stated to Joyce that what we were looking at would be reminiscent of how it must have been when the final breath was taken for our Lord and Savior. Then the quaking of the earth and the tearing of the Veil of the temple, of course similar events were captured in the writings of the prophets of in the New World in the Americas. Devastation that caused the people to be alarmed, while in darkness. The darkness was represented to be so dense that light could not be created, due to the vapor of smoke in the atmosphere. 

Our students are very kind to Joyce and I. Several of them have some connection to our grandchildren. Two brothers (the Whitlocks) are from American Fork and went to school with Jasay and Jacob. One young lady (Brittany Steenhoek) served as an advisor with Jasay at EFY. Another young sister (Maddie) worked with Caleb at BYU. They are exceptionally talented young people. Their spirits are strong and we truly love our association with them. 

Joyce and I have responsibilities with creating Humanitarian Hygiene Kits for schools and refugees in the area. The students are key in making up the kits and we supervise. I have responsibilities in coordinating with the partners (groups) who are requesting the help. Next week we will help with a Blood Drive at the Center.

We are enjoying our assignment and are looking forward to some sunshine and warmth this next week.

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

With Love and Hugs,

Dad and Mom

Grandpa and Grandma

Ken and Joyce

Holocaust Museum

Zedikiah's Cave

A 102 year old Holocaust survivor spoke 

to us in a forum. His life was inspiring.

Getting ready for Sacrament Meeting

.

Students learning about olive presses

Field of poppies and wild flowers

A nature park outside of Tel Aviv

Student finally caught a lamb. We had a sheep herding contest—-my team won!

Tel Aviv in the distance

Cute family of a professor here.

We helped make treats for the students 💕💗.

                                                    A Valentines sunset over Jerusalem

January 2020

Dear Family and Friends,

OUR EXODUS

January began with an unexpected event. Because of the death of Sulimini and the political unrest with Iran and the United States we were asked to leave the country for our safety. We really didn't feel threatened but asked for a few more days there so Ken could get LDSCharities money out of the bank. His name was the only name on the signature card. We waited until Sunday morning (January 5), when the bank opened, and to Ken's surprise, he was allowed to withdraw out most of the money. We hurried around town to give money to the partners waiting for payment, arranged for some apartment bills to be paid, packed our belongings, cleaned out the fridge and cupboards, called NGO'S and friends to say goodbye, and headed for the airport at 2 AM Monday morning. We still were not sure if it was really necessary to have to leave. We have always felt very safe in Kurdistan. We were sent tickets to go to Ammon, Jordan for a few days to give our leaders a chance to decide where to send us.  While there in Ammon we stayed with a humanitarian missionary couple we knew and loved from the MTC, Steve and Susan Zwahlen. We learned on Wednesday that missiles were launched in the area of the Army base and the airport. Both were just a few minutes drive from our apartment. Luckily, those missiles did not cause a loss of life and one was even a dud. 

After being in Ammon for a few days we learned that a couple in the BYU Jerusalem Center was needed so on January 9 we left Jordan for Israel. Steve and Susan helped us with a taxi and visas. We have loved the past 3 weeks in the center. We are in charge of the tours in the center, ushering weekly orchestra concerts, helping with student activities and are allowed to go on all the tours the students go on. Almost every Monday is a tour day. The Garden of Gethsemane and the Orsen Hyde Park are just down the hill from the center on the Mount of Olives, and many other historical and Biblical sights are within walking distance. Even Old Town Jerusalem is only a 15 minute walk. Many other sights are long bus rides. Last Monday we went to Jericho. The Savior went to Jericho the week prior to His final week. From one hilltop near Jericho we could see the city of Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives,  and the north end of the Dead Sea. We saw a tree that is like the Sycamore tree Zacchaeus sat in to get a good look at the Savior as He came by.

HUMANITARIAN PROJECTS

Another assignment we have is to manage a humanitarian project for the students to be involved in. We set up an area in the parking garage with tables and the students turn their music up and get busy putting together hygiene and school kits. Last week we made 2500 and today we should put together the same amount. The students are kind, friendly, intelligent and helpful. They are truly leaders and accomplish every calling and assignment they are given. They all (88) have callings in the Jerusalem Branch and teach incredible lessons. They have been so thoughtful to us and don't even treat us like we are old! (I think some of them must miss their grandmas and grandpas!) Watching these students we can see that many come form homes where the parents have made the home an MTC. They are enriched educationally and spiritually.

Yesterday we went to a Christian School in Bethlehem to check on a humanitarian request. We were very impressed with the operation of the school and the head master. We could tell the students loved him and he loved them. It was the first time, in the past year, we have seen a school with any color or teaching materials posted around the rooms. Unfortunately,

the schools in Iraq are much more desperate for funding and attention. 

MISSIONARY WORK

We are not permitted to proselyte or teach here in Israel (particularly at the Jerusalem Center) but it has been enjoyable to see how many people mention the different feelings they have as they enter the Jerusalem Center. One man in a group of 40, a Russian guest told Ken and I as he was leaving, "Is this the same church as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints?" We said it was and asked how he knew the official name. (Most know it as the "Mormon Church" here.) He said years ago 3 missionaries met him in Russia and told him about the church. He named each of the three missionaries by their last names and could remember a lot of what he was taught. So our goal, as we serve here, is to help guests feel the spirit of peace and be inspired by the view of the city the Savior loved so much. There are five LDS branches of the church in our district: Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Beer Sheva, Tel Aviv and Haifa. Most just have a few(8-10) members. Sometimes in Jerusalem there will be as many as 400 at Sacrament Meeting when tour groups are visiting.

We are enjoying our experience and are learning a lot about the Middle and Near East. Also, understanding better, the Arab and Jewish customs and traditions is very enlightening. We are missing Kurdistan and the people there. However, life is wonderful and full of new events daily. We appreciate our calling and the privilege of serving here. 

LESSONS LEARNED OR TRYING TO LEARN

As we measure our faithfulness, we have learned to do things that are hard-----but right. 

Our testimony and knowledge of the Savior has increased.  

As we have learned the importance of asking our Father in Heaven questions, we have also experienced the importance of waiting for answers. 

We've learned to try harder to think more about others than ourselves.

We are trying to make greater effort to think more about things that are sacred.

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

SHALOM!!

Mom and Dad

Grandma and Grandpa

Ken and Joyce 

View of Jerusalem from the BYU Center.

View of the Center from old Jerusalem.

St. George's Monastery near Jericho.

A little canyon at the monastery.

The Jewish Western Wall.

Rockefeller Museum archeological display.

Old Town Jerusalem.

A Sycamore tree (much like the tree) 

in Jericho where Zacchaeus climbed 

up to see Jesus...the beginning of Christ's

last week.

The Garden of Gethsemane 

January 10. 2020

Dear Family and Friends,

One week ago today, as we awoke to the news of the death of Soleimani in Iraq, we had no idea of what would take place in the next few days. We were told to evacuate as quickly as possible but LDSCharities had too much project money in the bank to just leave ------ and Ken was the only signature on the account. He couldn't see just leaving it so he asked for permission to wait until the banks opened on Sunday. He was able to get most of the money out and we flew early Monday morning to Ammon Jordan. While in the Ammon Center with Elder and Sister Zwahlen, (they teased US about being refugees--and were very kind to us!) we were told that our new assignment would be to the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center.  (We were told it would be a possibility but refused to get excited about it.) The humanitarian couple there had to suddenly return home for family health reasons and it left the rest of the couples in a difficult situation because of the work load. When they learned that we were just 2 hours away, they said to come the next morning.

So here we are in the most beautiful campus with the most amazing BYU students, who just arrived yesterday, and the most friendly and helpful couples to serve with. Our assignments will be to give tours of the campus three days a week and to go on the tours around the Holy Land with the students, and to find some humanitarian projects to help with in the area. 

We loved our mission in Iraq. We loved the people we served and will miss many things about living and serving there. However, we are looking forward to this beautiful and amazing experience of learning more about the life of the Savior by living in this area. Today we took a walk with the students on a "City Walking Tour". Tomorrow, the Sabbath, we will walk to the Garden Tomb. As you can imagine, we are counting our many blessings as we finish unpacking and organizing this adorable little apartment. 

Thank you for all the messages and prayers that have been offered in our behave. We have been so inspired by your love and concern for us. We love you all but love the Lord more. If Jerusalem is where the Lord wants us to be NOW, then Jerusalem is where we want to be.

With Love and Gratitude,

Mom and Dad

Grandma and Grandpa

Ken and Joyce

A few photos from our walking tour today.

BYU Jerusalem Center overlooks 

the city. It is on the Mount of Olives.

Dome of the Rock--where the ancient 

temple used to be.

The Wailing Wall

Updates

We just awoke to an email and turned on the news. One missile was three minutes from our Erbil Apartment , one was five minutes away by the US airbase and airport, one was near the camp we’ve going to that has the latest 30,000 Syrian refugees. The base and airport is a five minute drive from our apartment. The news isn’t reporting the casualties. They say right now that there are no known American casualties——but some Iraq casualties.

We will keep you updated as we learn more. You may learn faster than we do. Ken said I made it sound like the school in Erbil was hit. I just meant it was near that small village in Erbil where we remodeled the school we've mentioned in our emails.. No reports of casualties.

Sorry.

Dear Family and Friends,

Just a short update:

The missiles were only 3 and 5 minutes drive from our Erbil apartment. We were only 5 minutes from the airport and the U S air base. One missile was at the little school we just fixed up for one of our projects. For the first time we realize that we needed to leave. The news is stating no US casualties but  we are not sure.

We don't have any information about the Jerusalem Center. We are now afraid we will be assigned to go home. We will be patient and wait for directions. We are still with the Zwahlens at the Ammon Jordan Center.

Hello to each of you,

We now have a final and definitive answer on our new assignment. We received word this evening that we will finish our mission at the Jerusalem Center.

They have asked that we come Friday morning. We are two hours away and we will take a taxi or tour transport into Israel.

We will serve as center tour guides and help in some humanitarian projects. We are excited!

Additionally, we will be  released a little early, due to another couple that has been called and will report in early June. That being said we will be attending Caleb and Ana Lisa’s Sealing in late June.

On another note , today we looked from atop Mount Nebo into Jerusalem. You’ll recall, Moses was denied entering into the promised land and could only look into the valley. On Friday we will enter in. Neat, huh?

We will report transition details later.

Love Mom and Dad

Good-bye, Iraq

We are in the plane. 150k out of bank. Apartment cleaned. Loose ends cleared up. 300$ for extra luggage at airport. Leaving Kurdistan Iraq . Very mixed emotions. There is a lot of beauty. Army truck and soldiers pouring into the area. We are hoping it all blows over.

However—- excited for a new adventure at Jerusalem Center and spending free time seeing Israel.

Thank you !💕💗. We will be okay. I just feel badly for this part of the world. We are in Jordan. We’re here with a cute couple we were with in the MTC. She’s a doctor and he used to be 007😊. They are sweet and fun!!
I really hope the plan of going to Jerusalem sticks. SL hasn’t called us today.

Evacuating Iraq

Just wanted to share an unfortunate event. Because of the political issues here we need to evacuate. We are not ready to leave the people or the country. Many unfinished humanitarian projects, a friend ready for baptism and many friends we won't ever see again.

The plan now: go to Ammon Jordan for a few days then on to serve in the Jerusalem Center in Israel. Thank you for the many emails asking how we are doing.

You are all loved very much by the two of us!

Asays

December 2019

Dear Family and Friends,

This is from Ken. He wrote it to express gratitude for a great year here in Iraq.

At the close of this year, we are grateful for the blessings of a year in service to the people of Kurdistan. We have learned much and grown in our experiences. We have learned what it is to see impoverished people struggle for their existence. We have observed the love and kindness of a nation that is destitute (in our view) of the conveniences of peace and plenty. Yet these good people reach out to assist others from neighboring countries, to provide them sanctuary from the threat of their very lives by evil men.

On Tuesday, Christmas Eve, we attended a provision of medical and dental supplies being delivered to the Village of Herir. We attended with government dignitaries, high officials from our partner organization and community members. We spoke with the news media and shook hands with the community recipients. We greeted little children and gave them dolls, provided to us for helping hope to be restored to innocent victims of poverty.

We have encountered good where evil is present. Joyce and I are received well by those who benefit from the kindness of the many people of our Church that contribute to the welfare of those in need. Those contributors do not ask to evaluate who receives, nor do they question where the money is spent. Their entrusted faith is an indication of their own trust that the Lord is truly in charge. How impressed we are with the thoughtful people who make these contributions to the Humanitarian funds, which are collected by our leadership. How cautious we have become in assuring that those funds are disposed of in a responsible, yet considerate manner.

We have been on the front line of distributions to Refugee Camps, Community Schools, Hospitals, placing “Dolls of Hope” into the arms of little children, who are trying to keep hope alive in themselves. We have assisted medical workers who are learning to speak in English, so that they can improve in providing better health within their communities.

On Christmas day, we were invited into a rather depressed school, , to see if we could help them improve on their conditions. One thousand young women of the school were being taught in a very poor environment. What could we do to help them be more comfortable, have better lighting conditions, be warmer or cooler (depending on the season)? Could we help them have the opportunity to have a bathroom that works, cleaner water to drink, desks that are not falling apart?

Joyce and I mused on what we would be doing next Christmas? Would our time with loved ones be happier surrounded by family members, who have plenty? We look forward to being with those dearest to us, however, we do not begrudge our time here, seeing our brothers and sisters, as our Lord sees His children.
Christmas came and left, but the memories will not be forgotten.

Upon our return to Erbil, from Duhok, we were privileged to teach our third missionary lesson to Hami. The ability to teach the gospel in Iraq was not something we anticipated. Hami is accepting the truths that we share in providing a new perspective of Christ. He came with full confidence that Christ is real, He is the truth and the light of the world. Hami served time in prison (eighteen months) because of the belief he had in Christ, yet he had very limited understanding of the significance of what the Savior had

done for him; nor did he know of how detailed the Plan of Salvation, which was given would impact all of God’s children. His parents are both deceased, we emphasized to him how they too would hear as he is hearing. They too would have the opportunity to accept and be under covenant as he will be. That the gospel is for all of us, not just those living in the earth. He could not accept the teaching of Mohammed, that death was only a place of rest and luxuriating. He desires to be active, doing and being of service. We have shown him the truth about heaven and how vital we will continue to be. These are the words of truth and he is accepting them as such.

We will be setting a time for baptism at our next meeting. The date will be dependent upon approval of our leaders, also in conjunction with our next District/Branch conference.

We wish you all a Happy New Year and pray for your continued health and happiness. Sincerely,
Elder and Sister Asay

Christmas Eve day at a hospital giving out Dolls of Hope. A man with a TV camera was following me around then a woman asked to interview me. I told of the people who made the dolls and why. I later got a message from one of our Kurdish friends telling me I was on the Kurdistan news. Dolls of Hope brought smiles and happiness!

Shepherds

“While shepherds watched their flocks by night...”

                  Happy Christmas Eve