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
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
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
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