Kurdistan Iraq: 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