The JUST Champions

December 14, Sunday (not the Sabbath)

One of the wonderful things about serving in this mission is that we get to meet some very exceptional people.  Many of them are leaders in the community and the nation.  We heard someone say, "Jordan is a gathering place of the elect people in the Middle-East."  From our experience so far, we have to agree.  Many of the people we've met are exceptional, good, good people.  Our job is to seek out the "champions" and build personal relationships with them.

Today we met two champions, Dr. Arwa (the dean of nursing) and Dr. Nihaya from the college of nursing at Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST).  They have been working with LDS Charities on the diabetes awareness project.  LDS Charities has contributed glucometers and test strips to the project.  A good percentage of Jordanians have diabetes, and it's compounded by the fact that they don't want to admit they have anything wrong so they don't seek treatment.  It's a cultural thing.  Dr. Arwa and Dr. Nihaya were both delightful motivated women.  We liked them both a lot and are looking forward to a good relationship with them.

Just a note:  It was raining like crazy today (a blessing from Allah) and it made it very difficult for us to find the building and office of Dr. Nihaya.  Add to that, the fact that we couldn't find anyone who spoke enough English to help us.  We splashed around in the rain and prayed for help.  Immediately afterward a young boy came up to us and asked (in English!) if we needed help and then escorted us to the exact office.  It was easy--just go past the Koran sculpture, turn left, go down a hall, take the elevator to the third floor (no lights in the elevator), turn left, go down another hall to the sign hanging down from the ceiling and it's the second door from the end.  Dr. Nihaya's name is written in Arabic on the door.  That young boy had to have been an angel sent from Allah.