What a Difference

Friday, Jan 30, the Sabbath

Today the North Jordan Branch  had a 120% increase in meeting attendance from last week.  There were 22 people in attendance.  The word was out that President Hammond from the district presidency and Nicholas Goehring from the district council were going to be there.

Everyone loves President Hammond.  Back home in Idaho he was a teacher at BYU and also served as an area authority seventy.  His talk was outstanding and he taught the people to look to God for all their needs.  When we keep the commandments and then ask for his help, he is "bound" to help us.  It was a good message and he had the attention of everyone, even the two young men on the back row with cell phones in their pockets.

Brother Goehring, an American who lives and works in Amman, taught the fifth Friday lesson in Arabic and there was a lively discussion from the members.  Since the branch is small, they hear each other speak and teach over and over again.  Everyone has a turn at least once a month.  Having someone new come in was like a breath of fresh air, especially when the person can speak their language.  At our request,  Brother Gehring will be coming back every month from now on for a district council visit.

The Jordanian people stay up very late at night.  That explains why they all come in sleepy-eyed for church the next day, and some can't even get out of bed.  President Hammond noticed their eyes and asked everyone to stand up and stretch before he gave his talk.  We all did.  When I stretched my arms out I heard a loud rip all up the back of my coat.  So much for the good deal I got in the market.