Hurray BYU Students

Every year BYU sends a class of students who are studying Arabic to Jordan for the fall semester.  The students are a huge strength to the struggling branches and give a "boost" to the whole church here.  Most of them have served missions and speak Arabic fluently.  There are about 25-30 students and they spread themselves out between the three branches.  Ten are assigned to come to Husn on Thursday for Institute and eight others are assigned to come on Friday.  We have been busy preparing for them and planning to use the students in the best way possible.

In the past, the students have come in like gangbusters--teaching classes, taking leadership roles and giving talks, etc.  The members of the branch love it because they can sit back and do nothing for the next three months except enjoy the "rest."  When the students leave, everything falls apart.  This year it will be different.  President Morad (with a lot of counseling from Lynn) announced to the members that they will continue in their present roles and be expected to do them well, using the students to "fill in the gaps" and do things the members cannot do.

Today was the first day of the new plan.  North Jordan Branch members gave the talks, conducted the meetings and taught the classes.  The BYU Students sat in the congregation.

Two of our young men showed up appropriately dressed and helped pass the Sacrament.  Because we simply don't have enough members to do it, some of the BYU kids taught a brand-new investigator class and a brand-new missionary prep class.  They will also be doing teacher development and visiting less actives.

After the meeting block we had a "linger longer" with lots of yummy food and everyone went home happy.

On Thursday evening almost every one of the young single adults in the branch came to Institute.  

Morad taught the plan of salvation.  He's an excellent teacher. 

We know why everyone came to Institute--to check out the BYU kids--but that's okay.  We understand.  We were young once, too.  Whatever gets them there .  .

Brother Tolley and President Amer are two happy campers.