How Arabs See Us

We were in Amman this week for the semi-annual Middle East Humanitarian Conference.  It is always a wonderful time and an event we look forward to .  Sharon Eubanks, Director of Humanitarian Services for the Church was with us for 4 days.  She is a delight.

The District President from Lebanon, Kareem Asuad, came to the conference and spoke to us on the topic of "How the Arabs See You."  This is what he said:

They see is as the Good Samaratans  A stranger, traveling in a foreign country, meets someone who needs help.  There is a language barrier, but he takes time and forgets about his journey.  His genuine feelings are there.  He treats the stranger well and makes sure after he goes home, the person is well taken care of. The people here in the middle east see the humanitarian missionaries as good Samaritans.

The members of the Church see us as The Branch of the Olive Tree in Jacob Chapter 5:  The Book of Mormon was written by people from this area who were familiar with olive trees.  They understood the  parable of the old olive tree which is decaying and the master wants to save it.  President Kareem said this is the area where the original olive tree ( or the original church) existed, but is now old and decayed  The members here see us as the good branches, bringing strength and energy to nourish others.  We are sent to this area to be "grafted" into local units of the church and help them grow.