The Jordan Dubai Islamic Bank

Last week the ATM in the mall "ate" our money.  We banged and punched and kicked at the machine, but it wouldn't budge.  In desperation we walked over to a nearby bank which was under construction and asked if anyone could help us.

Like true Jordanians, the officers were falling all over themselves to help.  The Head of Sales and Service called the number on the machine for us but wasn't able to reach anyone.  The Branch Manager came and tried to do what he could.  We were so grateful and enjoyed making new friends.

Today was the grand opening of the Jordan Dubai Islamic Bank so we bought some flowers and stopped by with a thank-you note.  We were invited in for coffee and chocolates.  We explained that because of our religious beliefs we don't take coffee.  One of the men replied, "Oh so you can have healthy bodies."

Sometimes we don't know why we're led to certain people, but we never pass an opportunity to make friends.  Something about these people is special.  They don't know we're Mormons but we hope they will see the light in our eyes and feel of our love.  We certainly felt theirs.

Father Dabbour

Father Ibrahim Dabbour is the priest of the Greek Orthodox Church in Amman.  He's a jolly man with a big laugh and a big heart.  He's been to Utah as a special guest of the Church and attended conference.  LDS Charities is working with him to provide 75 Christmas food boxes to needy families.  The project will benefit approximately 300 persons.

The Green Orthodox Church will arrange to buy and transport the food, provide the facility for the assembly and bring 20 volunteers to the service project.  We will travel to Amman next Saturday to help with the project.  LDS charities will donate the cost of the food and the boxes.

The project will teach correct welfare principles to and strengthen the relationship of trust and partnership with the Green Orthodox clergy and community.

Wheelchairs for Disabled

This week we met with Giovanni Segre, the Field Coordinator for Handicap International for North Jordan in his office in Irbid.  Their expertise is in the area of evaluation and rehabilitation of the disabled.  In Jordan, the focus is on refugees and Jordanians.  They have a staff of trained and licensed physical therapists who work with people suffering from spinal chord injuries and other injuries or illnesses that have caused disability.  LDS Charities donated 11 Rough Rider wheelchairs earlier this year.  We discussed his request for 500 wheelchairs.  We were impressed with the organization and what they do and are going to be visiting some of the centers where they provide their services.  Humanitarian International is a co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for the work they are engaged in.

Meeting with Mohammed

December 10

Today we met with the director of non-communicable diseases in the Ministry of Health, Mohammed Tarwena.  We discussed ways to educate the people of Jordan about the upcoming diabetes testing and treatment for blindness caused by diabetes.  He was very helpful and gave us some suggestions of how to "get the word out."  One of his suggestions was to put flyers in all the mosques and have the Imams make announcements.  We thought it was a great idea.

The Tashman Family

December 7

President Amer asked Myrna and Samera Tashman to be in charge of the branch Christmas party and the decoration of the building.  This was an interesting assignment because Samera doesn't speak any English and we only know 4 words of Arabic.   So many times we feel like Nephi who didn't know how to build a ship, but he learned.  So we accepted the call not knowing how we would do it.

First of all we need to explain something that we are just now starting to understand.  Almost everyone in the branch is from the Tashman family.  (The landlady we rent the building from is a Tashman and so is the bus driver that brings the members from Irbid every Sunday!).  The Tashmans are a very large prominent family in this area.  Brother Tashman is the President of the family. The family has regular meetings and basically run their own government.  It was explained to us that this is legal in Jordan.  The family settles their own issues.  For instance, if a member of the Tashman family gets into an auto accident  involving someone from another family, the leaders get together and settle it within themselves.  This is usually done fairly and peacefully.  Sometimes not.  But it's all legal and it works for them.    

Brother and Sister Tashman are good people.  They were the first Jordanian couple to be sealed in the temple.  Brother Tashman is the most loving family man we have ever met.  Sister Tashman is exactly the same, very loving and giving.  With Amer's help, we set up a planning meeting for the Christmas Party in their home.

Getting there would be impossible for us if it weren't for our little GPS.  Sometimes the GPS leads us into places we wouldn't ever think would be right, but we always get there.  We wound around through Irbid (a city of 1 million people) for a while but found our way exactly to the right spot.  Many thanks to the Farleys the missionary couple who were here before us for putting in all the coordinates.

Brother and Sister Tashman, four of their children and a couple of cousins were there for the meeting and everyone shared ideas for the Christmas party (except for Tamer who was busy being a teenager with his cell phone).  Amer interpreted.  It was loads of fun.   Afterward, Sister Tashman served a nice dinner of Oozie (chicken and rice).

Umm Quas

December 6
Umm Quas is an ancient city located in the northwest part of Jordan, about an hours' drive from here. Anciently it was called Gadara and its hilltop location gave it great military importance over the centuries.  On one occasion Jesus went here and was encountered one or two men (accounts differ) who were possessed of devils.  They pled with Jesus to cast out the evil spirits.  Jesus agreed but then sent the spirits into a herd of swine who then ran into the sea and were drowned.   (see Mark 5:1, Luke 8:26, and Matthew 8:28)

 Today there are impressive ruins in Um Quas.  Some of the buildings are remarkably well preserved.

As is typical of Greek and Roman cities, there is a forum and a main road that is built in standard Roman style.  

The view of the Sea of Galilee and surrounding territory is spectacular.  The city of Tiberius can be clearly seen and also several Israeli farms.  The Golan Heights are immediately to the north and Syria is northeast.  Israel is northwest.  It's kind of like the four corners of southern Utah.

A guard tower is a good thing to have in this area.

Here we are having lunch at the Top of the Rock restaurant.  It's hard to believe this peaceful place is surrounded by so much turmoil. 

Shopping in Downtown Amman

You would think it would be dangerous for us to go to the very heart of downtown Amman.  But it wasn't.  We walked up and down the busy streets and went into the little shops with the other couples and never felt threatened.  It was sooo fun!  The weather is getting colder and we need some warm coats, so we went to "coat alley."
 

Rows and rows and rows of coats and suits

I told this guy what I wanted and he ran off down the racks for a minute and then came back with the perfect coat and the perfect fit.  $25 for this one.  I love my personal shopper

Lynn was looking for a coat, too, but lost his focus when we went by this shop with men's suits.  Who can resist a suit for $35?  Brother Hammond and Brother Strong held up the portable dressing room while Lynn tried on the pants.  The owner threw in two ties.

The on-site tailors were located around the area.  It took 10 minutes for Lynn's pants to be hemmed up and we were on our way, our purchases stuffed into a plastic bag.

Stopping for Kunafe

A very popular destination for a dessert called "Kunafe" is at the end of a long alley in downtown Amman.  People come from everywhere to enjoy the warm soft cheesy dish wrapped in a crunchy crust.  They line up in long lines, pay their money in a booth and then step inside a tiny shop where servers working over hot burners dish the delicious treat onto paper plates.   Once you get your Kunafe (on a paper plate), you squeeze outside so others can get in.  Something about the whole experience reminds me of the Seinfeld Soup Nazi.  Yummy food, but you better hurry in and hurry out.