The Psychological Effects of War

We can't even imagine what most of the Syrian refugees have suffered and are suffering.  We look into their eyes and see grief and pain.  It's especially heart-rending to see the sorrow in the eyes of the children.  What can we do to help them?  Is food, shelter and medical care enough?  Aren't the emotional needs just as important?  How do you deal with the stress, anxiety and depression that they live with?  It's overwhelming, but not without hope because there are many good people in Jordan who have seen the need and are doing something about it.  One organization is our good friend, United Muslim Relief.  Recently they opened up a center in Amman that deals specifically with psycho-social needs.  They are doing good work.  We hope to be able to assist them.

Ruela and her staff serve the emotional needs of  35 families of widows with children.  The children come to this center for play therapy.  They also make home visits to 176 families.  Ruela asked an 8-year old boy, "what is your dream?  What do you want to be when you grow up--a teacher? a doctor? an engineer?"  His answer, "Do you think I will live that long?"

Wrapping it Up with Dr. Bdour

Dr. Muawyah Bdour is the dean of the Jordan University Medical School in Amman.  We met him earlier this year when we were working on the diabetic retinopathy project.  The project is on hold for now, but we are still friends with Dr. Bdour.  This week we invited him to come to the LDS Charities office for an update and to thank him for his assistance.

It was one of those "courtesy" meetings that turned out to be much more than we had expected.  Dr. Bdour told us about an organization here in Jordan that we can partner with in the area of diabetes and eye care.  The group is under the patronage of Princess Aisha.  He set up a meeting for us to meet the administrator and offered to go with us.  We never have expected that!  Needless to say, we were very grateful and amazed at how the Spirit leads us to the places we need to go and the people we need to meet.

Preparing Azat

A young man named Azat in the North Jordan branch is preparing to go on a mission.  We wonder if he will be ready.  He probably doesn't have a clue what a mission will be like, but he wants to go.  He doesn't speak English.

I decided to help him along with his mission preparation by teaching him a couple of English phrases:  "I want to buy a hamburger" and "I don't know."  (This can be very useful.)   Azat is proud of his new words.
I wonder if he's ever seen the movie, The Pink Panther?

Weird Stuff

In honor of Halloween (which they don't celebrate in Jordan), here are some interesting pictures:

An albino roach

"Biwwy goats go cwippity cwoppin' acwoss the bwidge" (the main highway to Amman)

An impossible-to-drive-through window

The dumpster everybody missed

REPENT!!

The theme for District Conference was "Become converted to Christ through diligent study of the Book of Mormon."  Our district president said, "Brothers and Sisters, WE NEED TO REPENT!!"
He's right.  The members need to repent and start reading and studying the Book of Mormon--not just reading it, but abiding by it's precepts.  We should ask ourselves, "do the things I have studied make a difference in how I act, speak, think and feel?"  We loved all the talks and testimonies about the Book of Mormon.

A brand-new addition to the conference was headsets for translation.  Getting those little babies into the country wasn't easy, but it was worth it.  Everybody sang, "Called To Serve" in Arabic.  It was powerful.

 The district always serves lunch after district conference.  Yummy Oozie.  

The North Jordan Branch members went to Amman on a chartered bus.

Smoke and Beards

This week we signed an agreement with the Altkaful Health Clinic to donate $15,000 worth of medicine and supplies.  Everything was very official and formal.  The director gave a speech describing the vision, history and goals of the center which was interpreted for us.  We were very impressed with the generosity of these kind men and what they are doing to help the needy.  It makes us feel happy to be able to help them.

During the meeting two visitors from Saudi Arabia joined us.  They were very traditional in their appearance--long beards, keffiyeh head coverings and bright white robes.  They were followed by an aide who served traditional coffee and tea (to them--we got juice).  After the drinks the aide brought an incense burner billowing clouds of smoke, lifted their beards and blew the smoke onto their necks.  How interesting.  I'm glad he didn't offer to blow smoke on our necks.

Both copies of the document were signed and stamped with official stamps.

For Heaven's Sake, Read the Book!!

Okay, why wouldn't anybody who has the Book of Mormon want to READ IT!!???   That's what we've been trying to get the members of the branch to do for the past year.  We know it will make all the difference in their lives.  Being a Christian in a Muslim country isn't easy for them.  They need to be strong and truly converted to the gospel.

In January we set a goal for the branch members to read the Book of Mormon this year.  We gave them bookmarks.  We gave them reading charts.  We gave them pencils and we gave each family a copy of the Book of Mormon Sunday School lessons in Arabic.  The Relief Society and Priesthood lessons are from the manual they were given.

Nine months later, we're starting to see some progress.  Hawazen made a large tree representing the Tree of Life for the bulletin board.  Every time someone reads a chapter from the Book of Mormon we give them a white piece of "fruit" to tape on the tree.  It took way too long to get this started, but Friday we put 9 pieces of fruit on the tree.  Hurray!

Note from Myrna:
This is what I do to obtain a greater understanding of what I'm reading in the Book of Mormon:

I read every page with the thought, "what can I learn from this?"  Sometimes I have to search back through the page and ponder for a while.  Then write my "gospel principle" at the bottom of the page.  For instance,  in Alma 57 (page 352) I wrote, "Remember to give credit and thanks to God."

I love being able to write my thoughts in my Book of Mormon.  I'm amazed to find a gospel principle on every page--even the ones describing the great battles.

Free Medical Day For Syrians

We have had questions about why the Altakful Health Clinic officials have delayed signing the paperwork and accepting the donation from LDS Charities.  Why wouldn't they want the money they desperately need?   In our morning prayer we asked for guidance.  Should we withdraw the offer?  What could be the problem?

We didn't have any intention of going to the clinic today because we wanted to give them a bit more time to respond to our offer.  Besides, Jamal from United Muslim Relief had invited us to go as his guests to observe a free medical day they were sponsoring for the Syrians in Ramtha.  When we called ahead for directions, Jamal said "we're near the center of town at a clinic called 'Altkaful.'"  We couldn't believe our ears.  It's the same Altkaful we've been praying about and trying to help!

When we arrived at the clinic, we think Dr. Abd, the director was embarrassed to see us.  He did seem a bit surprised.  Then to our astonishment, Jamal invited himself and us into the director's office and proceeded to explain about the wonderful relationship United Muslim Relief has with LDS Charities.  He bragged about how willing Sharon Eubanks (director of emergency response for the Church) is willing to give him almost anything he asks for.  He told them about all the good work we're doing.  It was almost like the Spirit said, "Jamal, explain to Altkaful who these people are.  They are good."  I absolutely believe the Spirit works closely with Jamal.  He's a special Muslim man.

"Grandpa" Jamal giving advice and listening to the children 

American doctors serving with compassion

Them:  "You know the Marriotts.... Will you ask them to give us a price break 

on our hotel rooms in Amman?"  Lynn:  "We'll check."

Toys and soccer balls for the children

Therapy for the little ones who have been through so much pain

This little one just wouldn't stop smiling.  What a sweet baby. 

A game of tug of war.  We wanted to join the fun but didn't want to end up being one of the patients in the clinic.

The free health day was a very successful event.  Seven doctors and volunteers from (Atlantic Humanitarian Relief in Cincinatti, Ohio) served around 500 people.  The volunteers kept the children busy in a separate area with games and toys they bought with their own money.

It was an amazing day.  We thank Heavenly Father for "walking beside us" and answering our prayers.  

The Official Signing

Now it's official!  We signed the official documents today to provide 12,750 needy children with winter clothing and hygiene kits.  WE FEEL GOOD!!

The General Union of Volunteer Societies (GUVS) will receive winter clothing for 10,00 children.   The family of the children will receive hygiene kits.

United Muslim Relief will receive  winter clothing for 750 children.

Amer helped us with all the translations of documents, translations of meetings and ordering and delivery of the goods.  Before we left the signings, deliveries were being made to the warehouses.  Amazing!  Good job Amer!!

We decided to celebrate by going out for lunch at 4-Guys in Amman.  They try, but the burgers just aren't the same as 5-Guys at home.  

Al Husn Vocational School for Girls

Our work is a lot like missionary work in the sense that we pray and pray and pray and pray, prepare ourselves to receive an answer and then listen to the Spirit tell us where to go to find people in need.

When our friend Emad invited us to visit a school in Al Husn to see about donating some heaters for the classrooms, we weren't too excited.  " I hope we're not wasting our time,"  Lynn worried.  but--as often happens--the experience was nothing like what we were expecting and we certainly didn't waste our time.

We were very surprised to see a sign above the front door that said "Vocational School for Girls."  We didn't know it was a vocational school, we thought it was just a regular high school.  That was a good thing because we've been wanting to do something to help all the kids who can't afford to go to college.

The director of the school was happy that we are considering donating heaters.  She also had a long list of other things they need.  The first item on her list was curtains for the director's office.  We told her no, we don't do curtains.  Other items were water coolers, chairs, security cameras and a laptop computer.  We didn't promise them anything, but we wanted to find something we could do for them.

We were interested in seeing what they do for the girls and they were happy to take us on a tour.  We saw the classes they offer the girls:

Hair cutting and Cosmetology  (They need some new green chairs)

Massage Therapy

Specialty Foods (pickles, yogurt, lebanah)

Gardening

Homemaking and Baby Care

Sewing

It was so much fun to see everything.  We will see what we can do that would be appropriate and helpful to the students--probably a few heaters and some chairs.  Maybe a water cooler or two.  We'll see....

Second Thoughts

Our young friend Nader who asked to have his name removed from the records of the Church is having second thoughts about what he did.  Tonight he stopped by our apartment to talk and to tell us he isn't happy that he did it.  He thought he would be happy, but he's not.  He said he prayed and asked Heavenly Father lots of questions.  He told us he was given the impression that he should pray and read the scriptures.

We talked to him for over an hour about his concerns and told him to have courage and faith that the Lord will help him.  We know he feels a lot of pressure as a military man in a Muslim country, but he can expect a miracle if he has the Lord by his side.  We're not sure he's convinced.  We sent him away with a prayer and a hug.

The Holy Ghost is one of the greatest gifts of God.  When you give it up, you are sure to feel a big loss in your life.

The Ancient City of Jerash

We live less than an hour's drive from one of the largest and most well preserved sites of Roman architecture in the world outside Italy.  Yesterday, we decided it was high time to take a break and go to Jerash for the day.

Jerash (or Gerasa) has been a major trading center since the early Bronze Age.  During the period of the judges and kings, it was the site of many battles.  Jerash was a major city for trade and military control for the ancient Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks and Romans.

Because we have our Jordanian residency cards we got in for 50 piasters (70 cents).  Everyone else has to pay 8 JOD's (about $11.30).  We're so glad we're Jordanians!

The Arch of Hadrian stands at the entry into the ruins area.  In 126 AD when Hadrian was emperor of Rome he visited Jerash and this arch was built in his honor.  On the other side of the arch were two very clever young men who started talking to us, showing us around and then wanted money for the service.  Lynn gave them 6 JOD's but they said it wasn't enough so he gave them 10.

Just beyond the arch is a long, oval hippodrome in which chariot races were and are held.

Along the outside walls of the hippodrome were small shops that must have catered to the spectators.

The magnificent forum with dozens of columns

We were met here by a very  friendly Jordanian man who offered to take our picture.  He was a pretty good photographer.  He wanted money too.  Lynn gave him 3 JOD's even though he told us he had a bunch of kids, etc. etc.

The temple of Zeus

There was tons more to see, but we got tired and hot so we went home.  We'll come back another day.  Looking at old ruins doesn't excite Dad nearly as much as looking at old airplanes--and of course GOLF.

A Day of Tender Mercies

Today a very special day in the North Jordan Branch.  Regina, a young woman from Amman was baptized today and we experienced an outpouring of the Spirit along with a lot of "tender mercies."

Last night the water in the font was dirty and it was too late to drain and refill it with fresh water.  We prayed with all our hearts for the water to be cleared up and when we opened the lid this morning there was only a leaf or two and some sediment.  Morad took care of the problem with a broom and a badminton racket.

The water truck didn't deliver enough water, so we ran a hose from the building outside.  It just BARELY reached the tank.

Another problem was that the water heater wasn't working.  The heater blew up the last time we had a baptism about 9 months ago and the poor kid being baptized was so cold he couldn't go all the way under and it took 4 tries.  We didn't want to go through that again.  The men discovered that the propane tank was empty and most of the shops are closed today, but Lynn found one shop and they just happened to have one tank.  He bought the tank and rushed back to the church while everyone was inside.  Whew!!

But wait--there's more!  Just as we were finishing up the meeting inside, it started to pour rain.  Again, we prayed for help, and the rain stopped and the sun came out.

There were 61 people in attendance today.  That number included members of the North Jordan Branch, Amman 1st branch, a bunch of BYU students, 4 less actives and 7 non-members.  What a crowd.  We could barely fit everyone inside.

I think today was one of those special days when the Lord looked down on us and "walked beside us." We are very very grateful that things turned out so well.  In the words of President Hinckley, "Things will work out."

Regina with President Penrod.

Regina with Lynn

What's for dinner?

This big piece of meat is hanging outside a local meat shop.  Can you guess what it is?  

General Conference in the Middle East

It wasn't too long ago that watching General Conference when we lived outside of Utah wasn't very easy.  In Africa, we waited several weeks for the video tapes to arrive.  When we lived in Michigan someone convinced local TV stations to broadcast the Sunday session (sometimes).  In Texas and California we went to the church to watch the broadcast over satellite.

Today we watched conference live right here in our apartment in Jordan.  How amazing is that?  The first Saturday morning session began at 7:00 p.m.   The problem is that by the time they said the closing prayer at the end of the Priesthood session was around 5 a.m.  We didn't make through the whole thing.....but it doesn't matter, we'll watch the parts we missed any time we want on LDS.org.
We can even watch the translated version in Arabic, but we probably won't.

This is such a wonderful time.  We've seen so many really amazing miracles happen in our lifetime.

Winter Clothing Project is Approved

With the onset of winter, Syrian refugee children and poor Jordanian children are expected to be in dire need of winter clothing (coats, hats, gloves and socks).  We have proposed that LDS Charities partner with a nation-wide charity (GUVS) to provide the necessary items to over 8,000 recipients in targeted communities.  That's a lot of coats.

Yesterday, our project was approved.  The total cost will be $200,000.  Now we're anxious to get started.  There is much to be done--legal documents, ordering supplies, sorting the clothing and distributing the right sizes to 4 different areas in northern Jordan.

We also received approval for the pilot program for women's hygiene products that we wrote about earlier this month.

Other projects for sewing machines and repairs to a school for orphans are "coming down the pike."

We love this work.  It's so much fun.

They Got Us Again!

Wouldn't you know, the Jordan police flagged us down AGAIN on our way to Amman this week.  It was the SAME GUY that stopped us and gave us a ticket two weeks ago--but this time we were ready!  Lynn showed him his brand new Jordan drivers license, we all had a good laugh, shook hands and were on our way.  We now have a new friend in the Jordan police.  His name is Mahmoud.

Jordanian Breakfast with Jamal

We were invited to a meeting in Jamal's office in Amman and he served us a Jordanian breakfast.  What a treat!

On the menu:
Humous with olive oil
Greek Yogurt
Tuna
Falafal (fried humous balls)
Jam
Foul (Refried beans)
Unknown spicy green things
French fries
Pita bread

What you do is break off a small piece of pita bread and use it as a scoop.  Load it up with one of the yummy things and pop it into your mouth with your fingers.  FUN!!  The food was delicious.  Wipe your chin with a "fine." (kleenex).

Cleaning Up for Company

The North Jordan branch has the only baptismal font in the country (besides the Jordan River, which really isn't a font).  In the past year, there has only been one baptismal service and that was a family from Amman.  We've been notified that there is another baptism this next Friday in Husn.

The baptism is somebody from Amman and we're not sure if it's official, but the branch is busy getting ready.  Last night the BYU students came for Institute and the activity was to clean the font and get the outside area all cleaned up.  I always said, "there's no better motivator to clean up the house like expecting company."

 Bailing water out of the font

Ezat sweeping

 More font clean-up

Pulling weeds