#99 "Driving, Driving" (By Grandpa)

Dear Grandchildren,

Last Wednesday, we went east to Denizli, a drive of over 250 kilometers. We went to hold a Sacrament Meeting with a couple from Iran who, with their young son, are refugees waiting for help from the United Nations to move to a different place. We also wanted to include another Iranian fellow who joined the Church last March. The three form the core of Iranian church members in that city. Before we went to the couple’s apartment, we visited with a Turkish church member whose family home is in this city. He lived in our fair city last school year as he finished his college degree. After leaving him, we picked up the church brother who hails from Iran and drove to the couple’s apartment, expecting to see them and a pair of friends who have been joining our church services each Sunday by Skype. To our utter surprise, we were greeted by a house full of other guests. One is the mother of the sister, another is a sister to our sister, and four others are friends, including a couple who just arrived three days ago. The four friends expressed openly their interest in learning more about the Church.

After a very nice lunch, we held a short Sacrament Meeting for the thirteen of us in the apartment. I invited the two Iranian brothers who hold the priesthood to bless the sacrament. (I had brought the sacramental prayers in Farsi, whose script looks like Arabic.) I then asked the three Iranian members to tell briefly why they had joined the Church. Graciously, each told a short story of his or her conversion. Then matters became really interesting. Brother Y. and I were informed that three of those in the room needed blessings. The young son, who is just shy of his second birthday, has been sick and is suffering from a bothersome tooth. By the time we blessed him, he was asleep in his mother’s arms. The member sister underwent an appendectomy more than two weeks ago and has still not recovered her strength. In addition, she said, she wanted a blessing that she and her family would be allowed to go to America. The sister’s mother, the third person, suffers pain in her right leg, from her foot to her knee. One of the culprits is arthritis. Before we began, Brother Y. and the Iranian Melchizedek Priesthood holder consecrated oil for the blessings. It was an important moment for these people to witness. Then Brother Y., the Iranian brother, and I began. After each blessing, which I uttered in English, I summarized what I had said to the sister’s sister who speaks both English and Farsi. She was then able to tell each recipient, and the others in the room, what I had said in my summary. Though I was surprised by the request, I was glad for the opportunity that this moment offered to the three of us who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood. Later, Brother Y. said of our experience, "It was truly one of my greatest ‘Mormon Moments’ ever, and I have had a few."

Yesterday, Saturday, we repeated the venture all over again, this time to a different city (Bodrum) and with Grandma sitting in the back seat where the sun poured in on her. Of course, we went to a different home. This time we met the two sisters from Germany and their children. Naturally, I was happy when the two three year olds climbed onto my lap (see the accompanying photos). Because the children had been waiting for us so that they could eat lunch, we began with a delicious meal. In a message to their mothers a couple of weeks ago, I had asked the two six-year-olds (one in each family) to talk during our Sacrament Meeting . They were prepared and each spoke in German. I was proud of them. Then the requests came. Each of the mothers wanted a blessing. Like "a father’s blessing" that they had received as young women. I gave one of the blessings, Brother Y. the other. I sensed that one of the sisters needed the blessing more than the other. If the Lord respects our words, the two women will receive wonderful gifts from a divine Father. I knew through their words and facial expressions that they were grateful for our visit and attention to their families. God bless them!

From a season’s low of four people in our hotel room last Sunday for the branch’s sacrament meeting (Grandma and I were in Gaziantep), we jumped to six today. A fifty percent increase. Not bad. With the thirteen who joined us by Skype, we hit nineteen, a very respectable number. We hope to see our YVs back fairly soon. They will make a difference in our attendance since they always seem to gather a person or two to bring to our services. Our new couple from Hungary will make a big difference in our branch leadership and participation. They have already invited us to a house warming after they move into their new apartment. They do not seem to sit still, a characteristic that will serve them well while they are members of this branch.

I love you and pray for each of you.

Grandpa Brown