DIVERSITY, WATER PROJECTS, REFUGEES

Last Sunday was Mother's Day. Typically we have all of our family together and Russell and our son-inlaws prepare dinner so that the mother's in the family can have a day of rest. We missed doing that this year but were grateful to be able to talk with almost all of our children and grandchildren. We both have been blessed with wonderful mothers. Russell's mother passed away just a year after our marriage. Eileen's mother is 88 and has served as a mother to both of us since our marriage 37 years ago.

Eileen played the piano during church while the children under the age of 12 sang a song about mothers. In our church we have several meetings on Sunday. The first is called sacrament meeting. After that we break off into other meetings where the children, youth, and adults all separate to be instructed and edified. Eileen played the piano for the children during the children's meetings (primary). She thought it was a wonderful way to spend Mother's Day. We are in an international congregation (ward) in Frankfurt. There are families from many parts of the world attending church with us. Among the primary children and teachers seven languages are spoken. We heard one prayer in Russian, one in French and one in Portuguese. The children seem to adapt very well and some speak several languages. It inspires me (Eileen) to learn German. I know a little Spanish, French and Indonesian, but certainly can't speak fluently in any of those languages. I am very impressed with the individuals I have met that are multi-lingual. Our manager speaks five languages fluently, and two other languages which he states he is speaks less fluenty. This is so impressive to me.

This week we had water specialists from the United States come relate the findings from their visits over the last three weeks. They have been visiting Romania, Moldova and Serbia to evaluate previously constructed water projects and potential water projects. The Petersons have been in this role for seven years traveling to Africa and Eastern Europe. The Merkleys have previously served missions in South Africa and Myamar and have been serving as water specialists for the last few years. Both couples bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their callings. Our church has many large projects in countries throughout the world. The goal is to try and establish readily available clean water for communties. It is easy to take for granted the blessing of clean water in our lives.

Elder and Sister Healy, Merkley and Peterson

Last night we were invited to a play presented by refugees from Syria, Algeria and local Germans.  It was presented in German. The couple we attended with translated for us. It was informative and moving to hear some of the stories of the refugee young men.  The presentation was designed to help us understand the difficulties the refugees have had, and see that integration is possible. One young man traveled through 8 different countries by walking and other modes of transportation before arriving in Germany. Another was in his home in Syria when a bomb hit the home. He was there when his friend's legs were blown off.  A video was shown of interviews with German citizens asking them many questions such as: What does home mean to you?  What would you take with you if you had to leave your home quickly? These questions made me ponder what I would do if faced with similar circumstances.

Syrian and Algerian refugees performing in play

Our church has encouraged it's members to help in any way that they can, either with their means or their time. The humanitarian arm of our church has donated a significant amount of money to provide medical services, tents, food, coats, boots, immunizations, eye examination equipment, blankets, hygiene kits, sewing machines for refugee women who sew for income and much more.

The leaders of our church are very concerned about the refugee crisis that is occuring in the Middle East. Last November Elder Ballard who is an apostle for our church visited refugee camps in Germany and Greece. Of visiting the camps Elder Ballard said, "You read about it (the refugee crisis), you see pictures, but when you're there and you see the magnitude of it when you see mothers and fathers and little children and babies, and they're all just anxious to get someplace where they feel is more secure-it has an impact. The thing that always gets me is the children,"

Just two weeks before we departed for our mission Elder Patrick Kearon (shown below) gave a wonderful address at our General Conference. It is entitled "Refuge from the Storm."  Here is the link to his talk:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/refuge-from-the-storm?lang=eng&cid=email-shared

We are grateful that we will be able to serve with Elder Kearon who is the Area President in the Europe Area.