While you eat Turkey, we'll be in Turkey!

We are still living in a hotel here in Turkey.  Before you start thinking, "Wow, what a mission living in a hotel!" let me say, it's pretty nice most days.  We have become good friends with the hotel employees, we feel safe, and we don't have to make our bed, cook, or clean!  We also are still living out of suitcases, doing all our laundry in the bathroom sink, and we don't feel settled. Still, not so bad, but we are hopeful an apartment is in our near future.

Overall we like Turkey and have found it fascinating.  The people are all very nice!  

                       Our room is small and narrow. We maneuver around suitcases

We rented a car a couple of times and that's been a nice break from taxi's.  

When we rented this car, the back tire kept leaking air!  

Here's some of what has happened this month.

1.  Senior Conference in Slovenia.  We joined with 19 other couples and were wonderfully taught, plus we enjoyed some sight seeing and social life.  A boost to our souls!

Fall colors!

Lake Bled in Slovenia. This is a church on an island in the middle of the lake.

In front of the Julian Alps, Slovenia

We hiked near the top of this waterfall and walked behind it.  

Can you see how small Reid is?

The view from a castle we toured.

2.  Food box Humanitarian project.  We were able to purchase supplies and fill 140 food boxes that have been delivered to the poorer villagers outside of Zagreb by the Seventh Day Adventists.  We love collaborating with hard working NGO's.

Organizing the project.

Some of the items provided were oil, flour, lentils, pasta, TP, rice, & corn meal.

Here are some of the recipients! 

 "Now we can survive the winter!"

3.  Halloween was non existent in Turkey.  We did wear orange and black that day though, and we had fun seeing pictures of the kids and grandkids in their costumes!

Fiona and Shrek!

4. Sickness.  We both got sick! Reid never ran a fever, but I ran a fever for 4 days. We had to miss a conference in Frankfurt and most disappointing, we missed attending the Temple there.  We zoomed in for the last day of training.  This is us zooming with the Canfield's (serving in Romania) and the Willard's (serving in Rome).  Both of them are on their 5th missions!

5. Visiting!  We have been in several homes now. They are so welcoming!  They serve you so much food and then watch you as you eat...they don't eat along with you.  

All shoes are left at the front door. No shoes worn inside.

The Havalak Family

6.  Hair cuts.  Getting a hair cut here is unlike anything in the US.  It is an experience!  And as you'll see, it isn't all about your hair!  

7.  We visited the Düden Falls during the day and again in the evening, when they are lit up.

8. Branch President. Reid is the new Branch President of the Antalya Branch!  This means that he is the leader of the congregation we meet with each Sunday. The congregation is mainly men.  There are 4 female members, including me. Reid currently has no counselors. He arranges talks, chooses hymns, conducts interviews, and serves the branch in every way.  He is beloved.  He prepares, blesses, and passes the sacrament. That will change with THREE brand new Aaronic Priesthood holders ordained last week! Good things are happening.

Reid with President Peter Huber, the District President.  He lives in Switzerland but flies to Turkey every weekend. Our District includes 7 branches in Turkey, and all of Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, which currently have no branches.

Reid, Mert, Ramish, Kamish, and Semih

The 3 in the middle got the Aaronic Priesthood last Sunday.  

Mert is wearing his first suit!

The man on the far right is our wonderful Branch Clerk. 

We love these people!

Sadly, the Shoukat brothers are being deported.  Their Mom came over to Turkey first, four years ago, then these two brothers came in August, while their older brother and father are still in Pakistan.  They find life in Pakistan very difficult being Christian. They have been great friends to us and they speak English!  We will really miss them!  So will their Mom. We hope they can get back into Turkey at some point!

Rubina (mom) with Ramish & Kamish (brothers)

9.  We have some exciting Humanitarian projects in the queue!  Too many to mention!  We are working as hard and smart as we can to get as much help to those suffering as quickly as possible.  The church is so generous yet careful about spending sacred funds.  It has really impressed us.

We usually work outside since our room is hard to work in. It may look luxurious, and it is, 

but it can also be hard, especially when the internet is down.

We work every day!  

Humanitarian projects, Employment, English Connect, and serving the Branch.

We are giving all we can in the little time we have to serve.

10.  We are working with some amazing Job Seekers via zoom in Italy!  We have loved getting to know them and helping them with not only their employment needs, but also their spiritual needs.  Talking about life has been fulfilling to us all.

Israel, our new friend.

Now for the biggest and best news!  

Welcome to baby ZACK born to Marie and Jeff! Isn't he just the cutest??

I was looking at this moon over the Mediterranean Sea 

at the same time they were looking at this sunset!

Lots of hair!

Meeting 2 of his brothers

And a few more pictures just for fun!

Some beautiful mosque's.  We love hearing the call to prayer.

Cats everywhere!  

FYI, we have never been in the pool; we're allowed to but we truly haven't had time! 

"Sidewalks" have two lanes:  Right for walkers, left for bikes, 

with a small curb in-between.  

We really like it!

Antalya is built on some very steep cliffs

Ha, ha

We haven't ordered any of these soups yet.

This is Hadrian's Gate.   

"In 1959 the pavement was stripped away to reveal the original Roman era walkway.  

Visitors can look down and see incredibly deep grooves where the pavement was 

worn away by countless carts passing in and out of the city."  

(The ruts are amazing to see!)

It is said that the Queen of Sheba passed through these gates.

Pomegranate tree

Pomegranates everywhere!

We laugh because "Pomegranate" is such a long English word. 

In Turkey, they are called "Nar."  A much simpler word!

Reid's birthday breakfast.  So much food!  Lots of bread and jams. 

 In turkey you eat lots of olives, yogurt, tomatoes, breads, meat and cheese.

Reid's favorite is the honey served on the comb.

A street selling Turkish rugs on the left.

This is taken from the top floor of an outside mall food court.  Malls are very popular!

Wild dogs that are everywhere.  We've strangely already gotten used to seeing them!  They don't come up to you, follow you, or beg for food.

Can you see the two sleeping in front of this store?

Or these four sleeping in the road?

This one could use a bath and some grooming.

As interesting as all this is to experience, here is the true reason we are here.  

We love our Savior, Jesus Christ! 

All are loved by Him. 

Glory be to God!

That's all until next month.  

We're going to try to eat turkey in Turkey on turkey day!  

Happy thanksgiving and enjoy your family and feast!  We are all so blessed.

With love,

Reid and Kathy