FLÜCHTLINGER DIENSTPROJEKT

11-17 JANUAR 2016

Sister Atao und Elder Biddulph

Monday we made a trip to Wiesbaden military PX and Commissary. Tuesday evening Stephen attended a stake council as substitute for our branch president who was caring for his wife who was about to deliver a baby. A sister reported her mission to St George Mission. It was fun to hear a German talk about living in Utah. On Wednesday we had our weekly Book of Mormon study group. Elder Burkhahn (executive secretary for the area presidency and past temple president Frankfurt) gave the lesson in 3 Nephi. Friday evening we had dinner with the Bausmans and the Piedgrasses. Sterling and Jan Piedgrass just move to Frankfurt from London where they will serve as area medical advisors with us. We enjoyed spending an evening with them. Just before coming on their mission, they left Longview, Washington and built a new home in Kansas City, MO. right close to Independence and church history sites. Saturday we did our humanitarian service project for the refugees. Sunday, Stephen conducted sacrament meeting. Elder Detlef Adler, an area seventy (Bereichziebziger) attended and spoke. He gave a spiritually powerful testimony of the feeling of the Holy Ghost that he felt in our meeting and branch. It has been confirmed by others, as well, who know the branch from the past. There seems to be an increased spirit of love for the Savior and for one another and for the gospel. This makes us happy because we had hoped to help bring love and the spirit into the Branch.

 

Missionaries and Branch Members gather for service

   Saturday we came early to Offenbach chapel to get ready for our service project. With money made available through the church's humanitarian funds, we were authorized to purchase enough cookware and materials to assemble fifty cooking packages. Each package contained: a cutting board, cutting knife, dinnerware, cooking utensils, cups, saucers, glasses, a large towel, and a fleece wrap. This

Package contents

picture shows what went into each packet. The members formed an assembly line and we assembled the contents for each packet and then put them into the packages. It was a busy, happy little group of folks scurrying about, and it didn't actually take us that long the finish it up. The packets were taken to the town of Obertshausen where a group or camp of refugees are being housed while they await individual housing from the government and city officials. The packets will be distributed to them as they leave for their housing.

Working Together

     We are grateful for the opportunity to help these refugees. One could truly view them with great suspicion, considering the reality that some radicals and terrorists have infiltrated Europe through this group. However, I do not believe that we can allow fear to rule us and prevent us from reaching out and succoring those who are truly in desperate need of our help. This is true religion as taught by the Savior: 

The Assembly Line

       Over 1 million refugees have entered Europe just in 2015 and most of these came to Germany, or at least are finding their first home in Germany. Paris was hit by terrorists in addition to other places. In several larger cities in Germany on Christmas/New Years many German women were sexually assaulted by men who appeared to be Muslim and middle-east in origin, which has caused great concern. A logical case can be made for buttoning down the hatches and preventing anyone from entering, and even casting out those who are already here. But it is not the Savior's way, and the Church will always reach out in compassion to help those who need and seek our help. We cannot do that and be pleasing to the Lord. True religion as taught by the Savior is: "And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish" (Mosiah 4:16).

Getting things ready

       Sometimes we just have to overcome fear and win people over with love. These are mostly people who have been driven from their homes. They have nothing except what they carried on their backs. They have suffered terribly. Yes, they come from a different culture and perhaps have different views on things, but they come in need and I feel that we can have a great influence on them for good. 

Doing final checks

       As a citizen of the United States of America, I believe that America is a promised, choice land, and the promises to those who live on it continue only as long as they serve the true God. Thus, we cannot surrender our Judeo-Christian faith to those who would trample it or do away with it. Those who come to America to live should honor and respect the God of Israel and his Son, Jesus Christ. Those who live here but do not subscribe to this faith should also honor and respect it, instead of trying to get rid of beliefs, rituals, and practices just because they don't believe. They are part of something far greater than themselves, and if we turn our back on God, he will turn his back on us as a people. This is what is such a great danger in our current liberal policy. They want everyone to feel good so they do away with the sacred religious institutions, beliefs, and rites associated with our faith in God. 

Helping Hands

       We have heard from several sources that the gospel is being preached to many Muslims (some Iranians) here in Europe. Their governments will not allow us to come in and preach the gospel of peace, so, the Lord is arranging it that they come out to us so that we can bless them. At some time they might be allowed to return and bring the gospel of peace to their people.

The Gemeinde Helping Hands