Here's an article that Public Affairs posted somewhere.
Senior Missionaries Expand Their Areas of Service
30 Mar 2016
30 Mar 2016
Over thirty Senior Missionaries currently serving in the Frankfurt Europe Area have discovered an additional way to magnify their calling of serving the Lord and His children: When they can squeeze in a couple of hours each week, they brighten the day of people in need.
Within an hour’s drive from Frankfurt is the city of Limburg, Germany, which is currently housing a camp for refugees. During the morning, the refugees leave the boredom of their cramped quarters and congregate in one large facility. As the adults are diligently studying German, very little has been provided there for the children’s diversion or entertainment. Upon visiting this facility, senior sister missionaries recognized that they could do something to improve the situation.
As they put their heads together, the sisters came up with numerous ideas they could share with the people--crafts, games, stories, music, practicing German, etc. Supplies and generous donations have poured in from missionaries and ward members. Church funds allocated to the refugee situation have been requested to help with this project as well. And in some cases, miracles have provided the supplies: One sister found over 18 pair of knitting needles for almost nothing at a bazaar, and the missionaries located a store which donated kits for two sandboxes because the wood was too old and weathered to be sold. The refugees, themselves, were then able to assemble and waterproof the sandboxes—much to the children’s delight.
Children and their mothers—and even the men-- have enjoyed learning to knit and crochet. Necklaces made by stringing noodles on yarn have been very popular. Of course, providing the standard play things—crayons & paper, balloons, play dough, bean bags, and pick-up sticks—never fails to delight the children. Even the adults have been coaxed into learning new songs since they provide a way to learn German.
Children and their mothers—and even the men-- have enjoyed learning to knit and crochet. Necklaces made by stringing noodles on yarn have been very popular. Of course, providing the standard play things—crayons & paper, balloons, play dough, bean bags, and pick-up sticks—never fails to delight the children. Even the adults have been coaxed into learning new songs since they provide a way to learn German.
These visits--being made three to four times a week--may be a short two hours in length, but their effect on the refugees is timeless!
I made some playdough:
Learning German. Wish I could help with that!
I brought Pete and Robyn last week
Portrait of me (including striped shirt and glasses on my head) drawn by cute Iraqi girl.
I finally found a man from Syria. He drew me a picture of his home.
Posters are found in the subways "Overcome boundaries. Prevent death. Provide safe escape routes."
About a dozen Iranians have been coming to our English-speaking ward, thanks to Hassan, this bald man. They come consistently, traveling for at least an hour each way and some have desired baptism. It has been tricky for missionaries and our bishop (in the grey suit) to be reassured that they understand the commitment some are making at baptism. I wish we all spoke the same language.
No matter what, we follow the admonition, "I was a stranger and ye took me in." Matthew 25:36-36.
The Leimers, our fellow ward members are presenting at a fireside next week in Ogden.
