HELP!!!

 First, a recap of a few things that transpired this week.  We had our first Zone Conference with our new mission leaders, Pres. and Sis. Mak. He is wonderful and Sister Mak is true to her name, Mery.  She is a joy! Now that we know many of the young missionaries from our visit to Medan, it's like a grand reunion to see our young friends again. One young elder even adopted us!               Great things come in small packages

Seesters in Zion

                          Adoptee Elder Albert

We also welcomed a brand new, one day old senior couple, the Rorings from Tremonton, Utah. Come to find out we have mutual close friends in Strat and Nita Murdoch. SWISH! (Small world incident, so happy!)

Their assignment in Indonesia will be as Family History Specialists. What uncanny timing that I found this soldier only the day before at the War Cemetery.

Long lost great uncle, maybe? 

Besides the conference, our main focus, thrust, and passion has been with the refugees of our Jakarta ward. We are feeling the urgency of our limited time left in Indonesia to do all we can to help not only their plight but to also lighten the burden of good man Bishop Linton of the Jakarta 3rd ward who hears their cries for financial help continually. Because they are forbidden BY LAW to work here, self-reliance is not possible. The church can help them in certain areas like food and utilities but is not allowed to pay for their rent. The ones we've become especially close to say they simply couldn't bear to live in the refugee camps anymore. We haven't seen the camps first-hand but we have seen their sparse living conditions they live in now that is supposedly a step up from the camps. Wo. In essence, they have to become professional scroungers to even survive here, and those who are too ashamed or shy to ask for help and handouts, sometimes opt for suicide. These are the stories they tell us. It's the saddest situation and they've been this way for a very long time, some for over a decade. Can you even imagine? Their peaceful protests in front of embassies have changed nothing. They send emails to the organizations and get back computer generated responses. For years. It appears that no actual humans are actively advocating for them in any government, agency, or organization. Those that move out have some kind of sponsorship. The gospel of hope in Jesus Christ and the fellowship of the saints has helped many of them out of suicidal despair. They have developed patience and long suffering and a hope in Christ and because of their response to their suffering, they are humble and fit for the kingdom of God in my opinion. If the last shall be first, they will be leading the procession into Zion. These few photos are of the fortunate ones who have found sponsors already and are helping them along the way.

Mahdi the magnificent!

Mother and child

They have all captured our hearts

So when we recently learned of the WelcomeCorp program from some former senior missionaries that served here, the wheels started turning in our heads. We asked the Bishop to supply us with all the names and contact info of those refugees who are on our church records. 29 of them. (Actually, we started with the Iranians and Afghans first. Next we'll do the same with those from Africa.) We sent out a group text to invite them first of all, to sign up for the WelcomeCorp program that matches refugees with willing people committed to sponsor a refugee in America. I also asked them to send me their photo and a profile of themselves so I could share them with anyone and everyone. Many of the names on the list we'd never seen before at church. Most did not respond at all but a few bright stars responded immediately. Maybe some were afraid to hope again that there could be an end to their wait? Maybe the English in my text was difficult for them to understand? Who knows why only a few replied, but all we've ever been able to do on this mission is invite people to take action. 

Before I share a few photos and profiles with you, my miniscule readership, I'd like you to ponder the words to a hymn.

Have I done any good in the world today?

Have I helped anyone in need?

Have I cheered up the sad? 

And made someone feel glad?

If not I have failed indeed. 

Has anyone's burden been lighter today because I was willing to share?

Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way? (think refugees!)

When they needed my help was I there? 

Then wake up! And do something more

than dream of your mansions above 

Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure

A blessing of duty and love. 

There are chances for work all around just now, opportunities right in our way.

Do not let them pass by saying some day I'll try

But go and do something today. 

 First, meet Hiresh:

Next is Farzad:

Last for now is Sadia (SAH-diya)

Sadia hasn't sent me her profile yet, but what I know about her is she is from Afghanistan. She is sweet, quiet, stable in her emotions, and is currently taking BYU Pathways classes and is very grateful for the chance to better herself. I know she has to travel somewhere to get access to a computer so she can take the classes. I'm guessing she has been in Indonesia around 8 years. She is single. She wears the same nice sweatshirt and pants to church each week. She is so lovable!

I hope these faces and stories of survival and need are tugging at your hearts as you sit in your comfortable air conditioned house or car, eating to your hearts content, as you plan your next vacation on your bucket list. 

So here is my puny voice that has never had much clout to persuade others to do anything. I hate selling. So instead I "invite" you to take action to make a huge difference in the life of one of God's children that would change the entire course of their life story. Here's what to do: Get 4 of your friends (or couples) and sponsor a refugee. The commitment is not lifelong (although the friendship can be but is not required) it is mostly for the first 3 months they come to their new new country, their new state, their new city, their new life. The government helps them initially find housing and pays for 3 months while they look for employment to become self reliant. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the best resource of compassionate, service-minded people you'll find anywhere who want to follow Jesus Christ by helping their fellow man but there are plenty of other good non-profit organizations that help refugees find 2nd hand furniture and get a household set up. You as a sponsor can help get them connected to community resources, public transportation services, ESL classes, etc. In 1992, we helped a family of 4 from Azerbaijan get settled. We unofficially helped a family from Rwanda maybe 7 years ago and it was the most rewarding experience of our life. Just to drive them to work, to take them to a dollar movie, to have them in your home for a meal, to invite them to swim in a pool, all these small and simple experiences became a joyful discovery for them in their new life and the greatest joy for us to share what relative abundance we had with them. Now they are fully integrated citizens and have moved on. 

The urgency for my plea is that until July 31st, this WelcomeCorp organization is giving 100% grants to cover the initial $2450. Usually, when split 5 ways, that's $500 per sponsor unit. But right now it's zero. What??? Yes , if I understand correctly, they just want you and your willing hearts more than your money! Why delay? Make gut decisions from the heart quickly! 

I'm so sorry that these aren't actual links, just pictures of the links but it says right there they are covering the initial costs.  So I am SHOUTING as loud as I can for any of you to come to the aid of people while it's free, money wise. Time and effort may be required but we're used to effort aren't we?  Even at the least, we are to love our neighbors. It's the second great commandment. The Lord illustrated who  our neighbor is with the parable of the Good Samaritan. They are ANYONE who is in need. I know there are many of  you back in America who really are trying to keep the commandments.  I know for a fact there are some of you who are supporting us financially on this final leg of our mission, since it was twice as expensive as India. To you wonderful benefactors, we thank you humbly!  You have provided the experience of a lifetime for us and have furthered the work of the kingdom of God in 3 countries and for that we are forever grateful!! You know what it's like to give selflessly. We are nearly done now and this is our final push to do the most good we can on our mission before we come home. We would take the lot of them home with us if we could break all the rules and get away with it. We've opened our home to foreigners before and we will do so again. Not that this program requires that level of commitment. It's whatever you want to make of it.  Have you ever asked yourself if you'd be the kind of person that would risk your life to help the Jews during the Holocaust? Here's a mini trial run to find out. 

If per chance you feel a stirring, a sincere desire to respond to one of these particular profiles by July 31st, (or even later but why wait?), please contact us, so we can give them the joy of knowing someone wants to sponsor them. We'll get you connected to them. They will cry and cry with joy! They have never stopped praying for a miracle. You can partner with The Lord to be their miracle. There are so many more too, I just put out a handful.  There's a whole family of 6 from the Congo and a wonderful Wayne Brady lookalike from Sudan too. But we know there are thousands just like them in Indonesia from other countries displaced here, this was a mere sampling. These friends just want the chance to work again. They are skilled and talented people. They are not needy by choice. They just need a chance and a leg up to get them started in a place with basic human rights of freedom.

 Maybe you have the right heart to respond to this but it's just horrible timing for you or you live in a small town. Please do us a favor and pass thwebsite onto anyone you know who loves to do this kind of saving work. We appreciate it so much and Bishop Linton thanks you too. I will try to figure out how to post links to Welcomecorp. We've got 11 days to July 31st so let's act quickly.  Message us! 

Alma 5: 55, 57, 62:

..."Will ye persist in turning your backs upon the poor, and the needy, and in withholding your substance from them? I say into you, all you that are desirous to follow the voice of the good Shepherd, come ye out...I speak by way of command unto you that belong to the church, and unto those who do not belong to the church, I speak by way of invitation..."

 

https://welcomecorps.org/become-a-sponsor/sponsoring-someone-you-know/

https://welcomecorps.org/become-a-sponsor/sponsorship-duties/