Fall Travels Part 2

On September 5, 2011, Elder and Sister Rich and Elder and Sister Watkins traveled to Istanbul, Turkey to attend the East Europe Area Welfare Missionaries Conference. This was a big departure from the scenery that we have gotten use to in Armenia.  The part of Turkey that we saw was very wealthy and very modern.  It was an enjoyable trip, marred only by Elder Rich having stomach problems and having to spend most of the time in the hotel room.  Fortunately, it was a very nice hotel room.

Sister Rich with some Mosques in the background.

Turkey is a Muslim country, notice, no Missionary tags.

Istanbul is on two continents, we are in Europe looking across the water to the Asian side.

The Istanbul skyline.

Selling some sort of a drink on the Museum grounds.

The Pedersons and Huffs.  Good friends from the MTC, serving in Turkey and Belarus.

Sister's Rich and Watkins in front of the  Istanbul Grand Bazaar.

Istanbul trams are very modern as well as very crowded.

Street scene at tram stop.

Interior shot of hotel.

Hotel lobby.

Mosque across the street from the front of the hotel.

Time to go back to work after our vacation in Turkey.  We have to remember that we are being paid the big bucks (blessings) to work and not to be on vacation.

Making a delivery to fish farmers.

Amazingly enough, we did not see a single dead fish from this method of delivery.

This is a community fish farm.

Lucine (Watkins interpreter) and her husband Nish with her birthday gift.

Dr and Mrs Bennett came from Utah to set up our Neonatal Resuscitation Project. They live in Ivins, Ut.

The Bennett's and the LDSC crew visiting Stephanavan

Under these rocks is an ancient Kings burial plot.

Horivatz at a Stephanavan farmers house.

The Bennett's under the old apple tree.  They were a lot of fun to visit with.

We love to attend Baptisms whenever we can.

Watkins and Richs at a Cultural Center Closing.  LDSC has helped them with computers, sewing machines, cooking equipment and doors and windows during the past couple of years.  They in turn give free classes to the poor and needy as well as LDS Church members.

When you need to sweep, you make a broom from a tree.  The entrance to our building.

Syuzi and some little boys at a village water closing.

Men and boys digging trenches for water pipes.

The Mayor and an old lady in a village that will receive water.

This old man is happy to be getting water.

You will notice that we are starting to wear warmer clothes.  The weather is changing.  We have to get these last two water projects finished before the snow hits, because this area will be frozen until spring.

We love Armenia and we love being here serving the Lord and the people.