Günıdyın dan Istanbul. Hello from Istanbul! 

Written by Elder Ercanbrack

Time is going by quickly, we are rather settled in an apartment in the Levent District
of Istanbul. It is about three quarters of a mile to the church building. Needless to say
we do a lot of walking. My pants are getting loose on me. I think it is the walking and not the diet.
The food is good but different. There is a bread sold by cart vendors on almost every street, that is
called Simit, it is round and forms a 8 inch circle, and is covered with sesame seeds, and is sort of soft
to the touch, and very tasty. We have one almost every day.

We walk most places we need to go, that is with in a mile or two of our apartment. We do take the bus
often to go to pay the water bill (Ishi, Water bill in Turkish) or the electrik (Turkish spelling, close to English), there is no system set
up in Turkey to pay the utilities by check or by internet. So one must go in person. We would go nuts if
we had to do this in the states. The banking system is cash only, no checks. So we depend on the ATM for cash
and everything is paid in Turkish Lira. Dollars are not accepted. If you try to pay with anything but TL, they will point
in the direction of the Doviz, (currency exchange), and ignore you after that. They do have a underground metro train,
that we have taken when we need to go 5 or 10 miles away from our apartment. It is very efficient, always loaded to the hilt,
and smoking is not allowed on the metro system. The other day we went to the Blue Mosque, and the Hagia Sofia, on a very crowded
train, and Sister Ercanbrack got her purse stolen. A pic pocket thief reached into her pocket and took it.
Luckily there was nothing to valuable for the thief in it. They did get some pass along cards, her drivers license, and temple recommend.

All of which can be replaced.

 

The Branch in Turkey consists of about 50 active members, and maybe 20 to 30 visitors. The visitors may or may not be members of the church. We have a lot of curious investigators, they come to church to see what we are all about, and to have cookies

on cookies Sunday, or a little food on linger longer Sunday. It is interesting to see the complexity of their traditions upon a belief

in Jesus Christ. But usually once they are converted, they are very dedicated and faithful. This Branch needs members, the

people of Turkey are very good people generally speaking, but they need to change. We pray daily that something will change them. The Elders are very active in searching out any who will listen, and they go in all directions seeking in this sprawling

city of approx. 20 million. We are their support, we occasionally feed them, help them with their lessons, and go with them to some of their appointments. All in all the work of salvation is a slow process here. We are planting seeds. We hope it falls on fertile soil.

 

Sister Ercanbrack and I have received callings in the Branch. She is the YW Pres. I am the YM Pres. and She teaches seminary,

I teach Gospel Doctrine, and also clean the church every Saturday. We have both been put in charge of the Youth Conference

for Turkey, assigned to us by the Mission President Wilstead, to take place in Ankara, the 16-19 of May. Not speaking much

Turkish, this is quite a task. Also we are busy planning a youth trip to the Freiberg Temple in April, they youth get to go annually.

 

We are very thankful for the scriptures, where would we be without them? As a missionary I have quickly come to appreciate

the written word. The scriptures have come alive for me. in the course of teaching these lessons, I am amazed at how the Lord

has prepared what is written in the scriptures for us.  The lessons for our edification and exaltation are there.

 

Time to go do a little grocery shopping, this is our preparation day, and it is raining. So I need to convince my companion that

she may need to get a little wet (where the umbrella doesn't reach).

 

Daha Sonra Görüşmek Üzere, Tanri Çok yaşa! 

 

Elder Ercanbrack