Today was Friday, which, in the Arab world, means that we attended church for the first time.There are 3 branches in Jordan--one Arabic-speaking and one English-speaking in Amman, and one in Irbid, about an hour away. The top photo is at the Amman building.
I and five other students were selected to serve and support the small branch (50 people, but 21 were there today) in Irbid. The senior missionaries gave us a ride and told us about their work here during the drive. They were originally serving in Lebanon, but they have been transferred here to handle all the logistics of the Church's humanitarian work in the Syrian refugee camps in Jordan. It is incredibly daunting work--people come in groups of as many as 4000 a night, sneaking across the border with only what they can carry, trying to avoid the snipers who try to prevent their escape. They have nothing once they arrive here, and although the Gulf States are pouring money into the camps for supplies and medical care, they are completely overwhelmed. Still, the missionaries are wonderful and fascinating people.
I am very excited about serving in this branch. We all introduced ourselves in sacrament meeting--in Arabic! I have been called to do the music, as per usual. I found the digital piano and randomly turned to "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go," which seemed rather appropriate, given the circumstances.
The branch president is a colorful character. He asked one of my classmates to teach the investigator (there are actually a lot!) Sunday school class next week. "Give them the lesson about where we are and where we are going," he directed. "And tell them that they are going to hell if they don't join this branch. They can find out the truth later, but right now I just need people!" He also tried to interview the other pianist and me about our worthiness together--or at least, he tried to, but after we helped him search his priesthood handbook for the interview questions without success, he gave up and just asked us whether we were worthy to serve callings. It's good to know that the Church is true everywhere:)
We are supposed to lead the music in church, using a small and very rough collection of Arabic hymn translations, which he referred to as occasionally "heretical." He also wants me to give piano lessons. In Arabic. Without any materials. To people who can't read music and don't use Western melodies. It will be an adventure!
He also wants us to prepare a choir selection for the conference of all the Arabic-speaking branches in Jordan at the end of September. He said he had tried it unsuccessfully once before, but he wants me to direct the group to sing "How Great Thou Art" in Arabic. I have never directed a choir before, much less in Arabic, and with people who have not grown up with Western music at all. Help! Any advice?
So, this will be a huge challenge, but I am incredibly excited! The members are kind, the drive to Irbid is beautiful (Picture the rolling hills and valleys in the Old Testament videos!) and it was surprisingly wonderful just to see familiar photos of New Testament scenes and General Authorities and take the sacrament on pita bread.
I am very excited about serving in this branch. We all introduced ourselves in sacrament meeting--in Arabic! I have been called to do the music, as per usual. I found the digital piano and randomly turned to "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go," which seemed rather appropriate, given the circumstances.
The branch president is a colorful character. He asked one of my classmates to teach the investigator (there are actually a lot!) Sunday school class next week. "Give them the lesson about where we are and where we are going," he directed. "And tell them that they are going to hell if they don't join this branch. They can find out the truth later, but right now I just need people!" He also tried to interview the other pianist and me about our worthiness together--or at least, he tried to, but after we helped him search his priesthood handbook for the interview questions without success, he gave up and just asked us whether we were worthy to serve callings. It's good to know that the Church is true everywhere:)
We are supposed to lead the music in church, using a small and very rough collection of Arabic hymn translations, which he referred to as occasionally "heretical." He also wants me to give piano lessons. In Arabic. Without any materials. To people who can't read music and don't use Western melodies. It will be an adventure!
He also wants us to prepare a choir selection for the conference of all the Arabic-speaking branches in Jordan at the end of September. He said he had tried it unsuccessfully once before, but he wants me to direct the group to sing "How Great Thou Art" in Arabic. I have never directed a choir before, much less in Arabic, and with people who have not grown up with Western music at all. Help! Any advice?
So, this will be a huge challenge, but I am incredibly excited! The members are kind, the drive to Irbid is beautiful (Picture the rolling hills and valleys in the Old Testament videos!) and it was surprisingly wonderful just to see familiar photos of New Testament scenes and General Authorities and take the sacrament on pita bread.
