The Eagle has Landed/ We are in our new Home

Merhaba,
We have finally moved into our new apartment here in Istanbul.  Finally we are out of the Holiday Inn and today we are on our own.  The Canfields have been so kind and helpful, but we are anxious to begin our own service and control our own schedule.  The Canfields leave tomorrow morning for a week in Italy and then they will be back with us on the 8th and 9th of December.  They will then fly back to the USA early on the morning of the 10th.  Interestingly enough they have accepted an extended assignment and will return to Moscow in February for an undetermined time to work on a special project.
Our Apartment, is a two bedroom unit with a dining area large enough to seat 8.  One bedroom is basically a storage area, but we have room for guests.  The apartment is very bright and airy with tremendous views over looking Istanbul.
Out the living area we can see the sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus Straight.  To the West we can see the Blue Mosque in the distance.
We have been extremely busy meeting and greeting people and are anxious to take some time and settle in, however I must share at least one story.  We visited an Iraqi school for displaced Iraqi children from various countries.  They speak no Turkish or English.  They are truly beautiful children that have seen the horrors of our evil world. They were so happy to greet us and LDS Charities gave them musical instruments to let them enjoy the gift of music.  One girl has learned two Christmas songs on the piano and everyone wants to learn guitar.  They have two guitar classes each week.  These children have been severely displaced because they are Christians.  If they were Muslim they would have been able to stay in they own country.  When they get older, they are simply moved to a remote village so that they do not maintain a growing heritage.
We hope to be able to find a means to aid them with help from the branch to celebrate Christmas.
The desperate situation of so many people is heartbreaking.
We would ask that each of you add to your prayers that we will be lead to those people that we can help.
We love and miss you all.  Remember you can comment on this blog and we love to hear from you all.
E/S Fred and Nori.

 The Iraqi School.  Look how cute these children are.  They recited the Lord's prayer for us.

 How do you think US teachers would feel about a class room with 36 children, no text books and four students to a desk?

This was a fish dish with pickles for the tail and the fish swimming in a yogurt sauce.  This was a meal served to us at a resident home for old Jewish people that were departed from Spain.  Most of the resident were barely 4 and 1/2 feet tall!  It is a very well hidden and secure location so that they are not persecuted.  The adventure never ends.