Hello Everyone!
Other than getting the world's worst haircut today, things are going great here in Istanbul.

We have been given approval for our 1st project!  Yay for us!  We will be supplying teaching products for the Iraqi school.  We are meeting with the teachers and the Priests of the Catholic run school on Saturday to find out exactly what they need and want.  We hope to supply them with some things that up until now have been only a dream to them.  We have been there several times now and have yet to see any books, paper, crayons, pencils or other things one would expect to see in an Elementary school.  One of the church's requirements is that the project provide things that are sustainable rather than consumables.  Although one of my dreams is to get them some art supplies so that these sweet little ones may create and get some color into their lives, which would definitely be consumables (we'll see)  Things like base ten math blocks, books to help with their English, decorations for the classroom like alphabet lines to hang up, calendars maps etc.  One of the big problems is space.  There are only 2 small classrooms for about 80 children and then the high school kids meet in the multi purpose room.  We need to order most of these thing locally so as to get them before New Years, so wish us luck!

Last night we had a Chanukah Feast at the Jewish Home for the Elderly.  Very interesting!  Kosher food is very interesting too!  All kidding aside, however, these people are wonderful!  The residents, the caregivers and the supporters are just plain wonderful people and so welcoming.  You can feel their spirit and know from the heart that they are a Godly people.  We look forward to helping them in the future as well.

I'm getting used to the way of life.  My legs are getting stronger and used to all the walking.  The cooking is getting easier.  But the haircut is hard to swallow ;-)  It has been very rainy for the past 2 weeks.  The walking in it is the worst!  It's a great adventure, however, just because it is so different than anything we have ever experienced and we are enjoying every day.  It will be hard not to be with family for Christmas, but we will be fine.

It was hard to hear about Robbie Robertson.  I'm glad he and Margaret got to go on one last trip before he died.  I'm sure he was ready to leave his useless body behind and move ahead to greater things.  I just hope Margaret can find peace and purpose in his absence.

All of you have a wonderful holiday season and remember your muslim friends, the Weavers in Istanbul.

Nori

P. S. Remember all are invited to come for a visit.  We hear Spring or Fall are the best times here.