History in the making.....

Elder Tetik with pix of his baptism

Meet Elder Tetik. I have spoken of him before, but he deserves a place of his own. He came to us from Ismir Turkey -- the first missionary to come from that part of the world. His English is beginning to form and so we have been able to get a little information from him. We now know that he found the church on the internet and contacted the missionaries. A senior couple taught him (don't know how they communicated.) His family is Muslim and therefore could not participate in any way in his interest in the Mormons or they would be shunned. (Muslims are not even able to be taught here, because when they return home, it causes too many problems for them). But somehow and in someway, this young man's heart was touched. He has brought pix from home and from them we have determined that there are about 25 members in his branch. His branch president speaks some English and has been instrumental in helping him prepare for his mission. Any coorespondence we have with his parents goes thru his branch president. He came well equiped with very nice clothes, luggage, and other things that he will need. He communicates with us through a few sentences that he now can speak, lots of gestures and his translation dictionary. When the light goes on in his head, he beams. Today we went to the temple for the 2nd time. I wonder what he gets from it, he understands so little, but he tries so hard. We do not question for a moment that the language will come. It already has to some extent. He can bear his testimony in English and when he finishes he beams from ear to ear. There are moments when he is transposed before our eyes and we see him in future years, becoming a great leader among his people.

Pioneers in this church are still alive and well.

Miracles in this church are still alive and well.