Cappadocia, Turkey

Tuesday, April, 30 2013, we rode the bus to  Cappadocia, Turkey, approximately five hours south-east from Ankara.  A family of our branch lives in Kayseri, which is near there and arranged a tour for us and another humanitarian couple serving in Izmir.  We all enjoyed a day touring these amazing sights together.

Here is a little history I found on the Internet about the area:

"The earliest record of the name of Cappadocia dates from the late 6th century BC."

Sedimentary rocks formed in lakes and streams and ignimbrite deposits that erupted from ancient volcanoes underlie the Cappadocia region. The rocks of Cappadocia eroded into hundreds of spectacular pillars and minaret-like forms. People of the villages at the heart of the Cappadocia Region carved out houses, churches and monasteries from the soft rocks of volcanic deposits. The city of Göreme in this area became a monastic centre in 300—1200 AD."

The first period of settlement in Göreme (a settlement in this area) goes back to the Roman period. Houses and churches carved into rocks all illustrate history and can be seen today. An Open Air Museum is the most visited site of the monastic communities in Cappadocia and is one of the most famous sites in central Turkey. The complex contains more than 30 carved-from-rock churches and chapels, some having superb frescoes inside, dating from the 9th century to the 11th century."
 
Cappadocia contains several underground cities, largely used by early Christians as hiding places before Christianity became an accepted religion. The underground cities have vast defence networks of traps throughout their many levels. These traps are very creative, including such devices as large round stones to block doors and holes in the ceiling through which the defenders may drop spears. These defense systems were mainly used against the Romans. The tunnel system also was made to have narrow corridors, for the Roman fighting strategy was to move in groups which was not possible to do in the thin corridors making it easy to pick them off. "

 

Cappadocia is also mentioned in the biblical account given in the book of Acts 2:9. The Cappadocians were named as one group hearing the Gospel account from Galileans in their own language on the day of Pentecost shortly after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Acts 2:5 seems to suggest that the Cappadocians in this account were "God-fearing Jews"."

Here are some pictures:

 

 

Left to right:  Sister Edwards, Elder Edwards, Bro. Hagobian,
Sister Weaver, Elder Weaver, Sister Hagobian, mother Hagobian

 

Having lunch

 

This is difficult to make out, but it is a religious painting of people,
and their faces have been marred and scratched out by non Christians
who later found these homes.


 

Ephesus

We visited the ruins of the city of Ephesus during the Christmas holidays - from December 25, 2012 to December 29,  2012.  We rode the bus from Ankara to Izmir, which is on the west coast of Turkey.  It took us approximately eight hours to reach our destination, and we enjoyed the beautiful farmland scenery on the way.  Ephesus in about an hour from Izmir, so we went on a tour and a bus picked us up at our hotel and drove us around. 

I did a little research on the Internet. "Ephesus was an ancient Greek city and later a major Roman city on the west coast of Asia Minor near Izmir.  Ephesus was one of the seven churches cited in the Book of Revelation.  The city was the site of several 5th century Christian Councils.  It became the third most important city for Christianity after Jerusalem and Antioch, and rapidly gained in popularity.  The town was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 A.D.  The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor slowly silted up by the Cayster River." 

The following pictures will hopefully give you an idea of what we saw.  The city of Ephesus ruins were discovered in 1860 AD during some excavating, and restoration started around 1950.  An area of the city is sectioned off and restored, which takes approximately 50 years to complete, and then another section is started.  There is much left to do, but much has been accomplished.  This is a must-see when you visit Turkey.

My first thoughts were that all the ruins were made recently to look old for Hollywood, but this is the real thing!  It was amazing.

A wall where people write prayers and
leave them there near Mother Mary's home.



Our first stop was at Jesus' mother Mary's home.
 (It is not certain that this was her home,
but there is good evidence that it is.)

At Ephesus, the theater seats 23,000 people
 (Conference Center in Salt Lake City seats 21,000)

The library.  Magnificent! 

 

 

 

 

Restoration of a neighborhood.

Mosaic floors.  Thousands of tiny pieces of tile
were laid to make these floor designs.

 

 

 

 

 

Public toilets



 

On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at a place where rugs were handmade.

 

 

Silk thread is being unraveled from cocoons for the yarn for rugs.

 

 

A museum in Izmir.

 

The next day we walked around the city of Izmir.








 

Renewal of a School

 

Friday Nov. 30 we got the treat of our lives.  On our way home from the closing of a project at Imrahor Primary School, we said if we were to go home that day we would felt well rewarded for having gone on a great mission.

August 2012, soon after arriving in Turkey, we visited a small community, Imrahor, Ankara, Turkey, to talk to Hatice Altundag, the Head Schoolmaster about some needs for the school.  It was a very poor section of town and the government had donated the school district an old delapidated building which had formerly been a factory or business of some kind years ago.  The government provided the building but no money to renovate.  The parents have not, in the past, seen a real need for their children to be educated; they would just as soon have the children working to help meet financial needs.

In the school building there were four classrooms for grades Kindergarten through grade 8.  A schedule was worked out that half the students attend in the morning, and the other half in the afternoon to accomodate everyone. 

Hatice was brought in from another school district because she was extremely ambitious and on-the-ball. She began working very hard not only to renovate the building - with donations only, but educate the parents as well as to the importance of gaining an education.

The humanitarian couple we replaced, through the Church, provided new desks for some of the classrooms and some storage closets.  The Headmaster began showing local businesses what the Church - from another country -  had done for them, and asked if they could do something to help also.  Soon there were contractors donating their time and materials, and other businesses following suite: blinds for the windows, paint and wall paper for the walls, new doors, new awning for the entryway, new floors, and basketball standards for the play ground. 

 When we became involved, Hatice was asking for more desks, dry erase boards, library facilities and science equipment.   The Church was able to suppy 80 more desks and dry erase boards for four class.  We told her we would go to work and try our very best to see what we could do.  In our conversation with Hatice, Elder Edwards asked her what they would be able to do in return to show their gratitude. She said they would put on a program for us. 

 

 

For this project the Church donated desks and chairs for both students and teachers and dry erase boards for the classrooms.  From that time, until we returned on Nov. 30, 2012 they worked very hard to fix up the building and decorate it for a condusive learning enviornment for the children.  The end result had a 'woman's touch'.  For instance, the new desks had bright orange legs.  The shades in the rooms were bright orange as well.  Everything had been painted and was beautiful and clean and in good repair.  We were very impressed.  Hatice is standing in the background against the wall.

 

The program they had prepared was outstanding.  The children won our hearts over as they performed with speaking parts (we didn't understand a word, but still enjoyed it!) and then they presented us each with a bouquet of flowers.  Elder Edwards gave a short speech - in Turkish.  Everyone clapped as he finished, so we choose to believe he was understood.  In attendance were many officials.  Also, everyone who had donated and contributed in any way was invited.  We were also fed a delicious meal.

School District Khadija Altindag; Cankaya Municipality and donors.  

The Cankaya District Governor, Mehmet Ali Yildrim, is in the bright blue tie, and other dignitaries and donators are pictured:  National Education Manager Julak Saydan, Deputy Major Mr. Grant, Director of Scientific Affairs Bozdoyan Ozkan, Building Art Dirctor Ahmet Sahin, National Education Branch Manager Adam Alkin Aytek.  Donors, Wayne and Jean Edwards, Representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Cankaya school principals, teachers, parents, and students.  (We are standing under the new awning of the school.)

Seda (our interpreator and nanny) and Sister Edwards

On Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, we closed a project in the town of Sariyar, Turkey.  The project was a portable hand-held ultra sound machine donated by the Church to a young medical doctor who travels to several small towns.  Because it is difficult for the people to travel to the doctor in the main town, he visits them in their town once a week and can take this machine with him to detect potential health problems;  it's main purpose is for expectant mothers and their babies.

The doctor is preparing to demonstrate the ultra sound machine on Elder Edwards. 
We are happy to announce Elder Edwards is not expecting... any health problems.

When we first arrived in Sariyar, we met with the mayor of the town, Halil Unsal, and had a nice visit with him. He gave us some gifts, one of which was a DVD about their town.  He was very enthusiastic and proud of his small town, giving us extensive information about the citizens' accomplishments and challenges.  Agriculture and fishing are the main occupations.  In recent years, 650 fishmen made their living fishing, but now, because the lake has been over-fished, only 50 fisherman remain.  The population has dropped off dramitically and the people struggle with challenges living off the land and lake brings.  We were later taken on a short tour of the surrounding areas and this is a picture of the lake where fishing is done.



Sister Edwards, Elder Edwards and mayor, Halil Unsal.
The depth of the lake is approximately 300 feet.

 

We were surprised to be shown this enormous dam, the Sariyar Dam, not too
far from the town.There are three dams located along the Sakarya River which
runs into the Black Sea. This dam was compeleted in 1956 and the total power
output from the hydroelectric facility is 160 (four facilities of 40 MW each.)
(Don't I sound smart?  I got this information from the Internet.)

 

The mayor is showing us plans for a park for his town.  This
project is being funded by another town for them.  It was to
be started the following week and completed next spring.

Elder Edwards, Sister Edwards, Seda (interpreter) and the mayor
standing in front of the monument of Ataturk in the town square.
To the right there was a line of stores; only one open for business.

 

A former high school converted into the hospital. 
Because of the declining population, the high school
students are now bused to a larger town.  The doctor
uses this facility for his weekly visit.

 

We enjoyed this trip very much.  There were many things about the region that reminded us of our hometown of Delta, Utah.  Delta had many small farming towns surrounding it and the high school students were bused into our town.  The area reminded us of the landscape around Delta and onto Leamington and Nephi.  The lake reminded us of the Delta Resevior.  We also a doctor (actually there were two doctors in Delta) who served many small towns.   We hope to return for another visit before our time is completed here.

Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012 we traveled to a little Turkish village, Yozgat Province, with the Country Director from Istanbul, Turkey to close out two water projects.  Water projects are large projects and are one of the Church's Major Initiatives.  Smaller projects are called Area Initiatives and are usually carried out locally.  The Country Director is in charge of the larger projects, so we just tagged along to mainly see how a closing ceremony was done.

We were able to have a true Turkish village experience as we drove far from the city and into the mountains where the small villages are located. 

The village people are required to do as much labor as they can on these projects, so they will have an interest in what is being done for them.  It is more likely the facility will be maintained in years to come if they have shared in the labor.  They usually dig the trenches and lay the pipe, along with any other tasks they can accomplish.  After everything is completed, and both parties are satisfied, the project is closed and a ceremony held.

This plaque is presented to the the people with the Church's name on it,
and is to be hung on the facility showing the Church as a doner.
The Country Directors, the Canfields, are in the middle
 and the mayor is accepting the plaque.

 

Water projects usually have either an existing holding tank, or a new one is constructed if need be.  Miles of pipe are layed bringing water down the mountains from the springs to the holding tank, and then to the village.

 

 

 This is a picture of the holding tank of the first water project we visited.

The Church's doner plaque hangs above the door.

 

This is the second water project holding tank.

 

This stairway without handrails was scary walking up.
 The bottom 'stairs' were even more adventuresome.
Do you think they would pass OSHA?

Once in the building, there was a narrow walkway and drop offs on either side.
Do you ever wonder how you came to be in certain situations?

Back in the village, this is a picture of the villagers cooking jam.
No stove to clean up afterwards!

We couldn't guess why or how this cow manure
came to be on this rock wall.  Any guesses?

 

 

We were invited to the mayor's home for dinner on our way home.

This is a picture of the mayor and his wife on the left,

and another couple who were there.

 

 

A new experience for us, eating on the floor. The food was very delicious!

They were very gracious and wonderful hostesses.

 

 

This couch is the typical Turkish furniture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uygur Blind School

Sept. 24, 2012, Monday, was the closing date of the project at Uygur Blind School.  We visited the school to see how the computers, tables and chairs were working for the students attending the school.  We were greeted by Dr. Yusuf Sayadan, (who is also blind), the director of the school, and his daughter.  (Also pictured is our translator, Seda, and a man who wanted to have his picture taken.)  After a brief visit, we were taken on a tour of the classrooms where the computers, tables and chairs, provided by the church, were seen in use. 



The tables were custom-made for each room, to utilize the size and shape of the classroom area available.  The personnel called our attention to the quality of the chairs, and it was apparent how very pleased and grateful they were for them.

 

 

We also visited classrooms where the students were being instructed on four computers provided by the church.  These students were typing with special computer software for the blind where they would type a letter and a voice would make the sound of the letter they typed (and if they typed the wrong letter, it would let them know that also!)  It was remarkable how quickly some of the students were working.

 

Students attend this school for several purposes:

·         Preparing for university entrance exams

·         Sports participation

·         PC (Personal Computer) training

·         High School training for grades 9 to 12

·         English language instruction

This is a picture of a young man (and his very devoted and proud mother) who recently passed a university eterance exam.  He also plays 20 musical instruments and promised to invite us to his musical concert in the spring.

 

As mentioned, some students are enrolled to participate in sports.  This young lady (with impaired sight) has earned the title as world weight lifting champion.  She works in the administrative office.  I couldn’t resist having my picture taken with her.

 

 

Here we are being shown the trophies recently awarded when they were the victors in football tournament played at Adana, Turkey.  Notice three additional trophies in the background.  They will be participating again in the spring.

 

Elder Edwards is holding a Turkish football.   As the participants in the game are blind, this football has several bells in it to let players know where the ball is.  I was surprised how heavy or weighted the ball felt.  

 

Below are pictured three different kinds of balls.  They all have

bells in them and the red and white ball is the Turkish football,

not the blue one.

 

 

 

We were shown their championship game on one of the new PCs the church provided for them. 

 

 

All the trainers and other help are volunteers.  The government pays the students 20 TL per day, plus minimum medical insurance while they attend school.  The school has been given some new facilities so that the enrollment of the school can expand.  They are very excited about this.  There have many more students who would like to attend and they want to accommodate all who would like to enroll.  Their goal is not to turn anyone away from the school who applies for entrance.

The staff and students appreciated what the church had provided for their school.  This was our second visit to this school, and it has been a wonderful experience each time.  We hope we will see them again.