FOUR P’S

1- Project Prep
We had a busy week in the office. One of our many tasks is to prepare projects to present for approval. There was a lot of back and forth with our delightful in field couple in Rome this week as we prepared six Italian humanitarian projects to present next week. We hope they are all approved.

Baranzate, Italy- An air conditioner for the La Rotonda food pantry; to assure access for those in poverty to healthy balanced nutrition. In collaboration with Caritas Counselling Centers, local social services and individual interviews, caseworkers will identify 50 families in need. Families will be guided to create an autonomy plan that outlines goals and milestones to improve the household’s self-reliance. As beneficiaries meet requirements on their plan, they can use a points card to access groceries. Thanks to a grant, animal protein (especially frozen fish) is available for this vulnerable population. The installation of an air conditioning system will improve the well-being of beneficiaries such as elderly and children, case workers and volunteers, creating a more welcoming and dignified environment.

Rome, Italy – donation of brush cutters, a vibrating screen machine, and a tea bag machine. High unemployment rates in Rome underscore the need for initiatives aimed at empowering vulnerable groups. There is a great need to provide stable, formal employment opportunities to help individuals break free from dependency and build self-sufficiency.
KORE sponsors an agricultural job training program for refugees. At present they have 2 hectares of cultivated land where they grow aromatic and medicinal herbs for herbal teas. This donation will make harvest more efficient and allow them to manufacture the tea bags themselves instead of outsourcing that part of the production.

Rome, Italy- Funding to support the expansion of Italian and English language classes for refugees, focusing on workplace vocabulary and integration skills. The funds will also support women’s empowerment programs at JNRC that will cater to the unique issues faced by beneficiaries at the intersection of migration, race and gender, providing parenting support, and vocational training, fostering self-reliance.

Rome, Italy- In an emergency project with JNRC church funds will provide 10,000 breakfasts and essential clothing for refugees. Increased global conflicts and economic instability have led to record-breaking arrivals of refugees in Italy. Overcrowded reception centers and inadequate government aid have resulted in homelessness, food insecurity, and lack of proper clothing. Many refugees arrive with only the clothes on their backs, unprepared for weather conditions or the challenges of rebuilding their lives.
The results of collaboration of our Church and JNRC is one of the most overwhelming success stories around. When our Church set up and sponsored LDS Charities Friendship Center in St Paul’s Within-the-Walls Episcopal Church in 2018 with JNRC as its partner it was a great template on how to support and help refugees and asylum seekers, It lasted until Covid 19 at which time it was closed. After the outbreak, JNRC reopened the center with that same template and took it to the next level. Their success rate and help with refugees and asylum seekers has been outstanding.

Palermo, Sicily- Funds donated to Centro Penc will provide safe spaces for women and girls where Italian language classes, employment support courses, cultural education and computer classes can be held. The project will include the improvement of spaces dedicated to women and children with appropriate furnishings and air conditioning; specific areas will be created for children’s rest and play by installation of a sliding door to separate an area dedicated to group discussion and psychological sessions for women.

Palermo, Sicily- The Church’s funding will be used by Moltivolti to buy an ice-cream machine, refrigerator, oven, and cover salaries for cultural mediators & trainers. Monthly courses in ice-cream making, pastry, and restaurant services will be organized. A team of chefs, pastry chefs, and ice cream -makers will train young and adult migrants, as well as local and foreign individuals within the penal system who are undergoing social rehabilitation. Certificates will be awarded after completion of training.

2- Photogenic Places with Pleasant People

Thursday Temple Date

Friday night Date
We spent an enjoyable evening with Elder and Sister Stevens from Arizona where they shared the town of Wetzler with us. This is where Elder Stevens served as a young man. It is located about 30 minutes outside of Frankfurt on the river Lahn. They serve as area auditors.

We enjoyed traditional American hamburgers at Mr B’s. Sister Hope from Phoenix and Sister Knapp from Provo joined us.

Right outside of town we visited Der Heilige Stein- an ancient burial site from 3000 BC

And the Kalsmunt Castle ruins

Saturday Field Trip

We visited the beautiful town of Limburg an der Lahn (that means it is located on the river Lahn) Eight of the twenty older Medieval half-timbered homes in Germany are located here.

With the construction of a wooden bridge in 1150 the long-distance trade route (Via Publica) from Cologne to Frankfurt ran directly through Linburg. In 1306 the wooden bridge was replaced with a stone one.

The narrowest point on the old trade route necessitated wagons to be unloaded. Contents had to be carried by hand to a wagon waiting at the other end. Even today, Limburgers are known as Sackers. According to legend the name originated during the Middle Ages when overstuffed wagons got stuck in narrow alleys and locals performed this strenuous task.

The House of Seven Deadly Sins was built in 1567. Seven grotesque faces carved into the beams represent the seven deadly sins: pride, envy, greed, lust, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. The house was originally a private residence. At one time it was a hostel a later a bakery. Today it is home to an art gallery and antique shop.

St Georges Cathedral stands high upon a rock, overlooking the town. We love the fact that both Catholic and Protestant services are held here. What an example of unity in a community.

A castle is located right behind the cathedral

St Sebastian church has a beautiful ornate organ

Delicious German lunch with Elder and Sister Silvester from Boise area. We were glad to have them join us on our excursion. They arrived in January and serve in the family services department.

The wonderful smell drew us into bakeries. Schichttorte is a traditional German dessert. Named ‘tree cake’ because the many layers of cake look like a trees inner growth rings. This one was baked in a doughnut shape.

3- Potlucks

Farewell dinner with Stokers last Sunday before they return home to Arizona

FHE Brinner (Breakfast for dinner)

Goodbye to Stokers, welcome to Muellecks from Centerville Utah.

Sunday dinner hosted by Elder & Sister Briggs

4- Purchases

We could not resist purchasing some traditional German clothing. Our local manager teases us that only old people or missionaries from the US wear clothes like this. We say genau (exactly!) We fit both categories.

With love, Elder & Sister Lamb (aka Ed & Debbie, Mom & Dad, Pop Pop & Tu Tu)

P.S. What a small world! Our infield couple in Germany, the Muehlmann’s are living in Kaufbeuren in the same home that our son Josh lived in when he served there over 20 years ago!