What an AMAZING trip!!

We had an incredible time in Iraq!  I know that many of you were scared for us and also believed I was insane to take my son with me to such a "dangerous" place, but I assure you that we were completely safe and the trip was life-changing for both of us!

This is a picture of Whit with Ali, a boy who had recently had heart surgery.  They are showing off their scars.  Whit was also able to meet Mohammed (another recent heart surgery patient).  He took soccer balls to them (the "real" soccer balls are not available in Iraq and very much a hot commodity), and they were thrilled to meet each other.  Amazing that soccer and scars can overcome any language barrier!

We also visited many IDP families (internally displaced persons) in Kirkuk and Kanakawa.  It is hard to put into words the situation:  people who have been driven from their homes by the threat of ISIS, families who are existing on next to nothing because they do not have the means to work.  One of the things that we in the US don't fully realize is that it isn't just Christians who are being persecuted by ISIS.  Muslims are by far the biggest victims.  Just because they are Muslim doesn't mean that they agree with the teachings of ISIS.  It would be like extremists coming into your city in the name of Jesus and demanding that women not work, not wear jewelry, that everyone attend one particular church and follow their strict teachings about marriage and children.  This is what is happening in Iraq to Christians, Yezidis and to Muslims.

Noor and her market

This picture is a young mother who is trying to keep her children in school.  Displaced by ISIS, she had no work and no source of income.  The Preemptive Love Coalition has helped her start a local market so that she can make ends meet.  We also spoke with a woman whom PLC has helped start a salon.  These are just two of the many, many families who are in need.  They aren't asking for a handout - just a start... just a small amount of help so they can begin a new life and support themselves.

One of the most memorable places we visited was Kanakawa, where PLC is helping 5 families who are living in an abandoned storage facility.  These are families who you read about and saw on the news... who were driven up into the mountains by ISIS.  At least one of the families' husband and father was killed by ISIS while fleeing.  They spent days on the mountain with no food and no water. These are young families with nursing babies!  I sat with a woman in the blazing hot storage room while she nursed her baby, who was sweating and restless.  He was irritable and hot, but Jessica and I were unable to determine whether or not his heat was due to fever.  But what difference would it make?  They do not have transportation to a hospital. (The day after I left, Jess texted me to let me know that she took a doctor to see this baby and he determined that he was OK - just teething).

Selfie - Iraqi style!

Enjoying toys we brought

I must admit that it is difficult for me to come home to my air conditioning, pantry full of food, my security and freedom.  As a follower of Christ, as one who has been ordained to care for the needy and stand up for the rights of the afflicted, how can I just ignore what is taking place?  Maybe because it's happening so far away to people I don't know.  And yet, I know this is just an excuse.  Where is Christ in all of this?  He is in US... in his people whom he created to be his hands and feet.  Shame on us if we turn a blind eye to what is happening in our world.

I have only increased my respect for the Preemptive Love Coalition, and their commitment to be peacemakers in Iraq... to LOVE as Christ calls us to love... to sacrifice as Christ sacrificed... to GO when and where they are called.  It's not easy, and it isn't glamorous, but it IS Christ-honoring.  Check out the amazing work they do at The Preemptive Love Coalition