As I step out of the airport I'm greeted by 48c heat, and I quickly realised I'm a long way from home, and in more ways than I initially realised. The first thing you experience when eventually getting to St Georges, after the heat, is the overwhelming sense of love. There's the school filled with humorous and friendly children, who sang "head, shoulders, knees and toes" for us. They jumped and danced for our attention, but our stay was not long enough, time is precious and we cannot get too distracted. Next was the clinic, as we were shown round the different rooms and saw the wide-ranging treatments available, it became obvious that this is special for Baghdad. The look of relief on the patient's faces, just to have access, let alone actual opportunities was prominent.
After we headed out, in our three-car convoy, to see some of the church members. The first, a small home, filled with the stench of undesirable smells. With security outside we ventured in, where we were offered water, of which we cannot accept, and sit on their broken sofa while a middle aged woman cradles herself on the stone floor, where she sits daily. They are excited and emotional to be seeing their Vicar, who brings a little food, not enough, but at least there's something. A wide-eyed woman sits in the corner, smiling at our visit, which vanishes when we get up to leave. There are hundreds of families like this, who have a place to call home, which is bed less, lightless, foodless and absolutely no defence against the now 50c heat. I begin to pray for the night.
We also went to a high security prison. To meet a man who had been prominent in Saddam Hussein's regime. I realised that at one time this man had opened many doors for the work of frrme, but he's now a brittle old man, powerless and dying, on death row for his horrific crimes, and its Andrews gift to him that even men like him deserve love and a little time, which gives him hope. He's offered prayers and we depart into the dust bowl.
As we drive back, high speed, through the streets of a city, dishevelled through war, and torn apart by religious differences, I wonder, that what frrme are doing here, truly is what the church has been called to do. It sparks in me questions regarding how I've viewed church, what I've supported and what I really believe in. What is the church called to do, this church that even the gates of Hell shall not prevail against? Preach the good news, bind up the broken hearted, visit those in prison, look after the poor and love the vulnerable. So far on my trip I've seen all these things being done, not to mention the behind the scenes work, with other programmes, meetings and trying to show God's love in the Middle East. FRRME do a lot more than I've seen so far, and I cannot wait to experience and see it for myself but I've only been in Baghdad 30 hours.
Paul:
I am finally back in Baghdad after about 5 months away. I had to have spinal surgery but am finally mended and am ready to get back to the work God has called me to.
As soon as we got in the car from the airport I felt as though I hadn't been gone at all. The streets are still filled with rubble, we still encounter numerous checkpoints, and the traffic is still horrible. There are small changes though; a new fountain here, newly planted trees there, but the over-all picture is still one of carnage and violence. We finally get back to the church compound and I immediately noticed differences. There are new walls that are very secure, and I notice many small improvements throughout the compound, the result is an overall impression of cleanliness. An immediately noticeable difference is a new structure for the school children. It is a bright new enclosed area for them to play and store their things. This is definitely an improvement and an enhancement to their education.
As we begin to go out into the city to do our work our first stop is to a new grocery store in the green-zone to buy groceries to take to some of the parishioners. I learn that there was another branch of this super market out in the city, but that it was completely destroyed by a bombing earlier in the year. This to me highlights exactly what I have seen since I have been back. There is improvement, there is an attempt to build a better country, but despite these efforts there is still a spree of violence that is trying to hold the country back. It feels as though Iraq sometimes is taking two steps forward, and one step back, but I do believe there is a real effort at improvement. This gives me hope for the future of this country, although this process will not be quick or easy.
Here is a photo of the inside of the new school structure with the school children who are receiving awards for good marks:
WITH EVERY BLESSING,
