Thanks to these brave high schoolers who forced me to think about what it’s like to be a generation that has only known life since 9/11. And for them, it’s okay to pray. Read more
Thanks to these brave high schoolers who forced me to think about what it’s like to be a generation that has only known life since 9/11. And for them, it’s okay to pray. Read more
It looked bad, as he clutched his wrist and grimaced in pain. Joshua,was just 11, and he was all boy. He had been stunt-jumping on his bicycle and had “biffed it,” adolescent talk for “had a major accident and lived to tell.” This was a familiar path we trod to the Emergency Room. I don’t how many, but it was at least 10. And we even had a nurse in the house to mitigate some of the emergencies, but still... Read more
On Monday, I shared the story of Sawson Ojailat who as my translator while I was in Jordan. I encourage you to read her words here first, and then continue on. I have begun to image what it would have been like to be a Christian in Syria or Iraq. The Christian refugees we interviewed shared their stories of persecution. We heard stories about the Muslim Brotherhood, ISIS and FSA who were very strong and powerful against them. I was shocked... Read more
(Sawson Ojailat served as my translator while I was in Jordan. She is a wonderful Christian woman, raised in Kuwait as a child and later to Jordan as an adult. She has seen a region rocked by unrest. She has seen death. But she has watched the sprig of hope blossom throughout the region she loves. During my brief visit, Sawson accurately translated my questions and the refugee’s answers. The hard questions would often bring the most heart-wrenching honesty. As... Read more
It’s morning and Salwan Mochtar opens the door to face the day. Sadly, this day is no different than yesterday and likely no different than tomorrow. The fittingly named Lady of Peace school towers high, looking down at the 10 x 15 hard-sided caravan trailers where Salwan and ten other families live. The school is part of a sprawling Catholic complex including a stunning new church. The trailer grouping is at the backside of the sanctuary and are managed by... Read more
They all wore crosses as they leaned in, talking rapidly as the translator tried to keep me in the conversation. Their words were passionate and real. They had lived through hell as a family and were happy to be on the other side of it. And yes, they wanted to talk about it. Qusai looked at his sister, Raneen, wondering just where to start. Their spouses, Zaina and Wesam were ready to talk too, but finding proper words to describe a... Read more
Bassam Jacob lived in a mixed neighborhood in central Baghdad. For his whole life he watched Shite and Sunni Muslims vie for power. Usually it was at the expense of each other, but sometimes it was the Christian minority that suffered injury or loss of life and property. It was a way of life. According to Bassam, the situation was already terrible in Baghdad. The school had closed down. People were routinely killed. Basic commodities like food and fuel were... Read more
“ Why do we do the things we do?” The biblical hall of faith is filled with men of passion and zeal. Read the names – Abraham, Samson, David and all the others and you’ll recall the tales of inspiration. We retell them in Bible studies, sermons and object lessons to our children. But nearly every one of these heroes has a dark side, a story you won’t find on the flannel board in Sunday school. Most of these role models... Read more
Yes, he is Syrian. And he’s one of the Christian refugees who carries the hope that he and his family can immigrate. They cannot go home because there is no home. He carries himself like an athlete – upright, strong and proud. 28 year-old Sha’ady Majain doesn’t look like he changes his mind once it’s made up. But war has a way of determining direction, regardless of will. He and his young family lived in Faryouzh, a Christian area in... Read more
They call the units “caravans” and they are little more than 8 x 15 hard shell metal boxes with a window. Set up like a miniature trailer park, children play and women huddle in groups while men tell stories. But for these 82 Iraqi refugees, this will never be home. She tilted her head as she recounted that fateful day more than a year ago. “We left everything behind. I assumed it would be just for a day or two... Read more
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