Syria: Day 3

Mon, Apr 27, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Subject - Syria: Day 3

Hey everyone!

I'm not even sure there are words to describe today. This morning, we went and did "home visits" with families, Iraqi refugee families. We divided up into teams of three. On my team was Marcos, Graham, Kristen and myself, with Feeda as our translator. Another team was John Card, Krazer, Lauren, and Marianne with Fadi as their translator. The third team was Joun, Russell, Carolyn. These families had emotions of anger, grief, and hurt.

The first family my team went to was one where the mother had died with her grandson in an IED explosion at a local market near Baghdad. So her son, his wife, her daughter, and her husband were living in a small condo with their two children. It was so sad, I almost broke down on the spot. Her son, had to take his family and leave Iraq, as they were in much danger from terrorists. He was assisting American forces in Iraq to locate terrorists, and because he was helping the US - Islamic terrorists were trying to kill him and his family. This man is also a Christian, so is his whole family. Graham asked to lay hands on the man and p for him and his family. It was an outstanding idea, and I believe the HS lead him to do so as you could see the healing taking place in them. Kristen and I laid hands on the daughter and the man's wife, and I p-ed over them. It was such a moving experience, and I know the HS was definitely bringing hope into their lives. They were incredibly wealthy - wealthy in hope. They have so much hope to move into a better life, to Canada or somewhere safe, where they can work. I cannot even imagine how difficult it is for the woman's son (who was in his 30's about) to deal with it, a highly educated man forced to work in a restaurant to accept money under the table. (when refugees flea Iraq, they cannot work in Syria because the Iraqi govt stamps their passports so they cannot work in Syria - to force them to work and live only in Iraq) This poor man is not even able to provide for his family what they need, and he even has more than enough education to do so. My heart broke for this family, but their hope is clearly from the Lord. They have a 2 year old named Marco, who I held, he was so precious. Beautiful boy, and just holding him and hearing them tell me how they hope he grows up to be an engineer - brought tears to my eyes. This family has the Lord in their heart, and I ask that you please p for them. P for them to get visas to leave to go to a better life.

The second family, wasn't so much a family. The woman was a widow, and had lost one of her three sons at age 3 due to an illness. Her husband was killed at a local market by a suicide b'er. 4 months before that, her mother passed away. When this woman was telling her story, she broke down and couldn't stop crying. All I could do was hold her and comfort her, cry with her. I immediately asked the Lord for words. Graham grabbed an evangecube to entertain the children (7 and 5 year old boys), and taught them how to use it actually. He later gave it to them, after p-ing over the children. Kristen and I p-ed over the woman.

This story is incredible: In Russell's group, they went to a family with 7 children. I'm not sure the whole story here, I'm sure they will tell you when they return. But I know the family was waiting on visas to leave Syria, and they had no idea whether it would take 2 weeks, 2 days, or 5 years. In fact, the landlord had been standing outside their apartment and would not leave until they came up with the mney for rent. They could not afford the rent. So, Russell, Carolyn, and Joun p-ed with them. We saw them later on in the afternoon at the school, and it turns out: minutes after the team left, they received a call saying their visas were ready!!!!!!! And they were free to leave! How amazing is that! God is so faithful when we seek Him!

Also, the message to the women's group went great! Thank you so much for you p's!!! Joun's mother said it was a good message, and his Dad even came to listen! It was amazing letting the HS work through me. :-)

Russell wanted me to be sure and thank you for the sports updates. :-)

We also now have hot water!!! Thank so much for your p's on that, truly! ;-)

I must go, we are about to eat dinner at Nancy's house (Joun's sister). Dinner is ready. So I'm late!

Everyone sends their best, their love, and their prayers. The team LOVES the udpates, and God is transforming our lives in ways we cannot even explain, or fathom at the moment. It's amazing! Please continue your p's, love, encouragement, and support! Thank you!

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Kristina