This is Mary's second trip to work alongside friends in Northern Iraq. She is bringing Light through language training and distribution of humanitarian aid (specifically "Samaritan's Purse - Operation Christmas Child" shoeboxes.) The account below is generated from the emails she is able to occasionally send. This journey is scheduled to last through October, 2008. Posts are sometimes purposefully vague to protect sensitive information.

Maintenance Humor , Sept. 12, 2008

     When are utilities malfunction (which is often), Larry, Moe & Curley come to the rescue.  First comes "Larry".  He comes up, surveys the situation and "tsk", "tsk", "tsks".  He leaves for his tools. (We now know that is a dangerous sign).  He returns "bang", "bang", "pry", "pry" and then announces the problem is fixed.  We have to call him again.  "Bang", "bang", oops big problem now.   

     Now it is time for the professionals--Moe and Curley to the rescue.  All three stand around "tsk", "tsking and discussing the situation.  Moe sends Curley for tools.  THERE ARE SOME MEN WHO SHOULD NEVER HOLD A TOOL MUCH LESS A POWER TOOL!!!   Moe drilled through a water pipe at 11:00 p.m. flooding the foyer storing our humanitarian boxes.  They do all their work at night when it is dark.   It has taken six trips for electricity problems, six trips for water problems.  We have given up asking him to fix the stove.   He comes in turns on the gas and announces--it works.  My momma done told me if you can smell gas, don't light a match.  I'm sticking to that.  

     So count you blessings, one by one and give praise and glory to the One who provides.  We do.  We laugh a lot to lighten the situation but we continue to praise G for where He has put us.  Blessings to one and all.

Life change, August 10, 2008

While we were away on a week-end visit, Debbie received a call that an elderly friend of hers here had passed away.  Mrs. B. lived in America with a son/daughter but had come over here in May to visit family.  We knew she was experiencing discomfort but a doctor here had said everything was O.K. Nevertheless, she passed away in her sleep. 

     Here is a part of their custom regarding death.  Once they realized she had passed away.  They immediately bathe the body. This is wash away their sins.  Women are dressed in a white shroud. They have their tribal turban placed on their head.  Their first white dress is a baby dress at their birth. The second istheir wedding dress.  The third is their shroud.  They carry,or drive in this case, the body to the burial ground. The body is on a stretcher.  Male relatives dig the grave.   The hole is lined with rocks for the body to lie on.  The body is lowered into the grave.  Rocks are then placed over the body.  Only the face is exposed.  Dirt is placed over the face and the rocks. That is their burial.  Then the women go to one relatives house where for three nights, they sit and reminence and cry.  The reminencing,though, is almost a singsong.  Some of women had beautiful voices and it was lovely.  Others not so!  They used to sit and grieve for 7 days but the Kurdistan Prime Minister edicted lately that 3 days was sufficient. The men go to the mosque for three mornings to pray. After 7 days, they go back and visit the grave. For each of the three nights, a meal is served by the extended family/friends.  For the three days, all family life stops (much like our culture).  But I grieve over their "lostness".  Most don't know they can be of another religion. Please rejoice because you live in America and have a spiritual wealth.  Blessings, Mary 

On her way, July 29, 2008

Our house guest is gone so I feel a little freer to tell more of her story.  But I will use letter/abbrevations so try to understand.  On Sunday the 13th, Debbie was contacted by a liked minded worker who had been housing the house guest but the worker was leaving to go back to the States for a short vacation.  We agreed to take the house guest and she came on Monday the 14th.  She worked for our red,white & blue. Because of her working for the Red White and Blue her husband divorced her.  He had some the religious leaders in this country put bounty on her .  The RWBlue protected her as she worked for them.  They transfered her to the north where she had freedom and she attended Sunday morning services.  Her life was changed at this point.  The r. leaders in the south heard (by their own grapevine) and racheted up the the threats on her life.  The decision was made to export her to our country.  She was with us until necessary traveling papers were received. They came and she made a premature decision to leave us but that was her choice. 

     I know without a doubt she was placed here for a reason/season.  We worked on explaining(showing her where to find things in the word), explaining choices as a C.  All I could think of was "what price freedom"--she had learned freedom from the RWB--how to dress as one of us (??), etc. etc.  Now she is going to have some very hard lessons to learn on her very own--but don't we all and we are constantly learning.  The one thing this has impressed on me is that baby C's must be mentored.  Young ladies must be mentored in appropriate dress (I know the culture in our country) and behavior.  The past 2 weeks have been interesting and enlightening.  My classes have been delayed as the director of the center has been sick.  I am just waiting on the L. to see what/where happens next.  Love, Mary 

In Our Home , July 24, 2008

Hi,  Watching CNN is appears that Dolly may have diverted your trip.  (She is referring to our Rio Grande trip that was cut short by the approaching hurricane.) We know that when G diverts/closes a door, He has a plan.  

     We have experienced a diversion here also--for how long noone knows.  I arrived on Thurs. the 10th, on Sunday the 13th, Debbie received an SOS from a like minded friend.  She was leaving for home for R&R for 2 months.  She was also housing a young lady needing help.  We agreed to take her in.  We know that G brought her into our lives for a season/reason.  I will call her houseguest (HG).  HG is a new family member.  She worked for our forces for about 3 years and experienced freedom of one sort then because of threats to her family, the unit moved her to another area for safety.  In this area, she experienced a second type freedom and left behind her other beliefs.  We know that she is new, and that doesn't mean perfection in all her ways instantly.  The phrase keeps coming to me "what price freedom".  HG is dealing with too much freedom, too fast.  But then to complicate the matter, she is waiting for papers to leave the here.  Govt. worldwide move slowly! So, for a season she is ours.  I have been babysitting here while Debbie goes about her business.  She doesn't understand "low key" so we are having to teach her.  She likes her new freedom of not having to cover--but our a. forces influenced into "our" way of dressing (jeans and very short tshirts).  We have to explain modest dressing and a way of showing respect to another culture.  Next week, when I start teaching, we are not sure of what will develop. Will keep you posted.  Mary  

More about the Journey, July 12, 2008

Dear Friends,  Tuesday July 8th I started my second trip to Iraq, leaving DFW @ 4:45 p.m. flying to Chicago.  The layover was enough to get bags and myself transferred to the international terminal.  We left about 9:45 p.m. flying Royal Jordanian to Emman.  The plane was full so no wiggle room.  We arrived Emman Jordan about10 a.m (Dallas time) 6:00 p.m. local time.  The RJ personnel met me and directed me to transit to get my hotel voucher.  The hotel was clean and comfortable.  I showered and enjoyed a middle eastern buffet--I love hummus, cucumber/tomato/youghert salad. Then I had time for a nap before boarding for my final leg of the trip.  The 3rd flight left Amman @ 1:30 a.m. arriving Irbil @ 3:30 a.m.  It messes with my mind that flights continue all night/morning long.  The airports were just as busy at that hour as they would be during the day.  I have spent the last two days unpacking and settling in and getting my clock on Iraqi time.  Today Saturday the 12th we had a Samaratain's Purse Christmas box distribution at the children's emergency hospital in Irbil.  This hospital treats children who had been burned, injured by bullets or mines. There were no mine accidents as they happen mostly in the spring when the children move their flocks up the mountains.  It was so heartbreaking to see these children in pain but once they opened the boxes, their smiles were 100 watts.  The mothers were so pleased.  There were shy and a bit overcome that Americans would send toys to children overseas.  Most of the burns come from scalding water or oil being spilled on them in the homes (childhood accidents).  The doctors were so appreciative of the little deversion that we brought them. Tomorrow, I will probably meet with the group where I will be teaching.  I will probably have three/four classes.  I also have "visits" to make with the people I met last year and brought medicine etc. etc. from the USA.  Friends please know that you are making a huge difference in a child's life by filling those boxes. 

Arrival - July 11, 2008

Traveling Royal Jordanian through Amman was so civilized!!! As soon as I arrived at the aiirport, RJ personnel directed me to transit who gave me a hotel/transport voucher.  After going through security etc. I found my way down to transit and on a bus for the hotel.  After checking in, showering etc. I went to the buffet dinner--middle eastern but since I like it the food was great.  I took a nap and then got ready for my third leg of the trip.  The flight to Erbil was about 1 1/2 hr.  The flight was full--it still messes with my mind to leave on a flight at 1:30 am and arrive @ 3:00 a.m.  the Ebirl airport was full and bustling as though it were 3:00 p.m.  Debbie met me.  I got unpacked and generally settled in  finally about 11:00 a.m. I laid down and slept until 6:30 p.m.  then after supper etc. I went back to bed about 11:00 p.m and slept until 7 a.m.  We are close to a mosque--so I was awakend at 3:25 this a.m. with the first call to prayer--as I write now 11:50 a.m. (our time) the Inman is calling them to prayer.   I am so glad I can worship my God at anytime--anywhere.  Today is Friday (their Sunday) so it is a down day.  Tomorrow or the next I expect to start connecting and deciding what days, where to teach what venues etc. etc.  Blessings to one and all.