Dear Friends,
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I do trust you have all had a good Easter. Ours was very different than most. Early Sunday morning, just as we were
preparing for church there was a large explosion nearby. A few minutes later there was a secondary blast of a different magnitude.
Damage
The buildings in our compound shuddered, the windows shattered, the sirens began screeching and some nearby ran to us in tears. Birds even fell dead from the sky. The damage does not compare to last time but the structural damage to the church seems
to be severe.
We will need several thousand dollars just to repair the windows. As for the structure, I just
do not know.
Bomb Target
We learned that it was car bomb explosion targeting the Iranian Embassy but the vehicle was
parked between our building and theirs, by the Governor's office.
It took a while for the magnitude of what happened to sink in. I sent out a
quick short message on Facebook before the internet and phones stopped working.
This was our Resurrection Day.
Special Guests
The British Ambassador and Embassy staff were due to come to our
service,
but it
was obvious that this could not happen. The Ambassador did phone me to check I was
alright. The Governor was also supposed to come to church today but I did not even know
if our own
people would be able to get here.
They did come. Despite their difficulties in getting to us, they started to
flock in. I was then informed that the Governor would be coming too. He came surrounded
by security he came and visited our clinic and viewed our kindergarten and hall
that he is funding.
The Governor came into the church took the front row after the introduction
he spoke to us, assured us that he would never leave us and presented to us a
large bouquet of flowers. After we
made a presentation to him we continued celebrating that He who was once dead
was alive.
Easter Teaching
My reading was from John 20. I spoke of the role of that the women demonstrated, not least Mary
Magdalene. Then I spoke about how in ancient Judaism a folded napkin meant you
were coming back, this was the message of Jesus' folded head cloth.
Finally I
spoke
about Thomas. In the west we call him doubting Thomas. To us he is Mar Thoma. One of
the greatest saints, all of our people are here because Mar Thoma brought the Gospel to
Iraq.
The service continued joyfully. Hundreds of Children sang, we had heard of the
resurrection of Christ Jesus, and we participated in the Lord's Supper.
The pain of the day was still there. Over 40 people had been killed and David had been out
again
collecting parts of bodies.
When we finished the service, I went to the back of the church where everyone received bracelets
made by the children at the River Church in New Jersey, USA, and were given groceries for the week.
Heavenly Worship
I had said farewell to hundreds of people, the choir continued singing and some people stayed to worship. As we sung with the
remaining people the heavens opened.
The worship was the most amazing I had ever experienced in Iraq. There was
such joy as we sang of the Lords resurrection and glory. With the heavens open
we celebrated Easter like I have never done before. The Lord was indeed with
us.
Prayer Requests
Today I begin my journey to the USA - a long and complex trip. Please pray for my speaking engagements, ease of travel, and for good health that lasts the duration of the trip.
Raising funds to cover our monthly costs continues to be an issue, but please pray that we also get the
funds to repair the church.
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For more information on the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East please visit our website
www.frrme.org |
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Canon Andrew White on Radio 4 TONIGHT
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"For those of you in the UK there is a major programme on BBC
Radio 4 at 8pm on Tuesday. There are interviews with me in Baghdad."
-Andrew
Radio 4 is available on the following platforms:
Online
www.bbc.co.uk/radio4
BBC iPlayer
Television
Sky:
0104 (FM) 0143 (LW)Freeview: 704 (FM)
Radio
92-95 FM
DAB 12B
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Andrew Across America in April
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Here is a selection of Andrew's US speaking appearances
Friday 9th - Empowered 21 Conference. Tulsa, Oklahoma
Sunday 11th - St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral. Oklahoma City
Friday 16th - St. Dustan's Church. Largo, Florida
Sunday 18th - The River Church, Tampa.
10am and 7pm
Tuesday 18th - Wheaton College
Thursday 22nd - Emmanuel Church, Newport, Rhode Island - 7pm
Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th- All Nations Church Conference, Charlotte, NC.
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John 20: 15 & 16
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"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."
Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!"
(which means Teacher).
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