Dear Friends,
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I am writing again to link you to an
article that I have written, which is online now.
I would like to also provide another
general update as much is going on at this time. I am pleased to say that
Caroline continues to recover well and we await a date for a second operation
on her other leg. The four Iraqi teenagers have settled back into regular life
and continue to speak about the remarkable experience they had in the UK.
In Baghdad life is busy, but this
week it is even more so than usual. Saturday brings the biggest service of the
year as many children partake in their first communion. Then on Sunday we have
a major Danish memorial, as well as the US services and the regular St. George's
gatherings.
IRRI
Despite many in our congregation
having now fled Iraq, I am thrilled to say we have actually had new people
arrive at the church. In the meantime we are also continuing our "non-church
work", namely the mediation of religious sectarian disputes, though everything
has slowed down because of Ramadan. This work comes under the banner of the Inter-Religious
Reconciliation Initiative (IRRI).
More details can be found on our homepage and there is a feature in
the new Autumn newsletter, which has been posted to many of our supporters today.
Clinic and School
St. George's Clinic is seeing more patients than
ever. Last week in our meeting with General David Greer we discussed the need
to expand our clinic's waiting room and add another doctor's surgery and dental
surgery. At the same time the school building is on schedule and we can't wait
for it to be opened. We are continually aware of the presence, provision and
direction of G-d.
Financial
Pressures
Meanwhile back at
base we are faced with ongoing, unprecedented financial pressures. Donations
have declined during the summer months. This is combined with increased cost pressures
of supporting the desperate needs of people in Baghdad through the work of the
church, the clinic and relief projects.
I'm asking, pleading and praying to the Lord that
finances will be forthcoming. He has always responded to our needs and I'm sure
He will again.
Middle
East Peace Talks
Also I ask your prayer for the Middle East peace
talks that President Obama is leading in DC. He has worked so hard to get the
Israelis and Palestinians together. We pray for him in this extremely difficult role and for the peace of Jerusalem.
After various emergencies I am informed that the
interview on CNN International's Connect Program with go out tonight at 9.30 BST
- we wait and see.
With every blessing,
Andrew Canon Andrew White,
Baghdad, Iraq
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