Foundation for Relief & Reconciliation in the Middle East

UPDATE FROM THE FOUNDATION FOR RELIEF AND RECONCILIATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

office@frrme.org
www.frrme.org
+44 (0) 1730 267 673

PO Box 229, Hampshire, GU32 9DL, UK

Update from Canon Andrew White

Click here for our Lent prayer poster

Thursday 10 March 2011

Faith Under Fire: The latest book by Andrew White.

For your copy, visit our online bookshop

Dear Friends,

It is wonderful to be back in Baghdad.

Moreover, it's something of a miracle.

I knew that it would be difficult getting back into Iraq with all the visa problems at the moment - the authorities having stopped issuing most - but this was the worst entry into Iraq I have ever had.

They were about to put me back on the plane to Jordan when two of my close friends intervened. Senior Christian parliamentarian, Yonadam Kanna, and former National Security Adviser, Dr Mowaffak Al Rubbaie.

I was sure that our Lord was going to help me get back in. Even when things were looking terrible, I knew I would get in. With G-d all is possible.

Ash Wednesday

So I am delighted to be back with my people, and to have been here for our wonderful Ash Wednesday service at the church.

The Fast here before Easter lasts for 50 days not 40 - it begins with the Jonah fast and from the Baptism of Jesus.

The fast is a chance for us to draw near to G-d - a happy time not a sad time, as we will be in the presence of the Almighty.

Over the weekend, Bishop Michael Nazir Ali arrives and we are all very much looking forward to his visit. Fortunately his visa was issued before they were all stopped.

Yesterday was also the Abareem of my dear friend Melanie.

Yom Abareem is literally 40 days after somebody dies. We celebrated her life, and the fact that we will soon have a school classroom named after her and we have an orange tree planted in her memory. We have also had generous donations in her memory for the class.

A growing church

Meanwhile back in the church, Faiz said we have a problem. There are so many new people in the church that we do not have enough money to for the increased relief.
I said that this was a great problem. But I know the Lord will provide. He always has, and always will.

So in our time of fasting from all meat, fish and dairy, we know that the Lord is here and his Holy Spirit is with us.

We know he will speak to us. So speak Lord, your servants are listening.

With grace, peace and blessings,

Andrew

Canon Andrew White

Andrew White

Faith Under Fire: The latest book from Canon Andrew White - out now.

To order your copy, visit our online shop: www.frrme.org/shop

Free tickets to the Faith Under Fire official book launch!

FRRME has tickets for the official book launch of Faith Under Fire for supporters. Tickets to the launch, to be held on the evening of Friday April 8 in London, will be given on a first-come-first-served basis. Email pauline@frrme.org for your invite.

Faith Under Fire - what the people say:

"Andrew's ministry in Baghdad is full of struggles, pain and pitfalls, yet his strong faith and unwavering commitment shine through this book. He reminds us also of the faith, hope, courage and sheer perseverance of the long-suffering people of Iraq and, especially, of the Christian communities as they face deadly danger from extremists.

"We should be led, as a result of reading this book, to pray for wisdom and strength for Andrew and his team and for ourselves, that we too may awaken and strengthen what remains.

"Andrew is a veritable Jonah of our times and we pray that God will transform the situation in Baghdad as he did long ago in Nineveh."

Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali

Faith Under Fire, the latest book from Andrew White

"If anyone has truly had the faith pounded in the fiery crucible of conflict, it is Canon Andrew White. His leadership of the Christian community in Baghdad is quite remarkable.

"For many, his experiences would have produced anger and bitterness, but for him and his congregation their reaction is the opposite: 'Despite our suffering,' he writes, 'we are not miserable but joyful!' This book explains why, and is compelling reading for people of all faiths and none."

General Sir Richard Dannatt GCB, CBE, MC, DL Chief of the General Staff 2006-2009

Andrew's speaking engagements:

Christ Church, Anerley, London

Sunday April 3 2011

10am

Kerith Community Church, Bracknell

Sunday April 3

7pm

Peter's speaking engagements:

If you'd like to book Peter to speak at your church, email us at office@frrme.org

Peter is free to speak on the following dates:

19 March (within an hour's drive of Bedford)

10 April

15 May (within an hour's drive of Bedford)

Sponsor Peter's Run for Reconciliation!

FRRME's very own Director, Peter Marsden, is running the first-ever Jerusalem Marathon on March 25, to raise funds for the Foundation.

Please do dig deep - to sponsor him, visit his Just Giving page.

Verse of the Week
Hebrews 11:1

"To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for - to be certain of the things we cannot see."

For more information on the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East please visit our website