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Running the good race
'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.'
Dear friends,
Iraq
One policeman was killed and more than a dozen people wounded during anti-government protests in Kurdistan, northern Iraq this week.
Protesters are continuing to gather on streets across Iraq, aiming to highlight political corruption, unemployment and a shortage of basic facilities including food, electricity and water.
Meanwhile, attacks remain commonplace. On Wednesday six people, including a policeman, two ministry employees and three civilians were killed in separate attacks in Baghdad, and the northern city of Mosul.
Meanwhile, Iraq has taken the helm of the Arab League, following Libya's suspension from the body. Among other things, the League aims to strengthen ties between member countries, develop the common good within each, and promote a positive image of the region as a whole.
The presidency is a chance for Iraq to showcase its burgeoning democracy. As we pray for the people of Iraq, let us also pray for its leaders. As they host the summit later this year in Baghdad, pray that God works through them for positive talks that act as a catalyst for change where it's needed.
The Canon in America
Andrew's now in the US and will speak tonight and on Sunday evening at Bethel Church in Redding, California. He's delighted to have some time with his US supporters and is very much looking forward to preaching there. Please do pray for him on this trip.
Running for Reconciliation
Our Director, Peter Marsden, ran the first-ever Jerusalem Marathon today, to raise funds for FRRME.
He arrived in Jerusalem on Wednesday just as news broke of the sectarian bombing at a crowded bus stop in the city, a stark reminder of an old conflict and the need for the reconciliation efforts of charities like FRRME.
Despite the attack, the Marathon was a success and Peter and his friends enjoyed a wonderful run through the city. He was running to raise money for the mediation work we support in Iraq and the wider Middle East. Following the Marathon, Peter drew parallels between the run and the path to reconciliation.
He wrote: '"It's not a sprint, it's a marathon." As annoying and overused as the expression is, the phrase was on loop in my mind as I set off this morning on the first ever Jerusalem Marathon. This place is seriously hilly; a fact lost on me until someone pointed out that, famously, Christ's main teachings were delivered from mountain-tops...
'The marathon/sprint metaphor also applies to conflict mediation. There's pressure to deliver quick fixes, but the work takes time. Sure, there are moments of clarity; mountain top experiences with great views of the path ahead, and there are also tough times; terrible times, when body and mind, in perfect concert, scream "enough".
'As I ran 26.2 miles around Jerusalem and its environs, the Hebrew, "Yishar Koash" - well done, merged with the more direct Arabic, "Yalla Yalla" - hurry, hurry. This was wonderfully encouraging, both for the run and for hopes of reconciliation.
'We slowly but steadily clocked up the miles towards a predetermined end, but the mile-posts towards reconciliation are less easily definable.
'More significantly, whereas our path was lined with enthusiastic supporters cheering us along, the role of the mediator is a far lonelier one. Meetings are necessarily conducted behind closed doors and below the radar. Few people cheer.
'The road to peace is not a marathon; it's much tougher than that.'
Please do continue to pray for our reconciliation work.
And for more information on Peter's run, or to sponsor him, please do visit his JustGiving page.
Lent reflections Please do remember us in your prayers this Lent. For some reflections, images and points to bear in mind, click here for our Lent poster. If you experience any problems downloading it, do feel free to email me at jenny@frrme.org and I'll be sure to get one to you. We'd be very grateful if you could display it in your churches, and share with others the work we're doing. To recieve further resources to share, email me at jenny@frrme.org Thank you, so much, for your continued prayers. If you have a prayer for our work which you'd like to share, I'd love to hear from you. Every blessing
Jenny Williams jenny@frrme.org
Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East
www.FRRME.org
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