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

It was 8 years ago today that the Americans rolled into Baghdad and Saddam's statue was pulled down in Firdos Square (Heaven Square).  We had hoped that heaven would come in part to Iraq. We knew that change would come but instead the story has been one of carnage, violence and corruption.

I had no idea that 8 years later I would still be there.  I had no idea that I would have a church there.

I remember so well the day we reopened the church. I preached on the passage in Haggai which says "The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, and in this place I shall give peace".

I had hoped and presumed that this peace would be a new political entity; I presumed that everything would change for the better.  Then the violence started, the torture and terrorism corruption set in like we had never seen before.  It would often be said that much of the violence came from outside Iraq but the corruption from inside.

The church grew and grew and I often wondered where the peace was that I had hoped for and believed in.  Then one day the Chair of our Advisory Council, Lord Hylton, came to St George's with me.  He told me that he had never experienced as much peace as in that church service.  

I thought much about what he had said.  Then I realized we do have immense peace, but it is all in our little compound that surrounds the church.  Our people have been kidnapped, murdered and tortured; we have been through our Good Friday experience, but we know that Easter is coming.  

As we went through the recent major massacre I preached on Romans 8:18 "The present suffering is nothing to be compared with the Glory that is to come".

We have suffered like most people will never have to endure, but in our church compound you will find the happiest church I have ever experienced.  It's a place full of joy, "Weeping may endure for a while but in the morning, joy will happen."

We know that we are an Easter People and our song is "Hallelujah".

I am preparing to go back on Monday and I am just so happy.  There is nowhere in the world that I would rather be than with my beloved people.

Blessings,

Andrew

Canon Dr. Andrew White

Andrew White, the dedicated 'Vicar of Baghdad', encounters daily tragedy...

•  What happened to his faith when a young girl in his congregation died, after much hope and prayer?      
•  Every time he returns to Iraq he may be saying goodbye to his family for the last time.  What do they think?
• He suffers from MS.  How does he remain cheerful despite his physical weakness, and its progression?    
• What does he say to God, alone in his study, late at night? Looking ahead, can he be optimistic about the future? 

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