uspolymer
05-10-2004, 11:18 PM
There's a lot of bad news coming out of Baghdad lately, but let me share some good news!
When Saddam was removed from power last year :yay: , many of the Iraqi workers didn't get paid. This includes those who work at orphanages. Since they didn't get paid, they left their jobs. When they left their jobs, the children also left but they fled to the streets. :blush: Let me give you a brief history: 1980, Iraq - Iranian War; 1991, Gulf War; 2003, Saddam removed from power. As you can see, Iraq has seen war for several decades and there are many orphans. :depressed:
During my first visit to Iraq, I went looking for orphanages. I looked and looked but couldn't find any. :shrug: I almost gave up, but I believe God led me to this Catholic orphanage. I knocked on the door and a Catholic sister came out to greet me. I asked her if I could visit but she told me that they already had visitors. She told me to come back tomorrow. I told her that I couldn't because I was leaving Baghdad. I persisted by asking her, "It'll only take 5-minutes!" She reluctantly let me in. :applause: As I was walking in, I noticed helmets, body armours, guns, etc. all near the entrance. What I didn't realize was that this was an orphanage for the disabled children. Eventhough, I went there to share the love of Christ with them. I couldn't. I admit. I was so ignorant. :whazzup: I felt like if I touched them, I would catch their 'disease.' These children had short limbs, deformed body parts, and they just didn't look normal. This was my first visit at an orphanage ever! THEN I saw our soliders playing with the children - tossing them in the air, hugging them, and just LOVING them as children. When I saw this, tears started to well up in my eyes and a sense of shame overwhelmed me. I repented of my ignorance! :angel: Once I gathered my composure, I went to encourage the soldiers for their good work. I asked them, "How often do you come here?" The captain of the group told me that they visit twice a week and for about 1-hour each! He also shared with me that he was a Christian and that he's been on many "M" (mission) trips.
I praise God for our soliders! :yay: Let's continue to pray for them. And also, remember that Iraqis are not our enemies. Our battle is not against flesh and blood. Have you considered this....every time an Iraqi soldier/insurgent dies, he dies without knowing Christ as his Savior?
Alan
When Saddam was removed from power last year :yay: , many of the Iraqi workers didn't get paid. This includes those who work at orphanages. Since they didn't get paid, they left their jobs. When they left their jobs, the children also left but they fled to the streets. :blush: Let me give you a brief history: 1980, Iraq - Iranian War; 1991, Gulf War; 2003, Saddam removed from power. As you can see, Iraq has seen war for several decades and there are many orphans. :depressed:
During my first visit to Iraq, I went looking for orphanages. I looked and looked but couldn't find any. :shrug: I almost gave up, but I believe God led me to this Catholic orphanage. I knocked on the door and a Catholic sister came out to greet me. I asked her if I could visit but she told me that they already had visitors. She told me to come back tomorrow. I told her that I couldn't because I was leaving Baghdad. I persisted by asking her, "It'll only take 5-minutes!" She reluctantly let me in. :applause: As I was walking in, I noticed helmets, body armours, guns, etc. all near the entrance. What I didn't realize was that this was an orphanage for the disabled children. Eventhough, I went there to share the love of Christ with them. I couldn't. I admit. I was so ignorant. :whazzup: I felt like if I touched them, I would catch their 'disease.' These children had short limbs, deformed body parts, and they just didn't look normal. This was my first visit at an orphanage ever! THEN I saw our soliders playing with the children - tossing them in the air, hugging them, and just LOVING them as children. When I saw this, tears started to well up in my eyes and a sense of shame overwhelmed me. I repented of my ignorance! :angel: Once I gathered my composure, I went to encourage the soldiers for their good work. I asked them, "How often do you come here?" The captain of the group told me that they visit twice a week and for about 1-hour each! He also shared with me that he was a Christian and that he's been on many "M" (mission) trips.
I praise God for our soliders! :yay: Let's continue to pray for them. And also, remember that Iraqis are not our enemies. Our battle is not against flesh and blood. Have you considered this....every time an Iraqi soldier/insurgent dies, he dies without knowing Christ as his Savior?
Alan