TESTIMONIALS
Hanna is a refugee pastor from Gaza living in Jordan. Many of you met him when he, his wife and their two little children came to Juneau to share about life and ministry challenges in Gaza. Now, having been evacuated from Gaza when a co-worker was abducted, tortured and killed, Hanna lives in Amman, Jordan. He tries to get into Gaza every few months to encourage the believers there but cannot live there because of danger to his family. Suhad is Jordanian so he is allowed to live and work in Amman, at least for the moment. Hanna teaches a few courses at a seminary and pastors a congregation of Christian Iraqi refugees who have fled religious persecution from Islamic extremists in Iraq.
We met one of those families in their apartment. Because they are refugees Jordan let's them live there but they can never work in Jordan nor can their children go to school(this family in particular because they not able to get the official papers they need for their from the ministry of education in Iraq, they left in Hurry because of the danger). They are hoping to be allowed permission to go to Detroit to join some relatives. All these people are in a holding pattern that can take a minimum of a year. Meanwhile the families languish in boredom; grieving the loss of their homes, and missing relatives and worrying for their safety. This particular family's church was attacked by suicide bombers during a church service last October. Fifty-eight were killed and over a 100 injured. I can't well describe how sad it was to sit in that apartment, with Hanna translating, as they told us their woeful and tragic story that began in 2006 when a brother was murdered. Their two oldest children about 9 and 7 years old sat in the same chair quietly listening to their mother cry at times and their father trying to hold it together. I worry about these children when nothing constructive or joyful to do. They just watch TV and sleep all day. I asked about the obvious post traumatic symptoms in children. The parents are grateful that their children sleep with no nightmares. The mother said that she prayed and read the bible to them each night. It was difficult to hold back tears for any of us as they told their story for 90 minutes. We all prayed together before we left. I so much want these children and others like them to find time in a week to play and just be children for awhile. I'm praying that Hanna and the church will find activities on a regular basis for these kids.
Earlier, we listened to Hanna tell his story to a group of California college students. One thing he said struck me: "Even the worst place is the best place when you are in the center of God's will. The best place is the worst when you are not." Hanna deeply misses Gaza, his home, the people, the church he pastored which was just beginning to launch a number of significant ministries just before the persecution broke out. But Hanna knows that for now he is in 'the best place.'
Please pray for the Iraqi Christian refugee children and that Hanna, the church, we can be shown what we do bring to bring a little joy to their transition.