A World Of Possibilities
Back in the 60’s Bob Dylan challenged a whole generation with the lyrics of a song; “Get out of the way if you can’t lend a hand for the times they are a changing.” In today’s political climate of intense competition for power, dirty politics have become the norm. In this struggle between parties Iraq has become the political Whipping boy. It seems that many have lost sight of the possibilities there. We seem to, as a nation, have lost our perspective; we won the war in Afghanistan and Iraq; we are a presence in the Middle East, working for the possibility of democracy in those regions. To compare Iraq with Viet Nam is ludicrous, those who do so where either too young to remember that conflict or have seared their conscience to the point of shamelessly exploiting the past without regard to the facts. More Americans were murdered in America last year than have died in Iraq. More people were killed in auto accidents last year than have died in the whole war effort. We hear news today like, “The Taliban are regrouping, Al Qaeda is regrouping,” why would this be? Obviously they have been dispersed and damaged. What few are saying these days is that no one over there wants us to leave Iraq. Not the Sunnis, the Shi’ites or the Kurds. Why is this so? They understand the possibilities of civil war between these groups. If we pull out, simply put, hundreds of thousands could die. Iran has ambitions to assimilate the Shi’ite portion of Iraq, thereby strengthening its power in the region; this is nuclear Iran we are talking about. Turkey has ambitions for the partitioning of Northern Iraq and the destruction of Kurdish autonomy. Saudi Arabia feels compelled to get involved to protect Sunni interests in the region. All of this looms on the horizon of an American pull out. This is the political reality, but how about the Gospel reality?
I can understand the political fervor over our nations Mid East involvements, but what about our fervor as believers for the lost of this portion of the world that has been closed to us for so many years? It was Christ who said, “Go ye into all of the World.” We as believers have been given an incredible window of opportunity into the Muslim world and despite all the nay-Sayers in the news, there are many volunteers of the faith who are ready, willing and able to go. One percent of missions giving has been allotted to reach the Muslim world, this is practically a default to Islam; no wonder our world is so troubled today.
Like most efforts, those who go must be sent, they can’t go it alone; “Who serves as a soldier at his own expense?” (1Cor. 9:7).
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Rom. 10:14-15)
The simple truth is that missions cannot happen without those willing to go. Those willing to go cannot do so without those willing send them. There is a unique symbiosis here, that is, a mutually beneficial relationship. Goers + Senders = Harvest and Harvest = Reward in this life and the one to come.
I still believe that Believers are the most potent force on the Earth; contingent, of course, on our willingness to act upon what we believe. The Lord said, “All things are possible to those who believe.” I still believe we can change our world.
We need some like-minded partners to lend a hand for the next leg of the journey.
Here are a number of small projects individuals like you as well as individual churches can take on over the next several months. These things can be accomplished immediately and have a lasting impact upon real Kurdish people in Kurdistan of Iraq.
Village Medical Outreaches:
We are involved with Six Kurdish Villages; Passe Village, Geleka, Dakhan, Koreme, Geze Widow’s Village and Baban (Yezedi Kurds). The cost of each village medical outreach is about a $1000.00. This includes medication, transportation and workers. A full report and photos will be sent to all who participate.
The Widow of Geleka And Her Children:
This is the woman in the village of Geleka whose husband was killed when he stepped on a land mine out in the mountains where he was gathering food for his family. He left behind eight children. We have helped to keep the children clothed and in school at a cost of $1200.00 per year. This is not a great deal of money but it makes a great difference concerning this family’s future. In addition, it has an impact on the village as a testimony of Christian concern and care.
Golistan and her family;
Golistan is a young widow, seen here with her cousin and family, she was cast out of her In-laws house after her husband was killed in an auto accident. Her child was forcibly taken from her by her husband’s family as well as the dowry given her at her betrothal. She was forced into the arranged marriage at age fourteen by her father, who has since acknowledged that this was a mistake. Many here are coming to see that the old traditions are not the best and are now open to change.
Golistan is still a young woman; because she is no longer a virgin (very important to Muslim men) she is considered by most as used goods. She has no education and her future is very bleak. She is looking for a way out of Islam and for a new life; we can help by getting involved with her future. A number of people have expressed interest in helping her after hearing her story, but no one has yet stepped up to the plate. Her father and brothers are very open to us; they have a small very modest home (even by Kurdish standards) under construction that needs to be finished. For $2000.00 we could furnish this family with a home of their own. For another 1200.00 we could start this young woman’s schooling and make all the difference in her future.
IDP Village Construction Project:
IDP’s are Internally Displaced Persons. There are large number of these folks who live in schools, prisons, such as Nzarke fortress in the photos above and various other government buildings because there is no housing available to them. Its hard for us to comprehend the long-term consequences of 4000 destroyed Kurdish villages. Saddam had all but destroyed the whole of the Kurdish infrastructure.
I met with the Governor of Duhok Governate, the second largest in Kurdistan and discussed these problems and proposed building an IDP village in the region to accommodate the problems of the Governate. He was very enthusiastic and agreed to supply basic materials and land. He asked if we could build 450 houses, I told him no, but that we would attempt 50 houses; if we accomplished that goal we would attempt 50 more the same way until the job was done. For the price of one American Home, we could construct a whole village. The average cost per home at this time would be about $4000.00 to $6000.00 This is something that could be accomplished by individual churches as a project.
Airfare For Jack (to get back to Iraq):
Then there is the missionary himself. Our missionaries can do the job, but they can’t send themselves. The British Airways Missionary Fare is about $1160.00. Once in Iraq, Jack’s upkeep is pretty reasonable about $1480.00 per month – this includes food, housing, fuel, and telecommunications. The essential team members, Mohammed and Khaled cost an additional $1400.00 per month. This includes the use of Mohammed’s car.
These are opportunities now! The doors are open, we have favor with the Kurdish Regional Government and these people are in need of our help. They will never forget those who help them, nor the testimony of concerned Christians who entered their world, not with weapons but with love and compassion. These are POSSIBILITIES which can change the future. If those who are able would take on part or all of one of these needs, we can get the job done.
As I wrote this article I read something I would like to share; its from my morning devotional and its written by Oswald Chambers.
The Impoverished Ministry of Jesus
“Where then do You get that living water?” (John 4:11).
“The well is deep”—and even a great deal deeper than the Samaritan woman knew! (4:11). Think of the depths of human nature and human life; think of the depth of the “wells” in you. Have you been limiting, or impoverishing, the ministry of Jesus to the point that He is unable to work in your life? Suppose that you have a deep “well” of hurt and trouble inside your heart, and Jesus comes and says to you, “Let not your heart be troubled ” (John 14:1). Would your response be to shrug your shoulders and say, “But, Lord, the well is too deep, and even You can’t draw up quietness and comfort out of it.” Actually, that is correct. Jesus doesn’t bring anything up from the wells of human nature—He brings them down from above. We limit the Holy One of Israel by remembering only what we have allowed Him to do for us in the past, and also by saying, “Of course, I cannot expect God to do this particular thing.” The thing that approaches the very limits of His power is the very thing we as disciples of Jesus ought to believe He will do. We impoverish and weaken His ministry in us the moment we forget He is almighty. The impoverishment is in us, not in Him. We will come to Jesus for Him to be our comforter or our sympathizer, but we refrain from approaching Him as our Almighty God. The reason some of us are such poor examples of Christianity is that we have failed to recognize that Christ is almighty. We have Christian attributes and experiences, but there is no abandonment or surrender to Jesus Christ. When we get into difficult circumstances, we impoverish His ministry by saying, “Of course, He can’t do anything about this.” We struggle to reach the bottom of our own well, trying to get water for ourselves. Beware of sitting back, and saying, “It can’t be done.” You will know it can be done if you will look to Jesus. The well of your incompleteness runs deep, but make the effort to look away from yourself and to look toward Him.
As Dylan said; “Get out of the way if you can’t lend a hand, for the times they are a changing.”
Come on! Lend a hand, roll up your sleeves and get involved! There’s a world out there to win and lives to save. You can be part of the solution, instead of being a part of the problem. Let’s focus together on the Possibilities!
Jack Harris
Mission Global Harvest (Iraq)
P.O. Box 1769
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729
