Land of the Kruds

Jack’s Journal Vol. II

Hands Of Hope Foundation International (Iraq) – Mission Global Harvest

Jack’s Journal Vol. II

There is GOOD NEWS out of Iraq! Muslims come to
Christ, Al Qaida is being defeated, Iraq is stabilizing
and we continue to have great favor.

Our First Muslims Come To Christ
12th November, 2007

Our first Muslims to come to The Lord here in Kurdistan have come through the outstanding work of our Medical team from Pennsylvania. Dr. Robert Doe and the group of medical professionals working with him have been teaching at the Ministry of Health in Duhok, the capitol of Duhok Governate here in Kurdistan of Iraq. These folks have been teaching and boldly sharing their faith and testimonies. They have been warmly received and a number of people, medical professionals themselves, have through their testimonies come to know Christ.

People have come to them for prayer, and counseling, others have shared that that Jesus has been speaking to them in their dreams, there have been testimonies of healing as they have prayed for folks and … we here, are beside ourselves with joy over the breakthroughs that God is giving us. Conversion is still a sensitive issue here and I don’t want to give the impression that these efforts have been easy or that there are not forces out there that would oppose this progress; this aside, we have a genuine spiritual break through and continued favor. Our East Coast brethren will depart today for home having done an outstanding job. We praise God for them.

IDP Project Blockage Removed
Upon my return, I discovered that our village reconstruction project had been blocked by a new Mayor in Amedia. This was not out of hostility, more like a planning and zoning issue. Yesterday, while many of you were praying for us, I met with the Governor of Duhok and the blockage was removed and we continue to have great favor. The government here is skeptical that we can build decent homes for IDPs for the low cost we have claimed, I have explained that what we are doing is to be a model for them to see for the cost effective construction of self-sustaining villages that have their own independent power source and many other ecologically sound innovations to make village life more appealing. I will meet with the new Mayor of Amedia today, then I and the men who have come to work on the project with me from Grace Fellowship Church in Flagstaff, AZ will go on to meet with the villagers in Passe. Incidentally, it’s still raining here.

Al Qaida Being Defeated In Iraq
The team and I attended a dinner for us at the invitation of General Azziz and my friend Col. Corzan of the Kurdish Security forces, it was a great honor to be invited by these brave men who by their willingness to sacrifice are the shield and protection of the Kurdish Region. Mohammed, our intrepid interpreter who is plugged into the politics of the region and well informed has reported to me that Al Qaida is being defeated throughout Iraq, that the people down south have turned against them and are driving them out of their areas. The Iraqi Military and Police are gaining the upper hand in the troubled areas and Iraq’s infrastructure is quickly recovering. Sorry, Senator, but it looks like we didn’t lose the war after all. Mohammed predicts that by next year all of Iraq will have stabilized. God grant that it be so.

Mission Global Harvest (Iraq)
PO Box 1769
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
www.iraqirelief.com
Get On Board, Thereʼs A Work To Be Done!

Jack’s Journal Vol. I

Hands Of Hope Foundation International (Iraq) – Mission Global Harvest

Jack’s Journal Vol. I

I will pour out upon you the former and the later rain in the same season
7th November, 2007 – Kurdistan Of Iraq

Nobody plans these things, in fact, I was unaware that no rain had fallen in Kurdistan since I departed earlier this year in May. This fact in an agrarian society is cause for concern. In the mountains winter is beginning to set in but down lower in the valleys and the plains the field are prepared for the planting of the wheat crops. Without the Spring rains and the Fall rains the promise of harvest is threatened.

Our return coincided with the political and military tensions on the Turkey, Iraq border, with the threat of a Turkish military incursion into Northern Iraq. Bombings and artillery shelling in the mountains not far from here continue as the Turkish Army tries to dislodge the PKK Kurdish Rebels (from Turkey) who have taken refuge in these mountains as once more the eyes of the world turn toward this troubled region. There were, of course, concerns for the safety of the team and I as we returned to Kurdistan for work on our current IDP Housing Project. We crossed the border without incident, we were however briefly interrogated by the Turkish Military at the border as we crossed when we presented our American Passports. The Turkish leadership has made a claim that the USA has armed and trained the PKK. This was out of a battle in the Turkish mountains about 600 kilometer’s away from the border. Apparently, a number of Turkish soldier’s were killed and the army was forced to withdraw. “This is not the PKK we are used to dealing with.” they said. “This PKK was well armed and well trained.”

Whatever the truth of these claims is, the fact that 60,000 troops are massed at the Kurdistan border and the Turkish Parliament has voted overwhelmingly to approve the military incursion. The peace and stability of the region continues to be threatened. Combine this with a drought this season and one can catch a sense of profound concern in a place that longs of peace and prosperity.

That’s the bad news, the good news is that we are here, we are safe and well, making preparations for a productive work season. If you are a believer in coincidence, then this issue of the rainfall upon our return is no big deal. If, however, you are, as I am, one of those who believe that “All things are parallel,” with me, you see the Hand of God at work saying something significant concerning the promise of harvest.

On Nov. 7th, 2007 at the very moment our feet touched the soil of Kurdistan, the first drops of rain fell.

Mission Global Harvest (Iraq)
PO Box 1769
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
www.iraqirelief.com
Get On Board, There’s A Work To Be Done!

Interview of Jack Harris from Fox News

Awesome interview! Click here to watch

Praise Chapel in Kurdistan, Iraq

Praise Chapel in Iraq
It’s official, our first Praise Chapel in Iraq!

Our efforts and investments made in Kurdistan of Iraq have begun to pay off as our first Praise Chapel in Iraq is in place and functioning. Pastor Layth Ibrahim and his congregation have joined our Fellowship of Churches. There is a miraculous story behind all of this, one of which we should all be aware.

A number of years ago, during the time of the Iraqi Regime, a younger Layth Ibrahim, an Iraqi Pastor Evangelist went to Jordan to preach the gospel. Here I record his own words as he told me the story.

Dear P. Jack,

Here in Duhok many NGO (Non Government Organizations) have worked. Some of them are good for the region of Kurdistan but some of them are not. Because they want the glory to themselves. So, I need for you to understand my intentions, please. “When I’m in Jordan, I worked as a pastor and as a evangelist. God used me to bring people from Islam to Jesus.

Satan was very angry, he did the impossible to stop me. He used one of the pastors to give my name to the security department, and after they investigated me they made me leave Jordan; they said, “We will watch you and if you do
not leave, we will put you and your family on the border of IRAQ.” Do you know what the Theology Seminary I studied in said? “Layth… Hide from them, and continue study and don’t let them see you.”

I told them, “I’m child of God, I never hide from the people. I will leave Jordan because I don’t want be unfaithful first, toward my Lord and second to myself.”

Brother Jack…
1- I want to be a “faithful” in front of the government.
2- I want to worship God without any fear.
3- I want to work with you to help people.
4- When I feel I’m faithful, I will give the best.

Thank you for what you’re doing to help me with support. Me and my family appreciate that So much.

The story continues as Layth tells of he and Mohammed’s (my Muslim interpreter and friend) efforts to gain legal church status and recognition in Kurdistan. Before I tell this portion of the story a little background is necessary.

When Layth and family returned to Iraq and formed their church in the Kurdish region they did so because of the relative security and liberty that is present there. Many of the folks in their congregation were forced to leave their homes and property in Baghdad and Southern Iraq by the Islamic Insurgents. They were told, “Convert to Islam Now, Leave Now, or Die Now!” They were not allowed to take anything with them. Most have had to start all over in the Kurdish Region. The Kurds have opened the door to these refugees and they have been welcomed. However, getting the legal recognition for a church is another matter.

Most of the Churches in the region are Assyrian or Catholic. They control the Christian affairs within the regional government. They have been very resistant to allowing Evangelical Churches such as Layth’s to take root. In fact some
works have been driven out, not by the Muslim’s, but by the Christians.

The Kurdish Regional government has built whole Assyrian Christian Villages while their own people have done without. I am sure this is to show the West that they are serious about Religious Freedom and Democracy. To their way of thinking, the Assyrians are the traditional church.

The result of all of this has been that Layth and his church have had to operate quietly in his home as an underground movement. There are numbers of Christia Congregations that have been forced into this mode of operation and Layth has contact and relationship with a many of them. He submitted his application for legal church status over two and a half years ago, only to be told by the “Christian representative” within the government that his application had been denied. When he asked to see the official paperwork of the denial, there was none.

This is where we have come in. For Three years now, we have worked exclusively with the Muslim Kurds doing what we can to help them recover their lives from the genocide against them during the Saddam years. We have also stood strong in our support of Kurdish Autonomy and have been a conduit of expression for them into America. Our humanitarian projects and our genuine Pro-Kurdistan position has opened incredible doors of favor with many influential Kurdish political figures, which are now paying off in terms of getting the help we need to establish Layth’s church as a legal entity in Kurdistan.

Mohammed, our Muslim interpreter has worked tirelessly, sometimes without pay to open these doors and help us. Here I continue with Layth’s story as he and Mohammed work together to establish government recognition of our church.

Mohammed was with me this morning and we wrote an application to the party and tomorrow in the morning will give it to the chief of the party in Duhok.

About the registering… The NGO (organization) is very good, it’s very good to me also. Why? As I’ve told you brother, it’s helpful to me to be legal, specially with you to work together this is important to me (our vision). I mean to help people how to understand the message of Christ. (to be saved).

Here Mohammed is helping draft an appeal to the leader of the KDP (Kurdish Democratic Party) First Branch, the most powerful wing of the Party. Without Mohammed’s help, we would have never gotten this far. Here again I emphasize that Mohammed is a Kurdish Muslim working hard to help our Christian agenda because he sees the benefit of our presence in the future of his nation.

Now, I skip ahead a few days to Layth’s next email which speaks of some of the difficulties he is encountering without an American Organizational legal covering.

Dear Brother,
I didn’t go to the meeting. Because it’s not good to me, specially with the group who went to it.

The meeting with the minister is: For the pastors who asked for opening a Church. They responded …

1. How many members do you have?
2. Who you are?
3. Which Denomination you are?
4. Who Supports you?
5. Are you an Ordained Pastor?
6. Maybe we will give you a temporary permission. (for one year)

So Please continue pray for us…we must speak directly with the prime minister. We must Speak with him as a Church & as an American Church. Because the Bishops of the tradition Churches make a problems to us. And it’s Gods time to Move.

Thank you very Much
Layth

Here is the point that the decision was made to make Layth’s church a registered Praise Chapel in Kurdistan and to Ordain him through our organization. Pastor Neville and our PC leadership have facilitated all that was necessary to bring this to pass. I record the result in Layth’s next email.

Dear P. Jack …
This Evening the First Branch for the (KDP) in Duhok called me and asked me if I’m P. Layth. They asked me to meet with them. I went and It was a great meeting. We talked about the church, about Politics and about Religion. He (the Branch leader) asked me, “If we give you the permission, what would be the benefit that we would have from you?”

I told them that we are an Organization (Praise Chapel), and our Goal is to make the world better with peace and love of Christ. That we are a Church to Worship God and give the word of God to those who are in need. I told him that we gave Christmas boxes for (2000) Kids in Duhok for (poor families) I told him about you and what you doing in Kurdistan; that you making a movie to speak up for Kurdistan and what you doing in Construction projects to help the peoples lives, and what you did to tell the world about Kurdistan. I told him as Mohammed said, “We are with Kurdish Government and we trust in them for what they doing and that we support them in the Political situation.” He said … “The (KDP) will support you as a Church, and we will give your application to the Governor of Duhok.”

Blessings
Layth

So, its offical, Pastor Layth and his church are now under the Praise Chapel covering, we will offically establish PC as a denominational entity within Kurdistan of Iraq and thereby open the doors for other Spirit-filled Evangelical Churches hidden underground to come out into the open and be recognized and facilitated. Our next step is to establish public meetings, a Discipleship/Church Planting Conference to draw in and help others within the underground Christian movement. Though it not a yet a done deal, we are well on our way toward our objectives. To spread the Gospel throughout Kurdistan of Iraq and from there into all the Middle East.

Addendum:

We have worked long and hard for these breakthroughs into the Muslim World of Northern Iraq. We have earned the respect of both the Political Leadership and the people whom we have served at the rural village level. We have done this not by our words, but first and foremost by our deeds. We have demonstrated the Love of Christ by our actions … now, it is paying off.
Y
ours In His Service,

Jack Harris
Mission Global Harvest (Iraq)
P.O. Box 1769
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729

Revival Service in Kurdistan

Revival Service in Kurdistan

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

In a back street, discreetly hidden from public view, is a two story house surrounded by a wall, typical of the city homes here in Duhok; there is something extraordinary happening here. As we walk through the entry gate up the stairs to the open front door, we are greeted by a pretty lady with a kind and pleasant smile. She is the pastors wife and she is welcoming those who are arriving into her home to participate in evening worship. This is the home of Pastor Layth Ibrahim, it is also his Church.

I visited here a week ago for the first time with Dr. Bob Doe from Lancaster, PA and Frances Saenz from Rancho Cucamonga, CA. This is the first Evangelical Church I have encountered here. Dr. Doe was led to it by Adil, the man above interpreting for me, he is also the husband of one of the doctors attending Dr. Doe’s Family Health Care seminars at the Ministry of Health here in Duhok.

The Message Of Reconciliation

I have been invited to speak this evening, and I have come, Bible in hand and message in heart, with that which I have felt that The Lord would have me to speak. I spoke on “The Message Of Reconciliation.” Knowing something of the history of the people I am about to address, I also know that what I have to say will be a challenge for them; yet I am confident that they will respond. I feel this because as I worshiped with them last week, I found them to be “The real deal.”

The place is packed out. The large living room has been modified into the Church sanctuary. Except for the fact that the language is Arabic (the language most Christians here use) you wouldn’t know that you weren’t in one of the Churches our Fellowship has planted around the World.

Everything from the video projected songs, a full worship team, complete with keyboard, to the praise service feels exactly the same. To find something like this here, is like finding an Oasis in the Desert. There is hand clapping, vibrant music, audible praise and exhortation from Pastor Layth, their shepherd, who obviously loves his little folk. It’s a good place.

My Story

I tell them my story, how I came to be in Kurdistan of Iraq, how that I feel The Lord led me here, to N. Iraq, before I really even understood what N. Iraq was. I tell them that I have been sent to the Kurdish Muslims to preach the Gospel and that I have been working and living among them for almost two years now. These folks are not Kurds, most, I believe, are from Assyrian and Chaldean Christian backgrounds who have been born again and Spirit-filled. Some have fled to Kurdistan under threat of death by the Insurgent Muslim factions down south. Many had lost all that they had.

They have been welcomed to Kurdistan, in fact, the regional government here has gone out of its way to provide homes for the Christians, when many of the Muslims still do without. It is Kurdistan’s way of trying to show America and the World that they want democracy, human rights, civil justice and freedom of religion. Despite this, these folk still walk softly because they have lived with Islam for a long time.

I tell them to consider; What did the disciples think when they saw Christ taken from them and crucified by wicked men? Despite all The Lord had taught them, they saw only death and despair; they didn’t see resurrection. On the road to Emmaus, two sad-faced disciples are joined by a stranger who inquires the reason for their sadness. Are you a stranger to these parts? Don’t you know what’s happened? Our leaders have taken Jesus of Nazareth and crucified him; and we had hoped that it was He who should redeem Israel.

O, you foolish ones, the stranger says, And slow to believe all that the Law and Prophets foretold. Ought not Christ to have suffered and then come into His Glory? Then He began to teach them from the beginning of the Law through the Prophets all that had been spoken concerning Him.

Pastor Layth Ibrahim and Family

As they arrive at their destination, the stranger makes as if he will go on into the evening alone. The disciples constrain him to spend the night and have supper with them. He accepts their invitation. At supper, the stranger takes bread, breaks it and blesses it. Upon doing this, their eyes are opened and they gasp, “Its The Lord!” He then vanishes from their sight.

I tell these people, that in this world, bad things often happen to good people and when this happens we are usually blinded in some way by the experience so that we can no longer see Christ. We are looking for Him to appear in the familiar manner in which we have become accustomed to perceive Him; we should consider, as C.S. Lewis said in his Chronicles of Narnia, “He is no tame lion.”

Grief, disappointment, failure, persecution, tragedy, all these things and many more have a way of blinding us to the reality of God’s larger purpose. I tell them, How do you think the Early Church felt, in the midst of great revival and blessing to suddenly find themselves being driven from their homes and properties by the great persecutions that came against them? Driven into the ugliness of the Pagan Roman World; yet, they persevered and ultimately changed that World. I believe, I said, that many of you were brought here, to t his time, as I was, forced by circumstances to be here for this very hour. That we have been given one of the greatest opportunities in Human History if we can look beyond our pain, prejudice and the bitterness of past experience and tragedy.

I then shared of a recent experience at the ancient Monastery we took our guests to see at Al Kosh. This is just outside the Kurdistan boundary. While our friends explored the Monastery, Mohammed, my Muslim friend and interpreter and I stayed behind, sitting on the wall of the near the entrance overlooking the Ninevah Plain below.

Mohammed on the left in h is Kurdish Uniform

Mohammed was dresse d that day in the typical Kurdish uniform fashion. There was a group of Assyrian Christians standing nearby, a young woman said in Arabic, “Oh, I don’t like Kurds.” She was ignorant of the fact that Mohammed speaks fluent Arabic and that she had just wounded my friend deeply and stirred up sentiments rooted in centuries of conflict between Christians and Muslims. I told the Church, I w ould have invited my friend Mohammed to come here tonight, but he still feels the rejection of that young woman and fears he may receive the same among us. I do not judge that young woman, because I do not know what things she and her people have suffered at the hands of Kurds or others, but today is a new day and we must lay aside our fears and prejudices on both sides and work toward a mutual peace and understanding. One precious older lady raised her hand and asked, “Did you tell this to the Muslims?” Yes, I have, I answered, for two years now from the villages to government officials. This is a new day and God has created an opportunity in Kurdistan of Iraq for the birth of so mething fresh which can bring healing to our World if we will believe and obey Him.

This and many other things I shared, to make my point; at the conclusion, there was a good heartfelt response an d willingness on the part of these folks.

I then prayed for their sick, ministered individually as I was led by The Lord and these folk responded in faith just as ours do, again, you would think that this was one of our revival services Stateside.

At the conclusion I thanked the people and the Pastor for the privilege of sharing with them and for their openness to hear me; Pastor Layth laughed, as did the congregation, “No Brother, this is only the beginning! You are one of us, you must speak to us again, and again!”

Here, I believe is the open door that I have been seeking; a place to publicly minister the Gospel and some willing folks to help me. Its so strange and wonderful, the way The Lord orchestrates events. These people have no legal church building and they feel pressure from their landlord that his house should not be used as a church. They have written a letter of appeal to the Prime Minister of Kurdistan for land and help to build their own church. I just happen to have returned from a meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Relations (the gate to the Prime Minister’s Office) they have encouraged me to submit a list of my own requests for consideration. With these requests, I will submit Pastor Layths letter under the banner of our legal NGO here.

Lets Pray,
Lets Believe,
and
Lets See,
what
The Lord Will Do

Jack (in Iraq) Harris
Mission Global Harvest (Iraq)
P.O. Box 1769
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729

Christmas Greeting from Jack Harris

Dear Friends,

This simple Christmas greeting from my interpreter and friend, Mohammed, in Kurdistan of Iraq, touched me greatly, a Muslim man wishing his Christian friend a “Happy Christmas.” This was an unsolicited greeting that came from a considerate heart on the other side of the world. It reveals respect for my beliefs and genuine affection.

During this Christmas Season, I’ve been challenged afresh to focus on the reason for the season. I came home for the holidays to a mass power outage here in Washington. The house was freezing, yet the refrigerator freezer thawed and the food therein was spoiled. Patty, my wife, is staying with our daughter who has just given birth to the newest addition to our family a beautiful little princess with fair skin and raven black hair that reminds us of Snow White. Her given name is Sonovia Jubilee, an interesting name given in light of the biblical meaning behind the word “Jubilee” it is also a reflection the joy of her coming to her parents.

There are no decorations at our place this year, we’re in the process of transition to another house. There is no tree, no presents, except those sent out to our family, none of the familiar props we normally associate with this season; it just fell out that way this year. There is a tendency (at least for me) to feel a bit blue this time of year when these familiar things are missing and the season seems to have passed one by. Then a couple of things happen to make it all come back into focus, it is these things that I hope you will indulge me sharing with you.

One is the precious email from my friend Mohammed in Iraq, wishing me and mine a “Happy Christmas.” I have included this email and my reply below.

Two; The most heartwarming Christmas Story I’ve heard in years, one which touched me profoundly this holiday season was a story published in my hometown newspaper, The Prescott Courier. It was written by a dear friend of ours, Leslie Ross. Mike and Leslie own Kachina Travel in Prescott. Over the years, she has gotten me out of more scrapes when I’ve been stuck in travel difficulties (domestic and international) than I can count.

She writes the travel column for the Courier and I consider myself to be her No. 1 fan. (a self-bestowed honor) I collect her stories which she graciously sends me via email. This story sums up, for me, what its all about. Incidentally, Mike and Leslie are the proud new Grandparents of twins, a little boy and girl. They were born a day and a half before our grandchild; you beat us Mike and Leslie, Congratulations!

I’ve, without her permission, included her meaningful story below as well.

A Merry Christmas To All and a Happy And Blessed New Year,

Jack (soon to be back) in Iraq

—————————————————————————————————–

Mohammed’s Christmas Greeting

Dear Sir,

For Christmas, I hope that you are spending your Christmas happily with your family.

I wish peace, happiness, freedom and love for all human beings. We here (in Kurdistan) pray to God to help us to serve people who need help.

God bless you and your family. My special regards and love to you and your family.

Mohammed

—————————————————————————————————–

Thank you Mohammed,

How very thoughtful of you; all that you have said is the true spirit of Christmas, your greeting reminded me of the Angel’s proclamation over 2000 years ago.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. “

May this blessing touch both of our worlds.In our Christian tradition, I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

My Love And Blessings,
Jack

I have removed the name of the writer of this story, to protect their identity as it is a personal friend of Jack Harris.

—————————————————————————————————–

Christmas In The Alps

Merry Christmas to All

One of the loveliest Christmases I’ve ever had was alone and far from home. I was on a driving trip with a friend and a winter storm caught us in the middle of the Alps. We got stranded in Liechtenstein, the tiny country sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria that is noted for its diminutive size and plenitude of postcards.

We meant to reach Vienna for the holidays, but we lollygagged through northern Italy and only got as far north as the hamlet of Malbun, Liechtenstein, when bad weather forced us to stop traveling and seek shelter. It was wonderful serendipity. There was room at the inn (or in this case, a ski chalet) which was cheery and snug, the fires were burning brightly, the down comforters on the beds were thick and warm and the owners were a very genial couple with welcoming smiles for two weary travelers on Christmas.

Christmas Eve Day didn’t start out well. My traveling friend had a filthy cold and only wanted to stay huddled under the comforter, drink hot broth and blow her nose. The other guests at the chalet all had their own families there for the holidays and although courteous weren’t really interested in a one-day adoption of a lonely lady from Arizona. I spent the day reading, eating and generally moping. Then that evening after dinner, I took myself out for a walk.

It was one of those miraculous nights. The air was crisp and cold and the snow lay deep and white, cradling the village whose empty streets made it seem as though I was the only person in the whole world. The stars glittered and moon was huge and bright enough to light my way. It was perfectly lovely, but to tell the truth I still felt pretty pitiful to be alone on Christmas Eve.

I trudged on through the snow, winding my way up the village path and rounded a corner. I could see lights farther up the hill and there was some sort of music. I thought perhaps it was a café still open in the evening and climbed toward it thinking to get a cup of hot coffee before I went back to the inn.

It wasn’t a café, it was a little chapel. High up in the mountains I had accidentally stumbled on a lovely little church full of people celebrating the Nativity. The church was full of candle light and song and warm with good fellowship. Perfect strangers nodded and smiled at me as I slipped in the back and although I didn’t know the language of the hymns, some of the melodies were old and blessedly familiar. The service may have been in a foreign tongue but the language of Christmas is universal.

I was a stranger in a strange land, alone and in a distant country without all the paraphernalia that we usually associate with Christmas. There were no gifts, no cookies, no parties, but it remains to this day one of the most wonderful Christmas experiences that I have ever had.

Coming out of the little chapel, all warm and bright, it was bitter cold but the stars above the mountains were shining brightly. It reminded me that out of the depths of the darkness a star appeared to give us hope that God’s love would help us find a better tomorrow.

Merry Christmas to you all dear friends and God bless us, everyone.

Man interviewed by Jack Harris Testifies at Trial of Saddam Hussein

Abu Baker and Qahar Mohammed: Koreme Village Massacre Survivors

Qahar Khalil Mohammed is one of five survivors of the 1988 Koreme Massacre. Thirty eight men were taken to a field behind the village, the youngest being Qahar’s brother Dilman, age thirteen; there, they were machine gunned and left for dead. The Iraqi’s returned later to bury the bodies, during their absence the five survivors managed to escape.

In 1992, after the No Fly Zone was set in place over Iraqi Kurdistan, an American team exhumed the bodies buried in a mass grave in the field where they had fallen. While searching through the clothing of the deceased for any remaining identification, marbles were discovered in the pocket of one of the bodies. This was Dilman Mohammed, Qahar’s little brother.

Qahar Mohammed was called upon to testify this last week at Saddam Hussein’s trial. This was reported by the Associated Press in an article called “Saddam Calls For Reconciliation In Iraq” .

Qahar’s story was filmed by Jack Harris while in Iraq and is featured in his documentary presentation on DVD, “Land Of The Kurds.” If you do not have this DVD it is available through Mission Global Harvest for free. Contact paul@praisechapel.com.

The clip from the Koreme Village Massacre is also available for streaming or download at our web site, www.iraqirelief.com.

Jack Harris
Mission Global Harvest (Iraq)
P.O. Box 1769
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729

Surrounded on Every Side

by: Jack Harris

May 4, 2006

There’s always a lot going on politically over here, much of it is incomprehensible to the average guy on the street, much less, foreign visitors to these climes.

It’s been a pretty eventful month here in Kurdistan of Iraq. The Turks have massed 250 thousand troops at the border for a spring offensive against the PKK terrorists that they claim have taken refuge here in N. Iraq.

On the other side of Kurdistan, yesterday the Iranians shelled Kurdish villages and actually crossed five kilometers into Iraqi territory with the same excuse, an assault on PKK Rebels.

Apparently, there has been an agreement between Turkey and Iran from the Saddam days that they would help each other stamp out Kurdish resistance in both their territories.

The US has informed Turkey that it is not to enter Iraqi territory, period. They already have a number of bases within the Iraqi border that were allowed during the initial liberation of Iraq.

Consider the bigger picture here; Iran is flexing its nuclear muscle, all the while claiming it’s just for producing energy. At the same time, they are promising other middle eastern nations to export the technology to them. For peaceful purposes … right!

Shelling Iraqi villages, in my considered opinion, is a way of thumbing the nose at the USA and its threats of sanctions or military intervention. Iran has threatened the US with an attack on Israel if there is any military action against it.

There it is again, that little thorn in the side, Israel. Iran is and has been anti-Israel, one of the forces behind the continued hostilities toward that nation.

For those of us who read our Bibles and believe in its prophesies; take another look at Ezekiel chapters 39 & 39 and do a little research for yourself as to the relevance of these ancient prophesies to the formation of current world affairs — especially as they pertain to the Middle East.
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To read the full article click here: Surrounded On Every Side

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