Monsters Inc, Kashma, Remedy and Guys

How can this blog's headline NOT intrigue you?

Monsters Inc
I love this movie. The other day I watched (most of) it in Turkish. I still love this movie. BOOM.

Kashma
She's my new 14-year-old Kurdish friend. She's so sweet and her English is pretty good (much better than the intro English class that I co-taught and that she was enrolled in).

A few nights ago I went to her father's kabob restaurant, along with Kierstin (a teacher at the Life Center) and Kashma's mom and aunt. IT WAS SO DELICIOUS. He kept bringing out chicken, vegetables, chicken wings, naan, and some other meat for us to eat.

The restaurant, I think, was just for men, but because I was with the owner's wife and daughter it was ok to be there. It's still strange to me that they still have so much separation on where men and women can go. We did get kicked out after about an hour because we were taking business from him (we took up two tables and weren't paying, so this was completely understandable).

Kashma is definitely a 14-year-old girl. In class her best friend Hadn and her talk and giggle. She rebels a little against society here by her clothes choices. She says she hates living here and she wants to go to Alaska where it's cold and she can do whatever she wants. (Alaska, really?) Her mother shares these sentiments. I thank God that I get to talk to them, listen to their frustrations, and learn from them. I pray for each of them, especially Kashma that Jesus reveals himself to her so she can find the freedom she yearns for in Christ.

Remedy Mission VI
Remedy is underway in southern Iraq this week! While I am still a little bummed that I am not down there, I am encouraged by the progress this hospital is making and desires. The stories coming out of this Remedy are beautiful. How can helping save a child's life NOT be beautiful?

Even when reading some old blog posts that are sad, that illustrate the grief parents go through when it's too late to restore their child...the beauty of forgiveness and grace still is evident to me. Thank God for this, if these qualities didn't shine through I think it would be so easier to become hard-hearted, cynical, angry and bitter about a loss. (I am not saying I'm not angry, but those posts make me want to take my anger to change the ways things are so that more children and parents are not being told it's too late.)

If you haven't check out PLC's blog to see what is going on right now in southern Iraq!

Guys
Since Lydia and Alex are in southern Iraq right now, it's been me and 5 guy interns here.

Every now and then I need to retreat to my room to paint my nails or listen to Taylor Swift or Justin Timberlake, but for the most part I could not ask for better company.

I've learned a lot about guys, but not just from your average, American guy. No, I've learned a lot from great, intelligent, Christian men. So when I get home I hope I'm not too reverse-cultured-shocked by the average American college guy now that I've grown use to be around such awesome ones.

Also, on the topic of guys, there are more male Christians in this area than women. Women are the gate-keepers of Islam here. Another reason for this may be that men have more chances to hear the Truth than women. Women are generally confined to their home, or don't really socialize outside the house with friends. This makes it even more difficult to hear the Gospel. Keep praying for these women, but know that God is so powerful and that He can reveal himself to them in other ways. I heard a story from a Life Center friend the other day and she said she has a Kurdish acquaintance who, since a young age, had visions of Jesus, and knew that she needed to be searching for who this man was. This woman is now a believer, after hearing the Word and realizing THIS was the man in her dreams.

and that is the end of this post. I hope you all are doing well. Thank so much for supporting this trip. I love being here.

Why Being In Iraq Is Such A Blessing

If you asked me last year what I thought of Iraq I would have given you an answer based on the war, the images I saw on BBC News, or even the stereotypes of Muslims made out by the television or movies. I wouldn't have told you about the generosity of the people, the ways close guy friends hold hands walking down the street, or the ridiculous (in the best way possible) amount of tea they drink.

Iraq has taught me to look beyond what people tell me and to search deeper for the truth. I think I've always been encouraged to do this (with the Bible, with any beliefs), but being here makes me want to know why I believe things...not just because John Piper or any other incredibly smart person told me to.

Leaving the country means placing everything in God's control. Not just in the kitchy, "God is in control way, (but really I still holding on to everything just in case) way." I have no control about what's happening at home. As much as I would love to be there and pretend like I am control, I am blessed to be here and have no choice but to surrender ALL to God. 

and that is the best.

All I can do is pray. All I need to do is pray, to meditate, to focus on Him. Praise Him that being here has taken away all other distractions and enabled me to do this!

The staff of PLC (Jeremy, Jessica, Cody, Michelle, Matt, Cayla, and Awara) and the other interns have each been a huge encouragement to me. They are the type of people we should all have in our lives. 

Other people have come into my life here (other Americans, Iranians, Kurds, Arabs) that have all been such interesting people. I get to meet people and hear stories or ways of thinking that I would never had been able to in my own little niche of NM. I get to talk with them about God, to hear what they think, what they believe and be encouraged and worship Him. :-) 

When the people of Iraq greet each other they do so with a plethora of blessings. These blessings range from, "May your womb never close," to "May your parents remain together and grow old," or to "God bless you," and to "God-willing you have a long, prosperous life."

How do I bless others when I greet/ meet them? Do I?

a few photos

Pictures like this are going to be very prominent because it's usually just Lydia and I (or no one will take our picture).

My latte at Melody's cafe. I could get use to this artwork.

Newsha (an amazing Iranian photographer), Lydia, and I at the Metrography exhibit.

BEST CAB CLUB EVER.

Adam, Lydia, and I usually end up in the back of taxi's together...and cab club pictures are a must.

top three photos taken by my super awesome roommate, creative, inspiring photography, and classy, yet trendy dresser: Lydia Bullock

last photo (cab club) taken by my super awesome roommate's boyfriend and super smart intern: Alex Phillips

Leah: After Remedy She Still Isn't Growing

On Thursday (before I went to the super secret cool club) Jess asked me if I wanted to go on a house visit with her. Of course I said 'yes.'

We were going to visit Leah, a 9-month-old, Downs Syndrome baby who weighs 12 lbs. She can't sit up, crawl, or even control her neck/ head. Can you imagine that?

I didn't know what to expect as we drove to her house. It was a short drive where I Jess and I got to know each other better and where I felt I could release some emotion I had been holding in for a day or so. God knew I needed this drive and I am so thankful for this.

We pulled into the parking area and Leah's mother greeted us, along with Leah's two older sisters. We sat in the living room and had water, Mountain Dew, and apricots. Jess and Leah's mom talked. From what I could guess Leah's mom is really concerned her daughter is not gaining weight or developing correctly. Jess said that Leah has a band around her pulmonary artery because her heart was pumping too much blood into her lungs. She needs surgery to correct it, but is too small to undergo the invasive procedure. After all, she's already had heart surgery.

I can not imagine being in Leah's family right now. Their daughter has already had major surgery, and still needs more. 

Leah's family, in my eyes, is beautiful. Her sisters played with her and cared for her. Leah's mother, while worried about her daughter, fed us a large lunch. . The upstairs neighbor came down with her baby to eat with us. (Leah's mom and the upstairs neighbor eat every meal together. They are the best of friends!). Her parents want to save their daughter, even though they know they'll be caring for her forever. They love her. They will not give up on her. 

These are some of the reasons I LOVE PLC. They love their kids and they don't give up on them. They aren't afraid to be advocates for a Downs Syndrome kid- so many organizations and doctors just ignore them. Who are they to deem these kids as not worth saving? AND they Followthrough. They go to homes like Leahs' to make sure she's eating properly and that the parents know what other avenues to pursue. They aren't a hand-out, but a hand to help guide them and stand next to them.  

Whistle While You Work

This is PLC. They don't just give a nameless child a life-saving heart surgery; they follow-through and build relationships with the children and their families. This is who I choose to serve with this summer.


(also isn't the little girl SO cute?)

This is what almost always happens after a lifesaving surgery in Iraq. (WARNING: This video may cause compulsive whistling!) from Preemptive Love on Vimeo.

Titles are difficult to come up with (something I've learned while blog editing)

May 25

Today I went to the bazaar with Cayla. Cayla is PLC’s family advocate, and married to PLC’s press secretary and communications guy. She is such a sweet, fun person and is so comfortable to be around. Also she’s a pro at going to the bazaar and knows where everything is. We took a bus to the bazaar, got there, found what we needed (me- heels and a skirt, her- produce, and a seam ripper for Jessica), took the bus back, and I went to work. The bazaar was so much fun, and every time is such a learning experience. I thank God that He’s prepared me for cultural changes by allowing me to travel previous to Iraq so that I wouldn’t be so weirded out by the crowds, the smells, the drivers, the beggars, and the language barriers. I also thank Him for sending people who make these transitions as trouble-free and uncomplicated as can be. It’s been easy to fall in the trap of not thanking God, I mean I’m in a country where my social freedoms have been extremely limited, but God is so good and all praise is His. I need to remember that He has given me SO MUCH MORE than not being able to wear shorts- He’s given me incredible brothers and sisters in Christ. He’s given me encouragement 100% of the way. He’s given me strength and taught me to rely on Him, and to trust that He will provide. I am so blessed, so thankful that my Father sent me here. I can’t wait to grow closer to Him. I love that one trip to the bazaar could remind me of all this


(In the evening we got some news, but I'll write more on that later).


May 26
I woke up around 8:00am (which is the latest I've slept in here), left the house around 8:30 to catch a ride with Jessica, and worked until lunch (12:15ish). After lunch we went back to work. Yup that's how interesting my days are. It probably reads really boring, but my days are really actually very exciting to me. They're exciting because I am learning each day how to do something different and I'm experiencing new things. I never in a million years thought I'd be learning how to post blogs/ edit them in Iraq (actually I never thought I'd be learning it in general), but, so far, I'm enjoying it! 


In the evening Jessica, her kids (Micah and Emma), Cody, Michelle and I went over to Awara (you'll have to ask me about his story. It's way too awesome to blog about) and his wife's house for dinner. It was an enjoyable meal of who knows what (rice in folded leaves?, onions, and fermented milk). During the meal we talked very little, because a Korean soap opera was on. OH MY GOODNESS they love their Korean soap operas here. I really feel at home in Iraq- the weather is similar to Albuquerque (it will get much hotter here soon though), the scenery is brown, and now Korean soap operas. Awara said that Korean soap operas were good because some of them reflect what's going on in the government now, and that Koreans are respectful. Perhaps the most respectful people group besides the Kurds. I don't know if ya'll have watched any Korean soap operas, but I have no idea how he got all of that from a soap opera based hundreds of years ago. Awara is a pretty interesting man. He could be living in a huge mansion right now; he could be driving the most expensive cars, and he could have bodyguards around he 24/7, but he choses to live simple. His desire is to serve God and help the helpless. I've learned a lot these past few days, but something I know that will stick with me forever is how this man's greatest yearning in life is to be a servant and how much I need to want that too.

From Albuquerque to Kurdistan

Thanks to everyone who reminded me to bring things, next time please remind me OVER AND OVER to bring my iPod and camera. Yes, I forgot those. Thank God there is music online and other interns who are amazing photographers (and generous with their extra cameras that I can borrow). Thankfully those are the only items I forgot (I think).

All of my flights were extremely stress- free. Thank you for all of the prayers, I definitely felt them while the plane was taking off and landing. When I landed in Chicago I walked around the airport for a while before heading to the gate to meet the three guy interns. As I was walking to the gate I realized I really had very little idea what these guys looked like, thankfully I don't think anyone realized me staring at them as I tried to connect Facebook pictures with real- life. While waiting for a semi- familiar face I went on Facebook to see if any of them had updated their status to "In Chicago." Nope, no one had updated their status to that, instead one of the interns updated their status to "Flight schedule rearranged due to delays because of the weather in OKC. Now going through Amsterdam! Prayers much appreciated."  I was a little concerned about this status (especially since he had important things to give a few of the interns in Chicago). I waited, slightly more nervous than before, there for about half an hour before seeing Ben, another intern arrived. We introduced ourselves and not long after the boarding call was announced. We saw Anton, the third intern at O'Hare, but didn't get to meet him until we were all on the plane. After landing in Frankfurt we got to know each other a little bit more and met Adam (the new wolf to our wolf pack). The flight to Istanbul was relatively quick and painless. We got our Turkey visas and strolled through customs- literally strolled, we didn't even stop. Then we waited at a coffee shop (Gloria Jean's Coffee) for the other two guys. Ryan (and yes I say his name normally and not Ryyyyan like Maci in Teen Mom would say, well not yet anyways) came and waited with us for the last guy to arrive. I asked probably about a million (slight exaggeration here) questions. I was so relived that these guys were so comfortable to be around, but that might have something to do with the 24 hours of flying, no sleep, and a tired, slightly loopy Liz. After a hour or so Ted arrived (Ted was the guy who was suppose to meet us in Chicago). The 5 guys (ha ha 5 guys) and I went to go find our shuttle, waiting for the shuttle for a while, and then embarked on a fun, foreign bus adventure. Istanbul drivers are more adventurous than Guatemalan drivers, but I am thrilled to say they have nothing on Korean taxis. The drive from the airport should have taken about 15 mins, but after about an hour and a half we were finally at the hotel (I enjoyed the drive because we got to see some of the city). We pretty much threw our luggage in our hotel rooms (I had my own) and then took off to see the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, get dinner, and walk around a bit. Let me say this, if you are ever in Istanbul you should go with 5 guys (and take me please I want to go back)! We went back to the hotel, slept (well at least I did), got up to make the 6:00 am shuttle, arrived at the airport, checked in, flew to Erbil- the capital of Kurdistan!

I will update more on the drive to Suly, the first night, the house, the guys, ect later!

Thanks so much for the prayers! 

Love from Iraq,

Liz