Dear Father Chris and Stand With Iraqi Christians, Greetings from Erbil! For those who don’t know me yet, my name is Hanna Kaka Rash. I was born and raised in Baghdad, but came to Erbil in March 2015, when social breakdown and violence against Christians became too dangerous, and I feared for the safety of
Hi all! I am writing from beautiful (and hot) Erbil. It’s great to be back here and seeing friends, whom I have dearly missed. Internet access has been very touch and go, so please forgive the delay and I’m just hoping you get this. I go to Mar Elia today and will report fully on
My Dear Friends, It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged—what’s happening with Stand With Iraqi Christians has been incredibly exciting and full of activity! We have been screening our documentary film “Where Is Our Place?” around the Diocese and receiving enthusiastic receptions and good feedback. We hope that you can see it at your earliest convenience
![[Image description: A man arranges the threads on a sewing/embroidery machine. Another man is leaning over the maching, mostly off-camera, presumably setting up another part of the machine.]](https://149442806.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/New-Sewing-Machine-for-Mar-Elia.jpg)
A picture of the new sewing/embroidery machine we helped purchase in October for the seamstresses at Mar Elia. This has been a great help to them and again they send their thanks! Please note that we are still collecting funds to share with our friends in Iraq, particularly to supply long underwear to help with the
As part of our aid, I distributed about a month’s worth of food to refugees temporarily staying near Banasour, a small village about 2 hours from Erbil. I was accompanied by Elias and some coworkers with Alliance Church and Mission, one of our church partners. My conversation in the pastor’s home afterward and the hospitality
![[Image description: elementary-aged students sit in two rows, facing he camera, displaying the electronic tablets donated to their school by SWIC, thanks to your generous donations.]](https://149442806.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/swic-kids-w-tablets.jpg)
A portion of the monies we brought to Erbil in October went to supply tablets to the children and teachers at Mar Qardakh. In combination with donations from others around the world, these tablets are being used by the children every day to help build mind and hearts! There is still much need in Iraq,
This gentleman (who declined to give his name) is one of the over 150 families living in Fr. Douglas’s Mar Elia family center. He lives in a 10′ x 15′ caravan with his wife, sister, and 2 children. In this clip he begins to tell the story of their escape from Daesh.
This week’s footage: a brief clip featuring Rami, one of the teachers I met in my travels. I met many fine teachers at Mar Elia in Erbil. Their commitment to the children in their care was total and inspiring. Rami was one of these huge-hearted teachers. I walked into a dance class one night and there
Dear friends, Since returning from Iraq we have been organizing footage (I shot quite a bit for a two week period), conducting additional interviews in the States and embarking on the editing process. I have to say I love looking at the images and people, as I miss Erbil and the friends I made there
Good morning and greetings to those here in the U.S. and to our new friends who may be reading this in Iraq. Please pardon my being out of touch a bit, as since returning to the States my body, mind, and spirit have had to readjust. My body is used to such shocks, and my
SWIC .