Meeting Iraqi School Girls

We all have moments in life we never put out of our mind. A wedding, a graduation or the birth of a child are among the unforgettable experiences. Then, too, there are sad times known to many; the premature death of a child, a loved one who either suffers a prolonged battle with a deadly disease or has a debilitating accident. Along the vast continuum from joy to sadness, we remember certain events and the lasting feelings they stir.

Accompanied by four others from CPC, an unforgettable experience was shared this week. It occurred during a visit to a school in Amman, Jordan where we met eight Iraqi girls. Nothing could prepare us for that visit. It was raw, sad beyond description, and uncomfortable in the way that it brought about thoughts and feelings never before known. Through an interpreter, we exchanged thoughts, heard their stories of war and death, and answered each other’s questions. These are young girls who are innocent victims of war, now living as refugees in a foreign country.

The extent of life experience known to each of those girls, and their journey which ultimately brought them together with us in that schoolroom, is beyond what we could then discuss or ever imagine. In our brief encounter, and through the discussion we had, a glimpse of hope for a brighter tomorrow emerged. The cold sad exterior first seen on their faces eventually turned to warm smiles. One girl asked us to say something that would give them hope, and it seemed that God intervened at that moment. I noticed how others in our group were holding back tears like me. What greater hope can be offered than our common belief in a God that is big enough to forgive the broken ways of humanity and guide our path of reconciliation as we go forth?

We certainly wonder where God was when the bombs fell and the bullets flew in the close presence of these girls when they were at home in Iraq, a place each of them said they will never go back to. Lacking a real home and missing family members dead from war, we might ask what God does when injustice strikes the most innocent and vulnerable, the young people of this world. In our gathering with the Iraqi school girls, I got a sense that God does what we do; God resides amidst it all, with tears of sadness, yet with hope that does not surrender. I do not know where God was when the bombs and bullets went off, though I do know that God was with us in that schoolroom when the girls told personal stories about the war in Iraq and the effect it had on them.

As I departed and touched the outstretched hand of one young girl, her smile suggested "forgiveness". It was not American and Iraqi, Christian and Muslim, or middle-age man and young girl who looked at each other. We were two frail and broken humans who knew that we alone could not fix the situation. Only through the mercy of God do things that big happen.

CK

First Day with Questscope

On our first morning in Amman we were provided with an overview of Questscope's history and philosophy. Particular attention was given to the development of their core methods, including a community appraisal process and a number of innovative educational strategies, curriculum development and certification.

Later that afternoon we were given a chance to see firsthand some of what had just been presented. It was a local school where Questscope had established a GED-type educational program. The people participating were a group of young Iraqi women and girls who had been displaced by the aftermath of the Iraq War.

To put the experience into words at this point would be difficult, if not impossible. Five Americans and a dozen Iraqis facing each other with a gigantic elephant sitting in the room between us. There was a palpable blend of emotions hanging thick in the air. Sorrow. Guilt. Bewilderment. Stifled rage. All of us were aching to understand and to be understood.

Through our interpreter, one child told us how she lost her father to the violence. Another asked, "What can you say that would give me my hope back?" All we could offer in the moment was, "This. We're here now. Hopefully to know you better, and for you to know us better."

We need to offer more.

Keith Blomberg
blombergk@gmail.com

Days in Syria

Our three days in Syria offered an initial taste of Arab culture though afforded little time for reflective thought. The pace was swift; many sights, new faces, and miles covered both on foot and in a bus. Introduction to Syria was done by way of immersion, much of it in somewhat typical tourist fashion. We visited ancient historical sites (churches and castles) swarming with crowds from Europeans tour buses. It needs to be said that Syrian food is incredibly good; ice cream, too. The reputation of Arab hospitality has found its way into the restaurants of Damascus. Dinner is a royal treat, unrushed, with a variety of fresh dishes that are healthy and delicious. We did not come for the food, but it cannot be left unmentioned.

Damascus is a city that ranks with other Capitals throughout the world. The city is appreciated on two levels; one is the present day charm found within the walls of Old Damascus, realized by walking its narrow streets and alleyways. The second level of appreciation for Damascus is revealed through a slight understanding of its thousands of years of history set upon its ground and buried deep below. It is said that every modern construction project that requires excavation is an archaeological project as well. Artifacts from centuries past are unearthed in the process.

The most impressionable moment of my time in Damascus occurred just as we departed and made a stop at St.Paul’s Church on the corner of the old walled city. This claims to be the place where Paul was lowered over the wall, freed from Damascus to begin his adventurous life of travel and ministry throughout the Mediterranean region. In essence, this is where Saul died and Paul was born. His wisdom, shared through his writings, shapes our understanding of Jesus and all who preceded us in our Christian faith. In a certain way, I felt that setting foot in St Paul’s Church in Damascus was like being at the birthplace of Christianity. Imagine, what would Christianity be if Paul did not escape from these walls? How would the story of Jesus and our understanding God’s hand in humanity differ without the contribution of Paul and his timeless writings?

Curt Koland (photos to come)

New Syria Update

(corrected previous post)

Dear CPC, friends and family,

It is very late here, but we wanted to send you a quick update and some photos from our first full day in Syria. We were glad to have Sara Larson join us for this leg of our trip. Sara is volunteering with Questscope in Amman and decided to come up and see some of Syria with us. We spent most of the day in the breathtaking Old City of Damascus. We saw the famed Street Called Straight where Paul went to meet Ananias and we visited the House of Ananias which is now a parish operated by the Franciscans (see picture 4). Later we visited the very beautiful and famous Omayyad Mosque (see picture 3). We also visited one of the largest Bazaars that any of us have ever seen; it was bustling with everyday Syrians and tourists from Iran, Pakistan, and Europe, though not too many U.S. Americans (see picture 2).

The Syrian people have been very gracious and hospitable. The food has also been incredible -- the falafel is some of the best we have ever had. We are getting a wonderful introduction to a vibrant and very modern Middle Eastern nation and people. It seems like our entire team is really enjoying the intercultural learning experience. Tomorrow we will head up north of Damascus to visit some pilgrimage sites in more rural areas and then we head to Jordan on Wednesday. At dinner this evening, Nadia Rhodes, one of the daughters of Questscope founder Curt Rhodes, joined us for dinner (see picture 1). It was a delight to meet her and she will be joining us on our journey to Amman.

We will update again soon. Thanks for your interest!

Blessings to you,
The CPC Team

Hello From Damascus

Dear CPC, friends and family,

We made it to Damascus safe and sound! All the airport issues went very well. Thanks for your prayers. We are about ready to head for bed but we did have a chance for our first Syrian falafel and swarma. Delicious! (The man on the far right is Roy Moussalli, our host from Questscope Syria).

Tomorrow we will be visiting the Old City of Damascus. We will try to post more tomorrow evening.

Grace and peace to you all!

C. John Hildebrand & the CPC team

Delayed :)

Our flight to London has been delayed. This could cause us to miss our connection to Syria. Say a little prayer for a quick pass through customs! John & the team

CPC Questscope Trip Team Departs October 3

Dear friends of the CPC Questscope Trip Team,

We are excited to inagurate this blog for our team! We will be traveling in Syria and Jordan over ten days (October 3-11) in order to visit our partner organization Questscope. There will be much more to come in the days ahead. Thanks for your interest!

Grace and peace,
Ben Coulter

Kristen Coulter

Keith Blomberg

Curt Koland

C. John Hildebrand