We recently had the privilege of travelling to the Allaja region of Mesopotamia. Our goals were to oversee the distribution of $20,000 of relief assistance for the displaced victims of ISIS and to make an initial assessment of our long-term ministry plans in the region. We worked with a small local team from the Adventist field office to identify the most suitable relief beneficiaries, listen to their needs, purchase and then distribute winter clothing for men, women and children, and also purchase oil heaters for families to ward off the freezing temperatures in their shelters. We are truly grateful to be able to work in such a cooperative manner with local Adventist Church leadership.

The local team took us to visit the multiple locations where AFM has already used donations to construct shower and toilet facilities, mostly for women and children. These facilities are vitally important to meet basic hygiene needs, to uphold personal dignity, and to reduce the chance of gender-based violence against displaced women. The local communities expressed their deep gratitude for the facilities and their joy at knowing that Christians around the world had not forgotten about them in their hour of need.

Our hearts were deeply touched by the plight of the internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of whom are living in tents, construction sites and churches. Some are Muslim, others are Yazidi, and many are Christian. All had horrific stories to tell. Yet, time and again, we were humbled by the deep trust in God the Christian IDPs showed in the midst of the crisis as they survive from day to day in their cold surroundings and bleak prospects.

We travelled the length and breadth of the region, meeting with Christian, Muslim and Yazidi IDPs who had lost everything to ISIS. One evening, we had deep conversations with some Muslim hotel staff who had been displaced by the violence. They spend their free time looking for their lost families in the various IDP camps. We were able to pray with our new friends, which they deeply appreciated.

As we flew home, we reflected on how God had blessed us, opening doors to new friendships and to a new ministry in an incredibly beautiful yet challenging part of our world. Thank you for your prayers and support as together we share the Good News of the return of the Good Samaritan with wounded hearts in Mesopotamia.

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