Written by: Open Doors SA
Article source: JOY! Magazine
Living in Iraq is a life of uncertainty: In the last centennial, there hasn’t been one decade of peace. The occupation of large parts of the country by Islamic extremists of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) between 2014 and 2016 has left deep wounds. Many Iraqis still suffer from trauma-related symptoms.
Christians, who face persecution and displacement on top of wars, are no exception. In the extreme vision of ISIS, there was no place for Christians and this is why thousands of Christians fled their houses. Those who stayed were often killed or enslaved. ISIS was overthrown in 2016, but returning Christians found many of their houses and churches robbed empty and destroyed.
Vian
Always ready to flee
One of the Christians who has witnessed the attacks and conflict from nearby is Vian (35) from Al Kosh. This town wasn’t taken by ISIS, but it was so close to the frontline that her bags were always packed to flee. “Violent incidents and trauma are happening constantly – there were so many conflicts during my lifetime that I cannot even count them.
“When people used to tell me about God’s existence, I would be asking: But what about the suffering, torture, and displacement? It is only by actively working through my trauma that I can now see the presence of God in all this,” she says.
Mental health care
Over the last seven years, through the help of local partners, Open Doors has helped to strengthen the mental health among the Christian community in Iraq with a long-term trauma awareness and care programme. They also established three functioning trauma care centres and a two-year counselling school for Christians in professions that encounter traumatised people. More than 30 caregivers currently take part in the two-year trauma care school.
Vian is a programme facilitator in the trauma care centre in Al Kosh and is six months into her course at the counselling school. It was in one of the sessions at the school where she learnt to see the presence of God, and she wants to help others to see it too. “I can reflect the presence of God and help others out of their sorrow. I’m enhancing my skills to help people heal.”
Living in Iraq is a life of uncertainty: In the last centennial, there hasn’t been one decade of peace. The occupation of large parts of the country by Islamic extremists of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) between 2014 and 2016 has left deep wounds. Many Iraqis still suffer from trauma-related symptoms.
A continued journey
Brother Wisam, a monk from the Christian city of Qaraqosh, is one of the driving forces behind the trauma care programme. He says: “If we don’t deal with the trauma in our community, the future of Christianity in Iraq is very dark. We must connect as one society and care for each other, while living together in peace.
“This is only the beginning of the journey,” he emphasises. “Because of the projects, many people are at least able to function in their daily lives. They are struggling, but survive. But wounds as deep as we are facing here aren’t fixed quickly. Creating awareness and achieving healing takes time. It might take years, generations.”
Hope for the Middle East
Open Doors believes that the Church remains a beacon of hope for the Middle East. With your prayers and support, they can enable people like Vian and the local churches in Iraq to stand up for their faith in this war-torn country.
You can stand in prayer with our persecuted family in the Middle East by adding your voice to the “One million voices in prayer” campaign. The aim is to mobilise the worldwide family of God and get one million people to pray for the Church in Iraq and Syria to make hope last. Visit opendoors.org.za to register and help light up the world in prayer for the Middle East.
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Date published: 27/09/2022
Feature image: © 2022 Open Doors International
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