And The Rocks Cry Out!

This is a letter from Colleen (another friend from Moscow)
who is stationed in Iraq...

To see pictures of her life as a missionary and the people
she ministers to, go to this link:
www.flickr.com/photos/abundantblessing



Greetings,

It is hard to pull this week together because
it has been so different from my average weeks.
Last Tuesday was our last day of classes, so we
have been off for a week now. I have done a dozen
different things.



I spent time wandering around the bazaar looking
for things like chalk,paint, paint brushes, a
white t-shirt, flowers, fabric, a squeegee, a light
bulb, jewelry, and a bedspread.
We didn't find the chalk, the light bulb, or the
bedspread. So, with a majority success, Laura and
I felt we did pretty well and decided to go hide where
no one could see us. But it was very fun going to
the bazaar with another American and the American
method of shopping (not looking at things we don't
want to buy).Of all those locations, the flower shop
was definitely  a high point, a haven of peace and
tranquility hidden away from the swarms of staring
men in the bazaar.



I have also spent time out in the great wide
wilderness of Northern Iraq. I saw mountains and
trees and rocks and best of it all, we found a
mountain stream. And while the rocks don't speak to
me like they speak to my teammate Jeremiah
(to him they say, "I am your rock; conquer
me."), I thoroughly enjoyed the time. The scenery was
partially trash free and full of new things.
The air was fresh and clean. I am still sore,
being the out of shape person that I am.
I even dreamt I was hiking last night
and woke to find my war wounds looking like I had been
attacked by a cat. I had no idea how often I use my
right had until I bruised it.But it was fun
and very challenging.



I have to admit, I haven't accomplished everything I
wanted to in the last week. I have written a little,
painted a little, read a little, and cleaned a little,
and planned one class activity for after break. But
this next week should see some more of all of these,
and hopefully more accomplished in the end.
There are several visits on the schedule so
hopefully my Kurdish won't have rusted already.
The ladies book club will not be meeting this week as
Friday is the biggest Kurdish holiday of
the year, but I have enjoyed the ladies and our
little group has grown by one.



This coming Saturday, the day before Easter,
we are having a filming of The Passion of the Christ,
with some of our national and international
friends. Pray that hearts would be touched and
that God would bring those of our friends that need
to be there.  This is the same group that is seeking
permission for an international English speaking church.
Please pray that the permission would come soon so that
we can begin to find a location and reach out to the
people in this city in a new way.



I miss my students this week. I feel already that
the time is too short and that the end of the school
year is already bearing down upon me.

Please pray with me that I would be keen to hear
God's voice and that I would follow it in every
detail.
Pray that I would use my time  wisely
(especially during the break when it is so
easy to become lazy)and that I would be bold in my
conversations with people here.
Pray for my team teacher Sh. Pray that her heart
would be softened over this next few weeks before
we begin reading "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe".
I deeply desire to spend more time with her on this book
and that we can have heart touching conversations
about the gospel through it.
Thanks so much for your prayers! God answers
in such obvious ways: we are all healthy and the city
hasn't erupted into violence. I am so thankful for
your support and all the e-mails I receive back from you.
I love to hear how you are doing as well; it keeps me
from feeling quite so isolated sometimes.



Blessings,

Colleen