Peggy
Plumb September
5, 2014
Erbil,
Kurdistan, Iraq
Everyone,
|
Our first month here has been amazing! Everything rolled into one, joy, extreme sadness, bone tired work, high adventure with Isis - you name it we've experienced it all with the protection and inspiration of the Lord. First of all I must thank everyone for your faith your prayers and all of the things you are doing to ensure our safety. Many times we have been in harms way only to be swooped out of danger by spiritual and physical angels prompted in our behalf. Who would have guessed that we would be part of the largest displacement of a people in the last one hundred years. To watch major world history unfold before your eyes is a privilege and a responsibility. Our first months here were focused on the Syrian refugees camps, which now seem like 5 star hotels, but now almost 24/7 is spent on the IDPs, internally displaced persons.
Kurdistan
is welcoming to almost everyone. In many ways it reminds me of the
inscription on the Statue of Liberty- "Give me your tired your poor,
your huddled masses yearning to be free- and that's truly what these people
want, to be free and the chance to live their lives and raise their families
To see the devastation of war is unbelievable. One million IDPs are everywhere, literally under bridges, trees, schools, social halls, churches, homes- all in heat that has reached 124 . One thing about war, it effects the very young, the old, the sick, the handicapped- it is no respecter of persons. Life goes on and there are births and deaths, along with marriages and everything else that encompasses living.
WFP
(the World Food Program), UNHCR, UNICEF, government programs plus NGO's such
as LDS Charities have done an amazing work but it has gone on so long that
funds are growing slim. Food supplies that once would last weeks now are a
day to day process. It is a full blown miracle that epidemics such as cholera
have not broken out with the sanitary conditions such as they are with the
masses and the heat. For example a town called Khanke was once a pop of 23,000
and in a few days grew to over 80,000. Tents were provided by the UN but no
toilets or showers. Through LDSC we brought JUST SOME OF THEM, in 4 cargo
trucks, foam beds, sanitary products, cleaning items, food, shoes and clothes
for the children (they were filthy and were running on that hot sand
barefoot!) Perhaps some of our frustration is the ability we have to help
very few in relation to the thousands effected.
LDS
Charities is so wonderful and has been very generous. As such we
provide most all of the pharmaceutical needs for the city of Ainkawa- a
Christian refugee haven with thousands of Christians and Yezidis huddled
together, over 1,000 foam beds, blankets, food- rice, oil, beans, tomato paste,
soap, feminine products, diapers, baby formula, cleaning products, children’s
shoes and clothes. The Church has also provided stoves, refrigeration,
propane and swamp coolers. You can be more than proud to belong to a Church
who truly considers the human race as one.
People
are overwhelmed at the Church's generosity with no strings attached. We
are too and we are honored to be the administers of such Christ like charity.
We have become experts in the purchasing of TONS of everything, finding transportation and then delivering it to centers and people everywhere. For the most part they are very happy but of course we are always mobbed with requests to come to America. We hear of the extreme cruelty daily, families who have had children kidnapped, members killed- horrific stories of torture and enslavement. On the other hand we are eye witnesses of extreme kindness and heroic feats of humanity, kindness and bravery. In many cases the Arab neighbors of the Christians and Yezidis not only directed ISIS to their neighbors but participated in the execution of them. However one Arab man bought 10 young Yezidi women, had them call their fathers and tell them they were safe and that somehow they would be returned home. In the chaos of it all we find great joy in our service here. We are very cautious but feel calm and guided. Once again Walt is amazing in his ability to get things done. He tells everyone not to worry because “Iron Man” is here and I think that they believe it when he does push ups. It's quite humorous to see how many young men are inspired and are working on them. Perhaps he should offer his services to the Peshmerga and train the army. We hope all is well with each one of you. Love and take good care of each other. LF, the Plumbs |
