Summer Trip to Iraq (7 Jun to 3 Sep 2024)

Summers in Iraq reach temperatures of 125.  Most expats leave.  We though travel there, in part due to annual renewals of both SU Kurdistan and our visas.  But it opens up opportunities to join with our friends in Iraq who don't have options to leave.  The theme of "family" was central to this trip, with a desire to strengthen the Iraq base house, which serves as a unique discipleship opportunity that God has opened to minister and pour into the lives of young men from a wide variety of backgrounds, all of who are separated from their earthly families.

God puts the lonely into families.

First in, first out

Prior to going to Iraq, Eric stopped to spend a week with his Mom in New York State.  There were many sweet times, but celebrating his Mom's 85th birthday was especially wonderful.

Across America, from Canada to Washington State

While Eric was in New York and Iraq, Karla took her Dad on a cross-countr(ies) road trip.  They visited friends from Pop's youth, now in northern Michigan.  And then they revisited his youth where he frew up in Montana, and then drove on to visit Pop's Sister, Karla's Aunt Ruth in Walla Walla Washington.  Over 5,000 miles were clocked in on this road trip.

Not one, but two birthday celebrations

The house celebrated Karla's birthday in her absence on her actual birthday, and then a second time when she arrived a few days later.

A needed retreat

With temperatures peaking, the house along with a Syrian widow family took a day trip up north.  Waterfalls and a barbeque were so special.

Clinics and Home Visits

Medical outreaches to disadvantaged Syrians were conducted on several occasions.  Karla and Eric also went to a home twice a day to help administer IM injections needed for a person who had broken both legs in a motor cycle accident over a year ago, only to have one of the two require a second operation due to non-union.  This second operation was complicated by a multi-resistant organism skin infection.  Karla's insights into wound care were helpful with needed daily dressing changes.