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| Distribution of food and supplies in Erbil to refugees from Bartella. World Watch Monitor |
Thousands of Christians are continuing to leave their homes and possessions behind as ruthless militants sweep across their country. Recently, the last of the remaining Christians in the northern town of Bartella decided to flee for safer areas. Approximately 2,000 Christian families abandoned the town in early August, the majority of them joining the other 60,000 believers who had also fled to the Kurdish-controlled city of Erbil. More than 100,000 Christians and individuals from other vulnerable groups have been displaced since the Islamic State (IS, also referred to as ISIS) began establishing a caliphate in areas of Iraq and Syria. (To learn more about the plight of believers throughout the country, visit this page.)
Father Yacoub Saad Shamas, a church leader who helped lead these Christians to safety, recounts their arduous journey to Erbil, stating, "It was a painful decision to make: to leave behind our homes, the place we grew up in, the place we love. Some church guards and I were the last Christians to leave our village. It took us 10 hours to get to Erbil. In my church group, we had six babies born along the way. It was all very difficult."
He further notes, "Jesus said that because they have persecuted Him, they will persecute us. But He also said that although we face tribulation, we can be sure that Christ has overcome the world." Father Yacoub is seeking prayer from the international community. "Without prayer we really cannot do...anything," he explains. "Please ask your leaders to help us, so we can return to our homes and stay in Iraq."
Thank you for upholding these dear Christian brothers and sisters in prayer, asking that our Lord will reveal Himself to each one of them in a very personal and tangible way. May the assurance of His presence encourage them to put their trust in Him, despite the chaos and unrest currently occurring in Iraq. Pray that He will meet the many needs of these latest refugees from Bartella, equipping them to extend His grace and peace to others who are presently suffering. Also intercede for the many members of the Islamic State, asking that the Holy Spirit will penetrate their hearts and minds with spiritual truth so that they, too, can enter into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
To learn more about Iraq's beleaguered church, visit our Country Report.
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