The world watches in stunned dismay at the carnage and chaos that continues to plague Iraq. Only the other week, several churches in different parts of Iraq were the targets of bomb attacks, killing a number of people. Seventh-day Adventist Churches were spared, but leaders remain on high alert. Threats against other churches have increased concerns which led to a decision to cancel worship services for Saturday (Sabbath) August 7. One week earlier, Adventist Church leaders had announced a special day of fasting and prayer for peace in Iraq. With these new events, members will now pray and fast in their homes.
Increased security is provided by the government and the Church leaders have hired 24 hour security protection as well. It seems no one is safe anymore because there may be no particular rationale for these bombings. The bombing of the Red Cross headquarters close to the Church in Baghdad was an example of such indiscriminate and senseless attacks. The role of the Red Cross is clearly understood as one of helping all people, and even so came under a deadly attack that killed more than 20 people and destroyed all the stained glass windows on two sides of the Baghdad Adventist Church.
The situation in Iraq, instead of becoming better seems to have gotten worse. One young woman who works with humanitarian relief efforts wrote that two shops were bombed just a few meters from her home. "Alcohol shops and CD/video stores are being bombed and even the hair dresser was forced to close" she said. "It is becoming more and more difficult for anyone who fails to cover their head and wear the traditional black coverings," she added. She is still shocked by the death of her good friend, mother of three young children, killed in gunfire near Mosul a few weeks ago. She says, "I just can't believe it."
In spite of Press claims that things are getting better and services are back to pre-war levels, electricity is on for only eight hours in 24; on for two hours and then off for four. In a place where temperatures can reach well into the 50's Celsius (over 130 Fahrenheit), without air conditioning or fans, just living is nearly unbearable. Families sleep, or try to sleep on the concrete floors in order to find some relief from the heat.
Michael Porter, President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Middle East reports that "in spite of the difficulties, our members' faith is still strong. They continue to pray, they continue to do what they can for those around them, and they continue with plans for opening a health care centre as part of the new church addition presently under construction."
