You have concerns that most pastors can’t begin to fathom. How does working under such extraordinary conditions affect ordinary ministry?
So many of our brothers and sisters here in Baghdad have been killed, kidnapped, or tortured even in the last few months. Members of my staff have also been killed. Just this morning, I was trying to sort out post-hospital care for our former chief of security, who recently had a leg blown off.
We cope because the Lord is always with us. When you are where the Lord wants you to be, he always enables you to cope. Look at Daniel. He had not planned to come into exile in Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar. God still provided him with all that he required. He had not intended to be an interpreter of dreams, but God gave him the knowledge to do all that he needed and enabled him to serve with joy.
In the same way, I had no intention of coming to Iraq. But God brought me here 13 years ago, and now there is nowhere in the world I would rather be. Even in the midst of terror and persecution, we have the joy of the Lord.
I went to the book launch and am reading this book. Inspiring as ever on the best Anglicans can be and how they can act in situations of conflict, not only to bear witness to Christ, but also to act to bring peace between the different factions by acting as a respected honest broker. We are almost the only neutral body with the respect and reach, and yet the ability to understand the religious issues, in order to fulfil this role. Andrew White is an exemplar of this negected Anglican strength and gift.