2nd Kurdistan Road trip - Part IV

Before I continue with the rest of the story about our 2nd road trip, I thought I would share a few pictures with you.

View from our bedroom window-without dust storm.

View from our bedroom window- with slight dust storm.



Seminary chapel on a clear day.

Seminary chapel today at 6:00 p.m. during heavy dust storm.  Orange color is natural; I did not photoshop this picture.  Today's dust storm was the 4th or 5th since we have been here.  We have been told that dust storms like this and with this frequency are common in Bagdad, but not Erbil.  This is an unusually dusty summer for the folks around here.

Back to the Alqosh road trip story -  After the visit to the Rabban Hormizd Monastery, our bus took us to an abandoned Jewish synagogue.  At one time, there had been a large Jewish community in Alqosh.  However, under Saddam Hussein's government, they had been forced out of Alqosh and most of Iraq.  There is no one left to take care of the synagogue and it is falling into ruin. 

I have provided a very, very good link to a web site about the synagogue and tomb.  It has many, many very good pictures as well as the history:  Prophet Nahum's Tomb

 This is what remains of the Jewish community's homes, which are directly across from and a few steps away from the entrance to the synagogue, which houses Nahum's tomb.

Our group entering the synagogue.  Note the metal roof that was erected to help protect what remains of the site.

This is the Hebrew inscription, carved into the wall.  This inscription would have been directly over the Moses Seat.

This is the Prophet Nahum's tomb.  It is covered with agreen shroud.  We were not able to view the sarcophagus.  The entrance is directly opposite the place where the Moses seat would have been.

This is a view of what remains of the back wall.  The roof has fallen in at this part of the synagogue.

Kathy standing outside of the enclosure of Nahum's tomb.  She is also standing next to a column with an a very old oil lamp still attached to it.

Brothers and sisters, I have posted quite a bit this evening.  I probably have one more post to complete 2nd Kurdistan Road Trip.

Your brother in Christ,

Joe

2nd Kurdistan Road trip - Part III

This is the 3rd part of the continuing story of our 2nd road trip in Kurdistan. After our visit to the Virgin Mary's monastery (Guardian of the Plants) in the Christian village of Alqosh, we drove down a canyon road to visit Rabban Hormizd Monastery which clings to the side of a mountain.  I found the following on Wikipedia about Rabban Hormidz Monastery.  It is a fairly acccurate description about the monastery.
          
"Rabban Hormizd Monastery is built about half way up the range of mountains which encloses the plain of Mosul on the north, and stands in a sort of amphitheatre, which is approached by a rocky path that leads through a narrow defile; this path has been paved by generations of monks. The church is of stone and is of a dusky red colour ; it is built upon an enormous rock. In the hills round about the church and buildings of the monastery are rows of caves hewn out of the solid rock, in which the stern ascetics of former generations lived and died.

They have neither doors nor any protection from the inclemency of the weather, and the chill which they strike into the visitor gives an idea of what those who lived in them must have suffered from the frosts of winter and the drifting rain. Some of them have niches hewn in their sides or backs in which the monks probably slept, but many lack even these means of comfort. The cells are separate one from the other, and are approached by narrow terraces, but some of them are perched in almost inaccessible places, and, unless other means of entrance existed in former days, could only have been approached by the monks crawling down from the crest of the mountain and swinging themselves into them."

You can read more at the following links:  about the Rabban Hormizd Monastery

and about Rabban Hormizd (Saint)  . 

I offer the following pictures for your viewing pleasure:

A view of most of the ancient monastery of Rabban Hormidz.  Note how it clings to the side of the mountain.

Another, wider angle shot of the monastery.

The main entrance to the monastery.

A view from the monastery looking out over the Nineveh plains.  The building at the base of the mountain is the newer Virgin Mary monastery.

Some of the caves that the monks lived in.

James Helmes was able to climb his way up to the cave.  His brother, Peter, soon thereafter caught up with him and joined him in the experience of life as a monk.

After the visit to this monastery, we returned to our overnight accomodations.  I will post more in the next blog.

God's blessing on all of you and your loved ones!

Joe & Kathy

2nd Kurdistan Road Trip - Part II

This is the 2nd part of the continuing story of our 2nd road trip in Kurdistan.  After our visit to the Monastery of Mar Matta, we drove to the Christian town of Alqosh. It is about 31 miles northeast of Mosul.  Alqosh traces its history back into the ancient Assyrian empire and perhaps even further back into history. The earliest mentioning of Alqosh appears in Sennacherib's era of around 750 BC.  We went directly to a retreat center that was at the base of the mountains.  The center is situated on a high hill that had a commanding view over all of Alqosh.  We got situated then went to visit more monasteries.  The first monastery we visited was on the north side of town.  This was the Virgin Mary's monastery (Guardian of the Plants) which was built in 1856 AD. It is a huge monastery where the friar life still exists. The monks built this monastery because the one they have up in the mountains (Rabban Hormizd monastery) does not get enough water to take care of their needs.

This the entrance to the Virgin Mary's Monastery.

We are gathering to go into the church at the monastery.

The inside of the church.  Note the polished marble columns.  The marble came from turkey.

The priest is telling us about the monastery and the church.  Hank McCormick interprets because he is fluent in the arabic language.  The altar area is off limits to all but a few due to the liturgical rites and customs of the Chaldean Church here.

This is the mural of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child above the main altar.  She is standing in a wheat field.  It is symbolic of the blessings from heaven for a bountiful wheat harvest.  Alqosh is a town on the Nineveh Plains, which is known for being a rich breadbasket of the Middle East.

This is a painting of Rabban Hormizd (rabban is the Syriac for monk) who founded the Rabban Hormizd monastery in the seventh century.  That monastery is located 2-3 miles to the northeast of the Virgin Mary monastery.  It also clings to the side of a mountain like the monastery of Mar Matta.
I will get to that monastery later.  In this painting, Rabban Hormizd is performing an exorcism on the son of a Persian prince.  Rabban Hormizd's reputation as an effective exorcist was known far and wide.

This is a smaller altar in the church in the back, just to the left as you enter the door from the courtyard.

Brothers and sisters-  It is with great awe and wonder that Kathy and I and many of our travelling companions visit these ancient sites where the early church first took root.  The hardships that were endured to bring the Good News to those who had never heard it can not even be imagined by us.  Indeed, even today, the lives that the Christian have in order to maintain a centuries old presence in the region is very inspiring.  May God continue to bless them in spite of the difficulties that they face, and may they not lose heart.

2nd Kurdistan Road Trip - Part I

Friday Morning, July 20,2012, Our group of expats were taken on a road trip to northern Kurdistan. The expats number 27. 14 are from the DFW area of North Texas, 2 are from Ottawa, Canada, and the rest are from different parts of the USA.  Many are Benedictine College current students or recent grads. The Helmes family make up half of the 14 North Texans.

Our 1st destination was about  a 2 1/2 hour drive northwest from Erbil/Ankawa. This was the ancient Syriac Orthodox Monastery of Mar Matta ( Saint Matthew).  Mar Matta was a Syrian hermit who founded the monastery and was its 1st abbot. This monastery was founded around 360 A.D. by Mar Matta.  We spent about 2 hours there.  Soon after we arrived there we gathered in the church for a few minutes of silence.  Then we prayed together for Brenda Lenzen (Matt's mom) who was having surgery that day back in the states. 

This place was just so incredible.  Along with being a functioning Syriac Orthodox monastery, it is also used as a retreat center for individuals and for families as it has about 100 rooms.  The monastery is well up the side of mount Alfaf and overlooks the Nineveh plains of northern Iraq.

I have provided a link for you if you wish to find out more about this remarkable monastery of the early eastern church:  Monastery of Mar Matta .

I also have some pictures that I took for your viewing pleasure:


Kathy & I in the Receiving Room

A view of the altar in the church at Mar Matta.



The receiving Room at Mar Matta.

A view of the ancient ruins of the early monastery.

More of the ancient ruins.

Kathy inside the chapel of the ancient ruins.

From the ancient ruins, looking out over the Nineveh Plains.

From the inner courtyard of the present monastery, looking up at some of the ancient ruins.

A view of the inner court taken from near the front door of the church.

Looking through the arch, one can see the Nineveh Plains far below us.

A view from the parking lot of the face of Mar Matta Monastery.

Our excursion did not end here at Mar Matta.  There were other ancient and holy sites that lay waiting for us.  However, I will write about them and post more pictures in my next blog.

 

 

A Regular Day Today

Here is what our regular day looks like.  The sun rises here about 5 o'clock, awaken about 5:45 and breakfast about 6:50/7 o'clock.  The bus comes and picks us up at 7:20 for a ride to school.  We have a staff meeting and the children are arriving and ready for Homeroom at 8:30.  The 1st class of the day is the one the students have chosen as their "major"  This is either Art, Drama, Music, Computer, or Gym.  This class they will have every day.  The other classes, not their major, they will have 2 or 3 times a week.  This week the Drama Majors are continuing to work on their play.  Each group will do at least 1 play for the students and parents at the end of the 6 week period.  Joe is working with the 3rd and 4th graders.  Their play will be "Little Red Riding Hood".  The Gym group has been working this week on getting together the Carnival which will take place on Sunday.  They have the help of the Art, Music, Computer groups, each one doing something to help with the Carnival, ie making signs, putting together an activity/game for the Carnival.  The Music group will be signing a song, the Computer group will have a power point presentation.  Today, after classes (which end at 1 pm) we ate lunch, had a small meeting, and then the rest of the day was spent in putting together the games for the Carnival and setting them up.  There is a bean bag toss, throw the ball through the hoop, water sling shot, bowling, golf, etc.  The teachers and students are being very creative in using what is available here, empty water bottles with duct tape on them for the bowling pins, cardboard with round holes for the bean bag toss game and socks with some rice in them for the bean bags, we will have balloons and some darts for another game (some students are allowing us to use their darts), etc. The students we asked to brainstorm for ideas for games and these were some that were used.  (Hopefully will have some pics after the Carnival).  After all that at 4 oclock the bus comes and picks us up from school back to the seminary where we are staying.  Supper at 5:30 and then time to do laundry or get ready for the next day.  By 9 o'clock Joe and I are ready for bed. 

Each class has activities they are working on in class each day.  I, however, as Dean of Students for the 6-8 grades have students coming to me.  The reasons can range from a new student coming and needing to be placed in a class, to name tags not being worn, to problems in the class, etc.  The day may start out being busy with students and no name badges, then calms down, and then 2 or 3 at a time sent by the teachers for various problems.  All in all the kids are kids and want to learn, but have to become familiar with a different type of school and rules than they are used to, and English being spoken which they may or may not understand!  It will take time, but hopefully by the beginning of the school year they will be comfortable in this school system and ready for the school year.  It is very challenging for both the students and teachers. 

Our group here at the Seminary has grown as new people are arriving.  The last 4 who were to come have arrived.  It is a great group.  We have students still in college, those who have recently graduated, a family, some sisters of one of the ladies helping out at school, a couple from Canada and Joe and myself.  We work together well and enjoy being with each other.  There are still some moves to be made, shifting people around as those who are staying for the year are moved into their own housing. 

A trip is planned for us this weekend, so once we return we will have pics of the places we have been. 

Your sister in Christ.

1st Roadtrip in Kurdistan - To Sulaimaniya

Hello to all once again

This morning, Kathy and I arose early in order to travel to Sulaimaniya, Kurdistan, Iraq.  Sulaimaniya is about a three hour drive from Ankawa.  We travelled with Diane and two Chaldean Sisters -Daughters Of Mary Immaculate.  The sisters have a school there and wanted Kathy and I and Diane to go with them to assess new applicants for open teaching positions that they have at their school.

We skirted the foothills of the Zagros mountains.  The drive was on a two lane blacktop.  Lots of switchbacks, a couple of high mountain passes to traverse, and lots of traffic.  There are no railroads in Iraq, so everything- people and freight of all kinds, moves on the highway system.  I have not seen anything that looks like an interstate highway yet.  Think of Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath and the roads travelled by the Joad family as they travelled form Oklahoma to California and you got the picture.  Lots of sheep and goat herds along the way with some cattle every now and then. At one point, there was a large herd crossing the highway!    Also, we had to go through 4 army checkpoints between Erbil and Sulaimaniya, glad they like Americans!


A view of the Zagros Mountains

A view from the pass.

Looking east at the Zagros Mountains

We arrive in Sulaimaniya at about 9:30 a.m.  It is a very modern city.  I am told that it is a very secular city in comparison to Erbil.  Religion seems to be important everywhere in Iraq, but it might not be as important in Sulaimaniya as it is elsewhere.  They also have an ethnically diverse population that includes Indians, Pakistanis, Iranians, Turks, Chinese, Kurds, Arabs, etc.  You get the idea, I am sure.                                                                                                                                      

The above pictures were taken from the rooftop of the school that we visited in Sulaimaniya.  It is a fascinating city.  We all went to lunch about 3p.m. at a Turkish restaurant on the top floor of a local hotel.  I can not tell you what all I had.  Everything was delicious.  The most impressive course served was when the waiter came out with a sword pierced through many pieces of chicken suspended over a portable fire that was then placed on our table.  I thought to myself "How do we get the chicken off of that sword?"  My question was answered very shortly when the waiter grabbed the handle of the sword and held it about 8 inches from my face as he slid a piece of meat onto my plate.  Well needless to say, it was very good.  The wait staff kept bringing course after course, even after we told them that we could nor possibly eat any more.  I think the chef was actually offended that we did not eat his 2 full plates of grilled fish, and the platter of grilled ????  We would have taken it with us, but the concept of "doggy bag" just doesn't exist here.   Below is a picture of Kathy and Diane and Sister Phillipa.  The other picture is me with our driver and a staffer with the school in Sulaimaniya.

By the way, Kathy and I only had room for a banana for dinner upon our return to Ankawa at 6:30.  That's all for now.  May our Heavenly Father richly bless each of you and your loved ones.
jw




























                                                                                                                                

A Texan's View of Cultural Differences in Erbil, Iraq

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

I thought today I would provide some information about the students.  As westerners we quickly learn our names.  Each of knows our first name, our middle name, and our last name (surname).  One of the goals of the summer program is to help many of the students learn their names.  I know that may sound strange to many of you, but people who live in the community are not always known by their first and last names.  For instance, the school cook is known as "um Peter" which is translated "Peter's mom".  The guard at the entrance is not known by his name, but by the arabic word for "guard".  Many of the students know theirselves as Kevin son of _____ or Maryos son of _____ or Waseem son of _____.  They do not know their surname as it is not necessary in the community.  Even some of the teachers find the use of their surname odd.  So one of the goals of the summer program is to make sure that every person at the school, both student and teacher alike, can say "Here I am" when their first and last name is called. 

Also, street names and house numbers is a new concept here.  If you ask someone for their address you might get it, you might not.  What you will get is perhaps the name of the subdivision where they live or a gas station they live by or a major street that goes by their neighborhood, although some do have what we would call an actual address.  The government here is working on this. 

Aside from language difference the kids are just like kids anywhere.  Most come to school with happy faces.  They want to learn.  Their parents care deeply about them, so much so that they want the best education for their kid.  There is a long waiting list to get into the school because the school offers a quality of education that is different than what is found in other schools. 

Since many of you are viewing and studying "In the Dust of the Rabbi" this summer, you will recall from session 2 that Ray gives a teaching of how if you truly want to follow the Rabbi and be His disciple then the Rabbi will prepare you for anything that you might encounter in life.  The Rabbi will take you so far away from your comfort zone that you cannot see it anymore.  Here in Ankawa it is true that we no longer are able to see our comfort zone, but we also know that the Rabbi is preparing  us for unknown adventures in faith that we will encounter on our journey.  Kathy and I both agree that we are far from being the disciples that the Lord has called us to be.  Being here in Ankawa, and doing the work that we are doing has required us each day to place our trust in the guidance of the Rabbi as we try to follow more closely in His Footsteps.  Neither of us believes that we are qualified or competent to do what we are doing, however, both of us recognize that the Rabbi is giving us the strength and the skills and guidance that we need every day.  We know that with your continued prayers and the guidance of the Rabbi we will succeed in doing His work here. 

Some of you have informed us that you like the pics that we are posting.  So here are some pics that we took yesterday, Friday 13th, of a local store at Family Mall called Carrefour.  The 1st pic includes an expat from Chicago.  Her name is Megan.  She will be working at the school full time for the next school year.



Kathy and Megan in front of the assorted nut dept.  Kathy was buying bulk almonds.

This is the bulk spice selection on the opposite side of the bulk nut selection.

With the Deli Counter in the lower right, this pic provides a wide shot of the store .

This is a view of the pasty-confectionery section



This is a view of the candy confectionery section

We are working on trying to provide an email subscribe button for those of you who want to keep up with all of our postings.  Please be patient with us until we get it figured out.  And please remember to keep us in your prayers and don't forget to email us with your prayer requests.

Your brother and sister in Christ.

Hot & "Dusty" Erbil, Iraq - Part 2

A member of a family that was enchanted with being amongst Americans.  Lots of picture were taken by the family.  This fellow was enchanted with my hat.  Picture taken in the Citadel.

Inside Minaret Park, named for this famous and ancient, leaning minaret.  While we were at Minaret Park, we heard the Muslim call to prayer go out from other surrounding minarets.

Kathy & Marianne standing beside a replica of the Citadel inside Minaret Park.

Some kids who posed for us.

The guard at the entrance to Minaret Park.  Note the AK-47 slung over his left shoulder.  He spoke very good English, vacated his air conditioned guard shack so that we might cool down, brought us ice cold water and 3 drinking cups, and offered to share his lunch with all of us!!!!

Joe & Marianne ordering the "#1" burger combo at American Burger.  Note the jar of chocolate chip cookies on the counter.  Ice cream chest is behind the square column.

The food was very good.

That's all for now.  About to venture off into the city again.  Will have more to write later.

jw