Easter in Iraq

Saturday, April 23rd, 2011. Day 6. Oh, the drama!

It's a big day today! The main reason we are here. The easter service and the drama. 
Paul let us sleep in a little bit, but I woke up at 5.30am and can't get back to sleep. 

For lunch, we went to this very traditional Kurdistan restaurant. Yep, it's middle east, a lot of lamb dishes. I was lucky that I can get away with chicken :-) They have rice, beans, green beans, eggplant, okra, and a choice of chicken or ground lamb. It was delicious! I think I have officially gained a couple more pounds!!

Around 2pm, we started to load all our props into the car and head for the hotel. The hotel where we're going to do the easter service is only less than 5 minutes away from the center. We did room setup when we get there, then more rehearsals.

Around 6.15pm, people started coming in and we started around 6.45pm. Paul was doing a great job with the message about hope. The drama was flawless, no one is forgetting any props, or forgetting any lines. We were thrilled to see how many people from the center came, and when we're up on the stage, a lot of people are taking pictures or videos.

Scott has warned us that it is a custom for them to talk during service or drama. If their cell phone ring, they will pick it up. Tim made a note at the beginning of the service to switch their cell to silent, and they did it. It was amazing, during the whole service, everyone was so tune in to Paul's message and the drama. It was dead silent, you can hear a pin drop!

We mingled a little bit after the service end. Talked to a couple of people. To some of them, it's their first time to see drama, it may be their first time to come to service. I reminded them that there's service every Saturday night, and encouraged them to come.

I think I ate too much cookie when I talked with people. When we're heading for dinner, I wasn't too hungry, even though it's 8.40pm! We ended up going for a fast food on the side of the street. It's basically like a sandwich, and you have 3 options, beef, chicken, or falafel. It's outdoor, and it was so good!!!

We didn't get home until around 10pm. Tired. Exhausted. But relieved that it was done, and it was done the way GOD wants it. We're planning to go to easter service tomorrow (Sunday), then picnic. Please pray for a sunny day!!! Happy easter!!

In love and prayer,

clie