Christian Iraqis are returning home to areas once held by ISIS. They are finding destruction but also help from Samaritan's Purse as we help communities rebuild.
In the summer of 2014, ISIS terrorists drove out Christian believers, desecrated churches, and gutted or destroyed hundreds of houses on the Nineveh Plains of Iraq.
Franklin Graham was in Iraq earlier this year to see the destruction in traditionally Christian towns.
Three years later as the battle for Mosul still raged, one Christian homeowner, Yousif*, returned to explore the remains of his house—just 15 miles from the fighting. Walking through the destruction, he remembers precious family times that once took place there.
“Your life is connected to your house,” he said. “When they burn your house, they burn your life, they burn your soul.”
Still, Yousif thanks God that his entire family was spared.
As bombs exploded in the distance, he also visited the site of his former church, discovering portions of charred Scripture in the rubble that offer hope: “You will become sad, but your sadness will become joy” (John 16:20, paraphrased). Yousif takes this to heart and makes a promise that he will rebuild.
A burned portion of Scripture.
Now that Iraqi forces have liberated the area from the death grip of Islamic militants, Christians are eager to return to the places their ancestors have lived for centuries. They need our help to repair damage, replace doors, windows, and fixtures, and paint over ISIS graffiti as they reclaim their town in the Name of Jesus.
Through the gifts and prayers of people like you, Samaritan’s Purse is helping families resettle in the Plains of Nineveh, so that traditionally Christian towns will once again be a light for the Gospel in the heart of the Middle East.
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Miriam and Athra are now back in Qaraqosh.
Update: On Sept. 16-17, Samaritan’s Purse celebrated with 10 Christian families as we completed our first home restorations in Qaraqosh, Iraq. A widow named Miriam* and her daughter Athra* were grateful to be among them.
“I give thanks to God,” Miriam said. “He brought you here to help me rebuild my home.”
Please pray for these families as they begin to rebuild their lives. Samaritan’s Purse is now identifying the next 10 families we will resettle.
For more on our restoration project, see “Samaritan’s Purse Restores Homes of Persecuted Christians in Iraq.”
*Names changed to protect identity.
