by Marilyn Borst

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

I could hear those words echoing in the back of my mind as I read a letter from a young Christian student living in Kirkuk, Iraq. Sinan’s family had been displaced when ISIS brought its reign of terror into Mosul, where they lived, in June of 2014, destroying churches and marking the houses of Christians who would subsequently be given a choice: convert to Islam, remain a Christian and pay an impossibly large fine or die by the sword.

Their flight of fear would lead them to Qaraqosh and then to Erbil. This young engineering student wanted to resume his studies and the University of Kirkuk would accept him…and hundreds of mostly-Christian students like him… but there was no housing available. The Archbishop of Chaldean Catholic Church in Kirkuk came up with a bold plan: rent houses and apartments where these displaced students could live in community and be cared for by local congregations. The Presbyterian pastor in Kirkuk asked if The Outreach Foundation could help with funding…and we could because of the generous gifts of the churches and individuals who have supported Christian outreach to the thousands who lives were shattered by the evil that is ISIS. Remarkably, Sinan’s faith has grown from these experiences of his young life: …every time when I look back to that time I feel so thankful to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for His wonderful protection; in fact, this situation for me is the fulfillment of God’s word when He said: "you will face persecutions and many people will rise against you".

Thanks be to God that Sinan’s strength has been renewed – and he has sported those eagle’s wings. May we all find ourselves to be so brave…and true.

Marilyn Borst
Associate Director for Partnership Development

But They That Wait Upon the Lord...