Singing on our Knees

I've already described church here as a very different experience, and that continues to be true. Last night proved to be an exceptionally "different" night. Last night, May 4th 2008, we had the pleasure of hearing Canon Andrew White, with St. George's Episcopal Church, here in Baghdad. He grew up in Great Britain, and is a huge man. He must be about 6' 4", with a booming voice. Ten years ago, he came to Baghdad to serve at St. George's Church. I can't imagine the culture shock that he has experienced! His church is only about a mile outside of the Green Zone, so he lives and works in the heart of Baghdad. He told us a little about his church, and the wonderful Iraqi Christians in his congregation. Sadly, he informed us that he's lost 58 members in the last 2 years. They were victims of all kinds of violence from suicide bombers, to car bombers, to just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He didn't say it, but I suspect that some were killed because they were Christian. I was calculating that and it comes out to an average of one death every two weeks, just in his congregation!!! Yet his faith, and his congregation's faith remains strong in the face of such adversity. His church has guards working there around the clock. After all, Christians are not well loved by most of the remainder of the Iraqi population. These folks have experienced life like we can't imagine. Well, as sad as that news was, it was still a highlight to have him visit our chapel, and to tell us that his church loves us, and sends us their blessings.

As special as his visit was, it was just the first event of a special night. Lately, the International Zone has come under rocket and mortar fire. It started on Easter Sunday, and I suspect this wasn't a coincidence, but an expression of disdain for Christians. Regardless, things have been a little "on edge" lately.

Whenever there is an alert for an in-coming rocket, we hear this loud WAAA-OOOO-WAAA-OOOO-WAA-OOOO over the speaker system. Standard protocol is to head to the nearest concrete bunker, or to simply "hit the dirt". Earlier in the service last night, we sang a new song, "No, Never Alone". It's an upbeat, "gospelly" song that makes you want to clap your hands or tap your feet. Last night, a few minutes after Canon White had spoken, we were just starting to stand up to sing this song again, when the alert went off.....WAAA-OOOO-WAAA-OOOO-WAAA-OOOO!!!!! The chaplain (who's an army colonel) instructed us to get on the floor. So, we all got onto the floor, most of us simply got on our knees and tried to "hide" behind our chairs. My friend, Manilka, was sitting in the row of chairs in front of me and we were like a couple of school boys peeking at each other between the chairs. As we settled into this position, listening for any explosion, someone started singing the chorus to that song. Within an instant..... spontaneously, we were all singing...... as best we could given the position that we were in....on our knees with heads lowered. At that moment, I don't think there was an ounce of fear left in the building. Here we were, on our knees, but singing a song entitled, "No, Never Alone". How could we fear anything? We continued singing, finishing the song while still on our knees. Then we stood up and continued the service. It was a very surreal experience!!!! A few of us who were there last night have mentioned how the events of May 4, 2008 will always remain with us. I know that I'll always remember the night we sang on our knees in church in the International Zone, just a mile down the street from our Christian friends at St. George's Episcopal Church. I'll always remember the fear that they have to endure daily, and pray that they know the words to the song "No, Never Alone".

To read about St. Geoge's Episcopal Church, go to: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81799_94311_ENG_HTM.htm