From Mosul to Michigan: A Presbyterian Refugee Family Flees Violence, by Ced Currin

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side when our enemies attacked us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us. —Psalm 124:2–3

Violence in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul flared up in 2004, a year after the U.S. invasion, and has continued, particularly against the Christian community. In late November of 2006, Munthir al-Saqa, an elder at Mosul Presbyterian Church, was kidnapped from the front of his home and held for ransom. Three days later he was shot and killed. The remaining members of Munthir’s family in Mosul (his wife, Awatif, son Mazin, and two sisters, Maha and Rand) were threatened. They narrowly escaped into hiding the following week.

Mazin says his father was killed because he believed in Christ, because he was honest, loved his church, and he was ready to die for his faith and for what God had called him to do. Threats against Munthir escalated during the second half of 2006. Not long before his father’s kidnapping, Mazin asked him if he was not afraid he’d be killed because of his services in the church. Munthir, who had served this small historic church for 35 years, responded, “A lot of people have died in Iraq for unknown causes, but for me, I have a cause to die for.”

Continue the journey to security with the Alsaqa family in the July/August 2009 issue of Horizons Magazine (HZN-09-230; $4 plus shipping).

Ced Currin is an elder at Memorial Presbyterian Church, Midland, Michigan, focusing for years on peacemaking and mission programs in the Caribbean, Central America and Africa.

Photo by Khandi Mohammed/AP Photo (An Iraqi girl lights a candle during Palm Sunday services at the al-Najat Syrian Orthodox Church in Baghdad, Iraq. Iraqi Christians are targets for terrorism and are fleeing their country in large numbers).

Other Articles Online This Issue

Security in the Middle of Violence
Living What We Long For
From Mosul to Michigan
Securing the Future: The PW Legacy Program
Thank Offering Recipients
Strenngthening the PC(USA)


Continue the journey to security with the Alsaqa family in the July/August 2009 issue of Horizons Magazine (HZN-09-230; $4 plus shipping).	From Mosul to Michigan: A Presbyterian Refugee Family Flees Violence by Ced Currin If it had not been the Lord who was on our side when our enemies attacked us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us. —Psalm 124:2–3 Violence in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul flared up in 2004, a year after the U.S. invasion, and has continued, particularly against the Christian community. In late November of 2006, Munthir al-Saqa, an elder at Mosul Presbyterian Church, was kidnapped from the front of his home and held for ransom. Three days later he was shot and killed. The remaining members of Munthir’s family in Mosul (his wife, Awatif, son Mazin, and two sisters, Maha and Rand) were threatened. They narrowly escaped into hiding the following week. Mazin says his father was killed because he believed in Christ, because he was honest, loved his church, and he was ready to die for his faith and for what God had called him to do. Threats against Munthir escalated during the second half of 2006. Not long before his father’s kidnapping, Mazin asked him if he was not afraid he’d be killed because of his services in the church. Munthir, who had served this small historic church for 35 years, responded, “A lot of people have died in Iraq for unknown causes, but for me, I have a cause to die for.” Continue the journey to security with the Alsaqa family in the July/August 2009 issue of Horizons Magazine (HZN-09-230; $4 plus shipping). Ced Currin is an elder at Memorial Presbyterian Church, Midland, Michigan, focusing for years on peacemaking and mission programs in the Caribbean, Central America and Africa. Photo by Khandi Mohammed/AP Photo (An Iraqi girl lights a candle during Palm Sunday services at the al-Najat Syrian Orthodox Church in Baghdad, Iraq. Iraqi Christians are targets for terrorism and are fleeing their country in large numbers). Other Articles Online This Issue Security in the Middle of Violence Living What We Long For From Mosul to Michigan Securing the Future: The PW Legacy Program Thank Offering Recipients Strenngthening the PC(USA)	Current Issue JULY/AUGUST 2009 About This Issue Contents FREE Resource How to Use In Our Next Issue to Horizons or call (866) 802-3635 the July/August 2009 issue, HZN-09-230 ($4 plus shipping/handling)

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