A Photo-Slideshow of Mohammad Star’s Surgery
After much sleep deprivation, PLC has released an inside look at Mohammad Star’s recent surgery. Doctor’s say the surgery went ‘extremely well.’ This is also a great opportunity for some of you friends and family to see what Cayla and I might be a part of in the future. Please continue to offer wisdom and prayers. Miss you guys!
“The Language of God” In Review
Buying books in English can get pretty pricey around here, so I’m grateful to my expat peers for lending me whatever they’re finished with. The most recent borrowed read was The Language of God by Francis Collins.
In it he argues for the harmonious blending of faith and science. I thought his explanations and arguments were pretty compelling, and he wrote with a straight-forward humility that squashed my faith-oriented predispositions against the ’scientific worldview’. I’ve always been (and still am) hesitant to enter the discussion/debate/fight over evolutionary theory and faith’s relationship w/ science since it’s such a sensitive subject that I know virtually nothing about; silence is really the only option if I don’t wanna sound like a moron. But Collins’ book, as I see it, was a healthy, balanced way of learning more about such a difficult topic. I’d definitely recommend it!
Our Bazaar Souveniers
If you know Cayla, you know that she loves to “peck” at food. A few sunflower seeds here, a piece of orange there. She would have made the ultimate prehistoric gatherer.
So, while we were in Iraq, she acquired (and people bought her) enough seeds and nuts to farm all of Texas! And she wonders why her suitcases are falling apart? But we successfully carted it all back to Bangkok without getting arrested at customs or anything.
The funny thing is that we’ll eat most of all this within a few weeks time – I really look forward to some homemade hummus!
Our Visit to Idrees in Kirkuk, Iraq
Below is an audio sideshow created by a PLC short term staff member named Josh Gigliotti. I was a little nervous about traveling to such a volatile city like Kirkuk, but after just a few minutes of watching/playing with this kid I knew it was worth it. He and 3 other kids have been accepted to surgery this November and, hopefully, the process of acquiring passports and adequate funding will go smoothly.
A Quick Walk Around the Block
Sulaymaniyah isn’t much like Bangkok at all. It’s become nearly impossible to avoid comparing Bangkok with everywhere else because, for us, it’s become our frame of reference for anywhere ‘foreign’.
One obvious difference is the climate. Bangkok’s located in a tropical flood plain and it’s currently the rainy season, whereas Sulay’s dryness makes Arizona seem soggy. And that dryness means dust – everywhere.
I didn’t mind the dust all that much, though, until Cayla and I went on a walk around the block yesterday and I slipped. My flip flops + dust + tile = a dislocated pinky toe. Don’t worry though, it popped right back in. Now it just looks like a nasty swollen vienna sausage thing (points for description?). I thought about sharing a picture, but I’ll spare you.
So, other than that silly little appendage, I’ve had a great time in Iraq. The food tastes great and actually manages to fill me up, the team has been warm and welcoming, and I’ve really enjoyed the tasks they’ve given me. It doesn’t take long to see how huge the need is here. There are thousands of kids waiting to get surgery or die, but the shortage of manpower, money, skills and interest is pretty disheartening. So much effort goes into Africa – why not the Middle East?
Anyway, I just posted a few pictures of a dinner we went to at Heran’s house. It was scrumptious. Cayla also posted some pictures of the house we’re staying in and the office we work in that you can see here.
