Isaiah 55: 8-9 says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” 

Dear brothers and sisters, here is an update. 

I returned home in March. A lot of things are happening, I have been very busy. 

I was planning to travel to the Middle East again for sewing projects as I promised, but my brother in Beirut, Lebanon kept telling me to postpone it. They have been expecting a war to break at any time in the region and the time is here. We are currently witnessing the situation between Israel and Palestine. Unfortunately, it dragged Lebanon into a war through the south borders; many want to flee the country for safety.

Recently, my friend Ephraim wanted me to meet two gentlemen from Afghanistan. I met with them and shared with them my mission to the Middle East; how I send containers of dry food, medical supplies, clothes, and how I set up sewing classes to teach and help the women to start their own business, so they could support themselves and their families. The two gentlemen were so surprised and impressed! They said, “you travel to the Middle East to do this and there is a great need for you to teach sewing here.” I told them that I am planning to set up classes here, but I am waiting on the Lord to provide a place for that.  They asked if I am willing to teach sewing to 20 Afghani women. I said of course and asked them where. The men said that they have a place available for me to teach. There are 125 Afghani refugee families in a camp in the Philadelphia area with many children and women all in need of clothes and other items. They set up classes to teach them English and they are looking for sewing projects for these women. They came to my house and I gave them a car load of children’s diapers and winter clothes. 

I am waiting on the Lord to provide the funds and all the items that are needed for this project, such as sewing machines, scissors, papers, notebooks, pencils, pins, rulers, and other items.

A brother in the Lord from Ukraine who I worked with in Baghdad at the Ministry of Defense in 2016- 18 contacted me at the beginning of the Ukrainian war. He asked for financial help to send his family to Poland for safety because he could not leave the country due to the law of preventing the men from leaving. We sent him $3000 and recently his family returned to Ukraine.  He then asked if we could help his family to come to the US for the same reason. There is an organization that helps Ukrainian people to come to the US. The process and the requirements are very clear. They need a sponsor which has a minimum of $35,000 annual income. Unfortunately I am not qualified to take this kind of sponsorship due to my retirement and low income. I promised to do my best and to inform my pastor and the church about the situation. I trust the Lord and believe in his will. 

Moreover, about two months ago, I received a phone call from the landlord in Iraq who I rented an apartment from for almost a year. They were like family to me. I believe that I have a great impact on them, especially the wife. She used to tell me that I want to be like you… 

He said that his wife no longer believes in Islam. Her brothers wanted to kill her.  He wants to protect her and his family of 5 children. They escaped to Turkey and tried to cross the border to Greece, but they got arrested and sent back to Turkey. I contacted a friend who is in authority in the US asking if he can help them to get asylum via the American Embassy in Lebanon. Meanwhile, I contacted my brother Mohammed in Beirut, Lebanon and asked him if he could host this family for a few days until they get their asylum. He told me that for me he could do anything! He was supposed to travel to Saudi Arabia, but he canceled his flight. He went the extra mile to help; the plan didn’t work due to the unrest in the area. They had a plan B which was a fake Italian ID to go to Italy via France. They stayed one week with my brother in Lebanon and they left on Wednesday evening. We lost contact with them for two days and then my brother received a phone call from the Lebanese authority that this family got detained due to their fake IDs. So they had  to deport them back  to Iraq and they will keep the father in prison for investigation. My brother hired a lawyer to solve these issues. The story of this family is to be continued… Your prayers are greatly appreciated.

We serve the King of Kings who is able to move mountains.

With Thanksgiving, I am very thankful for the ways that the Lord is leading to reach out to those in need.

Raymonda Samawi