Dear friends,
I trust the Lord with all my heart that He leads me in every step.
It has been an interesting journey and challenging since I left home on October 28th . I first visited my family in Beirut, Lebanon, the need is greater than I could handle; only God can change the situation and meet their need.
I returned home from my mission trip to Kurdistan on March first, right after the lockdown.

Shortly after, I received a message from Aram whom I met at Bardarash, the Syrian refugee camp in January. Aram is searching for the truth… He asked if we could help, and if I could provide any activities to the refugees, such as teaching sewing and English Language. During the lockdown, I also received a message from Philip, a brother who reaches out to the needy in the area; he asked if we could help. Due to the COVID-19 many organizations have left the area, which left many in a great need. Since then, we have sent four shipments to Kurdistan and 3 shipments to the Philippines, it included used clothes, dried food and medical supplies; all the shipments were sent as personal effects to avoid any conflict with the government.

Due to the COVID-19 and to the spread of scabies disease the government is not accepting any clothing from any organization unless it’s brand new. I am thankful for all the donors who donated brand new items and items in great condition. When I received the items, my duty was to sort out all the items before packing; I washed the used items, and sent the used clothes to the Philippines where they could use them properly.

Brother Philip asked if I could set up the sewing project in Rwanaduz, a poor village near the Iranian border. I spent a week preparing the place, but for some reason God closed the door. I went back to the Duhok; Aram began the process to apply for the residency which allows me to work at Bardarash, the Syrian camp; the camp is an hour and half from my location. Again God
closed the door, but He opened a new door to a new location, Semeel, which led me to meet new people. Semeel is a poor city and it’s about 30 minutes from the Duhok.

In order to work legally in the country it’s necessary to have a residency, which means that I need to belong to an organization, foreign company, or to work for the government; I have none of these categories. The last trip, I met a persons in authority who helped to get a permission to distribute the clothes at Bardarash camp; I contacted him and asked for advice. He introduced me to the director of the Interior Ministry; he asked why I came to Kurdistan, what my motivation is, why I want to help their people, who is supporting me and what my faith is…

I said I have been coming to Kurdistan since 2015, and I have a heart to help those in need. I have made a decision when I retired to come back to Kurdistan and use my gifts, and experience to help others. My motivation is based on love, and my financial support comes from a church and friends, I don’t have a lot of money, but I have a big heart. I will provide sewing machines, fabric, and whatever is needed for the project. Each course should be three months, and I also could teach English; he was moved.

Based on my volunteer work and on my motivation, they granted me the residency for one year; renewable. It is under the Ministry of Education, which led me to meet the director of the Women’s Right. They provided a place at their center where I could set up the sewing project and where I could teach Arabic and English. The place has been abandoned for many reasons… I made a revolution in this place to make it workable; I was not prepared financially, but with a limited budget, the place became a new birth to those who are in charge and to those who are working with me, and by God’s grace and help we are making a difference and we are letting the light shine.

I am very thankful for each one of you, especial Lonita who became an angel in my life.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
May the Lord bless you all!

In Him, Raymonda Samawi

December 26, 2020