The Latest Video Update of The Refuge

You're going to be super encouraged after watching this four minute video update of how God is on the move here in Iraqi Kurdistan. Iraq country director, Billy Ray, shares about the soon to be completed community center aptly named "The Refuge", which is now reaching out to hundreds refugees and IDP's that have fled from ISIS. Thanks for standing with us as we witness all that God is doing to bring about His redemptive work in this ancient land.

Challenges & Opportunities for Ministry in Kurdistan

Here is FAI's third installment of videos from Iraq after they spent a week visiting and serving alongside us. This one is a look into one of the greatest hindrances to the advance of the Gospel in the region. But amidst some of the great challenges there are also some incredible opportunities. 

Video of Yezidi Mountain Camp Outreaches with FAI

Along with our guests from FAI we spent a few days with 16 families who fled Sinjar Mountain when ISIS targeted Yazidis last year. Peshmerga forces created a corridor through which they ran for their lives. They've taken refuge in the mountain range between Iraq and Iran living together on a property with two unfinished buildings with no windows or doors. Here is a glimpse of what our precious time with them was like.

Medical Outreaches Make A Big Impact To Many Refugee Families

Last week we played host to a medical team from the FAI in the United States. It was a remarkable time of ministry, reaching out to those who have suffered so much and are in real need of medical care.

We spent 4 days at our very own refugee camp here in Soran as well as to a Yezidi camp in the mountain pass between Iraq & Iran. We sung, we played, we treated the sick and prayed for those all around us. It as a wonderful time. 

Here is the first installment of few short videos that beautifully capture the medical outreach that took place. 

Winter Snow Arrives... Time to Hand Out Some Coats

After a dusting of snow on Thursday, today Soran was covered in several inches of the white fluffy stuff. And so it was perfect timing when we received the phone call from the local dry cleaners that our order was ready for pick up. 

40,000 ID ($33) later and with an SUV stacked to the brim with 134 winter coats, we drove to the base of the mountains where an enclave of Yezidi refugee families are living in unfinished buildings.

There in the flash-lit living room, huddled around a makeshift heater we handed out just the right-sized coat for each man, woman and child. 

These precious folk, and thousands more like them need your prayers and support, especially now as the brutal winter weather sets in. 

It's Christmas at The Refuge

It doesn't get much better than this... We had a great day naming out bags of fresh meat to the families at The Refuge today. We had so much left over that we drove all around Soran delivery bags of meat to refuge families in great need. 

We had a special time visiting the area Yezidi families in Rwanduz. We also prayed with two boys that were severely disabled in the legs. We truly believe that God can heal them and help these families return home soon!

Keep praying for the refugees all over Iraq & Syria... some tough days are still ahead, but we know that God is here with them! 

Our Christmas Greeting

Rise Foundation Pays a Visit to The Refuge

We had a great time with friends from Rise Foundation. For a few days they are taking Castle Art to Soran. This is the first art session at The Refuge with 30 excited children who produced some beautiful drawings. Next time they will put their drawings on the surrounding walls - Can't wait!! Here's a fun time-lapse from the day...

Providing Much Needed Heating Oil to Yezhidi Refugees

A few days ago we were able to drive to four locations throughout the Soran Valley to provide much needed heating oil for Yezhidi Refugee families that fled from Mt Sinjar. Thanks to the generosity of churches and individuals we are able to meet the basic needs of these precious families who have been through so much over the last few months. 

One man said that this was the first time ever that his family tribe had been forced to flee... they survived hundreds of years of wars and turmoil, but this war with ISIS was a pure slaughter -- they had to escape fast and they came here to Soran, which is over 6 hours by car!

All up, we distributed 6,000 liters of oil to over 40 families. Praise God!

Here are a few images from the day...

Hope Lives Here | A Video Update of The Refuge

On the morning of June 9, 2014, we finally landed in Erbil, Iraq. The temperature outside was a toasty 42 degrees, but we didn’t care.  All that seemed to matter was that my wife and I had somehow managed to survive 24 hours on two planes with our three children (3yrs, 20mths & 3mths), and to our relief, all of our luggage made it too.

Little did we know that just 30 miles from the airport, Islamic State terrorists were conducting a campaign to take control of Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city. Mosul fell to the IS forces that fateful day, and as the following weeks unfolded, nothing could have prepared us for life in our new home - “War-torn Iraq”.

PASSWORD TO WATCH: Hope

Watch the video that describes how our lives were forever changed the day we landed as a family in Iraq... See the transformation of The Refuge into a place of Hope for 20 refugee families from Mosul.

* To watch this video you must use click on the image above and use the PASSWORD: Hope

Cheers, Tim

Aussies, Sweets, Mountain Climbing & a Blood Moon!

Mt. Halgurd

This past week has been quite a buzz with activity.. We hosted a couple of Aussies who were in the neighborhood and wanted to visit the work that we have been doing at The Refuge. It was great fun showing them around and of course get a restock of the essentials - a jar of vegemite, of course! Thanks for stopping by Neil & Lorelei.

Neil getting a lesson on how to tie a Kurdish belt

They arrived on the first day of the Muslim holiday known as Qurbani, a holiday feast lasting 4 days that involves the slaughter of an animal such as a cow or goat. It is customary to then pass out portions of the meat to family and neighbors. We had the "privilege" of witnessing our dear neighbor carve up the portions and hand deliver us some choice cuts on a platter. Not the most appetizing gesture, but kind none-the-less. Of course, it's a great excuse for Kurds to buy bucket loads of candy and pass it out to all the kids (and adults too!). We took the opportunity to hand out some delicious freshly baked cookies to our guests at The Refuge.

Cookie Delivery

I spent the good part of the Jazhn holiday scaling the tallest peak in Iraq - Mt. Halgurd! After camping overnight at the base of Halgurd, we hiked 4 solid hours to the summit and took in the breathtaking views of the Zargos mountain range bordering Iran & Iraq. It was truly a magical couple days and a great break mental from a hectic few weeks. 

Base camp with a magical view

Mt. Halgurd conquered

Time for a nap

Video Update: The Journey of 20 Refugee Families

Learn about the moving story behind the 20 families that fled ISIS and found a home with us here at The Refuge... Please take the time to hear their story and share in their suffering.

Follow "The Refuge" on Facebook

Visit & "Like" our new Facebook Page to check out the latest updates and photos from The Refuge in Northern Iraq. We are now housing and caring for 20 refugee families that fled from Mosul to escape the terror of ISIS. Please pray for them and the more than 2 million refugees & IDP's that have been displaced by the ongoing conflict in Iraq & Syria.

Follow-up Radio Interview with Vision Radio

Vacant land at The Refuge transformed into a small refugee camp for 20+ families that fled Mosul.

A few nights ago i did a follow up interview with Matt Prater from Vision Radio. Here is the audio clip of that interview.. 

The Refuge Video Update - The Work Begins

Just two days after returning to Northern Iraq work was already under way at The Refuge community center to prepare the property for 24 refugee families that fled from Mosul. Check out the short video below for a quick update... 

Visit The Refuge Facebook page and like us to keep up to speed with all the progress and to learn more about the work! 

The Refuge to Become Soran's First Refugee Camp

Just two days into returning to Northern Iraq work has already begun to transform our community center "The Refuge" into the first and only refugee camp in the Soran valley.

Discussing plans with the Mayor and community leaders to house refugee families from Mosul in our unfinished hall

We met with the Mayor to discuss ways that we could help alleviate the refugee crisis that was growing in our town. Immediately he responds... “Today, I learned we have 32 families that are trying to stay in a building [near your Center], but they cannot pay the rent.”

We responded by saying that we’d like to see what we can do to house them on our property.

He said that that would be great and offered to supply all the tents that we would need and haul in some temporary toilets too, if we needed them. Then, he also said that he could have a water tanker come by every day to help supply us with the water that we needed.

This was just the confirmation that we needed to assure us that we were heading in the right direction. The next step was to run this proposal by the sub-district mayor, whose office was just 3 blocks from The Refuge community center.

We then met up with our local contacts and started planing on how we were going to transfer the property suitable for housing the refugee families. He instantly volunteered his bulldozer to come and plow down all the weeds and make the land level — ready to install the tents. We would also need to make a gravel pathway between the tents and haul in some rock to raise up the areas where we would place the tents, all of which he agreed to do right away.

We also went over further details for preparing the property and building to ready it for housing these families. This involves extending the height of the fence around the walls of the property, completing the upstair bathroom and kitchen facilities, and tiling the staircases of the building and put in guard rails/banisters.  

Today, we made our way to The refuge to check on the things and discovered two bulldozers hard at work clearing the land for the tents. Off to the sub-disrtict mayors office we went and together with a representative from the 24 families that we will be housing, we discussed details of how we will be taking care of them. 

Another visit to the mayors office and further discussions to iron out details such as food and water supply. We then left with the Mayor commending us on a job well done. 

Launch the development of the first refugee camp in our region at the Mayors office. 

And so, in 6 days we will be welcoming 24 refugee families from Mosul into The Refuge. We are going to need both prayers and financial support to make this happen. The days are hot and busy, but we know this is just the beginning. We are trusting good for continued favor, strength, wisdom and provision.  

He Gently Leads Those With Young

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Daddy leading the way in Cirali, Turkey

The events of the last few weeks has caused us to rely on the still small voice of the Holy Spirit like never before.

Should we go or should we stay? When, where, and how should we travel and for how long? Is it safe? What does it even mean to be safe?

As a family we have wrestled with the call of God on our lives to be in Northern Iraq and to serve those in need, especially with three precious young children entrusted to our care.

We have considered some of the worst possible scenarios, often to the point where we have worried ourselves sick. We have wondered what life would be like if we just decided to pack it all in and call it a day. You know, it's quite remarkable where the human mind will take you when you let your imagination free for just a moment. And as the old proverb says, "An idle mind is the devils playpen".

And so the greatest challenge and most humbling reward has been learning to turn down all the noise - the news reports, the phone calls and emails - and quietly listen for God to speak.

Isaiah 40:11 beautifully reveals God's tender way of leading His people...

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

I can honestly say that this has been our personal experience as a family as we have sought to follow His voice wherever He has called us to go. We have felt so sweetly the gentle hands of God carrying us along; providing, protecting and patiently caring for us.

God's faithfulness over the last few weeks has been incredible... from providing an apartment in Istanbul, to favor in booking flights and transportation arrangements. I could easily write a book about how God has taken such good care of us. 

We have enjoyed wonderful times of prayer and fellowship. We have been honest with our fears and sincere with our weaknesses. We have also been strengthened by Scripture and have encouraged each other to follow Jesus with all our heart, mind and soul. 

There is nothing more faith building than meditating on the promises of His written Word and allow your heart to truly grasp it's truth. 
 
And so as we take the next step in our adventure with God and head back into Iraq, these words have spoken profoundly to our hearts and we pray they give courage and strength to you in your own walk.

"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened. But in your hearts revere Christ as LORD. Always be prepared to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” - 1 Peter 3:13-15

We feel a great sense of courage knowing that we are not alone. We have a great cloud of witnesses cheering us on both on earth and in heaven.  With our eyes fixed on Jesus and the eternal inheritance that we have in Him, our hearts burn brighter with hope of the Gospel that is mighty to save.

Our prayer today is that you too would hear His still small guiding voice, and that you would find courage and strength to follow wherever He leads you. 
 
Thanks for journeying with us,

Tim & Sarah Buxton

Phone Interview from Turkey with Vision Radio Australia

A couple days ago a good friend of mine, Matt Prater, tracked me down in Turkey for a phone interview with Vision Radio. Matt & Richelle host the morning breakfast show in Brisbane, Australia and so it was a good opportunity to share with folks back in my home country about what's been happening in Iraq and how God has positioned us to help with the deepening humanitarian crisis that is unfolding.

Here is a 3 minute excerpt of that interview below...

Help Us Provide Shelter & Basic Needs for Iraq Refugees

Just this week around 1,500 Christian and Yazidi families arrived in our town of Soran having fled their homes to seek refuge from IS fighters. We believe that God has positioned us to provide shelter and provisions for a number of these families at our community center, "The Refuge".

More than 1,500 Christian and Yazidi families arrived in our town of Soran in just the last few days.. Many more are sure to follow.

A few years ago we called our community center "The Refuge" and today we believe that we are seeing a fulfillment of that vision - to be a refuge of hope for those in our community.

And so, in the coming weeks and months we hope to develop a small refugee tent village, by erecting several tents on our property to house 20+ families. We also plan to drill a well for water supply and build much needed bathroom and kitchen facilities.

These families will also have access to our existing multi-purpose building which has a conference room, classrooms, and a library. We also have a soccer field on our adjacent property that will be made available for recreation activities. 

Newly installed astro-turf soccer field

It is our heart to provide comprehensive care for as many displaced families as possible, helping to provide for their basic needs along with a sense of stability and normalcy during such a turbulent and difficult time.

We are estimating that the initial cost to set up the refugee tent village will be $25,000-$30,000, with an additional $25,000 needed to purchase a van to help with transporting the refugees to and from The Refuge.

Are you able to help us care for these refugee families? By giving to the World Orphans Iraq Emergency Fund you can help us make a tangible difference in the lives of these displaced families.

Want to Learn More about the Kurds and Kurdistan?

PHOTO: Iraqi Kurdistan is home for six million ethnic Kurds. (AFP: Safin Hamed)

Today, the eyes of the entire world are now looking at the semi-autonomous region known as Kurdistan. The Kurds here have long sought independence from Iraq and over the last few decades - and with a little help from the US and the West - they have proven that they are more than capable of managing their own affairs.

Their determination to become a self-governing, peaceful, prosperous and tolerant democracy is a reality that is garnering well deserved international attention. Their fight against the infamous IS terrorist advance is also proving to the world the courage of the Peshmerga (Kurdish Army) forces despite being out-gunned and under-resourced.

PHOTO: The modern Peshmerga evolved from the Kurdish guerrilla forces that spent decades fighting Saddam Hussein.(AFP: Karim Sahib)

Thankfully the US military is providing the Peshmerga with air-suport and intelligence giving them a fighting chance to secure and reinforce the Kurdistan region and remain the beacon of hope and freedom that seems all too rare here in the Middle East.

I stumbled across this article online from ABC News Australia... and I thought it was worth a read if you are interested in learning more about Kurdistan and the Iraqi Kurds.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-12/iraq-crisis-who-are-the-kurds/

Join with me in praying for the humanitarian crisis in Northern Iraq. Pray also for the Peshmerga as they battle the IS terrorists head on... they are truly critical to ensuring a secure Kurdistan region that can tend to the desperate needs of the millions of refugees/IDP's fleeing the violence.

Thanks for Journeying with us - Tim Buxton