School Roof Top View

It might be a dusty afternoon, but that's a pretty cool view from the top of the new @therefugeinitiative School for refugee children. Check out the soccer field in the distance... It's part of the @worldorphans community center property and will be used by the school kids on a daily basis - you can count on that! Can't wait for school to begin.

Welcome Home Feast

We made it back to our home town of Soran safe and sound, though a little exhausted. 

Thanks to our amazing friends @cookingwithdawn@azadi_freedomtown picked up and greeted with some amazing muffins. We've also had food brought over by @hellofromsusanna and just got done enjoying dinner with our dear Kurdish neighbors how loaded us up on fresh home grown garden vegetables. Thank you @dilgash_mzzury for bringing over your mamas dolma. It was so delicious. We are all so glad to be home and so grateful for the best of friends here in Iraq and all over the world!!

Riding the Wave Back to Iraq

Today we had back to our home in Northern Iraq. We had an incredible time in New York and all our stops along the way. It's always so sad saying goodbye to family and friends. I'm just so grateful that I have my amazing wife by my side and the three little kiddos God has given us. We can't wait to see what is on the horizon and all that God is going to do in Kurdistan. We are gonna ride this wave as long as it takes us!

Children of Fallujah

These beautiful children live a few minutes down the road from us. In fact, they were our neighbors a few months before. They would hand deliver their mom's home cooking pipping hit to our front door on a weekly basis. Dolma, kofta, biryani and freshly baked bread. They are refugees from Fallujah and I can't wait to visit them again soon. Why not say a prayer for these precious kids!! Oh, and didn't @missjessieparks take a glorious photo. Just amazing! Thanks friend.

The Streets of Soran

The streets of Soran. I might not be back home in Kurdistan for a few more weeks, but most days I find myself drawn back to the uncomplicated, vibrant and incredibly friendly vibe there is on the bazaar streets of Soran. 

People are not working, they're living. The shop owners are always up for a good chat and friendly banter. And, to contrary opinion, being a "Westerner" only works in my favor. Most love to practice their three or four English phrases before assuring you how much they love America or Britain (Yes, Australia too) and how welcome we are in their land. That's just one of the things I love about #lifeinkurdistan #soran #bazaar 📷 @missjessieparks

Real People Real Stories

It was such an honor to share with @timessquarechurch at their Sunday Night service "Real People Real Stories"! 

Nothing better than to be home with our church family celebrating the goodness of Jesus and witness many choose to follow him. It was also the first time that Sarah & I went to church together without the kids in 5 years. Wow... What a night to remember. Thank you Ps Carter & Ps Theresa for leading and loving so well!! Shout out to @tscreal and @pastordham for the invitation to share! God is moving in NYC!

Light breaking through

Love this photo from our rooftop.

Family Snap

Just before we left Iraq a friend that was staying with us - the amazing @missjessieparks - took a few snaps of our family. Here's one she just sent through to us. #family #lifeinkurdistan#wilderness #theotheriraq

Oh the Places you'll go

Oh, the places you'll go.

I just love the passion for adventure that my eldest daughter has. Living in Kurdistan sure has its advantages in the adventure level factor. Which mountain to climb? What trail to run along and discover where it leads? 

I often ask myself are we doing the best thing as parents bringing up our three amazing kids in Northern Iraq. Sure there are challenging days and times when that question is harder to answer. 

BUT, it's days like these that the answer seems blazingly obvious! I have the most amazing family in the world, living in one of the most incredible places on earth.

Back Yard Cricket

Nothing like a little evening cricket action with the neighbors. 

This Sunni Arab family is from the Anbar province in Iraq. They too fled for their families safety after ISIS took control of their town. Like thousands of other Arab families in the Soran region, they are struggling to piece their lives back together not knowing when... if, they'll get to go back home. I am so thankful for the Kurdish people that have opened their homes to those who have historically been their enemies. In the meantime, I'm gonna pull out the stumps, grab a bat and show my new friends a little bit about Aussie life. I'm certainly learning a stack about how to endure adversity and what it means to love your enemies. Thank you my new neighbors... Thank you Kurdistan. #lifeinkurdistan  #lovethyneighbor #cricketiniraq

World's Windiest Road?

Took a trip to the big city of Slemani today. We decided to take the scenic route and boy was it worth it. We found ourselves in the beautiful Qandil region in what seemed to be a different country all together. We stopped at memorials to those killed by the recent Turkish bombings. We discovered the windiest road in the Middle East and found ourselves awestruck at some of the most ruggedly beautiful countryside I've ever seen.

Bonfire Night

Making the most of spring evenings on our rooftop... Roasting marshmallows, nighttime scooter sessions and lighting Chinese lanterns.

Snow Fun with Billy

Happy Birthday Billy!! This guy is a trailblazer destined to do great things for Jesus! It's remarkable to see the path you have trodden so far and the great things God has already done. Can't wait to see the heights God takes you to in the years to come.

What better place to dream up the future than on the top of Bradost mountain hiking through the snow together. We've got some big plans for the coming months. We can't wait to let you in on what's out on the horizon.

Springtime // Nowruz

The biggest day on the Kurdish calendar by a long shot is Nowruz. Marking the first day of Spring and the Persian New Year, Kurds head for the mountains to set ablaze the evening sky with bonfires.

Sarah & Lily with friends Anna & Judah

Elliana exploring the wilderness of beautiful Kurdistan

Nowruz also marks the beginning of "picnic season" as the beautiful weather and the picturesque, green scenery make for the perfect picnics. As you can see from the photos below, we have had our fair share of picnicking fun already. 

A Kurdish Picnic Feast

Dancing for hours on end

Kurdish Kite

Getting the steak tikka ready

Photos courtesy of Dalton Thomas.

Aussie Picnic in Kurdistan

It's time for the T20 World Cup of Cricket and so we pulled out the kids cricket set and taught the Yazidi and Shabak refugee children how to play. It was a huge success, especially among the girls. With the mountains of Kurdistan as the backdrop and the lush spring grass finally here, it made for a magical day.

Choncho has his rugby game face on! This kid is hysterical. Meet him once on a visit to the #kawlokanvillage, or @therefugeinitiative refugee school, and you will never forget him.

Birthday Girl in Pink

This girl. Gracing the world with her wonderful self since 1981!! So glad you're mine! Happy Birthday Sweetness

Suit Day at Kawlokan Camp

I think I've worn a suit three times since I've moved to Iraq. 

On this occasion we made a trip out to #KawlokanVillage to check on the progress of the 10 home expansion that we had just begun. 

The leader of the Yazidi camp was overseeing the work.... Basically, he sat on a chair and faithful observed the goings on. He is a sweet-spirited and gentle man. We can't communicate very well, mostly due to my poor Kurdish language, but we get on well. I like him a lot and I am so grateful that we are able to provide for those under his care. 
 

The great news is that work is almost complete at the new micro-camp expansion. Can't wait to see it and show you some photos of the new families getting their new homes. Thanks for all who helped make it possible.

Winter Relief for Widows

Some of the often forget stories of the suffering that is taking place here in Northern Iraq are the many widowed and orphaned families of the brave Peshmerga soldiers. Last week we were humbled to provide much needed kerosene barrels to 91 war-widowed families, whose husbands. brothers and fathers died fighting ISIS to keep us and the entire world safe from their evil barbarism.

We all have so much to be thankful for because of their great sacrifice and some winter relief is the least that we can do. Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers. 

91 war-widow each received a barrel of kerosene

Holiday in Australia

We had such an amazing time in Australia, spending the Christmas holidays with family and catching up with friends. It was such a much needed break and rest from what was a busy 2015 in Northern Iraq. 

Australia Day Parade 2016 - Buderim

Christmas Day 2015

Picnic by the Billabong

It was also great sharing about the work at several churches and events up and down the East Coast. We are so blessed by the many people and churches that are supporting our family and getting behind the work we are doing through The Refuge Initiative.

Sharing at Newlife Uniting Church - Gold Coast

Here are a few more fun photos of our trip Down Under. 

Summer Dayz

Lily and Laddie

Cousins

Shingle is free, Now What?

After sitting down to talk with some of our Yazidi friends in our Rwandz refugee micro-camp I learnt a little more about what they are going through. Shingal may be free, but their homes are rubble and their future still very uncertain. 

I hope this short video helps you see things from their perspective. Watch the video below now.