Odyssey Notes
Tales, Wisdom & Misadventures of Leading an Outrageously Courageous Life
He Gently Leads Those With Young
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.
Want to Learn More about the Kurds and Kurdistan?
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.
The Early Morning Dash to Turkey
Just want to update ya'll... we have made it safely to Turkey where we will be spending a few days. It was quite the mad dash to the border (over the Tigris River) by taxi... left at 3am and have now made it to our destination over 12hours later. We are exhausted but doing great. Just want to say thanks to everyone who has been praying for us and for the situation in Northern Iraq. Will update more in the coming days of our future plans/movements. Let's keep praying and do all we can to see things change in a big way.. especially for those in desperate need. Love from Sarah, myself and the kiddies xoxox
ISIS, IRAQ & IRBIL - An Update from the Buxton Family
Since waking up we have been inundated by emails and messages of concern surrounding the terrible situation taking place here in Northern Iraq. We are so grateful for all of you that care deeply about our safety and are praying for us and the ISIS threat.
As we read and watch the news today we are - and have been ever since our arrival - profoundly saddened by the suffering, persecution and brutality that ISIS have been inflicting on innocent civilians here in Northern Iraq.
We are heartened by the news that today the United States will be taking humanitarian action now, in addition to military air strikes against ISIS should they continue an advance towards the city of Erbil.
This threat from ISIS is by no means a recent threat, it has been growing for quite some time now. Since controlling almost a third of Syria through their brutal jihadist campaign of killing and fear mongering they have now made significant gains in Iraq.
As of today they have taken control of the key cities of Fallujah, Tikrit & Mosul. In the process, millions of Iraqi & Syrian civilians have fled from their advance, the vast majority have taken refuge in the Kurdistan region of Iraq where we live.
Today ISIS and their absolute barbaric assault on Christian and Yezhidi minorities is making headlines. Their strict enforcement of Sharia law and the forced conversion of non-Muslims - or face certain death by execution - is filling up my Facebook feed, and quite possibly yours too.
It is just sickening to read all the reports, we just want ISIS and their jihadist advance to end. What is happening right now is nothing short of evil in every sense of the word.
As a family we have been watching things closely ever since we arrived here in Northern Iraq. In fact, we landed the very same day that Mosul fell to ISIS fighters, just 30 miles from the city of Erbil.
A Ramadan Way of Life
So much has happened here since my last blog post that I could have easily have written an entry every day, despite being sufficiently sleep deprived. As it stands it is 2am as I begin writing this update.. and so I will attempt to be brief.
A Surprisingly Hectic & Productive Day
On the last day before Ramadan fasting kicks in we managed to have one of the most productive work days setting up our house...!
What would you do for 30 liters of Fuel?
It’s hard to believe that fuel would be so scarce in such an oil rich region. With fighting in the south of Iraq continuing and Kurdistan's main provider of refined oil - the Baiji Oil Refinery - under attack, we are certainly feeling the pinch.
Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures
Why not just hunker down and ride it out? Good point, Turkey has agreed to begin fulfilling Kurdistan’s fuel needs with shipments arriving as early as the end of the week. Only problem is that we need to urgently travel to Erbil to formally apply for our residency visas. That means we need enough fuel to get there and back, plus a little extra for driving around the city.
So, after getting word that a gas station had opened up for business in a town 20 minutes away, several of us jumped in our cars and raced through the gorge pass that takes you there as though we were in a presidential convoy.
For some it was a suicide mission, with only enough fuel to make it there - failure to find fuel and their car would be spending the night.
Good news, our communications proved reliable. The line was long, but it was moving ever so slowly. My prediction was a 2 hour wait… a long time in the searing heat, but bearable.
Lest We Forget
On the morning of 25 April 1915, the Anzacs set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The objective was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul in Turkey), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, and an ally of Germany.
The Anzacs landed on Gallipoli and met fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. Their plan to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months.
At the end of 1915, the allied forces were evacuated. Both sides suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed. News of the landing on Gallipoli and the events that followed had a profound impact on Australians at home. The 25th of April soon became the day on which Australians remember the sacrifice of those who had died in the war.
The Anzacs were courageous and although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign left us all a powerful legacy.
With the coming of the Second World War, Anzac Day also served to commemorate the lives of Australians who died in that war. The meaning of Anzac Day today includes the remembrance of all Australians killed in military operations.
