Jenna and I are in the final months here in Iraq and it seems the closer we get to October, the quicker the time slips through our fingers. I am focusing on being present in every interaction. We have learned the great value of that here.

The priority placed on relationship in this culture is impossible to convey in simple words. I’ve had to un-train my mind from focusing on ‘doing’ to ‘being.’

We continue to distribute Days for Girls kits along with an educational course on human anatomy, hygiene and safety which includes talking about sexual abuse and human trafficking. The range of questions that ensue are beautiful, heartbreaking, and humbling. They remind us how important it is to not only empower women with information about their bodies, but their inherent value as women, no matter what happened to them in the past.

We have also been blessed to train a local female psychologist who works with these women. She has been so enthusiastic about the information we are sharing and has learned how to share it herself in the groups she works with. She has shared harrowing stories with us of what these women have been through.

Life doesn’t stop despite tragedy’s best attempts to snuff it out. Even amid pain and confusion, there is hope for the future generations, the ones who will continue to carry the message of beauty for ashes, joy in place of grief, proclaiming that captives will be released, prisoners will be freed, and that there will be comfort for the brokenhearted.

We are believing that throughout this region there will one day be a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.

~ Elisa Wolcott