wfn.org | [UMNS-ALL-NEWS] UMNS# 684-Commentary: Signs of hope can be seen in

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Commentary: Signs of hope can be seen in Iraq

Dec. 8, 2005

NOTE: Photographs are available at http://umns.umc.org.

A UMNS Commentary
By Chaplain James R. Lewis*

Sentiments about "Peace on Earth" abound this time of year, as well as
prayers of thanksgiving, and Christmas wishes. That infamous song about
the missing "two front teeth" could easily be rewritten "All I want for
Christmas is my Daddy home..." (or insert "hubby," "sonny," "wifey,"
etc.).	In light of these wishes for peace on earth and prayers of
thanks, let me share again my oft-repeated mission: "The Good News that
is often Forgot."

Back in June, I received a summary of accomplishments in Iraq since Iraq
sovereignty in 2004. It included the following: (a whole lot more too,
but these are the most obvious indicators)

"	As of June 2005 - despite years of neglect by the Saddam regime,
an insurgency intent on intimidating teachers and students, and the
damage caused by war - 3,105 schools have been renovated and another 950
schools are currently under rehabilitation.

"	Considerable progress has been made in the field of education:
860 secondary school master trainers were trained and passed on training
to 31,772 secondary school educators nationwide. More than 8.7 million
revised math and science books have been printed and no longer mention
Saddam Hussein.

"	Health care spending is up more than 30 times its prewar levels.
More than 3 million children have received life-saving vaccinations.

"	There have been 26,785 new Iraqi businesses established.
"	Construction is under way on 142 new primary health care
facilities across Iraq.
"	Sixty-five water treatment projects have been completed, with
almost 100 still in progress

Since that report, we had a strong showing at the constitutional
referendum, and as we approach the election, we are seeing signs that
the bulk of the Sunni population - who boycotted the election in January
- will be voting this time, as it appears they are becoming convinced
that the democratic process holds for them the most hope. Of course
there's still a lot of public fussing about conditions here - it's
beginning to sound like a pre-election year back home! Not a pretty
sight, but democracy at work nonetheless.

Even some of the insurgents are trying to get in on the peace train:
"President Jalal Talabani confirmed he had been contacted by rebels
wanting to join the political process" (Arab News, 28 Nov.). Insurgent
groups are responding to President Talabani's offer to "help" them lay
down their arms. It's too early to tell what net effect this new
development will have, but it is a wonderful sign of progress.

While I can't quite be Santa and put every soldier mom and dad in a
stocking back home, I am glad to say that your prayers for peace on
earth are yielding results, and peace is on the move in this end of the
world. We're not all there yet, but we are making significant progress
in that direction.

You keep praying for peace, and we'll keep working for it. And play
"(I'm Dreaming of a) White Christmas" for us a few times, would you
please?

*Lewis is in Baghdad with the U.S. Army's 111th Chaplain's Detachment.
He represents the United Methodist Church's East Ohio and Florida
conferences. You will find regular updates on his experiences, thoughts
and observations at http://www.chapchats.com/.

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470
or newsdesk@umcom.org.

********************

United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org

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