BAGHDAD

While hundreds and thousands of Iraquis are trying to get out, we're trying to get in.

But here we are, landed in Baghdad in July 2015, a taxi driver met us at the airport and drove us to the hotel overlooking the Tigris River.

Pastor Jules picked us up at the hotel and drove us to his church for the evening service. As we approached the building I heard praise and worship and my heart leaped. I looked around and saw Iraqi believers praising the Lord. What a sight. I smiled even more. Happy to see that in the middle of on going war, the church is alive and well.

The next day Pastor Jules drove us to the different distribution centers, some were former mosques which were turned into temporary housing. We delivered food bags to the refugees. Most of them are Muslims yet they welcomed us Christians. They were warm and friendly and offered us tea. We sat with them, smiled. And left. It's a remarkable sight to see a pastor hugging the people inside the mosque. He loves people and the refugees knew that. They must know that Pastor Jules shares that Jesus loves them.

I was told that the green zone is safe but we are driving on the red zone.

Well - we lived another day.