Posted on 12/11/2006 3:26:39 PM PST by Edit35
(BENSALEM, Pa. 12/10/06)A former Iraqi Air Force General who once was part of Saddam Hussein's inner circle gave an inspirational account of his conversion to Christianity before an mezmerized congregation of worshipers yesterday at the Christian Life Center church in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Iraqi Gen. Georges Sada, who retired from the Iraqi military in 1986 only to be called back to active duty (by Saddam) during the 1991 Gulf War, was most expressive when he spoke of how Iraq was being transformed into a country of "good" thanks to the US military effort.
"If you turn on CNN, they give a false picture that is not at all what is happening in Iraq today," Sada said in his thick Iraqi accent. Sada learned English while being educated in the west in the 1960s. (cont)
"Before the US liberated Iraq, there were no Christians in Kurdistan Northern Iraq," Sada said, noting how he helped sponsor a church conference following Iraqi liberation.
"The first year, we had 80 (people wanting to learn Christianity) attend. The next year there was 300," Sada said.
"This year there was 1,600 and we expect 3,000 or more next year," he added.
But Sada was most hopeful about Baghdad, where he plans to return this week to continue his efforts to help his countrymen and women.
"Today there are 25 evangelical Christian churches in Baghdad," Sada said.
Law, who occasionally advises the White House on matters about civilian side of the Iraqi war, said he was instrumental in nudging the new Iraqi political leaders into "allowing" a "free to worship" clause in the newly minted Iraqi Constitution.
Law went on to tell a fascinating story of how he was invited to meet seven Sunni leaders, men whom the US considers to be insurgent Tigris Brigade "terrorists", outside of Iraq where the seven had fled for safety following the US invasion.
Despite fearing for his life, Law said he spoke with these Sunni leaders about getting involved in the political process rather than fighting the current Shite dominated Iraqi parliment.
"We have a huge opportunity in Iraq," Law said, while emphatically dispelling the mainstream media "myth" of turmoil and mayhem throughout the country.
Sada spoke of being "born again" in Christianity in 1986, and was eventually "forced" to retire from the Iraqi military because he refused to join the Bath Party, which was controlled by Saddam Hussein and his henchmen.
During the 1991 Gulf War, Saddam Hussein called Sada back to active duty shortly before the US launched Desert Storm to liberate Kuwait.
Sada told how he was given charge of about 37 prisoners of war, most of them US and British pilots, who had been shot down in the early days of Desert Storm.
Sada was instrumental, he said, in keeping the POW's from harm, even though Saddam Hussein's two sons, Kudday and Ussay (sp?) wanted to execute them for propoganda purposes. "I told Saddam that if he kills (these POW's), I'm sure the Americans will declare war on YOUR family," Sada recalled. Sada said he was eventually was given a British Peace following the war for keeping the Brit POW's relatively unharmed. Sada said he was the "interpreter" for the American audience on Fox News TV several weeks ago when Saddam Hussein was sentenced to execution by the Iraqi court. Sada said he and Law planned on flying to Iraq this week to continue his mission of helping his fellow countrymen learn about democracy, and Christianity.
Is there a link for this?
I pray for his safety but only God knows what he has in store for him (may it be a great blessing to many).
Great story, thanks for posting.
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