In October, 2007, Bishop Thomas Gumbleton traveled to Amman, Jordan and Damascus, Syria with Lily Yeh, Philadelphia Artist, and Johanna Berrigan, Physician Assistant,  House of Grace Catholic Worker, Philadelphia to learn more about the situation of Iraqi refugees. Hosted by Gabe Huck and Theresa Kubasak of the Iraqi Student Project, we were able to visit with Iraqi families and investigate the possibility of establishing a healing art project for Iraqi families who have been traumatized by war and displacement...read more...

Refugee stories: (from Johanna Berrigan)

     "The fascination and delight of being in the ancient city of Damascus, Syria quickly faded to sadness and concern for the plight of the Iraqi refugees. During our brief time in Amman, Jordan and Damascus, Syria, Bishop Gumbleton and Lily Yeh and I met with with several Iraqi families. They eagerly and openly shared their stories with us. They recounted their experiences of the war in Iraq, the circumstances under which they were forced to flee their homeland, and the indignities and suffering that they now endure.  We could only sit in silence as the "works of war" came vividly to life in the stories, and in the sorrow-filled eyes of each person who spoke. Among the many horrors of the unfolding tragedy of this war, displaced, scattered families are a bitter reality for millions.  

Story #1

     As one man put it "we don't touch the ground, we don't touch the earth, we are nowhere. All we want is the peace and security." His story is at once haunting and heartening. He had been employed by the Credit Bank of Iraq. His boss was constantly threatened, the bank itself and all of the employees were targets of violence. He felt that to save his life and for the safety of his family he had to leave Iraq. He and his 16-year-old daughter left for Syria. His wife was unable to travel because her father had recently suffered a heart attack and she did not want to leave him alone. As they were traveling, they saw an elderly lady in poor health walking along the road with her brother who was clearly disabled. "She could be my mother, how could I leave her wandering in such a dangerous place?" This man, a perfect stranger, stopped on the road and picked up this elderly frail woman and her disabled brother and brought them with him and his daughter to Syria.... READ MORE...