As an Arab-American, I grew up around my Christian Arab relatives, a vibrant, loud, and colorful bunch! My father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins spoke Arabic around me all the time growing up, and to me it is a beautiful sound.
So, to hear this 10-year-old Iraqi girl forgive her ISIS persecutors in the familiar language of my own extended family, and then to hear her speak my religious language as well -- the language of Christ, forgiveness, trust, and love -- well, it hit me at my core! My heart nearly burst as I listened to her, so pure and innocent in the face of untold suffering. This reporter, this little girl -- these could be my relatives. I know these people in my heart, and I love them. And I am so proud of Myriam.
My friends, please never forget that our Christian faith began in the Middle East. It is truly our home, even as we are being displaced.
Watch our brave little sister in Christ, pray for her and all the Christians in Iraq, and emulate her:
But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. -- Luke 18:16
