been at the top of the world's most-admired,
! The last minute decision, made on the 18th
nd is now an iRony for us to glorify God.
W W W . S A I N T E R S E C T I O N . O R G
O C T O B E R 2 O 1 4
�
ecision
lmost Wasn't!
When asked if he thought his brother in Christ was dead, Samir could
only sadly nod in the affi rmative.
Married since 1980, Samir and Jacqueline managed to leave Syria for
the United States. With Samir's brother living in the Frederick, MD area, that
city became a logical destination for a new beginning and a new life.
"Mosul (in Iraq) is a `sister city' to Aleppo," Samir adds, "so when news
broke about the atrocities committed by ISIS in Mosul, we became quite
alarmed. Very soon the persecution against minority religions, especially
Christians, began in Aleppo."
Samir and Jacqueline left behind more than just their home and familiar
culture. Most important, they have many family members back in Syria and
they constantly fear for their loved ones' safety.
They both also left behind fairly
lucrative careers. Jacqueline is a physician
(internal medicine) and was director of a
clinic in Aleppo. She also worked for several
years in Syria's Ministry of Health.
Samir is an architect, and worked for
many years as a construction engineer.
"We could pursue certifi cation in our
(respective) professions here in the United
States," Jacqueline adds, "but it would take a
very long time and would be quite expensive."
The couple is, however, working towards
becoming naturalized American citizens.
One of the fi rst things they did upon
arriving in America is to look up the nearest
Salvation Army corps.
"My fi rst contact with The Salvation Army
was in Sweden years ago when I worked there
for a while," Samir says. "I worshipped there
and became quite attracted to the ways in
which they showed the love of Christ in very
practical ways."
It didn't take Samir long to fi nd The Salvation
Army in Frederick, and the couple was warmly embraced by the corps
family and the offi cers, Lieutenants Mike and Cathy Michels.
"They are wonderful," Lieutenant Cathy says of Samir and Jacqueline.
"They volunteer many hours each week and are here every time the doors
open."
Samir also works in the Army's Family Thrift Store, fi rst as a volunteer
and now as an employee.
Samir and Jacqueline also spend many hours visiting nursing homes
and shut-ins through the Corps Community Care ministry, and already have
joined the Army's Emergency Disaster team, serving out of the canteen at a
Civil Air Patrol exercise drill.
They love the worship in the corps meetings, and are eager to share
their faith in practical ways through the Frederick Corps. An added bonus
for the corps family is whenever either Samir or Jacqueline is called on to
pray in Aramaic--the language Jesus used.
Although their newfound involvement with The Salvation Army
consumes much of their time, Samir and Jacqueline's hearts remains broken
for what is happening among their family and friends back in Syria.
"We constantly pray for peace and we always have hope," Jacqueline says.
Despite the negative headlines that dominate each day's news, Samir and
Jacqueline have great faith that the Holy Spirit will "do a work in our world."
"After all," they often pray, "these are Your people!"
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Meet Samir Katerji
& Jacqueline Badro
continued
iRony
"But that was still $1,000 short," Graham
would later recall.
The crusade team went out for a quick bite,
and by the time they returned to the hotel at
11:30 p.m., two envelopes were handed to
Graham by the front
desk--each envelope
containing $500.
But that's only half
the story. The ABC
Radio Network had
been "on board" with
the idea, but then
reneged when the time came to con-
clude a contract for the initial 13 weeks
of broadcasting.
Fred and Walter were aghast! After
coming so far with this novel plan, to
have it shot down was unthinkable.
They insisted that network offi cials be
contacted immediately for reconsideration. Problem was, those
offi cials were on the golf course--the 18th green, in fact.
The call was placed and with Fred's and Walter's pleading,
the board's decision was reversed--most likely so that the
foursome could fi nish their round.
The Hour Of Decision was saved at the last minute!
Jacqueline Badro
and Samir Katerji