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Published Sunday, October 25, 2009 in Local

White finds unexpected blessings in war zone

By Winston Skinner

The Newnan Times-Herald

Canon Andrew White can see God's hand in his being in Iraq in 2009.

Even though the country is in upheaval and life is hard, there are some unexpected blessings. Before the Anglican clergyman went to Iraq, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

In Iraq, he is being treated for the condition with stem cell technology -- something that would not be possible in England, White's native land, or in the United States.

Speaking at LaGrange College about his varied experiences in Iraq, White recalled the day his Iraqi doctor suggested stem cell treatment and said it could start the next day. White said there are 63 Iraqis with MS who also are receiving the treatment.

"All of us have improved greatly," he said.

The Anglican clergyman talked about the danger for Christians -- and everyone else -- in Baghdad. "Everyone in Iraq is faring badly. Everyone is having it difficult," he said.

"Christians do have it hard," White said. He said 93 members of his church were killed last year. During the last year, he baptized 13 people -- 11 of whom have been killed.

Many Christians have left Iraq -- fleeing to Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Sweden. Though they could return, "I don't think they will," he said.

"What gives me hope? My simple trust in God. I'm very, very Orthodox in my faith," White said.

White works extensively with Islamic leaders. He remembered the day an ayatollah, a Muslim religious teacher, told him of the need for meat in the entire country -- an immediate need.

White had $12 in his pocket. He prayed, "God send us some meat. Amen."

The next morning, an American military contact came to see White. "Do you want some meat?" he asked.

Several tons of meat had arrived in the country, but with its paperwork scrambled. Because of the paperwork snafu, the meat could not go to U.S. military personnel. "So I got it," White said, and shared it.

While in LaGrange, White showed art by Iraqi children to the group of about 80. "The children are the really important aspect," he said. "We're trying -- first of all -- to show them love."

There are 700 children in the Sunday school at St. George Anglican Church in Baghdad. In addition to teaching them about God, White said the church tries to provide them with a little bit of pocket money. Gifts from Lego provide presents for each child at Christmas and birthday time.

"You've never seen so many Legos in your life," he said.

White's family lives in England, and he brings some Iraqi children with him when he comes for visits. He also has an adopted Iraqi son who is now 19 years old.

"People often ask what keeps me there, and I say 'the children,'" he said. "The children are the future."

He reflected on his call to the ministry after he had completed his medical studies and was working in that field. "I had everything I ever wanted," White recalled, when he knew God wanted him to become a minister.

White thinks about the circuitous path that brought him to Baghdad's only Anglican church as the vicar. He recalled being in his church's clinic and looking a CT scan with other medical personnel.

He acknowledged he was probably "the only priest who can also diagnose from a CAT scan." He reflected, "Maybe God did know what He was doing."

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