HIA’s work in the region has focussed on assisting the return of predominantly Christian families to their homes and the re-establishment of their lives in the war-torn region of Mosul and its vicinity. So far, they have rebuilt 55 houses and two schools and rehabilitated a water network providing drinking water for 2,500 people. Besides renovating buildings, HIA has also helped 324 families with firewood and 600 families with food and blankets. It also runs a Returnee Support Center in Bashiqa and provides psychosocial assistance to victims.

At the end of last year, the ELCH initiated a fundraising campaign to support the work carried out by HIA. As a result, the Lutheran Church was able to donate 15 million HUF (approximately 50,000 EUR) for this cause.  

As Bishop Fabiny and Mr Prőhle pointed out, it was an uplifting experience to meet local church leaders and returnee families and to see the church surviving and nurturing her ancient rites, language and traditions even in the face of utmost destruction and suffering. They assured the Christian brothers and sisters in Iraq that Hungarian Lutherans will continue to pray for them and support their efforts to rebuild their lives and communities. In his sermon on Pentecost Sunday in Bakhitma, Bishop Fabiny preached about the power of peace and reconciliation that does not depend on political or economic factors but on the work of the Holy Ghost alone.  

Read more in Hungarian (with pictures):

https://evangelikus.hu/irakban-tartott-punkosdi-istentiszteletet-az-evangelikus-elnok-puspok

https://evangelikus.hu/magyarok-segitsege-nelkul-nem-tudtunk-volna-visszajonni

https://www.evangelikus.hu/menj-s-nezd-meg-punkosdi-latogatas