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The Iraqi Christians are profoundly grateful for what America and President G. W. Bush has done. Before our troops arrived, life was intolerable under Saddam's dictatorship.

Every evil that one could imagine was taking place. People were threatened, tortured, and murdered.

While terrorism and sectarian fighting continues, born again Christians are pushing forward to increase their flocks.

Americans need to appreciate the courage of the Iraqi people who do not take their newly gained freedoms for granted. They risked their lives to vote on three different occasions. They wrote their own constitution. They will not tolerate those in America who do not seem to understand that the words of defeatism are not acceptable in the Iraqi vocabulary.

Excerpts: President Bush Discusses Fourth Anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Four years ago today, coalition forces launched Operation Iraqi Freedom to remove Saddam Hussein from power. They did so to eliminate the threat his regime posed to the Middle East and to the world. Coalition forces carried out that mission with great courage and skill. Today the world is rid of Saddam Hussein and a tyrant has been held to account for his crimes by his own people.

 "Nearly 12 million Iraqis have voted in free elections under a democratic constitution that they wrote for themselves. And their democratic leaders are now working to build a free society that upholds the rule of law, that respects the rights of its people that provides them security and is an ally in the war on terror.

"At this point in the war, our most important mission is helping the Iraqis secure their capital. Until Baghdad's citizens feel secure in their own homes and neighborhoods, it will be difficult for Iraqis to make further progress toward political reconciliation or economic rebuilding, steps necessary for Iraq to build a democratic society.

"So with our help, Iraq's government is carrying out an aggressive plan to secure Baghdad. And we're continuing to train the Iraqi security forces so that they ultimately take full responsibility for the security of their own people.

"I've just received an update on the situation from Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki. My conversation with the Prime Minister followed a briefing earlier this morning that included Secretary Rice and Secretary Gates, along with General Petraeus and Ambassador Khalilzad, who participated by video conference from Iraq.

"Prime Minister Maliki and General Petraeus emphasized that the Baghdad security plan is still in its early stages, and success will take months, not days or weeks. Yet, those on the ground are seeing some hopeful signs. The Iraqi government has completed the deployment of three Iraqi army brigades to the capital, where they've joined the seven Iraqi army brigades and nine national police brigades that were already in the area.

"The Iraqi government has also lifted restrictions that once prevented Iraqi and coalition forces from going into areas like Sadr City. American and Iraqi forces have established joint security stations. Those stations are scattered throughout Baghdad and they're helping Iraqis reclaim their neighborhoods from the terrorists and extremists." FULL SPEECH HERE

Good decent people understand that if our troops are withdrawn, Iraqi's will be facing a death sentence at the hands of butchering terrorists.

The Lord's people are working underground to increase the fold with new believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Christians are people of life. They understand the meaning of fulfilling the Great Commission. They believe in doing good as they live on this earth. They are the salt of the earth.

The presence of Christians living in Iraq gives glory to the most Holy living God. They are about their Father's business. God's enduring love sets their life's standards high. Their Lord expects a joyful people, even under duress, and joyous they are. They are always smiling inside their heats where the Holy Spirit dwells.

The Iraqi Christians understand the meaning of hope. Because of their faith, they know that brighter days that lie ahead.

As President Bush's new strategy seems to be taking hold, the polls bare out there is much optimism for this struggling new democracy. While more American and coalition troops help stabilize the peace in Baghdad, Christians are smiling and praising God. Despite the sectarian divide, 64 percent of Iraqis still want to see a united Iraq under a central national government.

In February, Christian expatriates from Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia joined fellow church members in Bahrain. It was a time of spiritual renewal, reflection, and fellowship. The meeting benefited those who take a stand for Jesus.

As Christians in Baghdad await more stability, guards with guns are protecting church buildings around the clock. Because of the unsettling acts of terrorism taking place in Iraq and the rest of the Middle East, the names of the Christian denominations are being withheld into protect their safety. However, be assured that evangelism is alive and well. God's wonderful people dare to be a Daniel.

Marie Jon'

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