At first glance it looks like its right down the street from my house, but the is anything but. In fact, it couldn’t possibly be any further away, it’s in Iraq….

With Iraq so in the news these past several years, I leaped at the chance to explore that far off land through Bob Bricker’s eyes as he shared his photographs with me.

One of the most striking things, is how everyone dresses just like we do in America, but that’s where the similarities end.

To even attend the Bahradaran School, students must maintain a ninety percent average. Ninety percent! To live in a land where excellence is the norm, not just a goal achieved by few….

If I live a million years I may never find anything quite like this tiny community half a world away where sixth, seventh and eighth graders speak five languages and create artwork that moves and inspired people of all ages.

Is greatness something we’re born with, can it be taught, or is it the desire to be and do more that kindles the fires within us? Seeing the pictures of Fadel Bato and his daughters Raneen and Marleen with their classmates shows me it’s all of those things and more.

But what is it about this Christian community that gave birth to such excellence? Would that we all had such standards! What if… what if we did, imagine the world we’d create!!!

I may never visit Ankawa, but I feel I’ve been there. If you can dream it you can create it, these very special children are proof of that. Live as they do, continually strive for more and excel in all that you do!

Steve Coffing 6/2/07
www.bethelighthouse.com
Photos courtesy of Robert Bricker of Mid-Atlantic Enterprises, LLC