Tom Finger, a Mennonite theologian who spent 14 days in Iraq approximately three months before the war broke out, spoke about his experiences on Saturday at First Church. Finger went with a group called the Christian Peacekeepers.

Christian Peacekeepers grew out of the Mennonites, Society of Friends and Church of the Brethren, although people from many different denominations work within the group. Finger’s was among the fourth delegation sent to Iraq. The group contained 20 elderly people — a grandparents group. Many of the groups are grandparent groups. The older age encourages respect and shows that not only young, headstrong, college-aged kids are against the war.

“The people to people contact is tremendously important,” Finger said. “The Muslims feel that Christianity is the religion of the West which creates negative feelings toward the religion.”

The Christian Peacekeepers work to dispel this impression.

They also work to find information about Iraqis detained by the American military during raids of houses suspected to be harboring terrorists. Finger said many men have been taken away and families don’t know where to find them.

“People ask ‘Where’s my son?’ They have no idea and don’t know where to find them,” Finger said.

Finger explained that while the Christian Peacekeepers have been able to help find some men, most remain missing.

“It’s very much like Guatanamo Bay where people were held without charges,” Finger said. “Actions like these continue to cause greater and greater resentment towards
the Americans. It will just create more terrorists.”

The Christian Peacekeepers is not the only group working to help Iraq. A group called Voices in the Wilderness helps provide medical supplies unavailable due to sanctions imposed on Iraq.

Under the sanctions, Iraq is forced to take any supplies that are given to them. For instance, the tires that the UN allowed into Iraq were defective Firestone tires. One man in Finger’s group died when a van flipped because of these tires.

Another group, the American Friends Service Committee helps people in squatter camps with health and educational kits. They also work on water purification, a large issue in Iraq.

Medical care is another problem. “To me, one of the most tragic things was the hospitals,” Finger said. “They were very large, had sophisticated technology and well trained personnel, but couldn’t provide help because they didn’t have the means.”

Unfortunately, there is only so much groups such as Finger’s can do.

“Most groups are not wealthy and are facing defining revenues. A lot of them can only afford to help through letter writing,” Finger said.

When asked if he was planning on going again, Finger had no ready answer.

“When you go you realize that you might never come back again. The thing that really makes you go is the people who live in those conditions every day — those that aren’t lucky enough to have a choice.”