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Yippie Kye-A!! You’ve Got Hate Mail!
By Ali Elizabeth | February 5, 2009
I have been basking for several months now in the warm reception people have given A Ballad for Baghdad. It’s been written up in papers, I have done some public speaking and singing, have been on the radio and stand to receive my first royalty check coming up here pretty soon. It’s been a wild ride at times, and will no doubt continue to be so.
Several folks have said that they couldn’t put the book down. And while I am gratified by peoples’ support, I knew that if all I got was warm fuzzys (or should I say fuzzies?) Ballad wasn’t doing it’s job. Then BAMM!! Two in one day on Facebook! Yeehaw!! As the group discussion board was a large one, they have monitors that observe the cyber version of the scoop law and get non-family friendly stuff off of there pretty quickly, so I didn’t get a chance to reply.
The Facebook bio picture of the really hostile fellow literally was wild-eyed Sunni jihadism at it’s finest, either that or the guy just picked this face as a cariacture. He was not at all happy with me for mentioning that Saddam was exposed to the Gospel in a most hilarious fashion about a year before his execution.
The other guy by comparison was just kind of a smarty pants, and his objection was to the fact that Muslims are having dreams and visions of Jesus so commonly that it is spoken of in the culture. “Have you had your Isa dream yet?” is not as crazy of a question as one might think. Neither fellow expressed any pleasure with what was called my “infidel gospel.”
Truth be told, in Africa alone, it is estimated by Al-Jazeera that 16,000 Muslims per day are becoming Christians, and the two moderators of the show segment I watched recently were decrying that fact they were losing their nation. Strange, that the idea of folks being loved in a way they never have been before causes such dismay.What was even more interesting is that toward the end they showed a clip of a woman who is a personal acquaintance upon whom they blame much of this defection, and she is one of my heroes. Her name is Heidi Baker. I have been a recepient of what are affectionately known as “Heidi Hugs,” and they are indeed powerful manifestations of God’s love.
Tonight I am going to hear some folks speak who go to Israel two times a year to help Israeli farmers with their grape harvest, and they invite people to come help. One of the kids from our fellowship leaves with them in about 10 days, and he’ll be not at all far from Lebanon. The risk is high, but he simply wants to show to show love and support to people whose idea of a Christian ends up with getting your forearm tattooed with an ID number, that is, if you survive. I have asked him to please tuck me into his suitcase, which he of course has declined. Someday, though, God willing, I’ll be joining these guys.
Showing love, taking risks, giving hugs, speaking up–all of these private acts of bravery are what throng our planet with unsung heroes. And this I know, their love will always cause “hate mail” to go straight to the spam file.
Topics: Ballad for Baghdad, the Book | 1 Comment »
April 25th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Girl, I ordered your book and enjoyed reading it. What a delight! I give you honor for a job well done! I miss you and the chapel services at Victory and Striker. Stay cool and continue your good work.