Between Iraq and a Hard Place

In the US we're pretty used to using our credit cards to pay for things and we're adding all sorts of new electronic payment methods. But in Northern Iraq, nearly everything is still done in cash. Hannah and Colleen discuss a few of the multitude of reasons for this, but more about the effect it has on every day life and how everyone navigates multiple currencies!

Hannah and Colleen chat about several key terms in Kurdish language and culture: sherma, aiba, and haram. All have meanings that connect to honor, shame, and what is allowable and what is forbidden. Cultural expectations and norms are part of what can be a challenge for a westerner. This podcast explores their shades of meaning and how we perceived them as we lived in the region.

Hannah and Colleen interview Robin, who (with her husband, Dave) took her two kids to live in Iraq. What did this do to her kids? Her family and their relationships? Listen to us ask her all about her stories and adventures from when she and her family lived in Iraq. Learn more at www. ServantGroup.org or ask questions by emailing Hannah at hannah@servantgroup.org.

Hannah and Colleen chat about the various steps to the ever changing process of getting residency in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq. This isn't the nuts and bolts, just the experiences from our perspective of foreign bureaucracy and how to walk through it. We are so grateful for our Kurdish friends who made it possible for us to navigate and made sure the government received all the correct p...

Hannah and Colleen talk about the blessings and challenges of living on support and what that is. How do we deal with fear, trust, and other people's perceptions? How do we thrive in community as part of the body of Christ and what is the holy handshake? This episode is a personal look at many years of living through the provision and care of God through the generosity of others. Ask questions or...

Hannah and Colleen bemoan their grey hairs but also wish they'd had some more of them while living in Iraq. They discuss the pros and cons of being younger or older while living abroad, and how you don't have to be one or the other to serve with us in Iraq! Ask questions or contact us at Hannah@servantgroup.org! Learn more over at ServantGroup.org.

In this episode of our podcast, Between Iraq and a Hard Place, Hannah and Colleen tell the stories of how they told their parents that they were applying to go with Servant Group International to go to Iraq. They also have some advice for how to tell (or maybe more accurately, how NOT to tell) your parents that you want to live overseas. We've counseled numerous people through this sticky process...

Hannah and Colleen just got back from a wedding, and it's June! So they chat about their various wedding experiences in Northern Iraq, complete with fireworks, cars, photographs, and loud music! Check out some video footage of a wedding: https://youtu.be/PZfB_AXBMzI?t=1153 To learn more check us out at www. ServantGroup.org! Ask questions by emailing us at Hannah@servantgroup.org.

Hannah interviews our director, John, and his wife, Mary, about how they became parents while living in Iraq and what it was like raising their family there. Living in Iraq has unique challenges for parents. Want to join us? We're always looking for more adventurous families to join our teams in Iraq, Greece, and Nashville! Check out our website for more info! www. ServantGroup.org

Hannah and Colleen share all about the six things you can start doing NOW to get prepared for living overseas. Some of these may seem a bit obvious, others may seem like too much work, but each of these skills we found immensely helpful in our life abroad.

Hannah and our Director, John, recently took a trip to Iraq to visit our teams there and to meet up with old friends. So we asked Hannah about the food, the weather, how things are on the ground in North Iraq, and lots more! If you have questions you would like to ask send them to hannah@servantgroup.org. To learn more, check out our website at www. ServantGroup.org.

Part two on re-entry! Did you know it supposedly takes as long as you lived in the foreign culture to readjust back to your home culture? And even then, you are permanently changed. There is no simple "There and Back Again". Hannah and Colleen continue their conversation on how to adjust well and also give some tips on how to help your friends who may be going through re-entry! Also, find this pos...

Re-entry is the evil cousin of culture shock and because it isn't talked about as much, often catches people by surprise. In this episode, Hannah and Colleen share about their own experiences in "coming home" to the United States and the struggles of re-entry. Submit questions or comments to hannah@servantgroup.org or on FB, Instagram, or Twitter. Find out more on the Servant Group International W...

So now that you know all about what culture shock is (see part 1!) now it's time to learn how we responded to it and what are ways to cope and come through. If you have questions or comments please send them to us at hannah@servantgroup.org. Or check us out at www. ServantGroup.org or search for Servant Group International on the main social media platforms. =D

Culture shock is a bit of misnomer, but we're jumping in and using it to help everyone understand what they or their friends go through when living in a foreign culture for an extended period of time. Obviously not everyone follows the same path or has exactly the same reactions, but these are things we've experienced and are reported as common. Learn more on our website: www. ServantGroup.org Ask...

And we're back! Hannah and Colleen share a bit about travel back and forth to Iraq. It's hotels, airports, and lots of hours on the airplane. But if you are wondering how to get there, we know how! Please send comments and questions to hannah@servantgroup.org and check out our website at www. ServantGroup.org! You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook under Servant Group International.

Hannah and Colleen rant a bit about the very annoying Americans they have met or seen in Iraq or in airports flying to and from Iraq. These are the cons of Americans abroad and then some of the good things we bring along with us too! Join us over at www. ServantGroup.org/Iraq Ask questions or give comments at hannah@servantgroup.org.

Hannah and Colleen traipse through the world of Iraqi Education! What are public schools? What are private schools? How are things run differently? All these questions and MORE! Learn more over at www. ServantGroup.org/Iraq. Ask questions or send comments to hannah@servantgroup.org.

Hannah and Colleen talk about their many encounters with animals in Northern Iraq, from pets to wild animals, zoos and circuses to flocks in the mountains. Hannah really does hate birds as pets, and neither mind the cats and dogs owned by their friends. Really! It's just that the animal situation in Iraq is very different than in the U.S. For more information: www. ServantGroup.org/Iraq Send quest...

One of our favorite topics about Iraq is all the ELECTRICITY! Also, the lack of it. It's one of those things that we in the U.S. definitely take for granted and see as our right. Not so in Iraq! Power outages are common and wiring is... creative. =) (Also, there is conversation about the electric slide, which has nothing to do with the actual electricity.) For questions, comments, or suggestions e...

Hannah and Colleen continue with Director Dave on their jaunt through history. This episode covers from World War I through to almost present day. They also continue the debate about which Carolina is best. Please send any questions about this material to hannah@servantgroup.org. Read more about how you can join us in Iraq at www. ServantGroup.org/Iraq.

Hannah and Colleen have another guest, SGI Director, Dave Dillard, on to talk about the patterns and history of Iraq. Part one takes us from the Garden of Eden up through World War I. Please send any questions about this material to hannah@servantgroup.org. Read more about how you can join us in Iraq at www. ServantGroup.org/Iraq.

Many people think that everyone in Iraq is Muslim. And it's true that the majority are. Some people know of some of the Christians even. But there's a long history and heritage of minority religions in Iraq. Hannah and Colleen ran into a few themselves traveling around the area and Hannah actually did some pretty thorough research on the ones they talk about here: Yezidi, Yarsani, and Zoroastrians...

Hannah and Colleen finally dive into the question you have all really been wondering about. Is it safe? What they really wanted to do was give you the statistics about how likely you are to be killed by car accidents, falling pianos, or even your own clothing... but they didn't. Instead, they chat about guards, guns, blast walls, and how they didn't wear bullet proof vests while living in Northern...

Hannah and Colleen address one of the most commonly asked questions about living in Iraq: "Do you have to cover your head?" And they give a rough overview of women's clothing in the Middle East with a focus on what they saw and wore in Northern Iraq. Then also a brief chat about men's clothing. For traditional Kurdish clothing head to Episode 5! https://between-iraq-and-a-hard-place.podigee.io/5-b...