Updates from Servant Group International

Resources For Hard Times – Coronavirus 2020
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Resources For Hard Times – Coronavirus 2020

Nashville

Resources For Hard Times – Coronavirus 2020

Covid-19 Information in Multiple Languages: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16HWT0kQrnehwQFYICigsZe1D3b_H9FUO8EqOJ6XCdnE/edit For Those Facing Unemployment: https://www.nashvilleresponsefund.com/individualshttps://www.tn.gov/workforce/unemployment/apply-for-benefits.htmlhttps://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1678https://findhelp.org/ For Those Facing Hunger: https://www.thebranchofnashville.orghttps://news.mnps.org/mnps-food-delivery-sites-announced/https://findhelp.org/ For English Practice: This is my favorite. Short simple stories with pictures for context! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoFhY7OXDVTgoS_VD93tD30tG4E04c-lq This is good for lower levels. English for beginners, basic vocabulary practice. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhDf3-oR4mYiqV5cS0T017oqBaBcgafRn Good videos with lots of levels—more advanced. There’s a lot here [...]

Staff2020-11-04T16:44:35-05:00March 25th, 2020|Categories: Nashville|Tags: corona virus, coronavirus, covid 19, hard times, help, hunger, links, resources, unemployment|

Coronavirus Lockdown in Iraq — Easter is Coming
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Coronavirus Lockdown in Iraq — Easter is Coming

Iraq

Coronavirus Lockdown in Iraq — Easter is Coming

We've been in lockdown in my city in Northern Iraq for over week. These last few days I’ve felt both a liar and a failure. A liar because I’ve posted the pretty pictures, not the ones of my dry-eyed stare from watching hours of shows non-stop or the various chocolate wrappers from my I-don’t-care-anymore-and-I’m-bored munching. A failure because [...]

Staff2020-10-27T11:14:27-05:00March 24th, 2020|Categories: Iraq|Tags: corona virus, coronavirus, covid 19, Daily Life, easter, erbil, Iraq, iraqlife, lockdown, pandemic, quarantine, teacher|

Crisis, Isis, and Corona Virus
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Crisis, Isis, and Corona Virus

Audio, Iraq

Crisis, Isis, and Corona Virus

Between Iraq and a Hard Place - Episode 38 Hannah and Colleen talk about how Kurdish people respond to different kinds of crisis. Some big, some small, some medical, and some military -- the Kurds have seen it all and we have gained some perspective from them as we face new kinds of crisis. Learn [...]

Staff2020-11-04T16:45:34-05:00March 11th, 2020|Categories: Audio, Iraq|Tags: corona virus, coronavirus, covid 19, crisis, Culture, disease, isis, Kurdistan, Kurds, Medical, trauma, war|

Cleanliness is Next to Godliness
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Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

Audio, Iraq

Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

Between Iraq and a Hard Place - Episode 40 Hannah and Colleen talk about their experiences with cleanliness in Kurdish culture, the biggest compliment they ever received from Kurdish women, and how some of those things are already changing! Learn more on our Iraq Page! Ask questions about this episode or life in Iraq on [...]

Staff2020-11-04T16:46:38-05:00February 28th, 2020|Categories: Audio, Iraq|Tags: clean, clean up, cleanliness, Culture, dirty, garbage, hiking, Iraq, picnic, plastic bags, podcast, recycling, religion, trash|

Buddhism – Theravada Buddhism
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Buddhism – Theravada Buddhism

Nashville

Buddhism – Theravada Buddhism

Buddhism (an overview) Buddhism is non-theistic. There is no belief in a higher power and holding on to such a belief is thought to keep one from achieving enlightenment. Enlightenment is achieved not by learning the doctrines of Buddha but by following the Eightfold Path. This Path is concerned with three things: morality ( 3-5 [...]

Staff2020-10-27T11:14:28-05:00February 27th, 2020|Categories: Nashville|Tags: buddhism, burmese, Culture, education, learning, myanmar, refugees, religion, theravada|

The Cash Economy in Iraq
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The Cash Economy in Iraq

Audio, Iraq

The Cash Economy in Iraq

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 [...]

Staff2020-11-05T12:20:10-05:00December 13th, 2019|Categories: Audio, Iraq|Tags: cash, Daily Life, dinar, economy, Iraq, podcast, travel|

Sherma and Shame in Iraqi Kurdistan
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Sherma and Shame in Iraqi Kurdistan

Audio, Iraq

Sherma and Shame in Iraqi Kurdistan

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 [...]

Staff2020-11-04T16:49:28-05:00November 19th, 2019|Categories: Audio, Iraq|Tags: aiba, Culture, guilt, haram, honor, Islam, Kurdistan, norms, podcast, shame|

Taking the Kids to Iraq – A Podcast Interview with Robin
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Taking the Kids to Iraq – A Podcast Interview with Robin

Audio, Iraq

Taking the Kids to Iraq – A Podcast Interview with Robin

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. Email us at [...]

Staff2020-11-05T12:23:11-05:00October 24th, 2019|Categories: Audio, Iraq|Tags: children, Daily Life, Iraq, iraqlife, podcast, teenagers|

Resources for Learning About the Refugee Crisis
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Resources for Learning About the Refugee Crisis

Europe

Resources for Learning About the Refugee Crisis

Here is a short list of books, videos, and links that we have found helpful in learning about the refugee crisis. We hope these resources help you on your way to loving and serving your refugee neighbors at home and around the world. Obviously, the list is not exhaustive, but just gives you a place [...]

Staff2020-10-27T11:14:28-05:00October 22nd, 2019|Categories: Europe|Tags: books, documentaries, links, refugee crisis, refugees, resources|

Getting a Visa in Kurdish Iraq
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Getting a Visa in Kurdish Iraq

Audio, Iraq

Getting a Visa in Kurdish Iraq

Hannah and Colleen chat about the various steps to the ever changing process of getting a visa 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 [...]

Staff2020-11-05T12:24:24-05:00October 22nd, 2019|Categories: Audio, Iraq|Tags: frustrating, funny, international, international travel, Iraq, iraqlife, live abroad, paperwork, podcast, travel, Visa, wigs|