During the 5-day trip, they captured footage of street life in Baghdad, local Christians sharing testimony, and a worship service at Unity Church. Their goal was to show how Iraqi Christians live in the midst of dire circumstances.
He was driving the church bus alone after taking members home from worship service when, suddenly, an assailant in another car pulled alongside him and detonated a bomb. The explosion sent burnt pieces of the bus flying. He had a few minor scratches, but was otherwise unharmed. Two more testimonies showed amazing forgiveness within families.
But as an adult, through Christ, she has found forgiveness for her parents. After noticing many explosions happening around the country, Shadi came to Christ and forgave his brother. At a family wedding, the two restored their broken relationship. Filming conditions in Baghdad were challenging. Because Iraqi police are routinely targeted by insurgents in violent attacks, it is illegal to photograph police or checkpoints.
But there are police stationed every 5 yards. Logistically, it is hard to film outside without filming police! On a few occasions, police approached the filming crew to search them or tell them they could not film at a specific location. In one instance, they were filming at the Degla River, unaware that a police station was nearby. A pastor and big cross were in the back of the van. Everyone waited anxiously as police approached the group.
The SAT-7 team identified themselves and waited for higher ranked police to come and question them. When the higher ranking police arrived, the crew was allowed to proceed. He had asked the police why they love Christians. The police said they want to protect minorities because they have not done anything wrong. One group of policemen even asked the filming crew to pray with them. The filming crew and the police prayed together right there in the street.
