Doubletake: Hawler’s Story

Summary

Doubletake: Hawler’s Story

Podcast: The World and Everything In It
Host: WORLD Radio
Release Date: January 4, 2025

---

Episode Overview

In the gripping episode titled "Doubletake: Hawler’s Story," WORLD Radio delves deep into the tumultuous life of Hawler Sayed Sheikhe, a resilient Syrian woman whose journey from a war-torn homeland to embracing Christianity amid extreme adversity underscores the profound human spirit. Through firsthand reporting by Caleb Weldy and insightful narration by Les Sillers, listeners are taken on an emotional and harrowing exploration of faith, survival, and the quest for peace in one of the world's most chaotic regions.

---

Background: The Fall of Assad and Syria's Chaos

Les Sillers sets the stage by recounting the pivotal moment on December 8, 2024, when the Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahir Al Sham (HTS) successfully overthrew Bashar Al Assad's regime in Syria. This historical upheaval was met with jubilation from Syrians who had long endured Assad's oppressive rule for over five decades. Sillers describes the initial semblance of control under HTS's leadership, led by former Al Qaeda and ISIS member Abu Mohammed Al Jilani, who publicly distanced himself from extremist ideologies (00:05).

However, the stability was short-lived as loyalist forces ambushed HTS fighters in December, resulting in significant casualties and highlighting the enduring religious and ethnic divisions within Syria. Analysts express concerns over a power vacuum fostering further instability, especially threatening the safety of Christians and other minorities (00:05). The geopolitical implications of Assad’s downfall also mark a decline in Iranian and Russian influence in the region, though eastern and northern Syria remain fraught with danger (00:05).

---

Introducing Hawler Sayed Sheikhe

Caleb Weldy, the world correspondent, introduces listeners to Hawler Sayed Sheikhe, a young woman whose life was irrevocably changed by the rise of ISIS in Syria. At the tender age of 13, Hawler witnessed the brutal invasion of her town along the Euphrates River in 2014 (02:37). Her family's relatively liberal interpretation of Islam made them targets for ISIS militants, leading to the disappearance of her father and the subsequent turmoil that ensued (02:58).

---

Life Under ISIS Control

Hawler provides a harrowing firsthand account of ISIS's oppressive regime. She explains how her family's ordinary life was shattered when her father vanished without a trace, likely falling victim to the militants (03:13). The family's struggle intensified as they faced constant threats and the bleak reality of living under ISIS's tyrannical rule. Hawler recounts the fear and uncertainty that plagued their daily existence, especially as ISIS sought to enforce strict Sharia law, leading to the kidnapping and brutal treatment of women who defied their norms (11:17).

---

Conversion to Christianity

In a bold and perilous decision, Hawler embraced Christianity, engaging in Bible studies and beginning to evangelize within her community (03:30). This act of defiance was extraordinarily risky, especially for a Muslim woman in the Middle East, as it contravened the dominant religious norms and could provoke violent repercussions (03:30). Her determination to follow her faith despite the dangers symbolizes a profound spiritual awakening and resistance against oppression.

---

Journey to Iraq and Transformation

Hawler's quest for safety led her and her family to flee to Iraq, where they encountered the Free Burma Rangers, a Christian aid organization operating in high-risk zones (04:13). Under the guidance of former Army Ranger Dade Eubank, the family navigated the perilous border crossing into Iraq. The journey was fraught with obstacles, including navigating Iraqi bureaucracy and the constant threat of ISIS forces (06:02). Upon arrival, they faced immediate challenges integrating into a new society, marked by racial tensions and limited opportunities despite their professional backgrounds (09:53).

---

Evangelism and Risks

In Iraq, Hawler's faith continued to flourish. She became actively involved in Christian communities, leading Bible studies and fostering a larger group of believers (17:21). Her evangelistic efforts were met with both support and severe threats from those opposed to her newfound faith. Hawler describes the internal and external conflicts her family faced, including physical assaults orchestrated by relatives who vehemently opposed their conversion (21:12). Despite the danger, Hawler remained steadfast, believing her mission to share the gospel was divinely ordained (22:06).

---

Hawler’s Return to Syria

Driven by a calling to spread her faith, Hawler made the courageous decision to return to Syria, despite the inherent risks and opposition from her own family (22:06). Her return was motivated by a profound sense of duty and spiritual conviction to witness her uncle and his family. This decision was not taken lightly, as evidenced by the intense emotional turmoil and the physical dangers she faced upon re-entering her homeland (23:08).

---

Her Disappearance

Hawler's return to Syria culminated in a tense confrontation with her uncle, who vehemently opposed her Christian faith. In an act of brave defiance, Hawler attempted to share her beliefs, leading to a violent altercation. Despite the threats and physical assault, Hawler persisted in her mission, only to mysteriously disappear after the encounter (24:00). Her disappearance remains unresolved, symbolizing the ongoing peril faced by those who choose to pursue faith amidst relentless persecution.

---

Conclusion and Looking Forward

The episode concludes with a reflection on the severe consequences Hawler and her family endure for their faith. Les Sillers teases the continuation of Hawler's story in the next episode, where listeners will follow her and the Free Burma Rangers as they navigate the treacherous landscapes of Syria with no certainty of a safe return (28:36). Hawler's poignant final words express a hopeful plea for her absence to one day reveal her enduring love and faith to her son (29:00).

---

Notable Quotes

• Hawler Sayed Sheikhe:

  • "We stayed there. The only reason, because we stayed, still have a hope to see my dad again..." (03:13)
  • "We just continue to believe in Jesus and serving Jesus and loving people." (21:59)
  • "I was just talking right now, telling you the story or remembering and the, the images and the pictures that I saw... it was like, horrible..." (11:27)
  • "If he wants to kill me again, kill me, you know, I know who's my God." (27:30)
  • "The only thing I would ask of you is to tell my son when he's old enough and find him that I loved him so much..." (29:00)

• Caleb Weldy:

  • "He has told Western media that he has left behind the Islamic extremism of his younger days." (00:05)
  • "Their neighbor's house survived. So Howler, her mom and her sister accepted their offer of protection..." (12:35)
  • "But Heller's decision to go back to Syria was too much for her mother." (22:43)

• Les Sillers:

  • "Before Assad's downfall, Syria was one of the most chaotic countries in the world." (00:05)
  • "But news traveled." (20:44)
  • "Caleb Weldy reported and wrote this episode. I'm Les Sillers and I produced it." (28:36)

---

Analysis and Insights

"Doubletake: Hawler’s Story" serves as a poignant testament to the enduring human spirit in the face of relentless adversity. Hawler’s transformation from a victim of war to a beacon of faith highlights the complex interplay between religion, culture, and survival in conflict zones. The episode underscores the precarious situation of religious minorities in Syria and Iraq, exacerbated by the power struggles following Assad's ousting.

Caleb Weldy's immersive reporting provides a visceral understanding of the challenges faced by individuals navigating these treacherous landscapes. The personal narrative of Hawler not only humanizes the broader geopolitical conflicts but also emphasizes the profound personal sacrifices made in the pursuit of spiritual conviction.

Les Sillers' thoughtful narration ties together the broader implications of Syria's instability, offering listeners both a detailed account and a critical perspective on the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The anticipation built for the subsequent episode promises a deeper exploration into the uncertainties and perils that Hawler and her compatriots continue to face.

---

Conclusion

"Doubletake: Hawler’s Story" is a compelling episode that intricately weaves personal tragedy with broader socio-political upheaval. Through Hawler's eyes, listeners gain a profound understanding of the human cost of conflict and the extraordinary lengths individuals will go to preserve their faith and dignity. This episode not only informs but also evokes empathy, making it a significant contribution to the discourse on war, religion, and resilience.

---

Time Stamps Reference

• 00:05 – Introduction to the fall of Assad and Syria's chaos
• 02:37 – Introduction of Hawler Sayed Sheikhe
• 02:58 – Hawler’s family under ISIS control
• 03:13 – Disappearance of Hawler’s father
• 03:30 – Hawler’s conversion to Christianity
• 04:13 – Journey to Iraq with Free Burma Rangers
• 06:02 – Crossing into Iraq
• 09:53 – Challenges in integrating into Iraqi society
• 11:17 – Vulnerability of Kurdish women under ISIS
• 17:21 – Hawler’s active evangelism in Iraq
• 20:44 – Threats from Hawler’s family in Syria
• 21:12 – Beating by Hawler’s uncle
• 22:06 – Decision to return to Syria
• 23:08 – Emotional confrontation with her uncle
• 24:00 – Hawler's disappearance after evangelizing
• 27:30 – Hawler’s realization of survival
• 28:36 – Episode conclusion and tease for next episode
• 29:00 – Hawler’s heartfelt plea for her son

---

This summary faithfully captures the essence and details of the "Doubletake: Hawler’s Story" episode, providing an informative and engaging overview for those who have yet to listen.

Transcript

[Les Sillers]

From World Radio, this is Double Take. I'm les sillers. On December 8, 2024, the Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahir Al Sham, known as hts, overthrew the brutal regime of Bashar Al Assad in Syria. Syrians celebrated in the streets. The Assad family had ruled Syria through force and fear for more than 50 years. This AP video clip shows Syrian rebels walking in and out of the Assad presidential palace carrying appliances. They step past a poster lying on the ground of Bashar al Assad. Before Assad's downfall, Syria was one of the most chaotic countries in the world. The Assad regime's power was based in western Syria. But in northeast Syria, Arabs, Turks, Kurds, Russians, Americans, and Iranians carried on a simmering conflict amidst the remnants of isis. Since Assad has fallen, it will very likely remain one of the most chaotic countries in the world. The leader of the coalition group that spearheaded the rebellion seemed in control initially. He's former Al Qaeda and ISIS Abu Mohammed Al Jilani. He has told Western media that he has left behind the Islamic extremism of his younger days. But in late December, Assad loyalists struck back at HTS, killing 14 fighters in an ambush. And the religious and ethnic lines that divided the country during Assad's regime still exist. Now that they lack a common enemy, analysts worry that a power vacuum in Syria will heighten tension in the Middle east and leave Christians and other religious minorities in serious danger. Experts believe the big losers after the Assad family were Iran and Russia. Both had supported Assad and both lost some influence in the region. But in eastern and northern Syria, things aren't really that much different. It's still chaotic and dangerous. World correspondent Caleb Weldy is here to tell us what it's like in that part of Syria. He traveled around northeast Syria in November of 2023. He was with the Free Burma Rangers. That's a Christian aid group working in some of the world's most dangerous war zones. This is the first of two episodes based on Caleb's reporting in Syria in 2023. Again, he was there about a year before the Assad regime fell to hts. Today, Caleb will tell us the story of a Syrian woman named Hawler Sayed sheikhe. She was 13 years old when ISIS roared into Syria in 2014 and then swept into her town along the Euphrates.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

River, a large swath of eastern Syria.

[Caleb Weldy]

Now controlled by ISIS militants.

[Les Sillers]

Gloating on social media of the weaponry seized, ISIS is now considered the most.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

Powerful military force in northern Syria. ISIS has built a military strategy that relies on a detailed cataloging of terror to instill fear.

[Les Sillers]

Hauler's father installed windows and doors for a living. Her mom stayed home to look after Howler and her younger sister. Her family was Muslim, but not Islamic enough for isis. And soon after the terrorists arrived, her dad disappeared.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

We stayed there. The only reason, because we stayed, still have a hope to see my dad again or, you know, to be able to hear something about him if anyone saw him or where he is in right now.

[Les Sillers]

But eventually they fled to Iraq. After a few months there, Hauler did one of the riskiest things a Muslim woman can do in the Middle East. She became a Christian, got involved in Bible studies, started evangelizing in her neighborhood. And then In November of 2023, Howler did one of the few things even more dangerous than that. She went back to Syria. Today on Double Take, the story of a woman with unfinished business trying to live out her faith despite enormous risks. Caleb will take it from.

[Caleb Weldy]

All right, guys, this is. This is premier right here, dude. But this is what I wore through Mosul. I have the exact same version now. I'm a big fan. I've gotten it. I met Howler at a safe house in Iraq. We're in a town we're not going to name for security reasons. A free Burma Rangers team was preparing to enter Syria from the east. They were putting on body armor because it holds it tight to your body. So feel right here. This flap right here goes inside. So rip off the other piece, right, and it's gonna overlap. Former Army Ranger Dade Eubank started the relief group in burma more than 25 years ago. It's known for working in dangerous regions. Eubank began work in the Middle east when other organizations were either unable or unwilling to work near ISIS front lines. Haller turned 23 the day before the planned border crossing. Unlike the rest of the team, Haller would actually be returning home. She'd been gone for 10 years. She struggled with the decision for several days and finally talked with Dave Eubank about it.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

What do you think?

[Les Sillers]

What do I think?

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

Yeah. Well, just let you decide.

[Caleb Weldy]

Dave knew she'd be endangering her UN refugee status, among other risks. But you gotta want to do it. You know, Syria. I mean, people get killed there almost every day. She decided to go anyway. The next morning, the team prayed together in the predawn light.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

All right, load them up.

[Caleb Weldy]

Morale was high as the group traveled west, but it was mixed with some nerves for the first timers and even for seasoned veterans. It gets harder each time, one family man told me. We passed through the Iraqi red tape at the border in record time, just three hours. The process included x rays of all vehicles leaving the country. The sign was directly overhead when our seven armored Land Cruisers slowly made their way onto a pontoon bridge. The Tigris river had a greenish hue. A Syrian soldier with an AK47 awaited us on the other side. The Syrian passport office was less organized. Each team member waited under a canopy until their name was called. Instead of stamping their passports, the guards gave each person a piece of paper. Lose it, they said, and you won't be leaving the country. We reached our destination after several more hours of driving. It was dark. We set up for the night in a friendly compound for security reasons. I can't tell you exactly where this one was either. After dinner, a few people went to the roof, but then it started to rain, so we ruled that out as a sleeping spot. And then sometime after 9pm Howler disappeared. Haller grew up in northern Syria. ISIS reached her town in 2014, the same year Americans learned what had become of a journalist kidnapped by isis. Awful, tragic news from overseas late today. So about an American journalist named James Foley who went missing in Syria two years ago now. Eventually, ISIS posted a video of Foley's beheading.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

This is James Wright Foley, an American citizen.

[Caleb Weldy]

Sky News has chosen not to broadcast this video. It's too graphic.

[Les Sillers]

Today, the entire world is appalled by the brutal murder of Jim Foley.

[Caleb Weldy]

But it shows journalist Jim Foley in the final minutes of his life on his knees in an orange jumpsuit. That year, ISIS began a startling rise. It declared a worldwide caliphate.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

A new video shows them literally bulldozing the Syrian Iraqi border. This grainy ISIS video then shows a.

[Caleb Weldy]

Pile of bloodied bodies before the camera.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

So Islamist militants in Iraq have declared the completion of their Islamic state with.

[Caleb Weldy]

A new caliphate, cataloging and posting in.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

Near real time their war crimes.

[Caleb Weldy]

Last week, U.S. officials believe Foley was being held at the ISIS stronghold in Raqqa in northern Syria. Along with other captured Western journalists and aid workers. Thousands of Christian Iraqis have fled Sunni militant attacks on their villages near. ISIS has repeatedly shown cruelty, utter brutality.

[Les Sillers]

And no mercy to anyone who stands in its way.

[Caleb Weldy]

ISIS seized control of the region and even began minting its own currency. Many local officials promptly joined up. Some agreed with the group's aims. Others were just trying to stay alive.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

A lot of them, they just being involved with ISIS because it's their chance to being controlling on the they thought they have a power and Authority, you know, and they control on the town or the country that we are in.

[Caleb Weldy]

Howler's family was used to some discrimination in Syria due to their Kurdish heritage. They also held to a more liberal interpretation of Islam. They were not prepared for ISIS. Howler was then 13, her sister was 7, and her mom was expecting twins.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

Yeah, just like one day my dad just disappeared and we just called him, My mom called him many times and he didn't answer the phone. And we just like went to the, that he was working in and the door was open and nobody on it. Nobody knows what happened to him.

[Caleb Weldy]

The family began going around to police stations, searching desperately for him.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

And hey, you know, my mom said that my husband is just like disappeared. We don't know what happens to him. And nobody know and was complaining a lot and nobody's, you know, care about it because we are Kurdish.

[Caleb Weldy]

Venturing out was very risky for a pregnant woman and her two daughters.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

Some people, they just like take many ladies and after they doing bad things.

[Caleb Weldy]

To them, ISIS fighters were just grabbing women off the street.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

They sold them to other people to, you know, using them for bad things. Yes, they have their coins, their rules, and even they just like take many ladies, their wife and they just like. What I saw was kind of weird. They just like touching their head and they say, allahu Akbar. Allah Akbar. Allahu Akbar. You now are my wife.

[Caleb Weldy]

Kurdish women were particularly vulnerable. Sharia law actually promotes the assault of infidels as a virtuous act. For Haller's mother, she has to protect us.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

You know, it was hard to have a daughter at that time. They just taking them and using them. They don't know if they are still child or. Or not. You know, I still like have. When I'm just talking right now, telling you the story or remembering and the, the images and the pictures that I saw, you know, nine, 10 years ago, and I'm just seeing it right now, it was like, horrible, man. You know, so much is going on still.

[Caleb Weldy]

The family kept searching.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

And one day we was outside and looking and, you know, asking a question if anyone saw this guy and showed the picture of my dad. And when we came back and we just like, our house is just bombed, you know, everything is destroyed.

[Caleb Weldy]

Did ISIS finally get tired of their questions? Who knows? It's the kind of thing that happened in Syria.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

We just like in second, we don't have anything at all.

[Caleb Weldy]

Their neighbor's house survived. So Howler, her mom and her sister accepted their offer of protection from the elements and from isis.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

There Is no choice. So we have to be able to go the other building, which is the building beside us, to be living with the neighbors for a while to, to see if there is any results. My dad will come back. We still have a hope after three months. But the, the man over there that we was staying in with his family, and he's Arabic too, and he tried to do bad things with my mom. So we just because they hate us.

[Caleb Weldy]

They stayed because they had nowhere else to go. Eventually though, the stress proved too much for Howler's mother. She had a miscarriage, lost both twins.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

We lose everything and we just like, wow. And even my mom, she was just like pregnant and she just like had a lot of stress and she just miscouraged. She had twins and that was so hard for her.

[Caleb Weldy]

It had been three months since Howler's father disappeared. But after the miscarriage, they decided to flee north to Howler's paternal grandfather.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

And he just start to blame my mom, you are the reason my son being disappeared and you know, those kind of things. And he tried to beat my mom many times.

[Caleb Weldy]

They stayed in that northern Syrian town for the next several years. Then in 2019, Howler's mother began looking for ways to escape Syria altogether.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

So we asked and we got the smuggler's number and he said, three of you guys, if you'll be able to cross the border, I will take hundred dollar. In that time. And we don't have even hundred dollar.

[Caleb Weldy]

They were still Muslim and they prayed that Allah would save them.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

And we thought and we prayed a lot as the Muslims. We prayed and we couldn't find it, you know, and we just like lose the hope. And the last thing that I have it from my dad is a necklace as a gift. And we just like sold it for a hundred dollar.

[Caleb Weldy]

They went back to the smuggler and.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

We give it to him, the hundred dollar, all the things that we have to be able to cross the border to come to Iraq.

[Caleb Weldy]

Hawler, her mother and sister were told to go to a house near the Iraqi border after dark. There they met a dozen others waiting to cross.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

Around 9pm, three smugglers come and they just look. Are you guys ready?

[Caleb Weldy]

The smugglers wore masks. They led them into the desert on foot.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

And it's raining, you know, it was raining a lot. And we just like running and running.

[Caleb Weldy]

One child missing. His mother wouldn't shut up. He almost got them caught.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

And he's all the time saying, mom, mom, you know, in the loudy voice.

[Caleb Weldy]

Everyone was carrying either a Child or a piece of luggage. Maybe an hour into the walk, the smugglers informed them that they'd go on alone. One of them pointed toward a distant glow in the eastern sky, and he said, okay, guys.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

Okay, guys. Just, like, cross, you know? And when you just, like, get to the light over there, you will be in Iraq and everything will be fine.

[Caleb Weldy]

He didn't tell them they had to cross a dark, mountainous region filled with Syrian soldiers.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

But, yeah, just keep, you know, keep straight going and you will see.

[Caleb Weldy]

Then the smugglers were gone.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

He just, like, left us. He didn't say you guys in Iraqi land, you know. He just, like, left us when we was in Syrian land.

[Caleb Weldy]

The group pressed on through the rain toward the glow. They could hear dogs barking as they neared a town around five in the morning.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

And, like, suddenly one of the soldiers just, like, comes to my face. And I just, like. I thought, is that that Syrian government? I just, like, turned back to Syria and he said, hey, hey, hey. We are Iraqi government, you know. You are welcome, guys.

[Caleb Weldy]

The Iraqi authorities gave them snacks while they searched their belongings. Then they bused them to D, a city of around 350,000 in western Iraq. Most people there, like Howler's family, are Kurdish.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

And everyone's going because they have families or they have connections. And we just like, oh, what? What will you be doing here? You know?

[Caleb Weldy]

Haller and her family knew no one. They wandered the streets for several hours and eventually went to sleep next to a soccer stadium. Ten days later, they met a street evangelist from Switzerland.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

We told them the story that we've been through it, and he gave it to us in that time 200. And he said, hey, come on, we have a place and base, you know, couple American ladies they are staying in, so you guys can be able to just, like, come and stay with them.

[Caleb Weldy]

One of those ladies was a missionary working with the Freeburn Rangers in a city in western Iraq. Again, for security reasons, we can't say which city. She invited the homeless trio in. The woman asked if they'd like to go to church and gave them a book Heller had always enjoyed reading.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

My mind exploded. I know. I just like studying the Bible after they gave it to me, guys, and who is Peter? Who is John, who is Jacob, who, You know, James and those kinds.

[Caleb Weldy]

Howler, her mom and her sister lived with the missionary for about two months. Then they moved in with the pastor's family. Haller worked first as a hairstylist, then as a hotel receptionist. Her mom cleaned houses even before she became a Christian. She says she was having visions of Jesus.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

I said, yeah, I was Muslim and God showed me himself many times. And even I don't know him, but yeah, I was just a praying in Jesus and I don't believe in him. Just I was saying Jesus and a praying and God showing me himself many times.

[Caleb Weldy]

Eventually Howler became a Christian herself. So did her mom and sister.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

Then we completely understand it as there is a big difference between the Muslim life and Christianity life. And it was so good after we becoming a Christian, just like have a peace and in every step that we doing, we just like God. You want us to do this step? It's your will. It's not our will, you know, we don't have any desire. It's your desire.

[Caleb Weldy]

The Sunday gatherings were great, but Haller and her family wanted more. They began to meet with others on a weeknight. The meetings started to get larger when.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

We started just one family, two family. But right now we have maybe 100, 150, depends. Yeah.

[Caleb Weldy]

An American pastor came in to help lead the group. They met once a week with sessions lasting two hours or so. They'd worship together, hear a sermon and then share a meal.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

At the end of the two hours, we just like eating dinner all the time. We're visiting each other. We have the group on the WhatsApp. If they have any problem, they happy, they are sad, they need something, you know, we just continue with them and visiting the families.

[Caleb Weldy]

The vast majority are Muslim. This is an American who helps with the Bible study. It's best if we don't name him. Syrian people. And they're fleeing from Syria to seek refuge here in northern Iraq. And they're just so open to the gospel because they're sick of Islam, they're sick of wicked government and they have nothing. Many of them leave Syria. Professionals, doctors, lawyers, engineers. And they come here and none of that works here. And they're not being hired. There's racial issues between the Kurds and Iraqis and Syrians. Howler's faith blossomed in Iraq. She began going to school for a job in health care. But news traveled.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

Unfortunately. My dad's family and my mom's family, they are still in Syria, in Qamishli, but still Islamic. And they heard about us, we going to the church and we becoming believer and things like that. And I'm sharing the gospel and they just like all the time my uncle is calling my mom on the phone, hey, come back to Syria. If not coming back, I will come to Iraq and kill you. It's just all the Time threatening us.

[Caleb Weldy]

This was her mother's brother, Haller. And her family didn't know if he was serious or not. In February of 2023, Haller and her family had just come home from an.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

Evening service and they just like knocked the door. Maybe they watching us. Nobody heard us. What's going on? You know, we are in the second floor.

[Caleb Weldy]

Three men burst in and they just beating us.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

And yeah, our body was bruised and three guys, but we didn't see their faces. You know, they are cover. And they say, hey, if you guys go into the chariot again, we will come to kill you this time.

[Caleb Weldy]

Howler believes her uncle sent them.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

That was really horrible.

[Caleb Weldy]

But Haller and her family went to church the next Sunday anyway. And they kept on going.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

And we just still continue to believe in Jesus and serving Jesus and loving people.

[Caleb Weldy]

Haller continued bringing new friends to church. One Sunday, she looked over to see one of them talking with a wiry American. Her friend called her over and introduced her to Dave Eubank. She talked about her desire to be a missionary. He talked about what FBR was doing in Syria. Her first impression, this guy has no fear. Her second impression, really? God, my first mission trip to a place, they're trying to kill me. That was in 20, 20, three years later.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

And I said, okay, God is your will to go back to Syria after six years? Let's do it.

[Caleb Weldy]

But Heller's decision to go back to Syria was too much for her mother.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

And my mom said it to me, don't go if you go there, because she's kind of scared. She's really good. She's really strong believer. But as a mom, she has. She's just like, you know, scared about the kids.

[Caleb Weldy]

Haller's mother spent the last night in the Iraqi safe house with her before the planned crossing. The worry was written on her face.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

But, yeah, she said it to me, if you're going to see, I'm not talking to you anymore. The situation and your uncle, for sure you will be killed.

[Caleb Weldy]

What Haller hadn't told her mother or anyone else on the team.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

And I prayed about it, and God told me to just go and share the gospel with him, you know, that's.

[Caleb Weldy]

Where Haller was headed when she disappeared into the rain that first night in Syria, right after our team had crossed the border to visit her uncle, the same uncle who'd sent three men to beat up her and her family because they'd become Christians. She'd asked one of the freebrm ranger fixers to give her a ride. He Thought she was just going for tea with family. He dropped her off at her uncle's.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

House and I said, okay bro, when I call you just come back to take me, you know. And he said okay.

[Caleb Weldy]

She approached the house and knocked on the door.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

He opened it. When he saw me, he just slapped me and yeah, he kicked me out. Just go out. He slapped me when I was just like. He opened the door and saw me and slapped me.

[Caleb Weldy]

She pushed past him into the dining room and opened her Bible. She, she picked out some verses to read but he kept after her.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

I opened. I was just like looking for the scriptures that I already prepared. And that time he just like beat me on my shoulders and things like that.

[Caleb Weldy]

Hearing the commotion, his wife and three children came in. Haller was determined to witness to them.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

About Jesus and all of those things. They never mention it in Quran, you know, they just like talk about him as a prophet, but I just make it clear for he's like son of God.

[Caleb Weldy]

Muhammad is also considered a prophet in Islam, the greatest of the prophets.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

Just like I shared it. That was, did Muhammad God send it to him as his, as his son? Did he sacrifice for us? Did he in the third day raised up and he covered our sins and forgive us and being as you know, land and I just like shared all of those things to him and he just like say stop, stop, stop. He don't want to hear that.

[Caleb Weldy]

The boys watched while their dad went into the kitchen.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

He just like brought a knife and he wants to kill me. He's just like, don't want to hear that. And it's just like being in the kitchen and bring the knife. He just like wants to stop me.

[Caleb Weldy]

Heller's aunt stepped in.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

Yeah, his wife just like trying to just like say to stop, let, let her talk. And his kids was seeing him. Unfortunately their dad being like violent like that.

[Caleb Weldy]

After a bit her uncle calmed down. Howler kept talking.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

Jesus is great, you know, and he even we don't deserve it because he's great God. He just like was suffering and he is just like lamb and sacrifice for our sins, you know. So the only thing that we cannot do to just like worship God, to love him. And this is the reason why I'm here because my sin is being covered and forgiven.

[Caleb Weldy]

Howler also shared her story.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

And his holy spirit is in us and he's leading us. That's why I'm just here. That's why I never like afraid if he wants to kill me, kill me, you know, I'm just come here by God, because his holy spirit lead me to be here, you know, and every step that I did to be at your place, this is God stops. This is not me.

[Caleb Weldy]

She stayed for almost two hours. Then her phone rang.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

The law called me. Are you ready? We are outside. And I said, okay.

[Caleb Weldy]

She pulled out some money as she left.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

I gave it to his family.

[Caleb Weldy]

$100 to help them his wife, over a month's salary.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

Yeah, I just kissed her and kissed the three kids that he has and promised me guys that we will be praying and you know, remember Jesus. And his wife said, okay, I promise me in every problem that I have, I would just pray and I say Jesus and yeah, I just kiss him and say that Jesus love you.

[Caleb Weldy]

Heller pondered what had just happened as the Land Cruiser splashed through the mud puddles back toward the Freeburn Rangers camp.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

And when I just like finished everything, I just realized, oh, I'm still alive. You know, I didn't know what I'm doing. I am still alive. That was incredible experience that I've been through that all, you know, it's just like, wow, after I finish it, I. I said, okay, if he wants to kill me again, kill me, you know, I know who's my God. I realized I'm not. I'm alive. I'm still alive. Maybe God is just like stopped him to be, you know, to kill me.

[Caleb Weldy]

She settled into her sleeping bag around midnight.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

The only thing in that time when I was sharing the gospel, God will be died in this time by my uncle, you know, please take care of my family. But I was not afraid to be killed because the only thing that I can do because I love God and he loves me so much for God to just like bring this guy to Christianity life, even if I being killed.

[Les Sillers]

Caleb Weldy reported and wrote this episode. I'm Les Sillers and I produced it. In the next episode, we'll join Howler, Caleb and the rest of the free Burma Rangers as they travel around Syria. And there was no guarantee they'd make it back to Iraq.

[Hawler Sayed Sheikhe]

But I'm going to ask you again, you make it out of here and I don't, the one thing I would ask of you is to tell my son when he's old enough and find him that I loved him so much, but that I had to listen to God's voice and that it's okay.

[Les Sillers]

Thanks for listening to this episode of Double Take and we'll see you next time.