Alice, as someone who lives in the DMV as well, I totally agree about the faith diversity and ethic/racial diversity that surrounds us. In fact, almost every day, I drive by a Greek Orthodox Church. I, too, know Iraqi Christians who escaped persecution, and their testimonies are humbling and beautiful. One element of Near Christian life that I admire and want to incorporate into my own life is fasting as a means of developing my relationship with God.
