This is an email sent to us by a friend working as a health care professional in Iraq.
I helps me to pray when I can pray by name for someone. Pray for Jane and those who are with her as they seek to improve the quality of life for those living in Bagdad. -- John TW

Just a quick e-mail to let you know (although you've probably already heard the news), that the United Nations Headquarters here in Baghdad has been the scene of a major bomb blast. Many have been killed and score wounded with many staff still trapped inside the collapsed building.

Our organization's office and home is about 10 minutes from the UN facility, so we felt the explosion but didn't think about it too much as bomb blasts and the sound of shots being fired are daily occurences here in Iraq, that you learn to live with.

Anyway, I am safe ... and wanted to send a quick e-mail to let you all know that. I was supposed to visit the UN HQ this afternoon to meet with a couple of representatives there, but decided to make the visit tomorrow morning instead ... scary thought in hindsight.

Ambulance helicopters and military planes are abundant in the skies overhead. Not sure what will happen in terms of expat staff being evacuated should the situation be deemed too insecure for the continuation of activities in the country.

I'll keep you all posted with any updates. Thanks for your prayers. And please pray for those who are badly injured and others who are still trapped inside the UN building.

Love,

Jane