Iraqi Christian Going Blind Has Sight Restored Thanks to Nazarene Fund

November 02, 2016

Writer

Meet Myrna, one of the thousands of Christians whose life has been transformed thanks to your generous donations to The Nazarene Fund. Myrna escaped Iraq with her family after being chased out by ISIS. They ended up in a Jordanian refugee camp with limited options. Crippled with pain, Myrna learned she had a tumor growing behind her eye that would eventually cause blindness. A woman's worth is already a precarious thing in the Middle East, but a blind woman would have no value at all.

The only surgical options within the refugee camp were sketchy at best. That's when Mercury One operatives on the ground learned about Myrna's situation.

"We found a doctor and a hospital that would treat her outside of the camp. It was $1,500. Brain surgery in Jordan, $1,500. No one could afford it," Glenn said.

Both her father and priest travelled with her, praying over her before the surgery, which was a complete success. Myrna is now pain-free and fully recovered.

Myrna's story represents hundreds of similar experiences made possible by your generosity through The Nazarene Fund. Major initiatives are currently underway to save more Christians, but they come with a hefty price tag. If you would like to donate to The Nazarene Fund, please visit Mercury One to learn more or donate online. Together, let's continue our live-saving efforts to help save Christians in the Middle East.

Learn More About The Nazarene Fund

Below is a rush transcript of this segment, it might contain errors:

GLENN: I want to -- I want to talk to you -- I want to tell you a story about Myrna. She is a Christian from Syria -- I'm sorry, from Iraq. And she's a young daughter. Family. Dad was a, you know, hard-working dad. They had a decent living in Iraq. ISIS comes in, chases the family. Luckily, they're one of the few that got out to Jordan. And the Christian family gets across the border. And now they're in a refugee camp.

Do you know anything about Jordan? Jordan is made up of a lot of refugee camps. The Palestinians, the displaced Palestinians, and they're not allowed to mix back into society.

So these Palestinians have been there for generations. And they're not allowed to mix in and become Jordanian, even though they were born in Jordan.

So Jordan will be nice and bring people in, but then you're isolated and you remain in the camp.

So dad can't work. No one can work. The conditions aren't well. Mercury One, we've provided, I think 11 -- is it 11 -- 11,000 people with food and sustenance. We got to their camp in Jordan, and it was in pretty bad shape.

And Myrna was crippled with pain. And we find out that she has a brain tumor. And it's growing behind her eye. And it's causing her excruciating pain. And, you know, she's going to lose her eye and be blind in both eyes.

If she goes blind -- A, she has to have something done. But if she has this really bad camp surgery, she'll be blind. And she also -- the -- also, the problem is, if it lets it grow, there's a possibility, that she doesn't live, a good possibility that she doesn't live, but a guarantee that she's blind in both eyes. So she has to do something because in this society, a blind woman is at the very lowest of the ladder.

If you're anywhere in the Middle East, you're a woman, you're in trouble. But you're blind, you have no life.

So we found out about it, and we found a doctor and a hospital that would treat her outside of the camp. But it was $1,500. Brain surgery in Jordan, $1,500. No one could afford it.

PAT: Wow.

GLENN: So we got her out of the camp, brought her into the hospital, and brought the priest with her. And her father and her priest prayed over here before she had surgery.

She went in. She had the surgery, and she is now fully recovered and out of pain entirely. And has her life back as much as she can.

You don't know the difference that you have made in people's lives. You really have been remarkable, anybody who gave to the Nazarene Fund.

You have saved and moved to safety, as of -- as of this week, 4,000 people. Many of them have been moved to Australia. Australia opened its doors to the refugees -- the Christian refugees and has been really good.

There have been other countries that have taken whole parishes. Mainly, these are Arabic-speaking Christians. Orthodox Christians. Catholics.

And -- and Brazil has done this and has adopted these groups. America hasn't taken any. But that's what we expect nowadays, unfortunately, from America.

We have a couple of things that we're trying to do. We're trying to open up one more country that everybody has told me is impossible. And we so far have an agreement, but it is so dicey that we're unwilling to say anything about it until it actually happens. And it's going to take extraordinary sums of money because they also are people that are willing to not only take these people. But they're willing to take the hardest hit. They're willing to take the people who are like Myrna.

We have another woman right now who has the growth of a baseball in her brain. And it is benign. But she obviously has to have it removed. And no one will take her because she's currently in Iraq. And so she can't go anywhere. We can't get her to -- I think India is saying that they may take her and let her go in the hospital.

But if you're in Iraq, they're not letting you out. And we have one country that may do this, but it's going to cost us a lot of money to pull this off and get these people in. And there are children that have got to get to a hospital. And we would sure like your help on this project.

You can donate at Mercuryone.org/NazareneFund.

PAT: Whereas we once had $12 million, that's down to three now, I think?

GLENN: Three. Yeah, down to three.

PAT: We've spent $9 million in the effort for the 4,000 so far.

GLENN: Yeah, 4,000. And the 11,000 that have also been fed, food and everything else. It's quite remarkable what you're doing.

PAT: Yeah.

GLENN: We're also trying to rebuild some of the churches or at least help them on their feet so they can rebuild some of these churches.

Some of these churches, the ones that we're looking at right now are shrines and literally from the year 400 -- these are some of the first Christians, in what was I think ancient Persia at the time.

And so this is -- these are the places where the apostles actually went and visited. The plains of Ninevah. And we're trying help them, as some of them are coming back in and rebuilding. We would love to get your help.

Featured Image: Myrna with her father (R) and priest (L).

The Woodrow Wilson strategy to get out of Mother’s Day

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I’ve got a potentially helpful revelation that’s gonna blow the lid off your plans for this Sunday. It’s Mother’s Day.

Yeah, that sacred day where you’re guilt-tripped into buying flowers, braving crowded brunch buffets, and pretending you didn’t forget to mail the card. But what if I told you… you don’t have to do it? That’s right, there’s a loophole, a get-out-of-Mother’s-Day-free card, and it’s stamped with the name of none other than… Woodrow Wilson (I hate that guy).

Back in 1914, ol’ Woody Wilson signed a proclamation that officially made Mother’s Day a national holiday. Second Sunday in May, every year. He said it was a day to “publicly express our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” Sounds sweet, right? Until you peel back the curtain.

See, Wilson wasn’t some sentimental guy sitting around knitting doilies for his mom. No, no, no. This was a calculated move.

The idea for Mother’s Day had been floating around for decades, pushed by influential voices like Julia Ward Howe. By 1911, states were jumping on the bandwagon, but it took Wilson to make it federal. Why? Because he was a master of optics. This guy loved big, symbolic gestures to distract from the real stuff he was up to, like, oh, I don’t know, reshaping the entire federal government!

So here’s the deal: if you’re looking for an excuse to skip Mother’s Day, just lean into this. Say, “Sorry, Mom, I’m not celebrating a holiday cooked up by Woodrow Wilson!” I mean, think about it – this is the guy who gave us the Federal Reserve, the income tax, and don’t even get me started on his assault on basic liberties during World War I. You wanna trust THAT guy with your Sunday plans? I don’t think so! You tell your mom, “Look, I love you, but I’m not observing a Progressive holiday. I’m keeping my brunch money in protest.”

Now, I know what you might be thinking.

“Glenn, my mom’s gonna kill me if I try this.” Fair point. Moms can be scary. But hear me out: you can spin this. Tell her you’re honoring her EVERY DAY instead of some government-mandated holiday. You don’t need Wilson’s permission to love your mom! You can bake her a cake in June, call her in July, or, here’s a wild idea, visit her WITHOUT a Woodrow Wilson federal proclamation guilting you into it.

Silent genocide exposed: Are christians being wiped out in 2025?

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Is a Christian Genocide unfolding overseas?

Recent reports suggest an alarming escalation in violence against Christians, raising questions about whether these acts constitute genocide under international law. Recently, Glenn hosted former U.S. Army Special Forces Sniper Tim Kennedy, who discussed a predictive model that forecasts a surge in global Christian persecution for the summer of 2025.

From Africa to Asia and the Middle East, extreme actions—some described as genocidal—have intensified over the past year. Over 380 million Christians worldwide face high levels of persecution, a number that continues to climb. With rising international concern, the United Nations and human rights groups are urging protective measures by the global community. Is a Christian genocide being waged in the far corners of the globe? Where are they taking place, and what is being done?

India: Hindu Extremist Violence Escalates

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In India, attacks on Christians have surged as Hindu extremist groups gain influence within the country. In February 2025, Hindu nationalist leader Aadesh Soni organized a 50,000-person rally in Chhattisgarh, where he called for the rape and murder of all Christians in nearby villages and demanded the execution of Christian leaders to erase Christianity. Other incidents include forced conversions, such as a June 2024 attack in Chhattisgarh, where a Hindu mob gave Christian families a 10-day ultimatum to convert to Hinduism. In December 2024, a Christian man in Uttar Pradesh was attacked, forcibly converted, and paraded while the mob chanted "Death to Jesus."

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommends designating India a "Country of Particular Concern" and imposing targeted sanctions on those perpetrating these attacks. The international community is increasingly alarmed by the rising tide of religious violence in India.

Syria: Sectarian Violence Post-Regime Change

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Following the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024, Syria has seen a wave of sectarian violence targeting religious minorities, including Christians, with over 1,000 killed in early 2025. It remains unclear whether Christians are deliberately targeted or caught in broader conflicts, but many fear persecution by the new regime or extremist groups. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a dominant rebel group and known al-Qaeda splinter group now in power, is known for anti-Christian sentiments, heightening fears of increased persecution.

Christians, especially converts from Islam, face severe risks in the unstable post-regime environment. The international community is calling for humanitarian aid and protection for Syria’s vulnerable minority communities.

Democratic Republic of Congo: A "Silent Genocide"

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In February 2025, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an ISIS-affiliated group, beheaded 70 Christians—men, women, and children—in a Protestant church in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, after tying their hands. This horrific massacre, described as a "silent genocide" reminiscent of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, has shocked the global community.

Since 1996, the ADF and other militias have killed over six million people, with Christians frequently targeted. A Christmas 2024 attack killed 46, further decimating churches in the region. With violence escalating, humanitarian organizations are urging immediate international intervention to address the crisis.

POLL: Starbase exposed: Musk’s vision or corporate takeover?

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Is Starbase the future of innovation or a step too far?

Elon Musk’s ambitious Starbase project in South Texas is reshaping Boca Chica into a cutting-edge hub for SpaceX’s Starship program, promising thousands of jobs and a leap toward Mars colonization. Supporters see Musk as a visionary, driving economic growth and innovation in a historically underserved region. However, local critics, including Brownsville residents and activists, argue that SpaceX’s presence raises rents, restricts beach access, and threatens environmental harm, with Starbase’s potential incorporation as a city sparking fears of unchecked corporate control. As pro-Musk advocates clash with anti-Musk skeptics, will Starbase unite the community or deepen the divide?

Let us know what you think in the poll below:

Is Starbase’s development a big win for South Texas?

Should Starbase become its own city?

Is Elon Musk’s vision more of a benefit than a burden for the region?

Shocking truth behind Trump-Zelenskyy mineral deal unveiled

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President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have finalized a landmark agreement that will shape the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations. The agreement focuses on mineral access and war recovery.

After a tense March meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy signed a deal on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, granting the U.S. preferential mineral rights in Ukraine in exchange for continued military support. Glenn analyzed an earlier version of the agreement in March, when Zelenskyy rejected it, highlighting its potential benefits for America, Ukraine, and Europe. Glenn praised the deal’s strategic alignment with U.S. interests, including reducing reliance on China for critical minerals and fostering regional peace.

However, the agreement signed this week differs from the March proposal Glenn praised. Negotiations led to significant revisions, reflecting compromises on both sides. What changes were made? What did each leader seek, and what did they achieve? How will this deal impact the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations and global geopolitics? Below, we break down the key aspects of the agreement.

What did Trump want?

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Trump aimed to curb what many perceive as Ukraine’s overreliance on U.S. aid while securing strategic advantages for America. His primary goals included obtaining reimbursement for the billions in military aid provided to Ukraine, gaining exclusive access to Ukraine’s valuable minerals (such as titanium, uranium, and lithium), and reducing Western dependence on China for critical resources. These minerals are essential for aerospace, energy, and technology sectors, and Trump saw their acquisition as a way to bolster U.S. national security and economic competitiveness. Additionally, he sought to advance peace talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war, positioning the U.S. as a key mediator.

Ultimately, Trump secured preferential—but not exclusive—rights to extract Ukraine’s minerals through the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, as outlined in the agreement. The U.S. will not receive reimbursement for past aid, but future military contributions will count toward the joint fund, designed to support Ukraine’s post-war recovery. Zelenskyy’s commitment to peace negotiations under U.S. leadership aligns with Trump’s goal of resolving the conflict, giving him leverage in discussions with Russia.

These outcomes partially meet Trump’s objectives. The preferential mineral rights strengthen U.S. access to critical resources, but the lack of exclusivity and reimbursement limits the deal’s financial benefits. The peace commitment, however, positions Trump as a central figure in shaping the war’s resolution, potentially enhancing his diplomatic influence.

What did Zelenskyy want?

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Zelenskyy sought to sustain U.S. military and economic support without the burden of repaying past aid, which has been critical for Ukraine’s defense against Russia. He also prioritized reconstruction funds to rebuild Ukraine’s war-torn economy and infrastructure. Security guarantees from the U.S. to deter future Russian aggression were a key demand, though controversial, as they risked entangling America in long-term commitments. Additionally, Zelenskyy aimed to retain control over Ukraine’s mineral wealth to safeguard national sovereignty and align with the country’s European Union membership aspirations.

The final deal delivered several of Zelenskyy’s priorities. The reconstruction fund, supported by future U.S. aid, provides a financial lifeline for Ukraine’s recovery without requiring repayment of past assistance. Ukraine retained ownership of its subsoil and decision-making authority over mineral extraction, granting only preferential access to the U.S. However, Zelenskyy conceded on security guarantees, a significant compromise, and agreed to pursue peace talks under Trump’s leadership, which may involve territorial or political concessions to Russia.

Zelenskyy’s outcomes reflect a delicate balance. The reconstruction fund and retained mineral control bolster Ukraine’s economic and sovereign interests, but the absence of security guarantees and pressure to negotiate peace could strain domestic support and challenge Ukraine’s long-term stability.

What does this mean for the future?

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While Trump didn’t secure all his demands, the deal advances several of his broader strategic goals. By gaining access to Ukraine’s mineral riches, the U.S. undermines China’s dominance over critical elements like lithium and graphite, essential for technology and energy industries. This shift reduces American and European dependence on Chinese supply chains, strengthening Western industrial and tech sectors. Most significantly, the agreement marks a pivotal step toward peace in Europe. Ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which has claimed thousands of lives, is a top priority for Trump, and Zelenskyy’s commitment to U.S.-led peace talks enhances Trump’s leverage in negotiations with Russia. Notably, the deal avoids binding U.S. commitments to Ukraine’s long-term defense, preserving flexibility for future administrations.

The deal’s broader implications align with the vision Glenn outlined in March, when he praised its potential to benefit America, Ukraine, and Europe by securing resources and creating peace. While the final agreement differs from Glenn's hopes, it still achieves key goals he outlined.

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