The Iraqi Connection
By FRANK BRADLEY Sentinel Writer

Sentinel photo/Frank Bradley Lois Rich, who was impressed with a talk show last fall, arranged for General Sada and Dr. Law to visit Blairsville.

Just how does a Blairsville woman manage to bring and internationally known Iraqi general who was one of Saddam Hussein's top military advisors to Blairsville?

She asked him to come. And she asked Dr. Terry Law, founder of World Compassion to come with him.

When Lois Rich, an officer at United Community Bank, saw General Georges Sada talking on a TV talk show last fall, she said she was absolutely spell bound.

"He needs to come here and talk to the people in Blairsville," Lois thought at the time. She was soon on the phone talking to Word Compassion headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma. That got the ball rolling.

On Sunday, General Sada and Dr. Law will be speaking at the House of Prayer Church Family Life Center in Blairsville at the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m services.

General Georges Sada, author of Saddam's Secrets, is an Iraqi of Assyrian descent and was forced into retirement from the Iraqi Air Force in 1986. He was called back into active duty by Saddam Hussein for the 1990 invasion of Kuwait to provide military projections of potential missile launches from the US ad other allied forces should they come to the aid of Kuwait.

Hussein further gave Sada the task of overseeing the US coalition prisoners of war. During an eight hour confrontation with Qusay Hussein, Saddam's son appointed over the Iraqi military forces, the general was able to save the lives of 46 POW's that Hussein intended to execute.

General Sada says he was empowered by God on that day, recalling all the events that had unfolded that led him to where he was. It was clear to him that god had orchestrated his path.

Pastor Jerry Helton invites the surrounding communities to hear General Sada and Dr. Terry law as they share their experiences of where the LORD has led them on their journey. Their stories are compelling, riveting and even humorous at times.

Sada is a Syrian Christian, who has worked to bring different religions together. Dr. Terry Law is founder of relief organizations and was the driving force for getting a human rights provision into the new Iraqi constitution.

For our armed service men and women who have served, or are currently serving but are home on leave and for for those scheduled to serve in the War on Terror, there will be a Meety & Greet Reception with General Sada and Dr. Law at 8 a.m. on Sunday in the formal dining hall of the FLC. All military personnel are encouraged to take advantage of this exclusive occasion. the House of Prayer Choir will provide music during both services.

This presentation is made possible by the support and generosity of area businesses, including Jimmy Tallent, president of United community Banks; Jeff Patterson, president of chatuge Bank Shares, the Ridges Resort, Brasstown Valley Resort and Windstream. for more information contact the church office at (706) 745- 5925.