Mary Bowder Stanley

Seven Thousand Miles to Peace Mary Bowder Stanley

Joy and delight in life inspire this heartfelt true story. Growing up in one of the poorest families in a poor Yezidi village, life in Iraq was not easy for young Adil Murad. He and other Yezidis in the Sinjar region regularly faced persecution due to their faith. Despite the negative forces that disrupted his education, threatened his personal safety, and thwarted his ability to make a living, Adil somehow dreamed of a better life. By relying on his unwavering optimism, his ability to draw inspiration from dreams and visions, and finding clever ways to take advantage of the scarce resources available to him, Adil teaches himself English by reading books while watching over the family's flock of sheep. The 2003 arrival of the American military in Iraq leads to life-altering opportunities along with new dangers. With dogged determination and a belief that in time good things will come his way, Adil takes charge of his life, and even he is surprised as one by one, his dreams begin to come true.