Never did I imagine that I would ever see rain in the desert. As I write this it is pouring down rain in Baghdad. It is really wild to have your own visions of how a place is and then you get there. For example, little did I ever know that it was anything but scorching hot here, but then I get here and at this time of year it feels a lot like early fall in Virginia (but its not as pretty though). Now Kuwait is a different story. In Kuwait it is bearable at night but an oven during the day. But anyway, I failed to post yesterday but I was faithful to remember to do it today. Yesterday was a good Lord's day. I guest preached at the 7PM Contemporary service (my service is the general protestant at 10AM, but I was asked to fill the pulpit at the 7PM). It is a good time most of the time. There are some issues which require counseling of Soldiers, and I absolutely hate staff work but that is one of the things I do. I enjoy going out and visiting with my Soldiers and letting them know that someone cares. I am also looking forward to getting promoted to Captain soon and getting my packet together for active duty accession.

There is really not a whole lot to report on because there is really not a whole lot going on. I counsel, I attend staff meetings, I work the worship service and spearhead one of the Bible studies. But the big thing is, I am getting to do ministry and I am feeling fulfilled and further confirmed in my calling to serve. I was telling someone the other day, there was a time when no one wanted to take me seriously as a minister of the Gospel, but now I am being taken seriously, and it is a blessing.

All for now

A photo of the MNF-I Chaplain with our team here


Greetings all,
Today was a good day in the Lord but I was a little more drained than usual. I am always kind of "spent" once I finish preaching but when I get through and get some lunch and then have a short nap I am recharged again (each of us recharge in our own way I guess). But today was different - once I got through preaching at the Traditional Protestant service today one of my Soldiers was waiting for me to talk; and talk he did. We had a very long counseling session over a very hard subject (which I will not devulge because of absolute confidentiality). Anyway, the session went way past lunchtime and I was even more drained than usual. I usually try to take Sunday afternoon as 1/2 of my "down time" (the other half being Saturday afternoon), but I do not refuse a counseling appointment - if a Soldier needs me, I am there for them.

Anyway, ministry is going good right now. For the most part my Soldiers are in good spirits and they are doing well. I have to do some mandatory briefings tomorrow for some Soldiers going home so tomorrow is going to be a busy one. I have instituted a new Bible study on Wednesday nights and am looking at the possibility of starting a midday worship service on Sundays for the Soldiers who are working during the 1000 traditional service and do not want to go to the 1900 contemporary service.

We had a visit from the MNF-I Command Chaplain this week. I believe it was providential because I was able to speak to him regarding my going on active duty as a result of this tour and he spoke with me at length one on one about it and told me what I needed to do (as he has worked as the accessions officer). He even went so far as to let me know that he will do my Senior Chaplain interview for my new packet and will write a report that will get me on active duty. He even went so far as to tell me that whatever experience I was endorsed with becomes null and void compared to the deployment experience when it comes to active duty accession. Perhaps God put me in this place for that very purpose. He definately didn't open the doors He has opened arbitrarily, He has a reason and a purpose.

So, a good week and a good report. I am doing good with my running and will be taking a PT test soon (pray with me that I pass), and in December the folks at the Chief's office do the regular review of the Chaplain 1LTs to make sure we have all we need to be promoted to Captain. All we need is a DA Photo (which I have), completion of our officer basic course (which I have), and a current PT test (which I will have).

Pray that ministry will continue to be fruitful, pray that Soldiers will come to know Christ, pray for our safety, and pray for our speedy return to the country we serve.

Greetings from Iraq. It has been a while since I posted. Sorry if anyone was waiting on regular updates. I will try to post an update each Sunday. Anyway, life is getting settled here. For all of you who pay more attention to the biased media than doing your own research, Iraq is not as bad a place as America thinks. Yes, it is not America, but it is really not that bad. I am blessed to be working with a very good unit. I was nervous about how a National Guard unit from Connecticut would receive a Reserve Chaplain from Virginia but all of that nervousness went out the window when I got here and everyone accepted me as one of their own and as a part of the team. I am having the best time visiting with my Soldiers and learning about the different jobs that they do. For the sake of security I cannot go into detail about the specific mission or what we are doing, but take my word for it, it is very interesting. Also, I am involved in the 1000 (10:00 AM for those who don't know military time) General Protestant Worship service here. We do not have a big group that come to the service but that's okay. I believe it was either Spurgeon or Moody that said, "If you don't preach to a few, it won't be long until you have no one to preach to." I do not have a lot of pictures yet because I am still unsure of what I can and can't take pictures of. I am sure I will get some pictures of worship service and hopefully I can get some pictures of some palaces, etc. But I have taken a few of some small things. The thing I want above all is that everyone will pray for me and my unit, that we will continue to have a safe and successful mission and that the time will fly so we will be able to come home. I miss home and family, but I am enjoying myself and the ministry that I am seeing here - it is definately an experience I will never forget.