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.