Reunion With Luke...

Dear Friends,

God finally made it happen. I was able to make the 6 mile hike across several bases IOT link up with Luke. It was completely "ordained". Luke was in the middle of switching schedules and had about 5 hours free which he normally wouldn't have. I also had the day free leading to a great afternoon of catching up and much needed, strong fellowship. He is an incredible encouragement to me. I've learned the true meaning of Pr. 27:17 through him. You can pray for Luke as he continues to work very long hours in a very demanding job. We both agree that we have received undue favor in the eyes of our commanders and those around us. God is blessing us for something big. We can only hope to live up to His uses. Our consistent, bold prayer is for 3 months together (everyday in close proximity) sometime during the deployment.

Work continues to go along well. We are pretty much ready and waiting with random tasks here and there. The guys look good yet uncertainty bothers the majority of us. I'm claiming Isaiah 26:3 and its promise of peace. I'll write again soon!

IRock! I'm Not Conceited...That's Just How I'm Spelling It.

Right Before A Range In Kuwait...It Wasn't Too Hot Yet at 6am.

A Kuwait Sunrise...Told You It Was Beautiful!

Dear Friends,

I am indeed now in IRock. Please don't feel bad or worried for me...yet (j/k). I'm still at one of the big FOB's in the capital city waiting to move to a smaller base. They have wireless internet (for a fee), gyms, and an awesome dining hall. Seriously, I guarantee that I'm eating better food than 99% of you out there...except for Kate, but she's a nutritionist...kinda unfair for me to challenge that. Anyway, living conditions are a little cramped, but apparently the next base will be quite nice...and relatively safe. Truth be told "we" are not really the main targets anymore. The danger is always there, but it seems like not much is happening here during the draw down. Most of the time I feel like I am back down in Louisiana doing training. The realness has not yet set in. I imagine that will come in the next few weeks.

Anyway, this will probably be the last time I mention anything about what I'm actually doing here for missions. Just know that I'm doing well and that I feel your prayers working. I'm trying hard to figure out a way to get to Luke sometime this week. Despite being on a connected base, he is very far away (like miles). God will provide an opportunity though. Okay, so here's my address now...it'll also be on the side margin of the blog once this post gets pushed down. Send whatever...letters, good books (I've been reading a ton already), love (can you package that?), and anything else you'd like. Thanks to all who have been thinking/praying for me!

1LT David M. Fahs

4/2 SBCT

HHC, 4-9 IN

Mortar Platoon

APO AE, 09344

A Time Of Firsts...

Dear Friends,

I can describe the past 7-10 days (I think that's about how many days I've been here?) as a time period of firsts...my first sand storm, my first 110 degree day, my first encounter with camels, and of course my first time outside the continental U.S. It started off rough as I constantly had to ask myself, "Is this real life?" Time zones switched, my body revolted in response to a lack of sleep, and my mind grew clouded as I tried to stay on top of all the changing plans that were coming down. As of right now we are just waiting...

God has been answering my prayers whether I want Him to or not. I prayed that I'd have at least one spiritually centered conversation a day with someone, and the way this has been fulfilled has been almost comical. My vehicle commander will ask me a question over the radio like, "Why is there pain in the world?" as we cruise down a dirt road at 45mph. Someone will see me reading my Bible on my bunk, and they'll find out all about what I'm reading at that time. I still pray for more opportunities and boldness though. I feel spiritually fat here as I constantly take in the Word and Prayer during rich devotionals on a daily basis, yet I don't always "work it out" through conversations with others. Anyway, I can't post pictures yet, but trust me when I say that I already have some good ones. You should see a desert sunrise!

p.s. My mailing address will be posted on here in less than 24 hours!

Germany...Yah?

Dear Friends,

I finally made it across the Atlantic. We are currently somewhere in Germany, and this is quite a momentous occasion for me. It is the first time I have ever stepped foot out side of North America. Everything is a little strange here. The "Y" is in a different place on the keyboard. They also insist on putting strange alien symbols like Ä, §, and Ö on all the signs instead of English words (someone told me this was "German" writing...strange, I didn't know the Germans were aliens). Anyway, I have a feeling that the culture shock will only get more severe as I travel further East. I should go now...they are charging me 0.13€ per minute and I'm not sure what a "€" is (perhaps this is the intergalactic dollar sign?). Wish me luck, and I will write again as soon as I am able!

The Day Has Finally Arrived...

Dear Friends,

The day HAS finally arrived as I sit here at Bangor International Airport in Maine. I'm awaiting the flight that will take me across the great Atlantic into Ireland and then beyond. It's funny because I've anticipated this moment for more than 7 years since I first started ROTC at Wheaton College and the war was just ramping up. However, I have almost no anxiety about the situation. True, I have been pleasantly distracted for the past month not allowing my usual self to get anxious, but that's not the entire story. God has given me a strange peace about the whole situation that has allowed me to actually be excited about rather than nervous about my changing situation. God is going to be doing amazing things this next year, and I get to be a part of it.

As I close this post I can't help but think of a story that Luke told me about his return from his last deployment. He tells about how beautiful the Maine landscape looked as his flight touched down- blue skies, green trees, and gorgeous lakes. It was pretty emotional for him since he had spent the previous 3 months deployed. I too look forward to returning in a year...but a year of service and hard work will make it all the more enjoyable. Pray for me...these are my 4 main prayer requests right now.

(1) To stay in the Word and Prayer daily as part of a personal discipline.
(2) To find fellowship quickly and stay connected with other Christians in my unit.
(3) To be bold in sharing my faith in Jesus whenever possible.
(4) Protection for my guys.