Holiday Love

School Day...Making My Visit With the Police to the Local School

Soldiers Serving Children Food...Another Picture You Won't See In The News

Me and Some Locals After Some Hot Chai Tea!

Dear Friends,

Thank you all so much for sending me videos, letters, packages, and all other things that are good this holiday season. I'm trying to get out some cards of my own, but unless you send it by the 6th of December there's a pretty good chance that it won't get to the states by Christmas...oh well...I'll have to get moving. In other news I finally made it to the big base after many weeks of letting my hair grow out of control. In addition to getting a much needed haircut, I was able to eat at the big, nice cafeteria. There's really no substitute for that food here in Iraq...we do our best at my little base, but it is truly a treat to fill my belly with the goodness of the big cafeteria.

Anyway, we just started watching a movie called "The Bema Seat" this past Thursday at Bible Study. The response was incredible. The movie is about a man who is retelling his life in a monologue from heaven after the rapture. It's a great low-budget film that struck a chord in everyone who was there. It was revealed that some of these Soldiers weren't even sure whether their salvation was guaranteed...saying that they thought they could loose their salvation if they "messed up" really badly. My commander and I spent a long time taking the group through scripture talking about the assurance of salvation after you commit your life to Christ. It's funny how easy it is to sometimes get a response out of people...just relate to them (in this case we used a movie...something all Soldiers relate to since movie-watching is a preferred past-time for many while deployed). God continues to work here in IRock. I'm almost 3 months into this deployment, but I believe God is just beginning to teach me His lessons this deployment. Luke continues to do well too. I'm gonna go ahead and post his mailing address in case any of you want to send him Christmas letters as well. Please continue to pray for me and the men of Able Company...we continue to be protected no doubt as a result of your prayers. Thank you!

CPT Luke Calvert
HHC, 4/2 SBCT
APO AE, 09344