Back With a Vengeance...Kinda

Dear Friends,

After 2 weeks of battling the "bug" I finally feel as though I am beginning to win the war over this mystery illness. The body aches, fever, 3-day headache, etc. have all but subsided leaving me with an eagerness to begin the rebuilding process. Hopefully I can take it slow though. Nothing like getting back into your routine too quickly. Anyway, life is good. As you can see I included a couple of my favorite pictures from deployment so far. Not everyone in IRock likes Americans, but most do. We give them soccer balls and other stuff. That's really all the kids care about here...soccer balls and gatorade. You probably only continue to hear about all the crazy attacks in this country, but know that much progress is being made too. There has already been much good done...good that will allow Americans to leave this country for good in the near future.

In other news, I saw Luke again yesterday. It's nice being able to make your own mission schedule. You can pretty much go where you want, whenever as long as you have good reasons. Luke just happens to work right next to my commander's office, the big store (PX), and the good cafeteria (chow hall) on the big base. These are all good reasons to visit every couple of weeks. I continue to pray for 3 months living next to Luke though. I read in Luke 11 today about the boldness of prayer (SEE right after the Lord's Prayer). I continue to try and be bold. I will leave you with the most important thing on my heart right now. I have a friend Tina back in Washington who has fallen very ill with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. Please pray for her encouragement, quick recovery, and safety during this struggle. Tina, we here in IRock are praying for you too!

p.s. This post is like a week old...I also still haven't been able to post the pictures I've been meaning to...I'm working on it...here's my words for now.

hello

First Reunion With Luke In IRock After a Month Apart

LT w/ His Mortar Team At a Certification Range In Kuwait

Me and One Of My Team Leaders Minutes Before My First Time Off Base In IRock

Dear Friends,

I promised you more pictures, and now I have them. I will make this post a little short though because I have a busy night ahead of me. Plus, I plan on making another post in 2 days. I've had a lot of missions these past 3 days keeping life busy yet rewarding. My next post will be dedicated to those missions that the American public doesn't hear about...the part about how IRock is doing well in many places...and how the people here mostly like us. The news will tell you something else. There is good happening here, and I get to be a part of it with my guys. Anyway, we have Bible Study again tonight so please pray that it goes well. I continue to battle this "bug". It usually hits me hard for a couple days...then goes away...only to come back again. I'm hoping that I just need to drink a little more water. I will write again soon!

You Could Call It a Good Day...Really Good

1st Bible Study

The Lewis Group Right Before We All Scattered

Blast From The Past: Go-Karts At Jamie's Bachelor Party

Dear Friends,

You could call October 13th a "good" day. We went back to the big base to get haircuts, buy some stuff, and take care of some business. While there I was able to link in with Luke once again. I woke him up (he's on the night shift...a day-sleeper so he calls himself), but we still chatted for about an hour in his "house". It's amazing to realize just how much I keep inside when I don't have close, Christian friends around me. It's like a period of honesty whenever I get together with him. In short, Luke is David, David is Jonathan.

Also, the other thing that made this a great day was that the Bible Study officially got kicked off. When I first showed up I was the only one there. By the end of the hour we had six. I was laughing earlier about how God says, "For where 2 or 3 come together in my name, there am I with them." (Mt 18:20). Well, He gathered 6. They ranged from one of my Soldiers, my Commander, an NCO, and an Interpreter. I was very encouraged. The spiritual attack on the study, however, was blatantly obvious. I woke up feeling like I got hit by a train...I seriously cannot remember feeling so sick in the past year. In addition, a meeting right before the B.S. went long causing me to have to push it back an hour. Finally, the fliers I put up around the camp all got torn down by someone (it has been quite some time since I've been persecuted for my faith...I'm praying specifically for that person). In the end, I have finally made a move. I believe God is rewarding the effort...as feeble and misdirected as it may be. I've learned through my time in the Word recently that God rewards men of action. Thank you for your continued prayers and support! Until next time...

Still Rolling...Most of the Days

Brother Chris and Future Wife After His...3rd or 4th Marathon

Mom & Her Dog...Shall I Call It Researching?

Dear friends,

My guys and I continue to roll out on missions everyday. I usually thoroughly love it, and I appreciate all your continued prayers for safety. I feel confident and assured everyday. Also, thank you to everyone who has written, sent packages, or dropped a fb message. It is encouraging to know that I am loved and thought of by you all back home. For someone who prides himself with being fiercely independent, I have grown to enjoy your support!

In other, more important, news...I talked to my commander about starting a Bible Study this week at our base. He was completely on board and said that he was actually meaning to talk to me about it. I'm shooting for this Tuesday as our first meeting. It's not gonna be anything huge or spectacular. I really just want to see who is hungry for God's Word here...and at the same time get a little fellowship going. I believe that I am going to see God do amazing things.

On to other things. I haven't been able to talk to Luke in almost 2 weeks now. I have a feeling that they are working him into the ground. However, he did send me an encouraging piece of information. He has been meeting with and working out with a guy who now is eager to start reading the Bible with Luke. I believe that God is blessing his efforts despite being very busy. Luke and I are still praying that we get at least 3 months together at the same base during this deployment. You can add that to your prayers too. It is specific and bold, but I figure that people have asked God to do crazier stuff. I'll write again soon but know that I am enjoying life right now.

p.s. I just realized that people have been leaving "comments" on some of these posts. Sorry that I have not replied to you...especially to Steve...I know 3 Steve's. I love all 3 of you though.

I Have Better Living Conditions In IRock Than Dupont...Seriously

Praying For Brandon Peterson Before His Wedding This Past July

Two of My Favorite Girls In The World...Whitney(Niece) and Parents' New Dog

Dear Friends,

I don't want to hint at all that this last year in Dupont was not enjoyable...it was actually quite the opposite. I loved living with those guys even if it meant sharing a house with 6 others. I truly have never experienced community like I did with Luke, Isaac, Eric, Jamie, Mark, Steve, Tim, and the many others who stopped by. I miss you all...but this place I'm now at is awesome! Seriously, it's awesome here. They have pretty good food (fresh fruit, milk, etc...everything I need), a great gym (dirty with all the rustic workout equipment I desire), plenty of space, and my own little room. I haven't had my own room in 7 years! Ha! Internet and phones are also good...so communication shouldn't be a problem. I have everything I need here...and we're finally starting to work!

In other news, my time in the Word continues be strong...Judges, I Corinthians, and Luke continue to bring the heat. My new goal is to start a Bible Study this week. I would like prayer that the word would get out to the right people...people that God has been preparing for this base. I don't want to limit God and what He has in mind for this place...I just want to be a part of His work. I hope to report good news next week.

p.s. I continue to take sweet pictures with no way to post them since my camera-to-computer cable is in a packed bag right now. You'll have to enjoy a few pictures of the past right now.