Blessings from the Battlefield

So I have been gone for just over a month now and just realized that I hadn't even touched this blog. It is difficult because there are so many rules regarding what we can post on sites like this and what we can't.


We are finally pretty well settled into our routine here, although there are still some kinks working themselves out. Our route clearance team has been exceptionally successful in their first 2 weeks on the roads. We have had 3 incidences so far that did not go as well as they could have, but thankfully no one was seriously injured, only equipment. One soldier received some minor wounds last week, but he is already on his way back to duty. Praise God for all the blessings and the protection that he has already shown to us. We have the best equipment and the best training, and because our guys trust both of those things they are able to react as they need to and keep themselves safe. It is also heartwarming to note that everyday I see glimpses of God's presence in these guys as they prepare to go outside the wire, many of them have strong faith that gives them confidence as they roll out.

One of our primary missions as a chaplain and assistant is to pray for and with the soldiers heading outside the wire. We have soo many missions going out that it is impossible for us to be at every one, but we are able to get to a lot of them (they keep us busy running all over this COB trying to catch them before they load up and head out!). We also have a lot of great platoon sergeants and squad leaders in the units who step up and pray with the guys if we don't make it before they leave, which is also inspiring to see.

I wish this post could be longer, but I just learned that I have to do PT at 0545 in the morning with my platoon, and its already 2205 at night, so I will post this and say goodnight, until another time that I have a chance to post again...