Monday, August 17, 2009

Half way there

YEAH I just hit the half way mark. Half done is a good feeling, of course not as good as DONE. But hey baby sets.
The last week was eventful. We (my squadron) adopted a village named Jany Pakhta. We help out at the community center and the school. Wednesday we went done and carried 45 desks up 3 flights of stairs to replace old desks in a computer class room. We also got the chance to hand out new school uniforms to the local school kids. We raised the money to pay for the uniforms and then got to had them out to the kids, what an experience.
We had a bag full of candy we handed out to them. They were happy about that. We had box lunches and after we got done eating I took every ones things they did not want that was not opened and handed it out. Then the fun came, we had an ice chest with our lunches in it and there was ice we were going to throw away. Yep you guessed it I handed it to the kids and you would have thought it was Christmas morning. They played with that ice until it melted. I have never seen kids have that much fun with a piece of ice. Then I found out they have never seen ice like that, well that explains the craziness over the ice.
We picked up trash at the community center. Went to eat supper and then back to the base. It was a wonderful day. It makes me appreciate what I have at home. There were no restaurants, gas stations, not many cars, smelled really bad. The farm animals roam wherever they want to. This place is a very sad, poor, poor place but the kids were happy. I guess it is safe to say you don't know if you didn't have it in the first place.
Well all else is ok. Missing the family more everyday and ready to be home with them.
All have a great week and please pray for our troops.
P.S. Shelli, Mason, and Savannah - Love and Miss You - Me

Sunday, August 2, 2009

And another one down

Well all another week is done and I am that much closer to going home. You know I get excited about going home since I am only here for 4 months and I have 2 more to go. BUT I look in the eyes of the troops coming thru going down range for a year and see fear in some, determination in some, pride in some, and just plain "WHY AM I HERE?" in others. Now I am not one to stand back and watch them go thru here without talking to a few if not all of them. I ask where they are from, how they got into the Armed Forces, why they joined. All those questions are answered proudly but when you ask "Did you leave anyone behind?" The expressions change, there heart beats faster, they look at the ground and say "Yes sir, a wife and baby/babies" Then it seems time just stops, (What do I say next? Should I say something? Oh man why did I ask that?) but the only thing I have found to say that works for the both of us is "God Bless you solider, you are in our prayers, have a safe tour", and wow the response I get from that. Only one word, but it brightens their face as well as mine "HOOAH SIR". HOOAH pretty much stands for "HEARD and UNDERSTOOD" and then they press on with life.
Some of these young troops enjoy the visit others really don't care. But the talks are nice. On the flip side when I talk to the ones coming home, the stories they tell. I've heard about gun fights, ambushes, and just plain war. They don't say much about those they lost and I don't ask. If they want to talk about it they will. No need to relive tragedy of a fallen brother.
The reason I am writing this is I have now been here for 2 months and I always say something about pray for our troops. This time I wanted to give you a bit of inside on why you should pray for those in harm's way and those out of it as well.
Today in church we had the Lord's Supper. It was a great ceremony. There were 3 people that shared their testimony and then we had the Lord's Supper. What a great time, and for those who ask "No I did not fall asleep".
Well I hope all is doing well. I cannot wait until October to see everyone especially the family. I could use 3 hugs right now and everyday I have been gone and have left.
P.S. I am anticipating the hugs from Shelli, Mason, and Savannah. I Love and Miss You - Me