Ministry in Afghanistan

I am now in my 3rd month in Afghanistan. The altitude is around 7200 feet above sea level. Hard to breathe sometimes. Much of the base is set up and is growing. I am the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Chaplain. My responsibility centers around the Chapel. We have three protestant services, one Catholic service and an LDS (Latter Day Saints) meeting. I was also approached by a Pagan, wanting various oils etc He identified himself as a Pagan after I asked him what he wanted these for. I thought he would claim to be Wiccan. He said he is Pagan. I asked him if there were others. He said he didn't know but he considers himself a "solitary." The three Protestant services include a Contemporary service at 0900. I inherited a worship team. They are made up of military and civilians. Keep them in your prayers. I preach the 0900 am service. There is a 130pm service or Gospel service. This service has more African American involvement. There is more singing and clapping. I try to get others to preach and I am finding out I need to be careful. Also, one of the men is working on video taping the services to develop something to share about the ministry. The 730pm service just started. It will pick up. Right now no one has an excuse not to come to any service since we cover all time frames.

Some of what I do has to do with counseling. I counseled one young lady who made a profession of faith. I ask for your prayers in being bold in this context and sharing Jesus. Though the military has no problem Chaplains preaching their Faith they do look down on trying to convert or proselytize others. I have counseled people who are having marriage problems, not getting along or feeling like they fit in, who just feel there are too many problems and they need to go home. They would do better and the unit would be better if they were home.

There is also a big push to educate soldiers in suicide awareness. In 2008 over 142soldiers took their own life. Way, Way way to many. We are going through a three phase program to help soldiers be aware. I think excellent material from a secular standpoint. I ask for wisdom in this area with men and women and counseling.

We have movie nights. I've shown Fireproof; Facing the Giants; Passion of Christ; Amazing Grace; Something to Sing About; Jesus film; etc. I would like more DVD's with films to share with the troops.

We also have the Table of Grace. This table has stuff from home that churches and families send to give to the troops. This represents the gospel of Jesus. He paid the ultimate price but it is free for us. People back home pay the price of getting stuff from stores, boxing them up and sending them. This I try to share with people in the Chapel.

My daily routine is wake up around 330 - 4am and exercise/shower and quiet time. By 730 am I get to the office and attend a briefing Mon thru Thursday at 8:30 am. Friday and Sundays are no briefs and Saturday is a big briefing. After the briefing I work on a sermon or do some counseling. I go to lunch with my assistant and do more sermon/counseling and visit around the FOB. I call my wife around 530pm my time or around 730/8am her time. The rest of the evening I may visit or watch movies in my room. My wife sends me the great, ie., Walker : Texas Ranger or Rocky series. I am usually in bed by 10 - 10:30 pm.

I may have to travel some to other FOB's to check on Chaplains. This travel is all by air.

As time goes on I will contribute more to Crosswinds. We have a civilian Internet and limited space and very slow connections when they are up. I can do very little in Afghanistan and will try to do a few while home on leave.

Please be in prayer for me and Bess as well as the ministry I am entrusted with in Afghanistan. Pray God would be glorified/honored in what I do and may many come to know Him during this deployment.