Iraq and Back
I am blessed to be in Iraq! Those are words that I never thought
I would be able to say. But God is so good! I am constantly
reminding my soldiers that life is all about “Mind over
Matter.” In other words, if you don’t mind, it doesn’t
matter. Life really is only a matter of perspective. For me, my
perspective is that God is Good!
I left Ft. Hood on June 16th, arriving June 18th in Kuwait. After
a little over two weeks living in tents at Camp Buehring, we once
again loaded buses, this time headed for the airport to fly
Baghdad. On July fourth we flew into Baghdad International
airport, thankfully experiencing no fireworks. Later on that
night, actually early the next morning, we loaded helicopters for
the short flight to Camp Taji, our new home away from home.
Chaplains and Chaplain Assistants
At Camp Buehring
It is good to be here. As I sit here today, I know that I am
right where God wants me. What peace that brings into any
situation. In Psalm 39:16, King David writes, “Your eyes saw
my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of
them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was
none of them.” Before I was ever born, God new the day would
come that I would join the Army and go to Iraq to minister to
soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines.
Formation outside our tents in Kuwait
Loading buses Airborne over Iraq
One tired looking Chaplain
Our CHU’s (Containerized Housing Units) My main mode of
transportation
As I settle into the battle rhythm here at Camp Taji, I am
learning how I can best minister to this unit. Right now, these
are some of the things I am doing:
Preaching at Sunday services at the Tigris River Chapel
Providing twenty minute services to soldiers who can’t come
to the chapel
Counseling soldiers on spiritual, marital, grief, and stress
issues
Praying with flight crews as they prepare to leave
Visiting soldiers at the flight line, in the motor pool, and
other places they are working
Please pray with me that hearts are opened to God’s love and
that lives are changed as a result of God’s mercy. Thank you
for praying with me.
May God bless all of you richly as you follow
after Him!
Chaplain Mark