15 May 2009

In a dry and weary land………..

10MAY09 Camp Speicher 033

the chapel at Camp Speicher, Iraq

10MAY09 Camp Speicher 032

the chaplain holding sunday service

 

When Eric arrived at Camp Speicher he set out to find the chaplain.  He wanted to know if he was a Christian (yes, he could’ve been something other than that), talk about his own faith journey, and find out about church services.  Eric seemed to like him.   The first Sunday they had 5 people at the service.  Eric and his 2 roommates were 3 of them.  On Easter Sunday even the “Easter Christians”  came out in force. They had high attendance that day……..9 people attended!!!    How’s that  for church growth!  The numbers are back down to the 5 regulars now……but that’s okay. God is not concerned with numbers….only hearts that seek after Him.   “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” ~ Matt. 18:20.

I was proud of Eric as he shared his heart with me, our friends, and our home fellowship group before he left.  God has done so much in his life the past year preparing him for this.  He learned how to “Live on Target”  and has grown so much at our new church the past year.  He is proud and honored to serve his country but his first mission was to make a difference in the lives of others and to share his faith by word and deed. He thinks of this as a mission trip.   Those of us who have been on missions know that we go with the idea that we are going to make a difference, lead people to “change” their lives, etc.  But the reality is we are the ones who grow and change the most.  Yes…….we make a difference but we come home changed forever.  I know this journey is growing and stretching Eric as he relies daily and hourly on God to sustain him, protect him, and guide him in difficult circumstances.  My prayer is for Eric to be bold in his words and more bold in his actions and witness.  I pray other soldiers will look at him and see something different in him.  We are nearing the halfway mark (thank you, Lord!) of this deployment and there is still time for Eric to make a difference.  Press on, Eric!  Don’t forget your first love and your first mission!  Stay on task. God has surely shown you favor through this journey.  Pray for every opportunity for Eric to share/lead  “Living on Target” with other men and to seek hard after God.  I am praying for miracles! 

Therefore, my brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord’~1 Corinthians 15:58

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4 comments:

JenB said...

Thanks for sharing the pics! What a sweet post. We love you guys and are excited to see what God is going to do!

Faith said...

This is awesome! We are so proud of Eric and they way he is allowing the Lord to use him in mighty ways. We have seen his tremendous growth and are just so thankful for his willingness to share that with the people God has placed him around at this time.

We love you all!

Donna said...

I am so glad that God is using this as a huge blessing in your lives and growing you all! Only God can use such hard circumstances for his glory and our good!!! Love you guys!

sanjeet said...

Thanks for sharing the pics
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