Braveheart Member
Group: Celtic Nation
Posts: 132
Joined: 10-Mar-2004
Zodiac: Rowan
Realm: oregon
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My uncle is serving in Iraq, not in the military but as a civilian contractor. He is an explosive ordinance disposal expert. He served previously in the military and when his company was contracted for this job he volunteered to go. He is dislexic (sp?). The only way he overcame this disability was when he decided he wanted to read his Bible by himself. He can now read as well as anybody. recently he sent an email to us here in the states. I am going to paste it below. It is kinda long, but worth the read.
A week ago today a terrorist act took place. An improvised explosive device was remotely detonated, destroying a truck, killing one man, injuring two others, who later died of the wounds. The fourth individual in the vehicle received minor injuries. This was our chase vehicle for convoys, the only vehicle that had any armor protection. Our security detail do not wear helmets because they believe it blocks their vision. All three of these men received massive head trauma. It is believed that the helmets would not have helped, too close to the explosion, too much energy and velocity in the shrapnel and, from what I understand, some rather large pieces. This vehicle was part of an escort team bringing a convoy of trucks full of captured enemy ammunition, which the company I am employed with (USA Environmental) has a contract to dispose of. This escort team is actually the one that escorts us on our daily commute to work and back.
The first gentleman to die, Tommy Carter, was the convoy commander and gave us our daily briefings, always warning of the dangers of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). I do not personally know the man's spiritual bearing, but his manner, his language, and his actions would indicate that he did not have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, nor would he have sought one out anytime soon. Having said all this, he lived life as he chose and employment as he desired. I believe him to be a good security officer, knew his job, was very proficient in it, and understood that his job was our safety at all times. He died with his boots on, a gun in his hand, and with the thought in his mind and heart that he was going to protect us with his life. The men who work for the security outfit that support us live with this in their hearts and minds.
The question is: Did Tommy ever see Christ in my life? Does my life project something that his was missing, and that something he wanted he saw out of my life? These questions always go through my mind when I see someone die by any means. How am I going to answer to God if the people around me can't even tell if I'm a Christian? Do I walk the walk? It's easy to say the words. It seems I can fool those in the world and even myself, but I can never fool God. It's times like this that makes me take stock of what I am in a man and in a Christian, husband, and father. Am I doing the right thing, here or anywhere?
Even since I've started this letter, the attacks have continued on our convoys, and by the grace of God, no one has been hurt or killed. We have received some armored Excursions. These vehicles cost $155,000, and if they save one life, they would be worth their weight in gold. (Note: These vehicles weigh 5-1/2 tons).
Although I am here to make money, the money I am making is not off the Iraqi people. It's off my own government, who is getting absolutely nothing from the Iraqi resources. Yes, this has been kind of a Pandora's box, but we're here now. Let's not make a bigger mess of this place than before we got here. We do need to leave a stabilized government here, and these people need some kind of hope. If we pull out anytime soon, they will lose all hope. Of the 27 million Iraqis, 20 million would love to migrate to the United States and live peaceful lives, raise their families, have a business, go to school. They just want a life. The other 7 million are upset because they've lost their position, power, and money, and they are willing to kill anybody and everyone else to try and gain that back.
Please pray for those in our government that God would grant them wisdom and understanding in dealing with this problem. Always pray for the safety of the soldiers and civilians that are here. Pray for peace in Jerusalem, for the Bible commands us to, and pray that none of this kind of stuff ever reaches our own shores. Of course, there are places that you don't want to be caught after dark in the United States, some neighborhoods in Washington, D.C., most of New Jersey, and East LA, of course. So are we ever really truly safe? No, but I trust in the Lord Jesus to keep me safe, and I've learned to look out for dangers that might be lurking down the road or around the corner.
I will end this letter here and, as of this day, May 7, 2004, RuthAnne and I are safe, still in love with the Lord, and still very much in love with each other. We have forsaken certain freedoms to be here. We are not free to drive around. We are not even free to be armed and protect our own lives.
In closing, again, I encourage you to pray for all the above things I mentioned and be thankful that we do have a government we can change - without violence. God is in control. Sometimes we have to step back and realize that.
Take care and God bless,
Corey
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Friendship, Love, and Loyalty
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