Wednesday, November 19, 2003

Explosions

Mortar attacks on the CPA have become somewhat commonplace, as I spent another evening in the basement of the palace taking refuge from the explosions. The other night we were forced into the basement on two separate occasions, having to wait each time for the all-clear signal to sound, keeping us in the basement for an hour or so each time. Fortunately, no one has been injured by any of the attacks.

Last night’s exploding sounds seemed to indicate that we have started to retaliate for these attacks by dishing out some of our own back-at-you and in-your-face activity. I am not sure what happened but it sounded like we were giving out a serious case of whoop-ass (sorry for the army expression).

We have really done a good job of squelching these would be attackers before they get too accurate, knowing all too well their mode of operation and the capabilities of their weaponry. Even so it is almost impossible to stop a car bomb or a suicide bomber who just wants to kill a few Americans.

This puts our troops manning the gates and check points at a serious risk, not able to fully protect them and keep them out of harms way. They put their life on the line every day when they go to work, not knowing for sure if they will return at the end of their shift. I would be extremely sad if anything happened to them, the guys I have grown to love and appreciate.

I was relieved to see the green zone expanded back to its original size as the 14th of July Bridge was closed again, after being opened for only a few weeks. The two bombings of the Rasheed Hotel forced the issue I am sure.
 
Friday, November 21, 2003

Two loud explosions woke us from a sound sleep this morning, both my trailer buddy and I immediately sitting up in bed in alarm. It sounded way to close for comfort, not knowing if we should be dashing out of the trailer to seek better shelter. After not hearing any additional sounds we settled back down in bed to continue sleeping.

Emotional roller coaster ride

We live on a continual roller coaster of emotions from one moment to the next, as we deal with the constant flow of intel regarding the activities of our enemies beyond the walls of the green zone. We continue to be bombarded with information regarding the very worst that mankind has to offer in their quest for power, money, position, revenge, and every other evil desire.

We are living on Satan’s battlefield, as the struggle of good and evil persist on a daily basis. Through Saddam’s chains of bondage, Satan has had control of these people, their minds and their hearts for many years, as Saddam promoted and exemplified so many evil actions. Satan is not giving in with out a fight, to our efforts to free these people, to open their minds and hearts to a new world of peace and love.

Over the years Saddam made every effort to perpetuate a continual entwining of culture, tradition, tribal mentality and religion, to create a society of hatred, revenge, greed, and distrust. He made every effort to control all aspects of their lives, keeping them in the dark about so many things, force-feeding them a continual flow of misinformation, brain washing any free thought.

At one time or another, so many of these people have been tortured, imprisoned, beaten, or punished for any variety of seemingly meaningless actions. Almost without exception each and every source we speak with has the scares to prove the stories of such abuse. We have become numbed by the perpetual stream of stories relating to the overall enslavement of these people.

It is a travesty beyond description.

For the most part they have been fed so much misinformation regarding the U.S. and the rest of the world that they in many ways distrust our actions, and fear our intentions, having been told for example that we are here to steal their oil. Believing in many ways that we are here to take their money, to exploit their people, to occupy and control, to continue the abuse of these people.

Evildoers use the entwined confused state of religion, government and culture to exploit their cause, calling for more hatred, more distrust, more revenge, more resistance, to the end that they might insure their own perpetual existence. Their whole existence is one of hatred, greed and lust for power and money.

Our enemies exist both externally and internally, everywhere that people seek to satisfy their own greedy desires for wealth, position, and control. It is a disease that spreads like wild fire, into the hearts and minds of the people, perpetuated by the actions of even those at the highest levels of this society, in the police department, in their judicial system, and those in the governing council. 

As the facts stream in regarding corruption at the highest levels, I feel the pain of these people, who do not seem to be able to get clear of people like Saddam, for others continually step forward to take his place. The stories and the lies, the crimes against the people at the highest levels, weigh me down at times with a heavy burden.

I have so many cases right now regarding many of the new people we have put in power, at the highest levels, within the very organizations tasked to enforce the law and mandated to set a new standard. Unceasingly, we encounter episode after episode of people taking advantage of their positions to exploit, abuse and take advantage of their own people.

Goodness will prevail

Fortunately, I meet enough good people who earnestly want to help, wanting to ensure a brighter future for their children and are willing to put their life on the line to make it happen. There are many great and wonderful people, some of the best people I have ever met, having miraculously kept themselves un-poisoned by the evil environment around them. For the most part these people who represent the quiet majority are good people, but tainted by their own polluted environment.   

I do maintain a strong hope for these people for a much happier future. I do love many of them dearly. I have felt their love for me and have experienced their generosity and hospitable nature. I have partaken of their goodness, seeing their inner souls desire to do good and to change from the past so their children might become a wholesome people surrounded by love.

As some of them have asked, I have had, on many occasions, the opportunity to discuss the essence of Jesus Christ’s mission to bring love, peace and tolerance to the earth. Most of them do believe in the old testament and do believe that Jesus was a great messenger (although many don’t believe he was a Jew), but don’t understand his atonement for our sins. Many do desire to know more, propelling us into lengthy discussions regarding this topic, especially with all that is going on around them in the name of religion.

Righteousness will prevail over evil, for this is the Lord’s work and he is by our side to insure our success. I know for a fact that he wants me here and needs me to be engaged in doing this work, bringing an end to the evilness that has for so long engulfed this region. We have the power we need, through the Savior, to overcome the armies of the adversary, regardless of how entrenched they might be in the minds and hearts of the people.

The Iraqi people do see and feel our goodness, which is evident in all that we do; the way we interact and engage them, the way we go out of our way to avoid hurting or injuring innocent civilians, the way we respond with love, with so many acts of kindness, and the way we believe in them.  We are doing so many great things for these people, so many things that are winning their minds and hearts, helping them see the possibilities of another way of living

Iraqi kids rock

The children here are great, too. The “Sharing Joys with Toys� campaign gives me a diversion from the negative to enjoy moments of true happiness, as I travel around passing out toys to any young ones I spot. It is truly a miraculous thing to watch the joy and happiness on their young faces, as they receive a small gift of love from someone far away. Perhaps the first such toy in their young life, having been deprived from even having toys by a regime that had done everything to neglect them.

I am working with Iraqi nationals to continue this program after I leave, which will be sometime in March. I am hand selecting certain people who I know and trust will continue to make this happen. These individuals have already proven themselves by participating in so many toy drops to locations all over the country. We have now been able to reach small towns and villages in areas otherwise would have never seen a toy. We have visited hospitals, orphanages, schools, neighborhoods and children all over the country.

I am currently working with one Iraqi Doctor who is setting up visits to other orphanages, and homes with handicapped children who are deaf or blind. The doctor has dedicated so much time and effort into treating these children insuring their well-being and proper care.

There are so many great things happening that you have all made possible. Thanks so much!

Even our sources continue to come to our office bearing gifts as they show their happiness for our presence and express their gratitude for what we have done for them. So many now having expressed a desire to have us over for dinner once Ramadan ends in a few days. They want so badly to share their joy and happiness for Saddam’s removal, now full of hope for what might be.

The air force general

My great friend the Air Force General, from the POW camp, continues to drop in to see how I am doing (especially after hearing of the continual attacks on the CPA). We have such a great time together, chatting and discussing solutions to some of our problems. I took him over to the people structuring the new Air Force so he could say hi again, reminding them of his interest to be involved. I am also trying to get his wife, who is an elementary school teacher, transferred to a school closer to their house.

Chief Wiggles Comic

Surprisingly, stories are already coming in for the new “Chief Wiggles� Comic book. The stories are great, wonderful to read and are just what we were hoping for. I am so excited about the book, expecting to be able to teach good solid principles to the children through these interesting stories (of course adapting them to their environment).

The artist is already drawing up the characters for the episodes, with some background information on each, which we will share with you as it develops. We are hoping that this will be of huge interest to the children, who seem to love to read anyway.

Over 1,000 boxes

Boxes of toys continue to trickle in even way after the APO mail system shut us down, at the rate of about 10 boxes a day. We are now over 1,000 boxes received through the APO system, which is so incredibly fantastic. Plus we continue to receive so many more packages at our location in Baltimore, filling up a 40-foot container full of toys. You have all been so unbelievably wonderful; wow what can I say to all of you. Your toy donations are making a huge difference in the lives of these children and painting a very positive picture for the parents too.

I also want to mention all the great people that are volunteering their time and effort to make this whole Joys for Toys program happen. Matt and all the people back in Baltimore at the warehouse, and especially Plunge, who are just so totally awesome. We could not do this with out them. I salute all of you.

Another season passing

Fall in Iraq is a great time of year. There is such a great coolness in the air, with wispy clouds in the sky, as thoughts of home stream through my head. I recall days gone by when, as a kid, I lay on the cool grass gazing up into the heavens enjoying the shapes of the cloud filled sky.  The temperature is perfect now, wishing it would never change, but knowing it will also be fleeting.

I another day passes and I am full of gratitude for what I have been blessed with. Life is so fantastic!

Good day!