Jesus is the Answer!

As a believer in Isa al Masih, Jesus the Messiah, I understand the reason for this war and how to solve the problem. Michael W. Smith says it well in his song which includes these words: Jesus is the Answer for the world today. Above Him there’s no other. Jesus is the Way! Jesus Christ’s message of love, forgiveness, and peace conquers all, as told by an O6 to Felisa, Katie and I regarding his all-too-close captivity with the Taliban.

I realize, the perception of Muslims in the west is oftentimes associated with fear. Yet, many Muslims would agree with a believer in Jesus the Christ that love, forgiveness, and peace are necessary in this world. We have many commonalities and have great need to realize these similarities in a world whose demographic is greater than 20% Muslim and quickly increasing. Little Rock has at least 300 Iraqis and 200 Saudi students at the university here. The world is coming to the US and will continue.

Seeing war firsthand, I am more aware that the promises Christ offers are opposite the way of the world and most would not agree. I am called to walk the narrow road which is free to all. War is a tragedy and should never be glorified. Even so, I am thankful for the lessons learned and will remember my Adventures in the Sandbox for the rest of my life.

Many blessings to you from the one who gives us His peace and is the world’s answer!

Hannah Joy

Thankful in the Stan

…that is Kyrgyzstan. This ‘stan’ is much more welcoming than the Afghan ‘stan’. Here is a picture of my most recent home in tent city:

I am thankful to be here. Thankful, because this means I’m going home. The mullah, crazy driving, tasty air, working weekends, Army-Navy-Brits-Aussies-Canadians-Mongolians-Macedonians-Romanians-Germans-French-Hungarians-Italians-Turks-Polish-Portuguese-Georgians-Czech Republicans-Norwegians-Bulgarians-South Koreans-Albanians-Azerbaijans-Singaporeans-New Zealanders all together, haggling, Dari and Pashto will all be a memory. It is bittersweet.

I am thankful for so much this deployment. Here are a few of the many blessings: Friendships made and renewed, safety, my deployed location-also known to those at FOBs as camp cupcake, the LORD’s promises-specifically Psalm 91:14 and Proverbs 16:3, for all your prayers and support! Since the beginning of my time overseas, I looked forward to mail time every day. Thank you to all of you! The support has been overwhelming.

I started thinking about things I will have to adjust to when I return: being called Hannah and not strictly LT, running outside, wearing civilian clothes, driving with a speed limit and laws, and US standards. I was beginning to think I might have culture shock until one generous friend offered for me to stay in the shed. I could use the garbage can for a table and flower pot as a seat. All the cockroaches are gone, and the old electrical work could be rigged so I would have a 50% chance of not being electrocuted on a daily basis. In the summer it would be a free sauna. In the off chance that the house would be irresistible, I would be welcome to come inside for a shower every other Tuesday. My standards are low right now. Regardless, I’m ready. Bring the US on!!

International Relations

Recently when I walked into the DFAC, a worker exclaimed, “We have butter again!” Just about anything which happens over here is affected by international relations. Ever since Pakistanis were killed along the border, many supply routes have been closed in retaliation. The shelves are generally empty at the PX and when stocked are filled with expired food-but you get it on sale!

Afghans, Pakistanis, and even coalition forces make generalizations through everyday interactions, and so public relations have immediate positive or negative repercussions on the mission. The release of the Marine tape misusing Taliban corpses was no exception.

Comments made to the public which do not generally reflect a positive outlook also have repercussions. This was seen when a two star was relieved of command for comments to a news agency stating that Afghan leaders were ungrateful for U.S. assistance and “isolated from reality.” He also called Karzai's comments-that Afghanistan would side with Pakistan if it went to war with the United States-"erratic." This scenario was especially interesting for us to see as he worked down the hallway from us.

Regardless of negativity that may be relayed from here, the NATO Training Mission reports many positive stories. You can see the report for the Afghan Woman Owned Business Conference here:

1. Go to http://ntm-a.com/wordpress2/ntm-a-video-3

2. Click on the Afghan Woman's Owned Business Conference video

Afghan women and I were excited to be at, “the nicest hotel in Afghanistan”. There were lots of questions, but overall the interactions amongst contracting officers and business owners were very positive. Establishing a good name for the US, ethical business practices, and encouraging the Afghan women were some of my key objectives. Thank you for all of your prayers!

One more positive story was relayed this week when an Air Force team provided critical care to avalanche victims. As my heart is with humanitarian missions, I was especially intrigued by this story to save 31 Afghans near Fayzabad. The temperatures were -15* Fahrenheit and many Afghans had very severe frostbite. An O-5 said, “First thing you think about in Afghanistan is the ability to survive.” So true. The mission was successful and all Afghans were saved. Stories like this, make me proud to be helping the people of Afghanistan and play a part in international relations.

Walking in Obedience

The word obey has been on my mind often recently. Obey in everything. The word comes to mind at unusual times throughout the day. What am I to obey as I walk to the PX? What am I to obey as I PT? or sit at my desk? These questions run through my mind.

The Lord has called me to obedience. Obedience in the seemingly small things such as walking to the PX, PTing, or sitting at my desk. 1 Thessalonians 4 says it is God’s will that I be sanctified. Sanctified by walking to the PX, or PTing, or sitting at my desk? Yes. I must fix my eyes on Jesus the author and perfector of my faith as it says in Hebrews 12. Not only this but it is also God’s will that by doing good I should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. I need to live as a free person, but not use my freedom as a coverup for evil, but rather live as God’s slave as it says in 1 Peter 2:15-16. This has been my deployment verse.

May we walk in obedience this week in everything.

Normal Day in the A

As my dad says, “Normal is a setting on the dryer.” Just as the quote implies and as Quarteeya says here is a "normal day in the ‘A’". 
 

Here is my room: We get a wall locker, bed, and small table. I sleep on the bottom bunk.

street vendors like to sell us things like ‘nosenex’ or Kleenex:

Married women wear blue gowns:

They remind us to not feed the animals (they have rabies!!):

We go on 'humanitarian missions' (on our way to eat):

We have fine dining:

We have Nerf wars:

sometimes I drive (YIKES!!):

...and sometimes I work:

After being here for awhile the days all blend together-but this can be good. I would prefer the days to be uneventful rather than eventful. During the latter we have heightened security and additional standard operating procedures (SOPs). Through each day, I am reminded, the joy of the Lord is my strength.

Only in Afghanistan

Here is an excerpt from our fragmentation order (FRAGO) recently:
_________________________________
Air Quality:
The city suffers from poor air quality. The city’s air quality is worse during the late fall and winter months. This is due to several reasons:

- Burning of wood, coal, tires, motor oil, and plastic. Especially during the mornings and evenings.
- Many of the 900K city vehicles are older vehicles with limited emission controls using leaded gasoline.
- The city is surrounded by mountains which creates a thermal inversion. The phenomenon of thermal inversion is strongest during the winter months. This temperature inversion occurs when a warmer air mass moves over a cooler air mass resulting in limited air movement. This limited air movement creates increased smog levels as the dust and air particle pollutants are trapped close to the ground.
- Dusty roads – car movement causes this dust to rise up, further worsening the air quality.
- Approximately 200K diesel generators that are operational during the night.

Personnel should restrict their outdoor aerobic exercise during periods of visibly high particulate levels. If you can see, taste, or smell the air, or you cannot see the mountains during daylight hours, then you should exercise indoors. If you do exercise outdoors, consider wearing a face mask or scarf to filter the warm air before it enters your lungs.
_________________________________
Ironically, this was published soon after the 'polar bear run' –which is outside, was announced for January. Only in Afghanistan.

Here are some 'only in Afghanistan' quotes which made me laugh:

"None of the gas stations have gas here" -Joe

"I was locked in my room and couldn't get out" -Ms. Loraine

"The city river is right there" -Michael "I don't see any water" -Me

"Where is the best place to buy a burkha?" -Michael

"Water is flowing through the ceiling, because the contractors forgot to put tarps over the roof they took off" -Michael (during a rainstorm)

"The windows are shaking because the Rhinos are rolling out." -Me

"The bazaar was cancelled. Thank you Taliban!" -Ms. Loraine

...and here are some 'Only in Afghanistan' pictures:

Taxi with a sheep:

 Here is a jingle motorcycle:

 ...and here is the advertisement for Hell-the energy drink:

Sweeping Snow:

Stir Crazy

This is what happens when you work on New Year's Day: we had a photo contest.

Aaron:

Michael (branch chief):

Amivie:

Michael:

Quarteeya:

Me:

And the winner is Ms. Loraine (this picture doesn't do her justice):

I have been very blessed with the people I work with! We have "too much fun".

Here is a picture of the "Princess Platoon":

Happy New Year!