Although she had heard similar questions over the years, she never quite got used to them. Her heart remained tender.
“I never know the answers to these questions, none of us do, not the doctors, nor nurses, nor the medical technicians who work tirelessly to save lives. God knows that answer,” Chaplain Dashner wrote.
Dashner’s experience had taught that friendship was essential in the recovery process. She focused on this truth as she concluded her journal that night.
“I know that Joe and his buddy are alive and heading to Germany tonight. I know that Joe is still watching over a friend who has been through a life-altering event with him. I know they both have a chance to live beyond these events, a chance that others do not have. I know that without a buddy like Joe it would be a hard and lonely recovery for one soldier.”
Prayer:
Thank you for the strength that friendship provides. Enable me to be a better friend to someone today.
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)
February 4
ARE WE SURE?
Gina Elliott Kim, daughter of Larry and Jean Elliott, missionaries to Iraq, 2004
“After much prayer, we now knew where the Lord wanted to lead us, so we accepted a position in Baghdad, Iraq,” was the sentiment if not the exact words of that astounding email my parents sent about their decision.
“Whew!” I said, sitting at my computer in my home in Houston, Texas. My two brothers and I had witnessed my parents, missionaries for twenty-six years in Honduras, daily read the word of God, pray, and diligently seek his will for their lives.
Knowing they were wholly yielded to the Lord, I could only put my faith into action as I replied to their email. I assured them I trusted God.
For years my dad had built water purification systems. In fact, he had made eighty water wells available to Hondurans, along with starting twelve Baptist churches, and establishing ninety-two mission points there. He wanted to take this system to Iraq and give people clean water to drink, build relationships with them, and ultimately share Christ with them in a friendship-way. The missionary guideline for the Muslim world is not to engage in direct pulpit evangelism but to share the Christian faith when asked about it directly and, above all, show love through service.
When my parents came through Houston on their way to Iraq, they shared this story with my Sunday School class at church. Mom had asked Dad if they were sure the only reason they were going to Iraq was because the Lord was leading them and not for any other reason. My father reassured her and offered to pray, asking God to speak to them.
They got on their knees, letting their Bible fall on their bed. It opened to Psalm 139:7–10: “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
And to the Elliotts, the far side of the sea meant Iraq and it was confirmation that they were indeed to go to the far side of the sea.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for your promise to be with me today wherever my path may take me.
“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139:9–10)
February 5
LIFE GIVEN IN LOVE
Gina Elliott Kim, daughter of Larry and Jean Elliott, missionaries to Iraq, 2004
My parents, Larry and Jean Elliott, were killed March 15, 2004, in a drive-by shooting in Mosul, Iraq, where they were scouting sites for a water purification plant. Gunmen fired AK-47 assault weapons on their vehicle. Their coworkers, Karen Watson and David McDonnall, also died. Carrie McDonnall survived. My parents were fully aware of the dangers of Iraq and with their whole hearts they knew they were in the center of God’s will.
A young Christian Kurd, who had survived a chemical weapons attack ordered by Saddam Hussein, traveled with my parents. He noticed that Mom and Dad meticulously documented the names of each village they visited and listed ways they could help meet needs. My dad repeated, “I love this project; this is what I’ve lived my life for.”
My mom emailed me that she was determined to learn the Arabic language and then teach Dad. How she loved these people and wanted to tell them about the love of Jesus. In an email she told me she had asked their driver to share with her numerous Arabic phrases and expressions. Then she wrote them down twice phonetically and with the right spelling.
When the FBI returned their belongings to us, we discovered a sheet of paper folded up with all those words written down in her own handwriting, just as she had emailed me. It was only an 8½ × 11 inch sheet of white paper folded in two and then in two again and again. There was one bullet hole through the middle. When we unfolded it, the paper resembled one of those snowflakes that you cut out in kindergarten. One bullet had made eight holes.
This unique, bullet-created snowflake on paper decorated with handwritten Arabic phrases was such a literal example of how my parents lived their lives. They were wholly committed to sharing God’s love even at the risk of their own lives. Like that paper snowflake, their lives were unique. When their legacy is full opened in heaven, their snowflake will be something beautiful and intricate, decorated with stories of the lives they touched and the light they shared.
“Years ago Larry and Jean died to self. They lived for the needs of others and the glory of God. Larry and Jean discovered long ago there was a cause worth living for and a cause worth dying for,” said Jerry Rankin, International Mission Board President.
Prayer:
God I thank you that your cause is worth dying for, because Christ first died on the cross for me.
“They did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” (Revelation 12:11b)
February 6
DOES MY HELP COME FROM?
Gina Elliott Kim, daughter of Larry and Jean Elliott, missionaries to Iraq, 2004
I was not ready to attend another funeral. Mom and Dad had died only five months earlier. But my good friend’s brother died tragically. She had helped me so much through my grief, and I needed to go. With a few other friends, I flew to Oklahoma. When we got to the church, they could tell I needed a few moments alone. I sat in the car with my cell phone in one hand and a small Bible in the other.
With tears streaming, I cried out, saying, “Lord, now is the time I would call Mom and Dad and say, ‘Please pray for me right now. I am having a difficult time.’ But I can’t do that! I need you to talk to me, to be REAL to me. I am going to open up my Bible and ask you to please speak to me!”
I opened up my Bible to Psalm 121:1–2, “I lift up my eyes to the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
I wondered why he didn’t reveal something more “profound”, but I thanked him for being my helper, trusting that passage was what he wanted me to read. I regained my composure, went inside, and greeted the family. As I waited in the pew, I wondered what the pastor would say, praying for God to give him the right words.
“You know, I didn’t know what I would say today,” the pastor confessed as he addressed the congregation. “What do you say to the family when a tragedy like this happens to a loved one? I asked the Lord and He showed me. I want to read to you a passage from Psalm 121:1–2.”
I sat back with such awe as he read that SAME passage. It was as if the Lord reached down from Heaven, put his loving arms around me and said, “I am your Helper! Look to me and I will take care of you! I will never leave you!” I thanked him for being so REAL to me! To maintain my composure, I focused on the cross hanging behind the pastor. On reflection, I realized the only way my family and I would get through this difficult time was to focus on the cross and let him be our Helper.
Prayer:
“I lift up my eyes to the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1–2)
February 7
DADDY’S LAST WORDS
Gina Elliott Kim, daughter of Larry and Jean Elliott, missionaries to Iraq, 2004
“Mom, what were the last words your Daddy said to you before he died?” my daughter asked out of the blue.
We were driving one morning a few years after my parents’ death. Her question caught me off guard. I pondered a minute to think about my answer. I had thought about so many things since my parents’ tragic death in Iraq in March 2004 my father’s hearty laugh, my mother’s radiant smile, their fearless commitment to their faith, and simply that people wanted to follow them. For some reason, I had never thought about that one specific question. It only took me a second to remember, though.
“Love you!” Dad had written in his last email to me.
It was a short, sweet one-sentence email that he wrote to me after sending a group email to the rest of our family. They had written they were happy to be in Iraq and believed that no matter what happened, they were in God’s hands. They were where they should be.
“Hey Sweetheart, we are fine, just have not had access to the internet. Love you! Dad.”
I know my Daddy did not know those would be the last words he’d ever say to his only daughter this side of Heaven. Once more, I thought how God had blessed me even in this difficult time by taking care of so many details just like this one. I thanked the Lord for letting the last words from my father be that he loves me, especially since my “love language” is words of encouragement above the other languages of time, gifts, service, or affection defined by relationship expert Gary Chapman.
But then I realized that my father could have died at almost any time and his last words to me would have been ones of love and encouragement. You see, my Dad was so good about using words to encourage people. During this time of indescribable grief and pain, I have remembered the numerous times he put his hand on my shoulder and said things like, “Do you know how proud I am of you?” and then, repeating, “Do you really know?”
I have wondered what my last words will be to those I love. I want to live each day, blessing others with my words, for like my Dad, I will never know when my last words will be.
Prayer:
Lord, may my words bring you glory each and every day. May I be a blessing to those with whom I come into contact every day. Make my mouth a vessel of your love.
“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11)
February 8
PRIMER 1: THE QUARTERMASTER
Capt. Mark Braswell, United States Army
Of the three J’s behind this book John, Jocelyn, and Jane (me), I’m the one without military experience. Dr. John Croushorn is author of A Walk in the Sand an army doctor who served in Iraq.
Jocelyn Green has first-hand experience on the front lines of military family life and has written Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives.
Working for President George W. Bush in the White House for two years has given me insight into government and political perspectives. My previous books, including one in this Battlefields and Blessings series, Stories of Faith and Courage from the Revolutionary War, have given me a strong historical perspective. Good stuff, but not a substitute for military know-how.
But what I do bring are questions, because I’m not totally familiar with military terms, such as, “When you say the net do you mean communications network?”
“Yes,” the Marine replied.
What I needed was a military primer, and that’s what I received in April 2008, when I traveled to San Antonio for a speaking engagement. While checking my luggage to fly back, I suddenly realized I was surrounded by Army Reservists. I told one of them about this book, and he pointed to an Army Captain.
“See the patch on his arm? He’s been to Iraq. Talk to him.”
When I got to the gate, I introduced myself, explaining my mission of seeking stories for this book. Our plane was delayed an hour. Perfect timing. He suggested we get coffee. As we sat down, I got to know Captain Mark Braswell. As it turns out, we are the same age. Although we attended different Texas universities, we had a few friends in common. He gave me a primer on Iraq. He defined terms and even drew me a map, explaining locations and the challenges he and his company faced during their service there.
Capt. Braswell’s job was infrastructure, which made him the perfect person to issue an impromptu primer. He commanded the 340th Quartermaster Company in the United States Army Reserve, based out of Fort Sam Houston. Their mission was to provide shower, laundry, and clothing renovation services to soldiers. One can’t get more basic than showers and clothing.
Sometimes you have to turn to the basics in life to get started on a new path, to learn something new. God gave me a primer through someone well equipped in equipping. The meeting was a reminder to me of God’s provision for this book.
Prayer:
Thank you for your provision of wisdom and knowledge at just the right time.
“Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision.” (Psalm 133:13a)
February 9
PRIMER 2: MOS AND FLEXICUTE
Capt. Mark Braswell, United States Army
I had the opportunity to talk with Captain Mark Braswell at the San Antonio airport in April 2008. He commanded the 340th Quartermaster Company, under the United States Army Reserve Command from January 2004 to October 2006, including a one year deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom from October 2004 to October 2005. Captain Braswell gave me a primer on Iraq and the military to explain some of the basics.
One term he discussed is the MOS, Military Occupational Specialty. The Army and Marine Corps use the MOS to classify general and specific jobs for military personnel. One of the challenges Iraq presented was job expectations in contrast to job realities. Soldiers were trained for a specialty, but because of the changing needs and harsh conditions in Iraq, they often ended up doing something else.
Braswell deployed to Iraq in October 2004. His job was to lead 127 men and women who helped establish shower, laundry, and clothing renovation services at various locations across Iraq. However, a government contractor was in place and already doing much of the work they were trained to do. Seventy-seven of them ended up doing something else providing security for the contractors. They learned to conduct “gun truck” missions in a combat zone. Gun trucks are armored vehicles with crews who escort and protect supply convoys from insurgent attacks.
“They operated .50 caliber machine guns and Mark-19 automatic grenade launchers. They learned to use frequency hopping radios and a Movement Tracking System to call-in and email Casualty Evacuation and Improvised Explosive Device reports. They navigated across Iraq on rugged back roads or alternate supply routes,” Braswell explained.
These soldiers became technically and tactically proficient combat soldiers, eventually mentoring active component units. The 340th lived-up to two mottos, their own motto: Proud and Ready and the Army Reserve’s motto: Twice the citizen Twice the soldier.
Hence, their MOS didn’t hold up as expected. That’s when Braswell told me the real mode of operation in Iraq is flexicuting. “You have to flexicute, that is, execute but remain flexible.”
Braswell’s explanation fit right in with an interview I had recently conducted with a lieutenant. He also found that most of his work in Iraq had little to do with his MOS and more to do with what was needed.
Braswell explained that the diversity of Army Reserve soldiers came in handy for such sliding job descriptions. Army Reserve soldiers have additional skills and know-how thanks to their civilian jobs. Because he’s an attorney, Braswell was accustomed to holding another job. Being an Army Reservist had an added
benefit of being flexible in the field.
Flexicute applies no matter the job. For whatever the work of our hands, God calls us to employ a flexible attitude as well.
Prayer:
May I work with diligence and might at whatever work you bring to my hands and may my heart maintain a flexible attitude to the changes around me.
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10a)
February 10
PRIMER 3: FROM BASE TO OUTPOST
Capt. Mark Braswell, United States Army
Captain Mark Braswell provided me with a primer on base structures, from the well-developed Air Base and Camp to the rough and tumble Forward Operating Base (FOB) and Combat Outpost (COP). Air Bases have sophisticated buildings, amenities, and fortifications.
“For example, air bases are developed with paved roads, reliable electricity, hard buildings, multiple dining facilities operated by Kellogg, Brown & Root (KBR) with televisions and next-day laundry service by KBR, shower trailers, and flushing toilets. Sometimes they are isolated from urban areas,” Braswell explained.
Camps are the next step down from an Air Base. Rudimentary Combat Outposts are located in insecure territory with no services provided by KBR, fewer life support services and facilities, no showers, and only burn-out latrines like those used in the Vietnam War.
“There are no fixed buildings or Hesco barriers, which are folding mesh-metal barriers that are set-up and filled with sand for protection, or concrete T-walls,” Braswell said. Outposts move with the battle.
Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq and Afghanistan Page 6