May in Afghanistan
I am now the proud and comfortable owner of the best Hello Kitty bedding ensemble in Afghanistan. One of the possible lessons here is that, “What comes around, goes around.” My friend John and I often sail together. I am technology averse – I prefer old-school charts and a plotting board. So my sailing kit contains a bucket full of plotters, and rulers, and compasses, and a big plywood board that won’t blow away. John’s sailing kit is lighter and more nimble – and frankly better. He hops aboard with his I-pad. It has all the charts and GPS and compass built in. And he carries his I-pad in a cute neoprene Hello Kitty case. (He says it was the cheapest case on the shelf.) Needless to say, the I-pad has been a reliable source of mirth. Anyway, not many of us have a real bed with a mattress out here – I happen to be one of the fortunate. However, I lacked proper sheets. Now I have sheets, so, another possible lesson here is gratitude. Thank you John, for the sheets, the story, and permission to re-tell. Photo’s forthcoming.
The congregation of the battalion is somewhat over a thousand people. Given that there is a war going on, we are dispersed all over the place. So RP (my assistant’s Navy designation is RP) and I get to travel around with a ministerial road show. We usually lead a worship service. There is usually movie night with popcorn – usually involves a values-message. And we usually do some United Through Reading video recordings – to help people stay connected with loved-ones back home. Each place we go is a little bit different. I prefer being at the smaller camps where it is easier to connect with people personally. Last week the Marine Corps Times reporters were here. You can find the blog and some photos at marinecorpstimes.com/battlerattle.
Today it is starting to get hot. The folks that have been here before explain that this is just a warm up for the real thing. My impression is that even today, the air is so hot and still that it is reluctant to be breathed. The black flies seem to be heat activated, so I have re-decorated with sticky-tape bug catchers.
Today during the worship service, the mongoose ran by the front door of the chapel – right in the middle of the sermon. I had to try to keep a straight face. The sermon was on prayer as a way of being present in the moment. I was talking about our practical habits of “attention to detail” as a parallel to the spiritual practice of meditation – they both strive toward being un-distractible. I managed not to laugh. I think the mongoose was looking for the mosque as he did not stop for the Christian Unitarian service. Next Saturday is Soulful Sundown (modified version) at which, I will strive to have a more inclusive message.
You all probably saw the “super moon,” as our news papers were calling it. The moon made its closest approach to the Earth over the last couple days, and that corresponded with the moon’s full phase. It was bright enough that we could read outside.
We have had a few injured people come through our aid station to be stabilized on the way to higher care. After spending a tour in Iraq (2004-2005) flying casualty evacuation missions, it is interesting for me to be on the other end of the helicopter. It is a time of prayer and reflection as I witness all the teamwork and coordination. It is usually a young Marine or Navy Corpsman that is first on scene and who provides first aid. Then the patient gets transported, usually by ground vehicle, to the aid station. We have a trauma surgery team and other medical staff out here who work on the patient. Meanwhile a helicopter gets notified of the med-evac mission. I was in a bit of a trance yesterday as I left the aid station and watched the helo land, the door pop open, and the medic jump out to receive the patient. As quick as that, the helicopter was gone again.
It is also interesting for me to meet the different people that somehow migrate toward conflict. I met some of our plumbers who came from India. Some of our construction team members are from various African countries. And of course I couldn’t help myself from going out to meet some of the helicopter crews. There is a civilian Ukrainian crew that flies on contract and operates old Soviet helicopters. I’ve mentioned before that our Marines and Sailors get basic instruction in one of the three main languages spoken in Afghanistan. I’m still trying to make sense of the contrast between war and all of this international cooperation and multi-culturalism.
I hope you all are well, and that you are engaged in interfaith dialogue in your communities.
Seanan
Disclaimer: All entries to CLF/Quest Military Ministries page reflect the personal views of the contributor. The views expressed here are in no way to be construed as an individual or individuals speaking in their official capacities for the agencies, departments, or service branches they serve in. This is not an official publication of the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, any government agency, or any other organization.
- Welcome Home, Seanan - November 6, 2012
- Moving Toward Home - October 10, 2012
- That Precarious Gait - September 11, 2012
