Well hello Crossroads Aghanistan. I hope each of you have had a great Christmas time in Afghanistan (is that possible?). As I write this on New Year's Eve I must say that it doesn't quite feel like a holiday here in Kabul. As you know, individual units do a good job of trying to make the place feel like home, but the fact is...it's just not possible. So my prayers are with you that you may find a quiet peace and comfort during this time. I will tell you what I did to help me through this day. I found a quiet space, put on my favorite worship music, and just got lost for a while. This led me to a great bit of personal time with the Lord, I held my bible close and just felt comforted! I hope you can find a place like this.
An interesting story about my Christmas Day. As you know it was a work day. I was invited to a USAF Christmas Party where in the serving line was two Afghan Generals. You know how the command officers always like to serve the troops on special occasions. Well this was no different, but two of the gentlemen were Afghans. As I allowed him to put the stuffing on my plate I was wished a Merry Christmas! It was pretty cool to have an Afghan do that but later it got me thinking so much about how powerful Christ is, and how meaningful that was. I know that it could be argued that Christmas is just a holiday now days and Christ really isn't mentioned much. That is true of our society...we have allowed the most holy of holidays to become commercialized. Yet that doesn't even matter in the light of how powerful Jesus actually is. While those two generals were serving at a celebration of the Birth of Christ there were huge things happening that we could not see. Walls and barriers were being chipped away. Boundaries were being crossed. Bridges were being built. It was quite amazing. To top it off the USAF chaplain prayed in Christ's name. WOW!
Anyway, don't allow yourselves to get lonely. If you are call me at 0707347915. Please know that Christ is here with you. When you miss your family and feel powerless.....take that as an opportunity to lean on Jesus. He is right here with us ready to provide the comfort you need, 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 says "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word".
God Bless You,
Matt
Thanks for this encouraging update, Matt! We look forward to having you back with us soon!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! How great was that about the Afghan generals! It reminds me that despite our differences, we are all people....people that God came to Earth to save. We ALL have been given the gift of salvation...ALL of us....we just have also all been given the free will to chose to accept it. I pray that God continues to bless you with opportunities to tell others about how wonderful and loving our God is. Miss you!
ReplyDelete-Hollie