It's Always Sunny in Kuwait!

25 April 2009

“After oil, everyone loves us. Before oil, only the missionaries loved us.” So goes a Kuwaiti saying. As a result of Christian missionaries reaching out to this nomadic people, Christians today have a recognized part of Kuwaiti society. They are largely unmolested and allowed to worship freely at their designated, limited sites. I had the opportunity to go on a humanitarian mission and distribute school supplies to a thriving Christian school in Kuwait city. It was the first time some in our group had seen children in nearly a year… and they were so precious! The various classes put on skits or sang songs. The 3rd and 4th graders belted out “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power.” What a blessing!

I am settled into my mission here in Kuwait. The schedule has had to be flexible given that I’ve been operating without a Chaplain Assistant (CA). A Chaplain Assistant is an enlisted Soldier whose MOS training prepares them to be partnered with a Chaplain to form a Unit Ministry Team (UMT). This partnering of an Officer with an Enlisted Soldier is seen in many areas of the Army: Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant, Company Commander and First Sergeant, etc. My incoming CA will arrive this week.

I preached 3 times last Sunday. One service starts about 10:30 EST so while many of you are starting your 11:00 service, I’ll be getting up to preach. It’s been nice to see the body of Christ work over here. The services include all flavors of Protestant Christianity. One of my services has a drummer, keyboard player, and 2 guitarists. Just regular members of the body of Christ exercising their talents for ministry during a deployment. My sermons have been well received and there’s an uplifting time to our worship.

The temperature broke 100 degrees yesterday. It was the first time I really noticed the heat. The wind was blowing and it felt like a hair dryer. Rumor has it the temps will get up to 140 degrees. Charlie Daniels was here. He sang, “The Devil went down to Kuwait but went back because it was too hot!” Just kidding. Charlie Daniels was here, but he didn’t alter his song…

Thanks again for your prayer support for me, my family, and this mission.

CH (CPT) Paul Tolbert
595th TTG Trans Term Grp
APO, AE 09366