Beautiful Bagram

Greetings from Afghanistan!

With my new chaplain assistant finally in country, we’re able to get out to see some of our downtrace units. First stop: Afghanistan. It was quite a memorable scene boarding the back of a C-17 for the first time. Sleeping sitting straight up in full battle rattle was a challenge but I did manage to sneak in a few cat naps. The scenery when we exited the plane was breathtaking with the snow-capped mountains, blue skies, and green fields of Bagram Air Field. Quite the contrast to the khaki colored everything of Arifjan, Kuwait.

Walking down the streets lined with green trees and the sound of traffic prompted my assistant to comment, “it’s like strolling down main street of a regular city.” I replied, “yeah, except everyone has an M-16 slung around their shoulder.” J

Though a quick first trip, it has already proved productive. I met one of the base chaplains to establish contact for area coverage and discuss the ministry challenges and transportation to the outlying FOB’s (forward operating base). Even though a chaplain is available for anyone that needs him/her, it can fill up one’s schedule just taking care of the Soldiers in your own unit. I saw this firsthand when greeting my Soldiers. Even though there was a chaplain right down the hall, he wasn’t “their chaplain.” The chaplain was available for the Soldier to seek out, but wouldn’t normally seek out my Soldiers. Not because he didn’t care, but because he had his own Soldiers to minister to. As a result, even though it was the first time I’d been to this location, my Soldiers were anxious to speak to me simply because I wore the same unit patch and came to see them. It was one of those “divine appointments” and made the plane trip worthwhile. I’ll be sure to get on a regular schedule to visit my Soldiers. I’ll also be more mindful of the Soldiers in my area that aren’t a part of my unit.

I appreciate the support and encouraging words from family, friends, “acorns”, co-workers and even total strangers. Of special note, I contacted Integrity Music and Keurig Coffeemakers to see if they’d like to donate to the cause. Integrity Music sent the first 6 Volumes of their iWorship *.mpg library for use in my chapel services. Keurig donated one of their top of the line K-cup coffee makers along with 200 k-cups of coffee. With 12+ hour days, 6 days a week, coffee is mission essential!

Psalm 144:1

Chaplain Tolbert