Bahgdad

Friends;

I greet you this day from Baghdad International Airport (BIAP). BIAP is home to over 70,000 American military members who are deployed to bring Baghdad under control. BIAP is huge. I estimate that it is 60 or 70 miles around. Lt. Gomes, the commander of the Red Horse Detachment here took us on a tour yesterday of BIAP. It was a memorable event. We toured Saddam Hussein's palace which is huge. The picture of Janet and I is taken on the "throne" that is a classic picture for deployed military members here. The palace is set in a series of lakes and canals that is incredible to behold. I am also posting a picture of this sight. The arrogance of power that is evident in this place is staggering. Apparently Saddam and his friends could hunt, fish and carouse in this paradise which the vast majority of Iraqi's live in grinding poverty. It certainly rubs the democratic soul the wrong way.

Most deployed members here had a bemused attitude about the recent elections. The so called "war" in Iraq really isn't a war, it is what is referred to in military thinking a "Military Operation Other than War", MOOTW. The political debate is really about whether we want to continue peace making operations in this part of the world. The vast majority of deployed Americans believe we are doing some good over here and departing too soon would be a disaster. To say that our operations over here are a disaster is to attend only to the heart break of our sojourn in this place. The massive amount of good we are doing is ignored to support a particular political perception. Whether or not we should have come over here is a pointless discussion, its like discussing whether or not you should jump off a cliff after you have jumped. The idea is to find a safe landing spot.

It is tempting to think that Iraq is where all the terrorists are located. Terrorists use technology to instill fear. There is a terrorist in Topeka, Kansas who torched St. David's Episcopal Church. The community is heart broken. I am convinced there is a power stronger than terror. It is the power of the gospel. The good news of GOD's love for the world erupting through Jesus Christ. The power of the gospel enables us to see the possibility for doing justice in Iraq. It is also the power that will sustain St. David's as they rebuild their house of worship. GOD bless us and keep us steady in the gospel, alive to the power of the SPIRIT and joyous in our service to our LORD. GOD BLESS YOU!

DAVE