As Americans, we have just celebrated our Independence Day. It is good to see the Iraqis as well as any other nation celebrate their independence from being out from under the thumb of tyranny. It has been our goal to help them stand up on their feet in a new way to develop economically, politically, militarily and educationally.

I am proud of the role our soldiers have played over the past six years to help fulfill the mission as described above and to root out militant extremism of terrorists. It has been sacrificial. Independence and freedom are always costly when any nation or individual strives to get out from under the bondage of control.

It has been my role as a chaplain to undergird the spiritual lives of our soldiers so we can have the courage and perseverance to fulfill our mission here. A big part of my job is to help soldiers by nurturing their own relationship with God, so they can continue to be the best single person, spouse, father/mother, or any other relational role so they can return stronger than when they arrived in combat.

That is why my vision statement for my time here as a 225th Engineer Brigade Chaplain is this: “To help all personnel, whether soldier or civilian, to grow in the grace and knowledge of God as a basis for having healthy relationships in their lives.” (2 Peter 3:18) I have enjoyed my time as a chaplain here in Iraq and my first deployment in Afghanistan in 2004-2005. I have grown as a person and become a more compassionate chaplain through these deployments. It has been a blessing to soldiers also for me to bring 23 years of pastoral experience to the field.

In the time we have left to conduct our missions here, we may face uncertain times. For any nation or individual facing uncertain times, hope is found in the promises of God.

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

Philippians 4:6, 7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

When people sacrifice for freedom it does an incredible work of grace in their own lives as well as the ones it benefits.