Greetings from burning hot southern Iraq

Dear Friends and Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I received three weeks notice that I would be making this deployment before launching out. I've now been "in theater" for over a month and am not yet used to the temps of 111-124 degrees on a daily basis. The wind is blasting hot, like standing in front of a blast furnace; makes you think of the inside of the chicken ovens at Costco or SamsClub...

I have opportunities to preach and share Christ regularly. My job is a busy one in that I oversee and do ministry for an Army brigade of 3500 soldiers plus a base of other Air Force, small numbers of Navy, and civilian contractors. It all adds up to a population in this desert place of well, that's classified...

One my first nights here I counseled with a young (of course, given my age these days, almost everyone is younger than me, even my senior ranking commander!) soldier regarding his breaking marriage due to previous adulteries on his part. He was broken. He had thought about ending his life. I leveled with him, told him only God could give him the power through Christ to turn his life around. He understood. I listened in amazement and wonder as he spontaneously prayed to ask Christ into his life. If that is the only time that happens during this 15 month time in the desert, it will have made the trip worthwhile. I trust it won't be the only time.

• Please pray for safety for me and all our personnel here. Increasingly dangerous.
• Pray that God would build His church in this place through conversions and repentance.
• Pray for Marise (missed our anniversary again!) and Suzanne (16, going on 30, ouch!)
• Pray for Jon, newly commissioned in the Army as a Second Lieutenant, Armor, having finished this year at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

I should have pictures soon to post. We had pics taken the weekend before I left.

Don't listen to the bulk of the press regarding our progress of lack of it in this place. To leave prematurely would be immoral, unethical and cowardly. Those who advocate a too fast withdrawal with the result that the nation spirals into chaotic civil war are immoral cowards.

Enough of that. Long time since having any contact with any of you. I'm gratified to hear of friends walking with and living for Christ in challenging times. May we not forget that we are not our own, we have been bought with a price, and until He is done with us in this life we should not consider ourselves finished with Him.

Believe it or not, I miss you all, even after these many years.

Love,
In Christ,

I am, Yours Truly, For Our Family and My Fellow Service Members Serving the Nation
Mark Fairbrother
Chaplain in the United States Army, for the Savior