Farewell

2nd battalion 3rd Marines, who just returned from Iraq, did so without 23 of their own. We attended their memorial service held on base. All of those who fell had family members in attendance. Their command-ing officer spoke of their contribution to the effort of bringing peace to Iraq. It was an emotional moment for him when he read a letter from the Mayor of the city in which these men fell, expressing his appreciation for the sacrifice that was made on their city's behalf. It was a touching moment to feel a level of loss these family members were experiencing. It reenforced our passion to be here for them, reaching out with the good news to those preparing to deploy once again.

Welcome home 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines

What we've been up to

Char has been leading the Protestant Women of the Chapel program for the base chapel, teaching a weekly women’s Bible study in which she just finished leading the Patriarchs. She continues to hold a monthly book club. They have recently finished book #65. She continues to be the one who holds the details together for the house ministry that would other wise eventually vanish through the cracks if it was up to me. God was right on when He said "It is not good for Ray to be alone!"

When the Da Vinci Code was hot and heavy I taught a series dealing with the issues surrounding it. We used it at the House, in the chapel adult Sunday school, and with a group of senior Air Force Officers at Hickam AFB. Our key guy and worship leader, SSgt. Casey Pater, joined me in developing and teaching the series with the Marines. This was an opportunity to build into his life and develop ministry skills. He did an outstanding job covering the falsehood of Gnosticism and the reliability of Scripture. It appears that Casey and his wife Jodi will probably attend Multnomah Bible College preparing for full time ministry. They would be a good couple for Cadence someday. :-)

More recently we went through a study on “Biblical Wisdom” with the Hickam AFB couples. Being with these folks brings a different experience in military ministry. They are closer to our age and have simular life experiences. They tend to be better versed in scripture and more experienced in their walk with the Lord than the younger folks at the Marine Corps base. As as a result, it takes us to a deeper level of Bible study and provides a contrast we really enjoy.

Also the contrast between Marines and Air Force is somewhat different. We had a Bar-B-Q with the Air Force folks and played “Killer Crochet.” Killer Crochet has a different meaning for the Marines then for the Air Force. The Marines enjoy and take great pride in sending their opponents ball flying off into the surrounding fields. The Air Force people are just as competitive but in a kinder and gentler way. I don’t know if this is a good thing or not, but I really do enjoy crochet with the Marines!

We mentioned Doug in our last prayer letter. He was one of the infantry Marines who was involved in the urban assault on Fallujah, a history making event for the Marine Corps in how well they did with so few casualties. Doug was a great help to me in gaining a better understanding of what a person goes through in the killing of another human being, up close, in combat. Perhaps some of you know what that means. From what I have read and learned from Doug and a few others, I thank God I haven’t had to process that in my military experience. For those of you that have and perhaps are still going through it, you have my prayers!

Recently Doug finished his enlistment in the Marine Corps and is home in Georgia. He keeps in touch with us a couple of times a month, for which we are honored. He will be spending a week with us in May. Doug exemplifies that there is still significant ministry that Cadence needs to have with those men and women who have recently transitioned out of the military and into civilian life. The Cadence K.I.T. (Keep In Touch) program was developed just for that very reason. Many seem to go through a level of depression and a sense of uncertainty and purposelessness when they first get out. This is especially true for those who have experienced combat and the camaraderie that was experienced in those situations. Before Doug left I had the opportunity to take him through a “Master Planning” seminar that seems to be helping him bring a Biblical focus and purpose to life and focus beyond his combat experience. It is something that draws from both outside and inside the person.

Dylan and Carlos are two of the Marines we had the opportunity to minister to here. Both have been out of the Marine Corps for a couple of years. Dylan has just finished his third year at Multnomah and is doing well, and I must say that Multnomah has done well in training him. He was here recently and spoke at our Friday night fellowship. It was with a little pride, and much amazement, that we listened to Dylan teach and effectively challenge all of us.

Carlos, too, when he was here a few months prior, and on his honeymoon, spoke on obedience and challenged us as well. Both of these guys had been key men in the ministry and both make us feel that God used us to make a differrence. We are excited to see how God is going to use these two men to make a difference in the lives of others. As that commerical might say, "living in Hawaii 'expensive!' Keeping up with the Marines, 'next to impossible,' being allowed to be part of God’s instrument in launching lives for the sake of the gospel, 'priceless!'”

We know we were not the only ones used to impact these young lives. In a large way, those of you who have been supporting us and praying for this ministry carry much of the blessing as we have been standing on your shoulders in sharing the gospel and our lives with the military community. Thank you, again!

Kevin Joyce is another young Marine we have mentioned in our newsletter. If you remember, Kevin was killed in Afghanistan. Not too long ago there was a memorial service held on base for the five who had died there. From the various testimonies given at the memorial service about these five men, it was told how Kevin was one of the greatest encouragers of his fellow Marines and how he was always vocal about his faith. After the ceremony was over the men from the battalion who had been standing in formation, were dismissed. Most of them approached the memorials and formed circles around the symbol of these fallen Marines I noticed that the largest circle was at Kevin’s memorial. It illustrated in a visual way how God used Kevin and his faith to touch many of his fellow Marines while deployed to Afghanistan.

In the last couple of years I've been investigating the issue of “passing the baton.” We have no plans to stop or retire anytime soon, but this issue is one we want to give more attention to before there is no time to give. Please pray with us as we think through the above issues as an extension of your ministry to military men women and their families. How can we best equip them to face battle and what footprints should we leave behind for them to follow. That foot print is Christlikeness, to be sure, but how should that take shape? What are the key elements? What does it specifically mean for these we minister to? Should the Lord allow us to continue on for another 10 to 15 years how should they be different as we slowly begin to move aside and let this generation pick it up and carry on? Specifically, what does that mean for our ministry with Casey and many other unnamed people who are part of that next wave of God's warriors to enter the battle for souls? Would you please pray for that concern, specifically?