Gratitude

Each day we’re given a new chance to make a difference in the world. Until we are gone, there is always hope of finding happiness. Meister Eckhart, a German theologian from the 13^th century, wrote: “If the only prayer you said your whole life was ‘thank you’ that would suffice.”

The DDKA Wave

Go Frogs!

(Right to Left) Barron, Lucy and me

Good friends from India!

Toilet in the house?

Dear Friends and Family,

Last Saturday (2/12) I returned home.  It was a long 3 days of travel but worth every minute!  I want to thank everyone who sent a box, a prayer or a thought during the my two month's excursion.  Safe Ports wishes for me to return in April, so there might me more postings yet to come. 

Deep gratitude,

Christopher
PS.  The reason that there were not more posts during the last 3 weeks is that internet access all but dried up.  How wonderful it is to have bandwidth...

How to Play the Banjo with a Guitar (Church Choir)

Of course, you can't play a banjo with a guitar but you can play Gospel music with a banjo AND guitar.

Above is the little group that somehow takes 5 new songs and (tries to) makes them  sound inviting, well rehearsed and spiritual every Sunday [Hello to Strings of Faith at First Pres!!].  Pastor Trimble (to my right) does an outstanding job of mentoring this eclectic minstrel group (might be a good name?) weekly.  Of course, changes occur regularly with a volunteer group like this.  Caleb Brown (young pilot from Texas) with the guitar in the middle has a great voice and rhythm that keeps everyone rolling.  I am awed by the burdens carried by our service members and am grateful for the short refuge offered every Sunday from 9-10 am.  We (the "chapel staff" arrive at 7 am just to rehearse, prepare Sacrements and have a cup of coffee (if for no other reason than to warm your hands).  [Good memories that I look forward to share.]

I'm coming home in 4 weeks!  The count down begins...
Love,
Christopher

Electrcian and Plumber

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, today had a nice twist. Our work site latrines with (2) 500 gallon reservoirs had the water pump fail two days ago. When the new pump arrived, we had to cobble together tools and figure out a way disconnect the old broken one.  In finest Afghan field fashion, there were no PVC couplings for the expansion tank (in blue behind me) and the output impeller (concealed by my body).  Since we had no tools (just a new pump that you see on the wooden box), we had to twist off the motor face plate and then the pump body to extricate the old one off and repeat the process with new pipe tape to put the new motor on.  After a few leaks from the new pump, everything works fine now.  It was a hoot.  Whew!

There was minimal drama today, no infighting nor rocket attacks.  Teams are still forming/storming, performing is taking place but only by exception/ not rule.  I hope they survive this start-up phase.  I have until 20 Feb to put standard work into place.

Love,

Christopher

Cold Morning 1/14 and Hurray TCU

If you look closely, I am wearing a TCU headband.  Hurray TCU!  This was the morning for the entire staff photo.  Guess who the photographer was strapped in a "man-basket" hoisted high on a forklift?  Yes, you guessed right.  That's why two photos.  The fellows with are the manager's from Safe Ports.  Overall, there are about 45 people making this war zone distribution facility work.  It's pretty exciting watching these very diverse groups (government, expatriates and Foreign Nationals (India)) learn how to communicate and collaborate.  Lots of good lessons learned about what to do and not to do.  Biggest lesson learned at the onset is to deeply consider the management personalities and how the might mesh or conflict prior to arriving in a possibly hostile environment (hostile from weather, isolation, living facilities, language, limited hygienic facilities as well as limited Internet access).  The bottom line is that we have better than most Foward Operating Bases (FOBs).  The food is surprisingly fresh and varied, sanitary facilities are surprisingly adequate and tentage (vice Chews (sp?)=hardback living cubes with 3 per cube that we are NOT living in)) allow enough separation that viral spreading of colds has not (yet) become an issue.  Other Lockheed employees working in more remote locations are envious of our availability to general PX commodities like cold and flu remedies if needed.  Knock on wood for me, I have been healthy as a horse.  It's off to choir practice tonight combined with a short bible study.  Oh Boy!!!
Love to all,
Chris

Thank You for the Boxes

Rising Star Coffee Introduced to Afghanistan

Dear Family and Friends,

This is just a big THANK YOU from all of us here at Kandahar Air Field (KAF) for the wonderful gifts.  My wonderful (and very good looking) wife Nancy has sent two boxes of goodies to include things like candies,snacks to die for, an electronic toothbrush and George Bush's autobiography.  My sister Holly sent a box of Roots Grocery Store snacks that are always unique (who ever heard of meatless Texas BBQ?).  Today, two boxes came in from a work friend living in Spencer Ohio, Valerie Toth.  She and her husband have a coffee business (RISING STAR) and it's the best coffee in country.  All my tent mates plus Defense Logistics Agency reps agree and there should be a big order on the way for 5000 pounds of coffee... stand by!

I just rode back from the work site, connected to the internet and the sound of rain is pitter pattering on the tent.  If this keeps up, everything will change.  Just imagine foot deep cookie dough mud that doesn't shake off.  Well, it will be worth another photo tomorrow.

Love to all,

Christopher

Wednesday January 5 Good Morning World

'Morning All,
Seems  like spring is coming (just a jest) but with such sunny days but cold evenings, when temperatures rise 5 degrees it's something to celebrate!  No rain in sight, yet.  [I hope that continues.] 

Mornings have proven to be very significant.  Starting in Dubai at 6 am on 19 December, the morning call to worship was a sound I have not heard since Saudi Arabia/Kuwait in 1990.  It is both comforting and mysterious in nature.  Now at Kandahar, the morning call is answered by artillery practice begining at about 4 am.  First, there's the kerumpa, kerumpa of mortars, then ratatattat of machine gun fire and finally the purrrrrrrr of the A-10's gatlin guns.  The first morning cacaphony of this odd orchestra had me on edge worrying about a nearby slug fest with the Taliban but since they did not sound the alarm... it could have been nothing but target practice. 

By now, it's probably something I'll miss while looking  forward to home when one of my dogs coughs up a piece of plactic (I do miss their nocturnal antics).  Nevertheless, morning are calm and soothing and they begin at 5 am (just like at home). 
Good night,
Christopher

Sunday 2 January Chris on Bike in Front of Tent with Smile

Dear Family and Friends,
Sunday snuck up on me.  It is a day off but I forgot it was coming.  What do you do on a day off?  Well, I slept in an extra hour, grabbed breakfast to go, rode out to the worksite with another friend and stripped the flat tire off my bike.  Yes, I bought a Chinese knock-off mountain bike with front and rear suspension.  Caliper brakes are pretty sporty but they forgot to powder the tubes resulting in a flat.  Of course, I rode on it awhile because it presented itself on the back tire (hard to see).  The roads are pretty washboard bumpy and I'll be more observant next time.  With the tire off, I can ride the bus to the soldier's board walk and get a replacement from the Hadji shop where I bought the bike and get some baby powder to avoid future incidents. 

Some enterprising mind dreamed up an elevated board walk with many little shops elbow to elbow aroung the outer perimeter.  Inside the board walk is a band stage tucked into the corner, hockey rink (sans ice... just concrete) and full basketball court of course... with a concrete base.

No bombers lately.  Cross your fingers.  Went to church to pray this morning (Mary Ellen has been on my mind lately) and will be playing with their little band next week.  Oh boy!

After we get another tube, I'll fix the flat at the work site and ride the bike back to the tent and wait for dinner.  Can I fix a flat?  Does Carters have pills?  Silly question.... time passed and flat is fixed (can't you see the smile on my face?)

That's all for today...
Love,
Chris
Again congrats TCU.