Afghanistan. I went from a desk job in Kabul to a position monitoring and advising all regional commands in Afghanistan about respectful care for literature, furnishings and build- ings for all faith groups. In this position, I traveled more
than 40,000 miles by air, made friends with Lutheran chaplains from Germany, Norway and Aus- tralia, and supported two congrega- tions 500 miles apart on bases with no other chaplain. My two interdenominational par-
ishes received a uniquely Lutheran perspective on the gospel, and together we prayed for protection, peace and the success of our mis- sion to enable the Afghan people to provide for their own security.
Fed by family of faith When my aunt was given a terminal leukemia diagnosis, I was allowed to take two weeks of R & R (rest and recuperation for those posted in combat zones more than 330 days) to spend time with her. My return coincided with Sam’s graduation from boot camp, so I also surprised him by attending. Aſterward, my wife and I and
three of our kids drove home in time to attend Sunday worship at All Saints. My name was still in the bulletin, a reminder that I was only on R & R. During the sermon we heard
a grace-filled message about how much God cares for and loves us, no matter who we are or what we’ve done or said or thought. Like a fountain of living water, it refreshed my soul. Tis aspect of the gos- pel is oſten underemphasized by Protestant military chaplains. My family was being fed well during my absence. And I was being fed too. When my youngest son, Caleb, was
confirmed on Reformation Sunday 2013, my wife streamed the service to me using her smartphone and All Saints’ wireless access. And while I watched from a dark, distant place in western Afghanistan, the pastor wove my online presence into the affirmation of my son’s baptism. When my deployment ended, I
was glad to be moving back home. Navy personnel typically take a “slow boat” approach to return- ing, traveling through several way points to their final destination. Te goal is to help returning war- riors adjust and to reduce problems associated with a rapid transition from the chaos of the war zone to domestic life. Helping me to adjust, on my first
Sunday back at All Saints, Rhine- smith asked if I would be interested in a brief rite of welcome during a
future service. I was. Two weeks later the congrega-
tion welcomed me with words of gratitude, of restoration and prayer. Returning to the pew, I opened up the bulletin to find my name was no longer listed among the deployed. Ten it became real for me: I was
off the paper and back in the pew among the people God had used to faithfully mitigate and overcome the stresses of my deployment. I had never been far from the thoughts and prayers of my family of faith.
Author bio: Jacobson, a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, is grateful to be home. At presstime he was awaiting a new call.
JACELYN PEABODY ’15
J-term Medical Mission Ometepe, Nicaragua
An education that ensures a life lived with meaning.
THAT’S THE VIEW FROM HERE.
www.carthage.edu
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