Report on Marine Ministry

Dear Friends,

On Phil’s return from his incredible week with the Marines, he said he was in "exhaustive bliss" after speaking ten times to six companies of Marines where he was trained as an infantry machine gunner at Camp Pendleton, California, at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, and the Navy Chaplain’s Annual Dinner.  

The Navy chaplains and Navigator Military Ministry staff, along with Phil, are overwhelmed at what God has done in answering Phil's prayer of over twenty-five years of imploring God to give him an opportunity to go back to his old training units. Thank you to all who prayed so fervently. What fruit God gave from the investment of your prayers.

Phil spoke at field camps in the California mountains, in the squad bays back at camp and went from fox hole to fox hole, before night attack maneuvers.  After sharing his story with each group, Phil was deluged by a sea of Marines whom he counseled one-on-one as they lined up behind one another on such topics as "My wife is pregnant by another man and wants an abortion, what should I do?"  "As a Christian, how do I deal with the language and temptation?" "How do I know I will be able to kill another man?" "How do I learn how to forgive the enemy who kills one of us?" "How do I deal with the fear?" "How do I prepare for the grief and responsibility?" "How do I keep from letting down my other Marines?" "How do I learn to forgive my father who deserted my mother?" "How do I forgive my mother who deserted me?" and "How can I continue the physically exhaustive training?" Many were incredibly lonely and most feared letting down the USA, the Corps, and their buddies.

This time was not without its bittersweetness as Phil was visiting his old battalion headquarters of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, the most decorated regiment and battalion of the Marine Corps. The crack, crack, crack of automatic weapon fire echoing through the canyon from the training battalion, the pop, pop, pop of the helicopters moving Marines into the training exercises, the vivid pictures of combat on the walls of battalion headquarters, the smell of carbon from weapons being discharged, and the commanding officer of the battalion thanking my 56-year-old husband for his service was just too much for the old boy, who finally excused himself to the car. Marines never retreat, but they sometimes reorganize to the rear, assuming a more effective defensive posture.

The 228^th Annual Navy Chaplain’s Dinner was a wonderful event and many had tears in their eyes as Phil shared his experiences and encouraged the chaplains about the importance of the task they had been given by God. Phil was also thrilled to again meet a young Marine who was invited by Adam Korkow to attend the CBMC outreach in Lincoln, Nebraska three weeks ago.  We have a small world and a big God! 

On a personal note, this mama hen had all six chicks under our roof for this wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!  We didn’t getting much sleep as we caught up on what everyone had been doing, but my are we thankful.  Hope the time with your families was equally sweet.

Thank you for your partnership in His work. The hope of Christ is unfathomable and His love undeniably the answer to men's greatest need.

In His gracious care,

Susy