Small Gifts for the Little Ones.

Outside the wire again, but this time for work of the heart. Oh what a feeling to give to these young children that have so little. Coats, hats and gloves sent from my wife specifically for these boys that spend their days with their fathers in the SOK yard outside the gate.

The morning had started a little rough and just hectic and I was feeling a little off as my mind wondered towards my upcoming R&R. I had recieved the box of coats from Catherine that I had asked to be sent after my last trip outside the wire. I had noticed that several of the boys that spend the days outside with there fathers had no coats, or very tattered hand -me - downs. It was on my6 heart to bring them these for a while and once the box showed up I couldn't wait.

I decuided that today would be good as it would boost my Spirits and I prayed that the Lord would lead the morning. I expressed to Abu that when the truck returned that I would need to use it as I wanted to go to the ECP. Knowing my purpose he asked if he could come along and help. As we drove to the gate there were no trucks in the SOK yard so it looked as if we would not have anyone to bring the coats to. We figured however that we would look and see.

We left the coats in the box in the parking area and walked through the ECP and out into the real world. Still makes me feel good just to be out. Anyway, walking past the barriers and into the SOK yard we were met by several older men, one of whom spoke broken English. They were wondering if what we were looking for if we needed them. With them was one of the boys who had been on my heart, so I explained that I was going to bring him a coat. That I had to go back in and get it but it was to replace the older one that he had. He is the tallest one in the picture.

So back to the car we went. Past the Afghan Guards, and the Albanian Guards and the American Guards and back to our car. Picking the biggest coat, hat and gloves that we had we went back through the ECP, grabbing an interpreter on the way. I wanted to be sure that the boy understood why he was recieving the gift from me. When we reached the SOK yard again low and behold our one boy needing a coat had turned into three. Two more boys stood before us along with the other.

It was so heartwarming to see this boy remove his pold coat and place the new one on. Then the gloves and hat. Turning to the other boys now we had the interpreter explain that we had more coats for them if they would wait a few minutes. That I had their sizes and it I could go get them now. So off we went back through the Afghan Guards, back through the Albanian Guards and the American Guards and to the parking area to pick up two more coats. Back we went out as before.

There standing with the three boys, the two that had no coats and two more now without coats. The littlest in the picture. Abu, I knew we should have brought the entire box! We explaining again what we had, and that we had enough for the new boys, but that would be the last of it for now. This time we roused the curiosity of the Commander of the Afghan Guards. He walked over very slowly and stood for a minute looking at what was going on. My thoughts, by the look on his face, was he is not liking this.

Then he spoke and the interpretor answered him. I figured this was my cue to give the man the respect due him and move closer and introduce myself. I asked also if he was ok. The interpreter told me that he had explained what was happening and the Commander had thought it was a good thing, that the families were poor and that the could use these coats. Relief. I explained now to him about how these coats were a gift from my wife and family and that they had sent them from America for these boys. We still had the two new boys to take care of so off we went back through the ECP.

This time on the way back from the car one of the American guards noticed us and asked if we needed escort. No thank you, we are ok. Just going out here for a minute. He asked if I was going far, I said no, not this time but I have thought about it before, was my response. We just kept walking and returned now to the crowd of people. The last two boys recieving their coats and hats.

We spent a lot of time after this taking some picture and talking with all of the guys. The older men began to explain that they had brothers and sisters at home that also need coats. If I would be able to bring some for them. Also had a few requests for shoes for the boys,and looking down I could see why. Sandles and broken and torn shoes on their feet. I let them know that I had no promises that I could but I would try.

As we left we took some of these photos that you see above. We moved up by the Afghan Guards and spoke to them for a while, it is nice having an interpreter along. That is when I formally was introduced to the Commander, Sultan Asar. I was able to speak for a few minutes with him. He expressed to me at that time that he had three granchildren that could also use some coats. two and a half, oneand a half an six months. He asked if maybe I could bring some for them next time. Again I said that maybe in three weeks or so as they would be from the US.

We walked back now as a group and I stayed near the Commander figuring that it was the most respectful place for me. Abu and the Sgt who he knows walked in the front. Moving back past the Afgahan Guards and on to the gate. We stood outside the gate for a few minutes until the Commander walked away. This is when the interpreter asked why I was so nice to these boys and men. Opportunity, opportunity, opportunity!

We are all people, and I have children of my own at home that I thought about. I would not want them to have no coats when it was cold. He asked why I had the beard, which I explained was for fun and so I didn't have to shave. Are you a Muslin sir? No I am a Christian I explained. But we are brothers and we all serve the same God. We are all His creation. With this we moved inside the gate.

As Abu and I walked to the car Abu turned to me and said that was good Sir. It was a good day because of that. Yes, yes it was.

There is just an absolute feeling of freedom outside of this fence. There is peace when I am interacting with the local men. Today there was joy from charity and it was just so pleasing to serve God. Again I wonder what it would be just to walk, in tottal trust to God, down into town and into these peoples lives. One day.

Lord, may you use me, and this simple gift for your glory. May this be a seed in the lives of these men and their families that you may use. May it be watered by me and those that come after me to this land. thank you Lord for the opportunity to serve you.