Spare Change

Jim in Iraq

Posted by Bryan

Recent emails from Jim, serving our military in Iraq:

Hello everyone,

I had to relocate back to the KBR camp’s temporary quarters for new people since we have added a night shift. They are commonly referred to as “Cheese Boxes” and “Chicken Coops” because of their appearance. The chicken coops are large air conditioned buildings partitioned off with wood to create individual living areas. There is anywhere up to 16 or 20 people in each building. The accommodations consist of a cot and that’s it. The rest is up to the individual to come up with. People can be very creative with plywood and two by fours, building things like bookshelves, wall lockers, and chairs. The drawback to living in these quarters is every one has different shifts, so people grumble about the noise, light, and what have you when trying to sleep.

The cheese boxes are shipping containers (or a conex) that have been customized. They have a door placed in the end with an air conditioner installed. There are two different sizes, three-man or six-man. Just like the chicken coops, all they provide is a cot and sleeping bag.

The cheese boxes are arranged in rows of 10 or so with the doors facing each other. Outside of each door is a plastic makeshift porch, used to knock off the dust from our boots before entering. The space between the rows is only about eight or ten feet. When I walk down the row toward my container the sound from the air conditioners drowns out any other sound. It’s kind of eerie. I don’t know how many containers are there, must be fifty or so.

The latrines and showers are located across the road from our “apartment complex”, it’s about a hundred yard walk. The soldiers have better accommodations when it comes to the facilities we have in our temporary area. Their showers and restrooms are maintained better, cleaner. When I hear soldiers complain I gently remind them of how good they really have it.

I live in one of the 3-man cheese boxes, number S15. My two roommates are on night shift and I am on days. When I get off of work, they are already gone for their shift, and I’m gone when they are off. It’s almost like having my own place. I have a night stand, the one Rodel built for me, a camp style folding chair, a lamp, a boom box and a cot. Very simple, but it’s comfortable.

Since I had to relocate, I take the bus to my worksite. We have so many people in our department that we have our own bus. It picks us up at 5:45 in the morning and takes around to all of the housing areas. At about the same time that evening it makes the rounds again bring out the night shift and taking us back to camp. The whole thing reminds me of a labor camp. We all gather at the same time to take the bus to work, and then all come back at the same time, seven days a week. It’s comical if you think about it, “Time to make the donuts”.

I have no complaints about the food. Last night they served steak, lobster, and crab legs. I expected fine china and silverware to eat with, but no, we used paper plates and plastic flatware. It’s a new experience eating such fine food with picnic supplies. Beth asked if she should send me a set of silverware and cloth napkins in a travel container that I could take back and forth to the dining facility. I thought it was a good idea, but declined.

This reminded me of the time we lived in Albany where I worked at a federal building processing new enlistees in to the service. I took my lunch on most days, trying to make ends meet. Sergeant Morales was one of the other guys assigned there and we ate our lunches together. After a short time it became a contest as to who could bring the best lunch. Each morning Beth would make me a deli style sandwich, including different types of finely sliced meat on deli rolls, varieties of pickles and olives, an assortment of salads, fresh vegetables and fruit, deserts, and a variety of drinks to choose from. What got out of hand was the basket, silverware rolled up in a cloth napkin and crystal to drink from. It became more costly to bring my lunch than to just go out and eat. I eventually settled on plastic flatware rolled up in a napkin and canned drinks, but the food stayed the same. I do have my standards, after all.

Anyway, back to the present. Things are going well, almost settled in to a routine. I will be glad to get into my permanent quarters, should be a month or so. When I do, rest assured I will send you a description. Until next time…
-jim

Good Morning, Men, A little over a year ago, just before my ordination, my daughter was looking over the list of names that Beth and I had invited to the service. She commented to my wife that there were a lot of important people on the list. My wife replied to her, “God has placed many men in your daddy’s life for a purpose; we just don’t know what it is yet.” Now may be that time and purpose. Some of the things that are missing over here at Camp Anaconda are Christian materials. There are plenty of secular things in the Post Exchange, but Christian material is only available to those who have friends and families sending them. I have seen some Bibles available for the asking, but beyond that it is limited. If possible, I would like to ask if you could send material I can share with the chaplains and circulate to the soldiers and civilian contractors here at Camp Anaconda. I am thinking of things that will strengthen the believers who are here, encourage them, and give them the resources for personal or group study and prayer. Things like daily devotionals, magazines, books, music, etc. There are 20,000 soldiers here on this base, men and women, with more on the way; and 2000+ civilian contractors. There is a new Post Chapel being built and the Post Chaplain, Lieutenant Colonel Lowe, has a vision of having a reference library for anyone who wants to use it. I am confident that any materials you send will be an asset to such a library and will be much appreciated and a blessing to someone. Please send me an email message with any comments or suggestions. I thank you in advance for your generosity. I will keep you informed of the works generated from your prayers and support. Be Blessed! -jim

If you are interested in taking part in this, let me know by emailing me.

Good Morning, I just got back from attending a Praise & Worship service at the Sustainer Theater located across the street from my office. One of the songs we sang caused me to bring out my pen and write down a few thoughts; it was “Holy Ground”. How wonderful that we can gather in a place that shows a lot of garbage throughout the week and make it Holy ground simply by coming together and praising our Lord and inviting Him in. I would ask you to remember our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who gather wherever they can, whether it is in a theater, in the middle of the desert, or on the ocean a hundred miles from shore, praising God, praying together, and leaning on each other through these times of trial. Please lift up a prayer for them and thank God that we don’t need a building to worship in. All we need is the Holy Spirit, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matt 18:20 (NASB) -jim

I have a new co-worker here, her name is Terry. Michelle has moved to the night shift and Terry and I cover the day. Terry and I share the same faith and work ethic so we get along very well. This morning I went and brought breakfast back for me and Terry to eat in our office. While eating I put on a CD of “The Hee Haw Quartet” singing gospel music. The songs are very simple, but precious. Later, Terry and I stepped out to talk with someone and left the music playing while one of our crew, Alphonso, cleaned the office. When we came back in Alphonso had the music turned up while continuing to work. I asked him if he liked it and he said very enthusiastically “yes, sir”. I don’t know if Alphonso is a Christian, but the door has now been opened for further conversation. Do you live your life in such a way that people know what and who you believe in? Or do you keep it to yourself afraid of what others might think? Let your light shine and see what brilliance it brings into your life. -jim

August 30, 2004 11:01 AM | TrackBack