All is well with me and my soldiers here in Iraq. There is plenty to do and a short time to get it done. Our battalion is tasked to the max, but continue to get stretched even more.
We are already operating outside of the traditional role for a Brigade Support Battalion (BSB), but we have stepped up to the challenge. Ministry is plentiful with opportunities around every corner. I'm involved in Bible Studies, Sunday services, lots of counseling soldiers, visitation to all work sites, and other staff functions. I've been able to pray for every convoy we have sent out despite the time of day or night. My average day runs about 18 hours, but the Lord goes with me everywhere I go and I'm keenly aware of His presence.
In the past week, we have received new information about our deployment. Zero US troops will be left in Iraq post 31 December 2011. Some of our battalions have already received orders to re-posture to Kuwait for redeployment to US. My battalion will be the last to go due to our ongoing mission right now. Our deployment here in Iraq will be cut short. Instead of retuning home in August 2012, we will be returning possibly by the end of this year or by the very first of next year. I guess this is good news for most. I've enjoyed serving over here, but I suppose there will be other opportunities in the near future to deploy again.
If anyone plans to send anything by mail, it must be sent pronto meaning by the end of this month. If it is sent after the end of the month it will be returned to sender. We don't specifically know the date of arrival back to Texas, but it should be by early January 2012, or a little sooner. Everything depends on a lot of moving parts and how many troops are back logged in Kuwait trying to redeploy home as well. May God continue to richly bless you daily.
Here is Sarah's mailing address in Iraq:
Chaplain Tarpley
HHC, 123 BSB, 4-1 AD
APO AE 09378
Blessings,
Chaplain (CPT) Sarah D. Tarpley
[Editor's Comment: Chaplain Tarpley gets a lot of news coverage because she is faithful in reporting to me her endorser. And as the editor of Hugh's News I will report the news of our chaplains as they write me. I am not intentionally leaving anyone off. My primary mission is to serve our IPHC Military Chaplains wherever they may be in this world. May God continue to protect and provide for Sarah Tarpley, our first female Army chaplain, as well as our second female military chaplain.
Chaplain, Major Christy Beatty Sorrow, USAF, was our first woman military chaplain. She has retired now after more than 20 years of dedicated and distinctive service. She did her 2 years of residency with me as my associate pastor at Tarkenton Memorial Church in Athens, GA, in preparation for active duty. She met the man she married at our church in Athens. She and Rick Sorrow have three outstanding teenage children. Their oldest son, Kyle, is a freshman at Emmanuel College. He is a tall, handsome young man, and a gifted basketball player. Their two other outstanding children are Callie and the Mighty Russell.]
Posted on
Tue, October 18, 2011
by Hugh Morgan