What a Great Weekend...

Hi Family and Friends,

I had my first full weekend with my new unit at Buckley Air Force Base and had a great weekend of ministry! It is such a joy to know God has placed me in a place where I can pastor a group of people from all walks of life...most of whom have yet to acknowledge God. I got to meet so many great soldiers and spend time encouraging those who are walking through difficult times. I have two unique and fun Chaplain assistants who are like my associate pastors (young, very young!)...they assist me with the ministry to the 400 soldiers under my care.

I started an accountablitity program with these guys to make sure they are doing ministry when I'm not around. I purchase cards before drill and ask them to make meaningful contact with different people by being able to hand deliver personal words of encouragement to a variety of people by the end of drill. I told them my goal is that we are the most caring and pastoral UMT (unit ministry team) in Colorado by the end of the year.

Chapel was great today. I served communion and led worship and taught on "The Greatest Sacrifice" (seemed appropriate for Easter Month!) Overall I just had a rich and fulfilling weekend with my guys and gals...I'm thankful God has given me the opportunity to make it this far.

The commander of the battalion is a strong Christian and it was so encouraging to see him worshipping in the front row of chapel right next to a young private...Amazing to see how a love for God can make officers and enlisted guys forget about rank for awhile...

I got to go up for my first ride in a Blackhawk Helicopter and that was an amazing two+ hours in the air over Denver and the eastern plains. The pilot kept practing quick landings out in the prarie and ended the flight by showing the chaplain what the machine could do...If you get motion sickness you wouldn't want to go up :) He kept weaving through the trees along a stream about 50 feet off the ground...Ride em Cowboy! It was neat to watch the antelope and deer run below the copter on the prarie.

I thanked the pilot after the flight and was so happy to see him show up for chapel this morning! God is good...Please keep praying that I can make a significant impact for all of these men and women...I want them to see Jesus in me as I walk around, counsel, and lead chapel. My heart is pretty full.

Sadly the pictures I had saved on my camera were erased by accident...(I'm really bummed!!!)

Blessings,

Dave