I remember his first day of school. I have a vivid picture of him standing with lunch box in hand –wearing blue shorts and a striped shirt— white socks pulled up way too high–looking much like Alfalfa of the Little Rascals with every hair in its slicked place except one.

Today that same little boy (but now over 6 feet) is on a plane to Kandahar, Afghanistan.

What will I do these next 6 months? I will do the same thing I have done every day for the last almost 40 years. I will trust the One who loves him more than I do that “He will keep Shane in perfect peace, whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in the Lord.” Isaiah 26:3

Shane’s battalion has been on ‘ready’ for weeks–waiting, waiting; it is time. The plane, now flying in the clouds over the ocean will arrive tonight for the first stop at a base in one of the ‘stan’s. It is too difficult to imagine, to comprehend just where this plane will take him, into what new areas of ministry will challenge him, into what tests he will walk.

Becky will be strong in these months of separation–being mother, father and teacher to four little girls–waiting for Shane’s calls. We can thank the Lord for the technology that does allow communication more often than in previous deployments. And he promises to call us when there is time.

Shane is a chaplain and will be called upon to minister to his soldiers in their times of stress, fear, anger, pain and separation from their families. I pray that the Lord will enable him to rise to those needs and that he will be a strong force in the base there, bringing glory to the Lord he serves, resting and trusting in the Lord to sustain his personal, emotional and spiritual needs.

“So do not fear, Barb, for I am with you–and Shane. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41: 10