6/2/03___________________________________________

Brothers & Sisters,                                                                                    I'm a soldier in Kuwait/Iraq.  I just got back from a couple days in Iraq (from Kuwait).  Truly an eye opening experience, once you cross into that Country, it's as if you've entered the time of the Bible, and you feel out of place with all these Modern military vehicles coming through, with vehicles racing through with TV written on the side.  I turned and looked at a little girl about 8, she smiled and I saw the uncertainty, mixed with expectation in Hers, we moved on down the road past blown up trucks tanks cars, a Mig 21 still on the ground since '91, to a more modern Iraq!                                                                                                                I then realized that the country has one foot, still In the days of Abraham, and the other in the 21st century.  One part showing the greediness of man, man that's turned his back on God, and another side ripe for evangelization.  I saw a lot of things, but the greatest thing I felt and what I can't seem to shake, was the feeling that Jesus was saying I'm here and I love these people.  I felt a great need for prayer for the people of Iraq!  Like an evil spiritual force was ruling over that area, so the next wave, had to be Prayer covering, that the battle has now accelerated into the Heavenly.  That's my interpretation of the trip.        God bless,                                                                                                    Mike (Kuwait / Iraq)

____________________________________________________________