Life Is Noisy

This is an email that I sent out today.  I probably missed some people.  Sorry.
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Hi from Afghanistan,

I’ve been here since the beginning of August.  I’m writing this message to a group of friends.  In my last message my prayer requests were related to my safety and my work.  I’m happy to report that God has kept me safe and my work has gone well.

That was the short intro….  If you have time, read on.  If you have even more time, write back – please.

Now for the details — I will recap for those who have just joined my adventure.

I’m in Afghanistan, without the family, working as a VSAT technician.  Basically I’m installing VSAT satellite dishes which provide communications to remote sites in and outside of Afghanistan.  The communications provide Internet connectivity.  Additionally I’m installing and supporting local area networks (LANs) which are attached to the VSAT terminals.  I’ve attached a neat image which may help you understand what I’m doing.

I was originally contracted to work in Iraq for 2 months, but at the last second I was asked to go to Afghanistan for the 1st month and Iraq the 2nd.  Two weeks after arriving in Afghanistan the owner of the company which I work for asked me to be the interim manager for Afghanistan.  What this means is that I should not have to go on to Iraq.  This is actually a big relief since I’ve learned the threat levels are different between Afghanistan and Iraq.  The levels are measured from 1 to 5 (5 being extremely dangerous).  Presently Afghanistan is level 3 and Iraq is level 5.

I’ve not written an update like this for over a week since I’ve been answering many questions from friends, individually.  I will try to reiterate my answers for the sake of everyone.

I’m living in a regular house.  The house doubles as my office.  I have two Afghan nationals who work with/for me.  Masssy and Schuib.  Both are in their early 20s.  Both are Muslim.  BTW, they know that I’m a Christian.  We discuss spiritual things every day or so.  I’m trying to be a good listener first and second I’m waiting for them to ask me questions about me, being a Christian and all.  This approach has gone very well.

Anyway, Masssy is my driver/interpreter and Schuib is house/office logistics.  Both have technical skills which have proven very useful.  They’ve been doing this work for the company for a couple of years and overall this kind of work in the area for 5 years.  Talk about getting started young.

I trust Masssy and Schuib.  I’m grateful that we are getting along very well.  That is huge blessing.

I was homesick real bad around the 15th.  After counsel from my family I felt much better.  The biggest part of it all was that when my Afghan helpers went home after work I was basically alone.  I’m not used to being alone.  For safety reasons I’m unable to leave the house, alone.  I live in a regular Afghan house in a regular Afghan neighborhood.  I’d like to get out and meet people, but that would be unwise.  I can’t afford the chance of someone turning me into the xxxxxx for money.  I’m grateful for good neighbors.  I’ve been told they won’t turn me in.  Additionally I’m glad the house has a 10′ wall around it.  This makes it hard(er) for the neighbors to actually see me (to see me alone).  Again, unfortunately I can’t interact with my neighbors.  I’ve been reading the Bible, praying and studying more about VSAT.  Additionally I’m able to listen to Bible teachers via the Internet.  BTW, I get electricity from a small generator and have Internet access via VSAT.  My neighbors get electricity only when the city decides to turn on the electricity.  When it is on, it’s only for 4-7 hours, at night (every other day, or so).  Sorry, I got off subject.  I’m feeling much better now.  I also have been able to use Skype (a free Internet video chat service) to talk with my family and friends.  Let me know if you want to chat via Skype.

When it comes to interacting with the nationals, I do have opportunities to talk with Afghans at my customer sites.  But we pretty much only talk about the service(s) which I’m providing.  I’ve mostly interacted with Afghanistan & US military.  Some of the Afghans know English.  I can’t see myself presenting the Gospel, directly, in the short time that I’m here.  But what I’ve been told is that I’m not like any other American that they’ve met.  I hope that I can reflect what a true Christian is to the people that I come in contact with.

Please reply with comments and questions.  Please consider praying for me and my family.  The biggest prayer requests are my safety and my ability to do the work that I’m here for.  I’d like to show the people, which I come in contact with, what a genuine Christian is.

PS – I’m putting together a blog.  I want to share my family’s life with you.  I’ve put off doing a blog in the past because I’ve been considering the pros and cons of using my full name in a blog (with my children’s names, and pictures, etc.).  I think I will make a blog that uses only our first names (to begin with).  Do you have an opinion about this?  Let me know, please.  Thank you.  Also, do you have a blog??

[Update – I have this blog – I’m avoiding using last names]

PPS – I attached one photo of me – I had to dress this way for a major US air force base that I went to.  This was a light weight bullet proof vest and a not-so light weight helmet.  I do not dress this way normally. 🙂