To the editor:
I’d like to thank everyone for all their support. What a difference it makes to know that people are aware and supportive of what we came here to do. Very little of the good being done here seems to find its way into the news. I have a limited view, I guess. I see the heart and commitment put into the effort by my men and we are well supported by both our military command and the folks who love us back home – that is enough for me.
Many people send well-wishes, thanks, and care packages full of snacks and sundries. These same folks also send a note with assurances that we are in their prayers and a commitment to pray continually. To me, this is amazing. Either only praying people send packages or the media has misled us into believing that people of faith are on the wane in our society.
You know, this has been the deadliest year, in Afghanistan, since the war began. In the midst of this, Charlie Troop has been uniquely blessed. My men will soon be together, again, but until now have been separated into five teams across some of the most volatile provinces in Afghanistan. Charlie Troopers have been in multiple engagements with Taliban forces. Several have been wounded – three seriously. However, none have been killed. Morale is fine. Very few have family issues back home. God is blessing Charlie Troop in a specific way – in kind to the specific prayers our supporters have offered up on our behalf.
Before each mission, patrols gather in a circle to get intelligence updates, do last minute checks, and reiterate mission priorities and contingencies. At the end, we bow our heads for prayer – asking God to show us favor over our enemies.
The absolute success of prayer needs to be conveyed. I feel the need to let folks know how much of what they are doing is not being returned void. I am now a more faithful Christian and a bigger believer in the power of prayer.
Having seen this, I am asking for more. I believe my men’s lives depend on it. In fact, let me ask two things. James 5:16 says, “…..The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” First, when you pray, pray earnestly. I think God can work best when we are desperate for Him to do so. Clearly, since the prayers have been effective, that is happening, so please continue to pray. In the military we would say: Sustain this action! Second, since God is blessing us, remember to thank Him.
Again, Thanks for all that you do. But, most of all, thanks for prayer.
Darrell E. Walker
First Sergeant
Charlie Troop, 1-108th Cavalry
