Hello from Iraq: I've become a 'circuit rider'

The founder of Methodism, the Rev. John Wesley, organized a system of ministry that sent ministers out on horseback to provide worship for churches in various and sometimes remote places. It was called "riding the circuit."
In recent weeks, I've felt a bit like the circuit rider, as I've had to continue to provide worship at some additional forward operating bases in Iraq that don't have Protestant coverage. Recently, I've taken on a couple more.
Because our new rotation of Marines has an Orthodox chaplain who is prohibited from doing anything other than Orthodox services, we're being tasked to provide for the Protestants and Catholics in his battalion who are spread out over three different FOBs. So, each Tuesday, the Catholic chaplain and I "mount up" and go.
Workload continues
While the Rev. Mr. Wesley might have had an appreciation for the effort, I doubt he could have envisioned our means of travel involving military vehicles armed to the teeth. Horseback is not the way to get around in this place. There seems to be absolutely no let up in the workload, not only for me, but for all the chaplains and the soldiers and Marines who are here grinding out the mission.
Our brigade commander assured us we would all be getting a day off eventually, probably some time in July after we get home! The mantra being lifted up right now is to treat every day as if it were "Day One" in theater, that is, we should treat each day with the same kind of urgency and alertness we did the first day we arrived so as not to get complacent. Well, everyone has been working like crazy since day one, so in that way, we've been upholding the formula.
Some people back home have asked me about some of the violence here, which continues to make the news in the States, especially in regards to the Shiite and Sunni conflicts. We've certainly had our share here, but much of the news coverage centers on what is happening in and around Baghdad, which is out of our area of operations.
This is to say that because these situations don't impact our area, we are somewhat oblivious to the bigger picture. At times, I don't learn about these other events until I am able to watch the news myself.
A promotion
On March 29, I received my federal recognition for my promotion to lieutenant colonel, so it is official. They pinned on the rank April 7. It's good to finally have this process brought to completion, as this should be as far as I go in the rank structure for my career.
Whatever extra time I have -- which isn't much these days -- I usually spend in the gym or playing sports. I play volleyball a couple of times a week at the MP compound, and soon will be playing softball again on our grassless field. I attend what is called "Killer Abs" class three times a week, and each time I attend I'm reminded of why it is called that.
On March 17, I ran in the St. Patrick's Day 10K race and came in first among all participating 45-year-old Presbyterian chaplains! They took a photo of me crossing the finish line, and there was no one else in the picture because of how far behind all those other guys were. All these activities make the time go faster, and I think it's a healthy release as well.
Loss of life
The new rotation of Marines I previously mentioned which arrived a couple weeks ago suffered five killed in action this past week. One was by sniper, and the other by a single explosive device attack. These Marines indicated that they wanted to be more aggressive than the previous rotation, but I shudder to think what the rest of their rotation will be like if they don't take their foot off the gas pedal at least a little bit. Our total KIA count for the brigade since our arrival is 70.
I continue to appreciate the diversity of people which I experience in this place. This includes not only military personnel, but also the contract workers who come from various places in the region. The other week I was leading a Bible study and one of the participants, a translator from Syria, told me what a biblical term meant in Aramaic (the language which Jesus spoke). I asked him how he knew this, and he told me that Aramaic was his native tongue. Not very often will I get that kind of input at a Bible study.
Still no word on our exit date. Some are getting pretty irritated that we don't have more visibility on this by now. Time is moving along, nevertheless. It's springtime in Ramadi, and there's nothing like it. What a joy to see the days getting longer and the temperatures rising, and watching nothing grow in the brown dirt.
The Rev. Peter Lawson, pastor of Brownlee Woods Presbyterian Church, Youngstown, is serving as the brigade chaplain to the 2/28 Brigade Combat Team at Camp Ramadi in Iraq.