Deployed again...

A fortnight from now, I should be back at the same base in the same country for a 13 month deployment. If I'm lucky, I'll get the same room (that I worked so hard to functionalize at the beginning of my last deployment). I will be in a different billet on the staff, which is good news--it is a two deep job, meaning that I will be someone's deputy, and will be spelled, though I'm sure there will be occasions where the mission will require more than 12 hour shifts. The base, which was during my last deployment one of the safest places to be in country, is now even safer (for instance, hostile incidents in the province have dropped from over 450 a week province wide to less than 50 a week province wide). However, complacancy kills, and the country is still a dangerous place. That being said, quality of life is increasing at an exponential rate, not only for citizens of this country, but for service personnel there as well. The point is that as much as I appreciate all the care packages I recieved back in 2006, and as much as they were "needed," I'm being increasingly informed that there is more available on the base there than many small bases in the US. However, as during any other time in my life, and certainly for Sheryl and Joshua, I request your prayer.
Sheryl and Joshua are pretty well established in the new pre-fab home, though I've got a bunch of things I'm going to try to close the loop on this weekend (clean and organize the shed, move stuff over from a neighbors, get a ceiling fan working, put wire screens on the skirt vents, etc.). Sheryl will need wisdom and courage to deal with issues that come up, from plumbing to whatever, working with the manufacturer where the warranty applies, the broker, and the various "fix it" folks where necessary. She'll also need a break from parenting every once in a while, as well as need to attend various functions related to her position on the PTA, on committees at church, etc. A big need for her is available and reliable child care. Joshua is, needless to say, going to miss me, and while I was gone last year he had several opportunities to participate in "guy stuff" with men in our community. A fishing trip, a few hockey games, a monster truck show, a field trip to the Midway (aircraft carrier), these were things that he was able to participate in, and my prayer for him would be that he would continue to have the opportunity to do stuff like this due to the generosity of decent men. Check Sheryl's blog (link to the left) to stay informed on what's happening with me for the next 13 months...

Semper Fi, JarHedJon