Archive Item #6

The Prayer Network Update - Powered by InJesus IRAQ #5: Hidden Hero Flies to Iraq

"HIDDEN HERO" FLIES TO IRAQ

by John E. Ruffle, London, England, 28th March, 2003. John filed the following report for the UK edition of "The Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches & Ministers International" newsletter, see: www.fgfcmi.org This explains his emphasis and references to "FGFCMI" throughout this piece. For the sake of clarity and time, he has decided to publish the article as is on "The Prayer Network" update.

Not many of us in the UK lead mega churches. Imagine, however, having a congregation of over 700. Now think of having to move the entire congregation abroad for at least six months - and not for a holiday, but to front line battle! An awesome responsibility. Yet this is exactly what fellow FGFCMI member, US Army Chaplain Leng Malia, did when her Army Unit flew into Iraq during the second week of the war.

In late March, just before leaving Fort Hood Texas, Chaplain Lang told me of her efforts in helping soldiers and their families come to terms with the reality of war. "Lots of soldiers are panicking and are stressed out," she said. One of the army's "hidden heroes", as a US Army captain, Leng is the highest-ranking Philipino in her division on active duty. Her responsibilities include the pastoral care for both male & female troops in full combat conditions, with lots of counselling and moral support thrown in. She will also be presiding over what everyone wishes could be avoided: funerals.

Back in Fort Hood, her husband Tom, (also an accredited FGFCMI chaplain), has been left, literally, "holding the fort." With 60,000 personnel and with an area of 386 square miles, Fort Hood claims to be the largest military camp in the free world. In peacetime, the camp would have 93 chaplains. All but 15 are now in Iraq.

To help shoulder the desperate need, Chaplain Tom will be comforting Army families and taking services on base in addition to his ongoing responsibilities in the local civilian hospital. He is staying busy: within seven days, Tom had responded to nineteen "code blue" calls (the highest level of alert). When I spoke with him, he'd had just three hours sleep between emergencies.

Especially with the uncertainties of war, husband and wife team Tom and Leng need our prayers. That is why a group of intercessors that I lead on the Internet have committed to pray for this couple in particular, as well as the UK and US troops, their families, and of course the POWs.

To gauge the level of commitment these prayer warriors from around the world - including missionaries - have, they are now considering attending the FGFCMI International Convention in Chicago, 10th to 13th July this year, just so they can meet, fellowship and pray together face to face for the first time!

Chaplain Malia would love letters that she can share with her unit - and thanks to the popularity of Britain's military stand in this war, ones coming from Britain might be especially welcome! Please email them to me at john.ruffle@wlc.ac.uk and I will ensure that they get to her unit on the Iraq front line. Copyright 2003 John E. Ruffle "The Prayer Network Update" John E. Ruffle is an ordained media minister, FGFCMI-UK member, college lecturer and journalist. A member of Chiswick Christian Centre, west London, he was accredited as a FGFCMI chaplain at the 40th International Convention in California last year. He can be reached for media interviews or for prayer training events at john.ruffle@wlc.ac.uk May be reproduced for non-profit purposes provided article is unedited & includes author credit, copyright notice & website address. A freely-given ministry to the Body of Christ in Jesus' name.
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