Our first 48 hours in Iraq

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It's hard to believe that we've not even been in Iraq a full three days. We are learning our new roles as quickly as we can. I'm sure Mark already has a great handle on things here at the base/field hospital. It will be a very busy and important role, but I know he'll do an amazing job. With every new task I learn, I'm taking work and stress off of the small admin team here. I'm sure within a few more days my daily list of duties will be quite lengthy. We have new people coming to serve at the hospital every day and others who are heading back home. We also have an large amount of national staff who rotate in and out every few days. There are a lot of people to keep up with but the team here is wonderful and it's been incredible to see how God has handpicked each one of us to be here. Thank you for your continued prayers that we will serve well and as a caring and unified team.

War is horrific

I don't think anyone can be fully prepared to enter a warzone. Not mentally anyway. We received a thorough security training upon arrival in addition to some online training we had to do before we got here. I started to get a decent picture in my head of what it might be like, but nothing prepares you for seeing it with your own eyes. Our first night at the field hospital we received an influx of nearly 20 patients... the biggest load that had been seen here in days. It was all hands on deck and very intense. I'm sure serving in a hospital after a natural disaster is also difficult, but we've all remarked about how seeing the trauma and casualties of war is perhaps even more disheartening. These are victims of hatred and evil. Villages that were deserted by those fleeing the fighting have been heavily booby-trapped by the enemy and now many families trying to return are being killed when they step on their doormat or lift up the coffee kettle.

Please continue to pray for all of us here. Our medical team is working long hours and sometimes right when they think they'll get a break, a new wave of patients comes in. We can only do so much in our own strength, so we are relying on God to provide everything we need for this great task. Thank you for lifting us up whenever you can.

It's been quite cold here in Iraq. We packed accordingly but it's still a bit of a shock after being spoiled in warm Gulfport the past few weeks.

I was recruited on our first night here to be a hand holder in the women and children's ward. For nearly six hours I tried to console this little girl. I can't imagine what these precious children have already seen and experienced. As I am typing this, two little children are dying in the emergency room. They are being rocked and sung to by our loving team. We cannot explain how much we appreciate your prayers for us and these families.