The news the last few days that have grabbed my attention is the Taliban take over of Afghanistan including entering into its Capital. I think its safe to say it caught the US and the world by surprise. The United States is trying to evacuate its citizens and have sent thousands of Marines and Army soldiers to help with that.
These appear to be the first footage of the Marines arriving (I haven’t found anything else and I put some effort searching):
There’s always a certain bounce with Marines’ movement. As I looked I can’t help but to think about how 70 percent of enlisted marines are 24 and younger with the bulk joining right out of high school which means most of these Marines are young enough to be the sons of the first wave of Marines that entered Afghanistan nearly 20 years ago.
That definitely puts it in perspective of how long the war is in Afghanistan.
And its been a sad thing to see the Taliban taking over; not because I’m for the previous government or think the US should be in Afghanistan longer but I’m sad to think of what will happen to the Afghan people given the Taliban’s past track record.
I think of Christians. They are going to be persecuted. I think of women. They will probably not have as much freedom as before. I think of those interpreters and other Afghans that helped with the US mission and what will happen to them and their families.
Its the types of thoughts that you don’t want to try to imagine.
I was moved hearing about US veterans of Afghanistan wanting to help to try to bring those who with Americans to be able to escape and come to the US. Here’s one such veteran, a Marine:
I would be lying if I said I’m not emotional seeing all that transpired since last week.
I didn’t serve in Afghanistan but with all the news it made me think about my time with the Marines in Iraq and my interactions with locals.
I remember there was this one Iraqi interpreter that served both our Infantry Battalion and another Light Armor Reconnaissance unit. One dark night in Iraq I was walking near where I slept (we slept outdoors) and a Light Armor Vehicle nearly ran me over as they drove quick without any light. We are talking about a pitch black night. I was kind of upset but next thing I heard was the LAV crew yelling “Corpsmen up!!!” which is the Marines version of saying “Medic!” (Marines don’t have medics who are Marines, all our “medics” are Navy personnel called Corpsmen). I remember several Corpsmen ran up to the back of the LAV and it was dark and they called me over to help get a wounded individual out of the vehicle but they were doing it slowly since the guy got a serious neck and jaw injury. And it turned out to be the translator. They were making some night raid and the translator got injured while being on top of the LAV.
After getting him to the medical tent and I radioed for a medevac helicopter I was told to clear the guy’s weapon which I had with me since the Corpsmen that first worked on him handed his weapon to me. The weapon was really dirty and I had to go to where there’s light to see what was jamming the weapon. And now finally being in the light that’s when Marines and Corpsmen saw my uniform had the translators blood. Of course I wasn’t aware of it at first since I was focused on trying to unjam the guy’s pistol. Marines and Corpsmen told me I had the guys blood all over my uniform. I was thinking about how I need to wash my uniform right away and everyone was telling me I shouldn’t wash it. I was confused as I was thinking Marines typically value hygiene. Some older men who seen more more of their shares of blood and carnage told me there’s no way I was going to get the blood out of my uniform.
Now if you know me I do tell a lot of Marines stories but usually happy and funny ones. I haven’t thought about this event for a long time until things on the news made me think of this. I thought about what ever happened to the interpreter. He was an older guy probably in his late 40s or early 50s; definitely quite old to be with a bunch of Americans far younger in age and he wasn’t necessarily in fighting shape. But he spoke English and could translate things well. He was helpful to Americans on the ground. So he did what he did as an interpreter even though at times that put him at risk with his own life and also risk with some of the tense meetings the Marine leaders might have with others. I wonder about the guy, whatever happened to him and also his family and spouse.
I believe most military service members won’t ever want to leave another service member behind. I imagine that sentiment is extended to those who are not Americans but helped Americans during times of war. I can’t imagine many veterans are feeling easy thinking of the possibilities that some might be left behind in the mercies of the Taliban. It’s not a political thing; its a compassion thing.
There’s a code of conduct the military has for prisoners of war that I always thought was very powerfully worded: “I will never forget that I am an American fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.” While those words might be for servicemembers who are captured nevertheless they are words that should guide military members even when they are not captured. So much responsibilities hang with those words.
We may fail. But God and Christ will not fail to keep His Words. Which makes me appreciate more Hebrews 13:5 and other verses similar to it: “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER ABANDON YOU,”“
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. My wife and I were activated back in 1990 under “desert shield, desert storm, and we’re fortunate that we did not go overseas. So many suffered great loss over these years. Your thoughts truly resonate within my soul as a human being, solider, and a Christian. Let’s be daily bringing these Afghani people and our own service men and women before the throne of grace.
Encouraged to hear you and your wife once served; may I ask what branch? Indeed let us pray for the Afghans and servicemembers; I”m praying also for them to come to know the Gospel!
We served in the Army Reserve
Thanks for sharing your experiences. The translators in Iraq and Afghanistan and other civilians took tremendous risks in working with U.S. troops. Yes, the people in Afghanistan will now come under the heavy heel of the radical Islamists. Believers will be severely persecuted. Very hard to watch.
Very hard to watch indeed; been praying much these last few days. What time did you wake up today??
My wife picked up salads at Wendy’s yesterday and I made the huge mistake of asking for their jalapeño popper salad for the first time. I like spicy food but that bordered on the inedible. I ate every morsel, of course, and woke up repeatedly throughout the night with agita. Finally got up at 3. When will I learn?
Excellent post. Thanks for sharing that story and your thoughts. Really puts it in perspective for me.
Let’s pray for the Gospel to advance in these times; thanks for reading this Michael
Reblogged this on clydeherrin.
Heavy post. More than 40,000 Canadian troops were deployed in Afghanistan over 13 years, as part of the NATO mission that ended in 2014. The Canadian Forces lost 159 soldiers in the fighting, but many veterans say the toll wasn’t fully realized until thousands returned home broken and traumatized by what they had seen and done. The cost of war is huge and the aftermath is no exception. We live in a broken corrupt world and the evidence for this is everywhere. I feel for all who fought for freedom in this war, especially those Afghans who also risked their lives and all that they had to further the hope of freedom. It’s a sad day all around and God’s grace is sorely needed, for all of us. There truly is only one hope and that hope is Jesus. Blessings Jim.
Bruce you were in the Canadian Armed Forces and know first hand your country’s professionalism. I don’t think most Americans understand how much you guys contributed in Afghanistan. Marines typically see themselves as the best and yet I know many have the deepest admiration for the skills Canadians in Afghanistan have displayed. Please know I have the biggest respect for you and the rest for the peacekeeping and NATO operation that beyond the politics the soldiers have tried to make a difference especially with Afghanistan. I hope and pray for His grace to save both physically and spiritually many in Afghanistan at this time.
Thank you for sharing, It very hard to watch these kind of unrest. We will continue to intercede for Afghanistan. Our help comes for the Lord, He will come to their rescue. Many blessings to you.
Thank you for reading this; our help comes from the Lord indeed. God bless you Zama (is that your name and how I should address you sister?)!
Yes, my name is Zama, or sister Zama
Thanks so very much for your service for our country. I am always comforted knowing men you like protect our freedoms. God will honor your courage.
I am praying for the Afghans and for the brother and sisters of Jesus who will now face certain persecution.
Blessings brother. And again, my thanks!
I was hoping you would say something about what is happening in Afghanistan. Thank you.
Oh sorry I didn’t mean to mislead! My mind has been going all over the place with concerns with things there. I’ve been trying to find out more news myself and there’s little about the situation on the ground right now it seems, but I imagine in days that’s going to change…and we’ll find out more what’s happening in Afghanistan. If there’s more news you have found feel free to share William, I’m desiring to know more too myself.
Right now, knowing the extent and level of consequences of President Biden’s catastrophic decision, it is really difficult to pray rightly for our “Commander in Chief”. And he has the unmitigated gall to say this isn’t another fall of Saigon. Perhaps he is right. It’s far worse! He has failed the people of Afghanistan as well as all the servicemembers worldwide who served there. Pray for me – that God would restore a heart of compassion for President Biden, as well as for others bent on destroying our nation. We are told to pray for our leaders and exactly how to pray for them in 1 Timothy 2 and elsewhere. I also know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the ONLY real answer to not only this issue, but ALL of the evil perpetrated at the hands of sinful men. It’s just hard right now. At this moment in my life I am far more imprecatory than compassionate toward some of those I am commanded to love.
Praying for you and I both. Thanks for sharing that
Dan, I am on the same page as you. My husband is retired Army who spent significant time in Afghanistan and Iraq and this weighs heavy in our household. I empathize with you in regards to praying for our “commander in chief.” Praise God the more that we hide God’s Word in our heart, the more we will know what to do, even when it is hard, so that we will not sin against Him (Ps 119:11). I am more like Job o PN the ash heap who has no words. I am thankful in a world full of lies, lies and more lies that Jesus Christ is the Truth. We can trust His Word. Thank you for sharing this, please know that you are not alone. Blessings, Mandy
Thank you for sharing your experiences during your time of service to our Nation as well for the people of Iraq Jim—
As Americans we tend to have the desire to want to help and serve our fellow man and woman hardwired into our psyche—as Christians, that desire is actually our calling by God—
Our service men and women, our first responders, have always exemplified such—
I hate the way this is all playing out— no dignity, no handing over of power but rather a tuck tail and run approach that is not who we are.
Rather it is a cold turning of the back on people who trusted and aided us— we owe people more during our departures— but you already know this—-thank you Jim for your service
Thanks Julie for your kind words. I agree with so much you said. The way we depart matters and I’m most grieved with those whom helped us in dangerous situations and we are going to not be able to get them out…I hope it won’t happen but can’t imagine we are able to get many out in time. May God be merciful….
I had a principal once tell me that ‘how you end a year is just as important as to how you start a year’ — don’t coast on out, but finish strong—
Sadly the US has not finished strong, or rather technically, it hasn’t finished at all
As always I’m not sure we are getting the whole story. We just have to continue to trust God’s will is in play.
True..we have to live as Christians knowing many things we don’t know and there’s lies and yet how much more we need to live with what we do know for sure: The truth from the Word of God, amen?
I was going to wait until tonight to share this. Jimmy, there is SO much heaviness in our household right now. My heart for Nathan, military and Afghan people. This is just horrific and has done nothing to help US diplomatic relations and standing in the world. This horror again affirms that man and this world’s system cannot be trusted. Trust and Peace are a person and His Name is Jesus. As always, thank you for all the ways you serve your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Lots of love, hugs and blessings to you, Nancy and kiddos.
I’m praying for you and Nathan sister. I can’t imagine Nathan feeling well with all that has transpired and it was hard doing sermon prep for myself on Saturday. It’s so heavy thinking what this will mean for the Afghan people.
Dear Lord, comfort Nathan, Mandy and many veterans and their family. Lord our hearts are all heavy for Afghanistan, for its Christians, women, and civilians and those who aided Americans. Help them Lord, help those helping the people to get out. Protect our soldiers, airmen and Marines there. Restrain the Taliban…let the Gospel advance in these times and people come to trust in Christ, in Jesus name we pray, amen
Amen and Amen.
Thanks for your story regarding your interpreter.
This whole situation in Afghanistan, while tragic, reminds us not to trust Earthly princes (Psalm 118:9) — as Blue Collar reminds us.
Indeed we can’t trust earthly princes and especially concerning matters that can involve lost of life. May God have mercy…thanks for your input…
Thanks for sharing your story, Jim, and for serving. It helps put context for what’s going on in Afghanistan. I, too, am praying for our troups and the people in Afghanistan who now have a very dark road ahead for them under the Taliban’s evil control.
I’m encouraged to hear of your prayers Mel, I really am
The Afghan affair is a desperately sad story over many years. I have friends who served in hostile territories from Northern Ireland to Afghanistan itself. The outcome in Afghanistan is very sad for those who served and especially for those who lost someone. The history of other nations in Afghanistan over hundreds of years is not a good read, and certainly our politicians have not learned from history.
Agreed with you Alan; I don’t want to get too political and offend anyone, I think we should have focus on striking Al Qaeda but not necessarily occupied the whole country. Alan, there’s been a lot of great soldiers from the UK fighting alongside Americans there. I have the utmost respect with the Royal Marines and Paras our unit worked and trained with. Yesterday I saw a news item of a Royal Marine sharing his thoughts and it made me realized how this is not just something that affects only the US and Afghanistan. Let’s pray for many to come to Christ in this time…
Amen brother!
My grandson recently got out of the Army as a military police and is now working for the Sheriff’s dept. here in the county. For being so young, he’s seen a lot too and has told me this week about his feelings. Yep, it’s a compassion thing and it’s the type of thing as True Christians hopefully we have nurtured. I don’t watch much news now days, but the situation over there has truly brought me to prayer! Thanks for sharing Brother! God Bless!
Pastor Roland I am glad you got to talk to your grandson and that he shared with you his thoughts about all of this. This too has got me praying and praying more and praying specifically for Afghanistan. I hope that in the midst of this that there are people coming to Christ be it Afghans, Talibans and Americans and others…let us pray for that.
Pastor Slimjim, thank you so much for your service and also sharing it here. I concur with many of the sttong sentiments posted here re Afghanistan. May this not be a passion du jour, waning as the media switches gear. God does great work with faithful people in lamentable places – and we can undergird it.
Hebrews 13:5 is encouraging but 2 verses up reminds us, “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourself were suffering”.
Many American Christians have lost their way, jumping on band wagons that couldn’t possibly matter in God’s Kingdom. May God shake us and make us useful vessels to serve.
Thank you brother.
I join you in this prayer and desire that we as Christians be His vessels of His purposes and light. May the Lord bless you as a vessel in NY
I am going to write about Afghanistan in a future article a history of the last 40 years of what led up to this point
I really look forward to that, thank you brother!
My new post is now complete and ready to read. I have been writing it since last night
Thank you for telling me!
Amen. Thank you.
God bless you Bonnie, lets pray for many Afghans and other nationals to come to Christ during this time
In prayer. Amen.
Thank you for your service, Pastor Jim. As I read through these comments, I had to go and read a couple of articles about the situation. I was under the impression that the U.S. withdrawal was poorly planned and it certainly seems like that is the case. One of my facebook friends was concerned that there would be another Benghazi type of story.
I will be praying for the situation in Afghanistan. So many lives are at stake there.
My focus the past few days has been a brother-in-law with covid who has been put on a ventilator in the ICU at a local hospital. My sister is a faithful Christian but it is a very difficult situation.
The world seems in such a crazy mess these days. Prayer and God’s Word will get us through. Jesus is our only hope.
Chris can we as a church pray for your brother in law tonight during our Bible study? I’ll be praying personally regardless….please keep me updated yeah?
That would be great, pastor Jim. His name is Chris and he is a Christian.
Thank you so much for your prayers and I will definitely keep you updated.
God’s blessings…
A quick update on Chris, Pastor Jim. There has been no change. He is 100% reliant on the ventilator. Thank you for your prayers.
Sad; so sad, praying
Hi Pastor Jim.
I just wanted you to know that my brother-in-Law, Chris, passed away last Saturday. Thank you so much for your prayers. My sister is doing as well as can be expected. She is putting up a new Bible verse every day on her facebook page. Thankfully, Chris was a believer. Praise God!
May God continue to bless your ministry.
I’m so sorry to hear about your lost. This is heavy and sobering. I am glad to hear that he is a believer and made me think about the hope we have. How are you with this news? Praying for your sister.
Thank you for your kind words and your prayers, Pastor Jim. The hope that we have is certainly very comforting. What a blessing! I am doing fine and doing the best I can to support my sister. Most of the funeral arrangements have been made and Chris’s Mom and sister are in town so Lori should be able to relax a bit in the next few days before having some real good down time. Please thank your church for their prayers and may God’s blessings continually be with you and your family.
Hello Chris, I am praying this won’t turn into a Benghazi situation and people won’t get stranded there after Aug 31.
Hi Blue Collar Theologian,
The same prayer will be among mine. Reading some news articles, I am also very concerned about the thousands of people who have fled to Kabul as the Taliban took provinces across the country.
One article stated:
“Many residents of Kabul now wait at home in quiet dread. Whatever their variety of circumstances, everyone is trying to find a way to safety and deciding what to do next.”
And then I read this article:
https://newsflash.one/2021/08/17/up-to-40000-americans-are-still-stranded-in-afghanistan/
If the situation is anywhere close to the one described in this article, dreadful doesn’t begin to describe it. According to it, the Taliban now controls Kabul. and the terrorists have given us a time limit (probably the Aug 31 date you have mentioned).
The Taliban number anywhere from “a core strength of 60,000 fighters. With the addition of other militia groups and supporters, that number could exceed 200,000.”
This is according to According to the US Combating Terrorism Center at West Point per this article:
https://news.yahoo.com/afghanistan-taliban-gained-ground-quickly-230729047.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall
Admittedly, I haven’t followed this “longest war” very closely and I certainly don’t consider myself one of the sharpest tacks on the wall, but in a few hours of research on the internet, I do not understand how our leaders did not see this coming. I guess the CIA saw it coming but that must not have been enough.
There is no question the U.S. currently lacks wisdom at all levels of leadership. Christians know where wisdom comes from:
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” -Proverbs 9:10
A large portion of American society no longer believes this Bible verse and I think many of our problems are the result of forgetting where real authority comes from.
We can do the thing you have suggested BCT, and it is the most powerful thing. We can pray.
God’s blessings…
I just wrote a post on the history of Afghanistan Mandy
Thanks for posting this Jim and for your service.
I am retired military so this is effecting me and many people I know in a very profound way.
I want so bad to weigh in on this on my blog but I haven’t found the words.
Anyway, praying for the whole situation and everyone who is touched by it.
James I know what you mean how this is so heavy and no doubt you being a Career military man this is even heavier. I had a hard time to write the words for this post and the little information didn’t help…yes indeed let us all pray. I’m glad you are praying James!
[…] News about Afghanistan & Thoughts of Not Leaving Anyone Behind […]
Well said, Slim. Lots of prayers going up right now.
Hey Slim, why are the Marines taking the knee in your opening pic?
I never served (tried joining the Marines!), but my dad was Army Reserves during Kuwait in 1990-91, and many of my friends joined each of our armed forces. I also have several friends who were interpreters or their children in both Iraq and Afghanistan, both where also my best man (James, and a Marine) served multiple tours.
It is crazy to think a) I know some of the kids heading off to basic now whose parents I went to high school with and served over there, b) I know some of the families who helped our forces, c) I know some pastors from there, and d) just how quickly this all went down.
I do not have the experience, but I am praying for all the soldiers, allies, and families right now.
Thanks for sharing.
Wow Daniel you are surrounded with people that would no doubt be effected with this news including the pastors. God bless you Daniel as you minister to all those from various angle…I bet you are praying, and the last few days I’ve been really praying too
Interesting article written from a Marine’s Experience. I am going to write an article on a retrospective of the wrong decisions made in Afghanistan over the past 40 years and how it led up to the current Afghan Government Collapse. The only thing that seemed to work in Afghanistan was when it was a monarchy until the early 1970s. Before 1973 Afghanistan was stable
I look forward to that post brother
I have just finished my new post about Afghanistan
[…] News about Afghanistan & Thoughts of Not Leaving Anyone Behind — The Domain for Truth […]
Powerful insight! I have heard similar sentiments from veterans in news clips. For lack of a better term, there is a sense of a “band of brothers” with those who assist the military. I give thanks to all of our men and women who have served.
Thank you for this Jim. God has given you a wonderful perspective of today’s events.
Thanks!! It’s been difficult to see the news last month. How are you doing healthwise and energy wise??
I still tire easily, but seem to be making progress! Thanks for asking!
Read mine too
The repercussions of this debacle will be felt for years and sadly some people enter into eternity with this horrible withdrawal
I know this was hard for you to go through. And you know a lot more who are still trying to deal with it. Know that I am praying. I got back on to try to catch up. My wife has surgery this morning, but it is good news. The graft in her arm is finally working and they are removing the catheters in her neck and shoulder. Once healed, she can take a shower for the first time in over a year and a half.
Wow thanks for this update and thanks for reading the blog! I hope your wife is able to get some rest and sleep post surgery! Are you guys still at the surgery center/hospital???
No, we are back home now. She is fine, and she can start taking showers tomorrow. She had hardware, plastic tubes, but hardware, hanging from her chest for a year and a half and now that is gone. She is in a much better place emotionally. Thank you for your concern and prayers.
So true. Quite disturbing. Biden’s popularity went down the drain with this