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Journey to Afghanistan - page 1

Preface, by Ken Magee

The Afghanistan opportunity in January of 2002 gave me both a sense of impending adventure and fear. Certainly things would be very different culturally, we would essentially be in a war zone, and the weather was said to be COLD.

All these thoughts resulted in my wrestling with this question: "Am I just a silly old man?" Finally I posed the thought in a letter to my family as follows:

Dear Ones,
     I will be flying out of Portland next Saturday bound for Afghanistan. It has been a difficult decision from the standpoint of its being much more comfortable to stay home, and I sure do especially miss Jo* when gone. On the other side of the ledger are some very compelling needs. I fret about my family's wondering, "What is that silly old man up to now?" In the middle of my trying to hear God, I received several reassurances, such as my friend, Bill Tamplen, telling the story of the boy with five loaves and two fishes who gave all that he had to Christ, and many were fed. I do feel like that boy. So dear ones, do pray for this silly old man.
    Much love, Dad, alias Grandpa

My family responded with a variety of things to ponder. I especially want to share with you this letter from my son:

Dear Pa,
     When men are young they generally think nothing bad can happen to them. When they are older (and wiser) perhaps they understand that what happens to them is not the most important thing. Considered from the outside, both sets of circumstances give rise to actions that might be considered silly. The former is, the latter isn't.
     You should not fret about your family. Although we love you and worry about your safety, we trust your judgment to follow God's will and that, after all, is the most important thing for you and for us.
     As Grandpa Tuning used to say, "Take your time going, but hurry back."
     Love, Noel.

With this comforting insight, I left.

*Jo Anne, my wife

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