GOD SPOKE

GOD SPOKE

There are five tall high rise condominiums and several garden apartments that make up the complex where I live.  There is also a security staff that rides in little golf carts around the property twenty-four hours a day.   Back in 2005 my Mom was chatting with one of the security guards, a charming Pakistani gentleman whose son just happened to be deployed to Iraq with the Marine Corps!!!   Naturally my Mom wanted us to connect so that I might support his son with care packages, which you know is one of the passions of my life.   I got his son's address and commenced shipping immediately.   His son Ali  was with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, out of California.   That was the beginning of a most unusual journey for both of us. 

 Ali was stationed in Ramadi, Iraq during that deployment and as you may recall 2005 was an intense time of combat in many areas of the country.   Ali and I corresponded as he received and shared the care packages.   All was going smoothly until late one night I received a phone call from his Dad.   He was informed that Ali had been shot in the head, but no further information was available.   His Dad called me hoping I might know someone who could give him more details.  I spent hours calling everyone I knew in the Marine Corps, and no one was home.  Then I remembered I could reach the liaison office at Bethesda Naval Hospital (now Walter Reed).   I gave the liaison  his Dad's phone number and what little information I had.   Not until early the next morning did his Dad call to let me know he had just heard from Ali and  that his injuries  was not as severe as previously reported.   Shrapnel wounds to his head, eye, upper body, and one eardrum.... he had stepped on an IED and thanks be to God he was still alive!!!!     Ali spent a short time mending physically and then returned to the fight to complete his deployment,  but not without a deep fear that had not existed prior to his injuries.   

When Ali returned home to Maryland for his two- week leave he invited me to dinner so that we could meet.  It was an evening I will always remember.  A tall handsome young man with a warm and caring demeanor, he  brought me an enormous  Patriotic basket arrangement with huge stuffed Patriotic bears and wood Americana carvings.  I was so touched by such a perfect but unnecessary gift!!   With his permission I donated the stuffed animals to the local Fisher House at Bethesda Naval Hospital and the carvings still adorn my wall.   Ali and I formed a unique friendship  because I was the one civilian with whom he could discuss his military life and share his stories that others would not understand.

Ali deployed again in September of 2006.   He was at sea on a MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit) returning to the Middle East.   About that same time I had been introduced via emails to a Marine Veteran who was serving in Iraq, Johnny Russo,  and in his emails he quoted Scripture.   He quoted Psalms 91 and 121 which related to warriors and God's protection.   That was my introduction to Scripture and it was so beautiful that it moved me to purchase my first Bible and read the Word of God regularly.  

Mid-November I got a call late one night from Ali who was back in Kuwait mobilizing to return to Iraq within hours.   This time he spoke of his dread and feared he would not return alive from this tour.   I tried to calm him and tell him that he would be safe but I felt his fear in my heart.  He had to hang up quickly but said he would try to call one more time before heading into the unknown.   I got down on my knees and I cried and prayed and cried and prayed until I crawled into bed and cried myself to sleep.   In the black of night and in a sound sleep I was awakened by the brightest white flash of light and I awoke trembling.   I knew that God had spoken to me.  White light is a sign of peace and hope.   I was wide awake and I knew that Ali and his Marines would all survive this deployment.   Again my phone rang.   The timing was God's........I was able to impart God's message to Ali....I told him what had just happened.........how God woke me up with the message that he would not be hurt.   He could return to combat knowing  he was covered with the Lord's hedge of protection.   We were both so relieved and he said he was so thankful that he had called because he was at peace now and would not be afraid.   Needless to say, Ali and his brothers returned home safely.  No one was hurt.  Praise God for His power and love!!!!

Throughout Ali's deployment he wrote  several times to tell me that he truly felt the presence of God protecting him and that his fellow Marines also thanked me for sharing God's message with him which he had relayed to them.   Ali completed his enlistment obligation in July of 2007.   We remained close friends and my Mom and I attended his wedding  a couple of years later.  Now he is happily married but does not stay in touch.   I understand how that works....as many of my contacts stay close in trying times but when they settle into their new civilian lives they separate their new lives from the old.  

How blessed I am to have experienced such an event as God speaking to me.  I realize that this gift from God is a rare gift, and one that had a profound impact not only on my life but the lives of others.   A turning point, you might say, that brought peace to a terrifying moment.   My prayer is that my God will open up many more opportunities to serve him and share just how powerful He is.