Visit to Okinawa

This simple picture might not seem very impressive to you, but it was a welcome sight for us when we went to Okinawa to visit Tiffany’s brother. We marveled at straight roads where the dividing lines actually meant something. We walked across green lawns and were enthralled how they felt on our feet. We visited places like Taco Bell and Long John Silvers and were amazed that they tasted just like we remembered. It was like being back at home in the United States, but best of all, we were able to spend time with Tiffany’s brother Joe as he was stationed there with the Marine Corps at Camp Foster.

Tim had not seen Joe since he left for the Marines in May of 2006, and Tiffany had not seen him since his graduation from boot camp after her father’s funeral. It was great to see him in uniform, Lance Corporal Joseph Neuenschwander, to meet the other men in his squad and see what life is like for the many men and women who sacrifice so much for the rest of us. It was even better to be able to spend the week with him, relaxing together and reconnecting, sharing our experiences over the past year of us being on the mission field and him in his Marine Corps training. Being reunited, after so many months and miles had separated us, was a great blessing to our hearts.

As of August 16th , Joe’s battalion has been called up for service in Iraq. Joe, and 8 other men in his squad, will be in the "Hot Spot", which means a terribly dangerous place, for the next three months. We praise God because we know Joe is a Christian, having a true relationship with Jesus Christ, and we pray for him as he serves in Iraq. He and the rest of the troops need our prayers while they serve to protect the freedom of the people of Iraq from terrorism and hatred.

We have witnessed first hand the power of prayer in our lives and therefore ask that you would join with us in prayer for Joe...

1. Please pray for his safety and the safety of his entire squad as they serve in very dangerous areas.
2. Pray for his spiritual walk during these difficult months, that he would sense the protection and provision coming from our Father in heaven, and that he would continue on his walk of faith with Jesus. Pray also for Joe's witness to the members of his squad, many of whom are not Christians.
3. Pray for the end of the hatred and violence in Iraq, that peace and tranquility would indeed break out in this war-torn country, and that our troops would be able to come home.

Thank you for being there for us in so many ways, including celebrating with us as we were able to visit Joe before he left for Iraq and helping us lift him and his squad up in prayer.

God's blessings to you all,
Tim and Tiffany Gallant