When it gets close to home

"The war is real," said the gentleman as I left the church building last Wednesday evening. His statement came after prayer for one of our soldiers who had been wounded in Afghanistan. During wartime, they are all ours, those men and women laying their lives on the line for our freedom. But, when it gets close to home, we pay attention.

Specialist Aaron Davis of the 173rd Airborne Unit was wounded last weekend during a terrorist attack. Aaron received injury to a leg after a bomb was thrown into one of the trucks. Immediately afterwards, our soldiers were surrounded by enemy fire and Aaron continued to fight for four hours before being wounded the second time. This time shrapnel lodged behind his eye and it took him down.

"The blood was gushing down my face," he told his parents, Davlyn and Alvin Davis of Kilgore, when I called out to God. "God, are you with me?" he asked. "I heard him answer, "I Am, I Am." "The next thing I knew a Marine was pulling me to safety and I was transported to the hospital."

His parents are devout Christians and by his testimony raised Aaron to be one as well. They are currently members of the New Covenant Church, formerly Church on the Rock. "Most of the guys with Aaron were just a short few days away from getting to come home when the orders came in," said his mother. "They are allowed to call home before leaving. It was three days before the orders became effective, and Aaron got to call home all three days," she said. "He began to dread going out and made comments to me regarding scripture. I began to give him verses from the book of Joshua to help keep him strong in his faith," she said.

Aaron was airlifted to a hospital in Germany. Soon, he will be flying in to Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. to undergo surgery to remove the shrapnel from his eye. "The overwhelming love and support is unbelievable," Davlyn has said over and over. "Friends that have grown up with him have raised money for air fare to be with him when the plane touches soil in the states. Chase Patterson, Michael Clements, Robin Gates and Rose are those ready to fly out with us. Charla and Jonathan Kidd and their scouts, Wolf Pack 251 have been wonderful and the support continues to pour in," she said. "Our concern at the moment is his eyesight. Please keep the prayers coming for him and the others," she said. Aaron has already been awarded several medals for his courage and valor.

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"I have experienced God as I never have before," said Tim Capps after returning from a mission trip to Brazil. "It was a great experience, very humbling." Tim's daughter, Darby was also one of the thirteen who traveled out with him from Macedonia Baptist Church to Brazil. The group stayed with thirteen Brazilian translators in a church located in Caxia, Brazil. The trip lasted 11 days. "Our mission was to pray for those who for some reason or other have backed out of church or those who had never really experienced God. I estimate approximately 300 people prayed to receive Christ and have no idea how many rededicated themselves to the Lord. In all honesty, the numbers are irrelevant…lives were changed, families were brought back together, backsliders have reconciled their issues and are back in the fellowship, and a church is on fire (for the Lord). Strangely enough, the big changes may have occurred within our group…

"I have cried with people that were overjoyed with their spiritual reconciliation; I have broken bread with people that gave to us the best of what they could offer; I have been humbled by being in the presence of the Lord and it could not have been possible without you lifting me up in prayer. It was an incredible trip," he said.

Speaking of gatherings, the KHS Class of 1956 met at Bodacious Bar-B-Q on Thursday, June 17, June for good food and fellowship with the class members and spouses. Having a good time were Jim and Betty Hren, Frank "Buz" Elder and Lee, Don and Pat Holley, Ralph & Beth Bassett, Jimmie and Tootsie Parks, Rip & Judy Vanwinkle, Mary Jane Puckett, John and Joy Barnett, Bobby Arden, Wayne and sue Bass, Loy and Mona Gordon, charley and Helen Hawkins, Forrest and Sondra Johnson, Norma Norris, Shirley Thedford, Steven Thompson, Patsy and Alton Walker, John Foster, Chuck and Reba Walker, Tommy and Bettye Swanson, Joy foster, James and James Emmons, Gay Huff. With that many you know there were plenty of antics taking place, yet, no one was ready to reveal them.

May His Love and Laughter Fill Your Hearts and Your Homes Throughout the Week. In the meantime, we may be reached at 903-984-2593 or by e-mail at chitchatlinda@aol.com