Lessons I've Learned

July 2004 Newsletter

Jim Ellifritt, from Afghanistan

Rev. Jim Ellifritt, an ordained UB minister, serves as superintendent of Northwest Conference. Right now, he goes by the title Lieutenant Colonel Jim Ellifritt. Last October, his Army Reserves unit was called to active duty to help rebuild Afghanistan's infrastructure. He has been in Afghanistan since January 2004. His son, Jim Jr., also in the Army Reserves, has been in Iraq. Jim's monthly newsletters have been quite interesting. We pass them on for your benefit.

I had a great leave! I was able to be home for 15 days. It was a great vacation and great break! I was able to get home within 36 hours and 13 time zones. Only took me one day to get back to the right sleep schedule in Vancouver.

Life here in Afghanistan is well. Getting back here was time-consuming. We flew from Portland International Airport to Dallas-Fort Worth and arrived after six hours. We then waited for about eight hours to get on a plane. Waiting in an airport is always such a load of fun. The good thing was I got a free meal: one of the people at Red Robin purchased all the food for soldiers in the restaurant. We then flew to Shannon, Ireland (sounds more cool than it was). Took us eight hours to get to Ireland. When we arrived we were locked in a terminal; the smokers were climbing the walls!

The trip to Kuwait took another eight hours, and we had to wait another three hours for transportation. Finally made it into the bunk about 3 am. We were stuck in Kuwait waiting for a flight for three days. What a pain. Got to Kandahar and waited for a commanders conference. Stayed for three nights before we drove back to Qalat. It was so good to get back to my own things!

Everything here really looks good. They only have a few things along with painting to do. The ground has been leveled out, trash cleaned up, and generally everything prettied up! Everyone did a great job while I was gone.

Not much else to report, so thought I'd throw in some of the, Lessons I've learned:

After 15 days, you really need to bathe all parts of your body. No matter how many baby wipes and how much baby powder you use, your body sticks to itself! And you really smell!
You can wash from head to toe with five pints of water.
Being shot at is highly over-rated.
A three-week-old newspaper is still better than no news.
A cup of Starbucks coffee will make most days begin civilized.
Eating with local nationals is a privilege and a challenge.
Drinking Chi (tea) out of an unwashed cup probably won't kill you. Same with eating off unwashed plates.
Lots of places cook and eat food that is very different. Goat brains are really gross looking!
Imodium or Kaopectate is your friend. After a week of the trots, a little pill makes you mighty happy!
When the nearest church is three hours away through "Indian country," it's still worth the drive.
Letters from home can be read over and over, and usually are.
Phone calls home are worth whatever it costs.
People can live on less than $40 per month.
The finest soldiers in the world are the young men and women representing America.
God is in charge no matter where you are in the world or what the dominant religion is.
One wife is better than four even if your religion allows it (Islam allows 4).
No woman looks good in a burka.
Electricity is for the weak. But it sure is nice to have.
Expensive health care is better than no health care at all.
Girls should go to school.
You really can spend $1,000,000 in seven months and still have barely scratched the surface when it comes to humanitarian aide.
Sand buggers are just part of life. Get ready to dig daily.
There is nothing like the smell of burning human fecal matter (we burn ours daily).
Running at 5200 feet is a challenge physically.
Afghans are the most hospitable people in the world.
Knowing a few Phastoo words opens many doors.

That is about all the new news! The only other news is that we were extended for an additional 90 days. Still hoping to be home for Christmas.

As Always in Christ,

Jim Ellifritt