Easter Sunrise Service in Iraq
Holy week in Iraq is a significant event in the lives of those serving in harm’s way. From Palm Sunday through Resurrection day time is carved out amongst the busy work schedules and military missions to pave the way in honoring our Risen King. With Palm Sunday we took the opportunity to cut branches from local palm bushes that are indigenous to Iraq and decorate the chapel. Once the triumphal story was told, I encouraged folks to prepare their hearts for Easter morning as we would bring in the day with praise, with the Word, and with prayer and fellowship.
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Easter Praise Team |
Prior to the day’s events we aired the Passion of the Christ film on Good Friday and then constructed an old wooden cross fashioned by weathered beams and secured with worn rope. This served as the backdrop of our sunrise service as we celebrated that the cross was barren. About 30 of us gathered together atop an old bunker inside a gazebo. Here we were all able to see across the flight-line and over the tops of buildings, structures, and trailers as the sun gloriously arose. Our first song; Celebrate Jesus, Celebrate, followed by Because He Lives, and closing with He has Risen! These songs, powerful as they are, allowed us to take a moment and truly appreciate the greatest sacrifice every made. That word sacrifice is close to the soldier’s heart because so much is sacrificed through deployment and being away family and home. As close as it may be, nothing can compare to what Christ did upon the cross.
With the word spoken and preached, and testimony given, a challenge was made that throughout the day instead of Happy Easter, to greet others with; Happy Resurrection Day! Those words of truth and inspiration sent waves of comfort and strength to all to whom they were spoken. This greeting became a solemn reminder and a glorious confirmation of why there is such a day and such a celebration. In a place like Iraq, close to so much Biblical history a risen Savior was honored and the lives of US Army Soldiers, standing in the gap for freedom were encouraged in the faith during this holy Easter season.
Praise Be Unto God, CH (CPT) Jeff Bartels
