Deo Mushambo

Catching up on the month's posts, I wanted to introduce you all to Deo Mushambo. Deo is with the Ugandan Army protecting the US soldiers at Fort Summerall, Iraq while the US soldiers are on base (someone has to watch over them while they refuel and recharge!) As you'll read from his testimony, Deo was blessed with meeting Chaplain Chris Rusack and now is one of the lay leaders for the Ugandan Army soldiers bible study and services when Chaplain Chris is out on patrol with the soldiers. What's most amazing is how Verda Reeves, Deo's 'adopted mom' found us while searching for Swahili Bibles to ship to the troops. Verda, Deo and I are in frequent communication these days working out the technical kinks in getting Deo enrolled in Chuck Missler's http://www.studycenter.com/ Koinonia Institute so Deo can engage in formal Bible study. Please keep Deo and everyone in Iraq in your prayers!

Chaplain Chris Reports 01 August 2008

To both of my brothers named John,

My apologies for not being in touch lately. I have been travelling extensively throughout Iraq in the past three weeks, visiting our men out at remote patrol bases and bringing the Word to them. Thank you for all of your prayers and for all of those who are praying for us. It makes a huge difference!!

On one of my trips about two weeks ago my convoy was hit by an IED. I watched the truck in front of me erupt in a huge explosion and smoke. There were a few minor injuries but, Praise God! No one was killed. When I got to my destination they told me they haven't had a single IED on that road for almost three months. They couldn't believe that it hit my convoy. I told them that the enemy (not just the Iraqi insurgents) wants me taken out but they can't touch the ones under God's divine and mighty hand of protection! We went back the next day to see the crater and examine the area to find out what kind it was and in doing so discovered a secondary device less than ten feet away that did not detonate! If it had, my vehicle would have been hit by it. Can I say "Glory to God"!! (Psalm 91)

Anyways, ministry here has been absolutely incredible. It seems to get better every week. Let me just share a few for now which I know will bless you and also generate some prayer & intercession:

1. I have given out all the Swahili Bibles we had (pictures and videos are still coming). The men received them with many, many thanks and a lot of excitement!

2. I have given out all of the other Bibles! God is really, really doing something here.

3. Just when you thought things were really exciting, wait it gets better. About two weeks ago, I was out visiting our patrol base. There has been a lot of violence and problems there in past months. Anyways, the company commander asked me before I came out if I had a nice Bible that I could bring out with me. Let's believe the man that received it reads it, his eyes are opened to the light and truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that he is born again! Then let's believe that he begins to teach the truth of Word of God - Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life!!! Hallelujah!!

Alright, I'm getting pretty fired up right now! I do need to end this and get to bed, but just wanted to give you the update and the awesome testimonies of what the Lord is doing over here.

Thanks again and blessings from all of us to both of you for everything and to all who have given, prayed and supported this mission and ministry. You HAVE made a difference!!!

May God bless you greatly,

Chaplain Chris Rusack

PS: By the way, I personally know Chaplain Keith Andrews. He and I went through the chaplain course together four years ago - he's a great brother in the Lord.