Afghanistan - Day 17 - Heading Home

Today is Going-Home Day. I couldn't wait to get it started. My eyes opened, my hand reached for the cell phone and I checked the time.

1:58am

Nuts. I rolled over and went back to sleep. A few hours later I woke up again with the sound of the rain still hitting the tent. It's been cloudy and raining for the past three days. I hoped the clouds would break and give me one more glimpse of the snow-covered peaks. As I walked out of breakfast, the sky had another idea: The rain became snow.

I walked back to the tent and met Chief Quenga, whom I thanked for the use of his sleeping bag for the past two weeks. He dropped me off at the passenger terminal where I checked in for my flight to Dubai. After checking in I made my way over to church. After a wonderful time of singing and a touching communion, the tallest chaplain in the Air Force gave a spot-on message about how to develop a heart for God's people. Then for the last time I walked across the post to the passenger terminal, from where we were bussed onto the tarmac next to the plane. A stop in Kandahar for fuel and passengers and then we were in Dubai. My brother picked me up and we went out for dinner, where we had an excellent time conversing and eating some of the best kabob on the planet. From there we headed back to his house, spent time with the family before winding back up at the airport.

My flight from Dubai leaves in one hour, and I can't wait to be home. Twenty-two hours and counting! Thank you all for your prayers and your encouraging notes during this time.

Blessings,
Khalaf.