Buffiniraq

Here is another example of our guys doing "small" things under very difficult circumstances. Our guys are still clearing neighborhoods (muhallas)and we're trying our best to get projects done wherever we can get our contracting personnel into and out of safely...Meantime, our guys just go find time to come back into the neighborhoods as soon as it's safe enough for the families to come out of their homes again. Our guys decided this neighborhood needed something for the kids and so they cleaned up the playground and made it look "familiar". Couple this "small gift" with everything else and you begin to get the idea. On the political side, our State Dept folks are giving it their best to train government personnel to operate effectively to get lights, water, sanitation, roads, schools, health care centers, hospitals, etc etc operational so folks can begin to live modest, yet decent lives..it's not easy by any yardstick but at least someone is here trying to help them who otherwise wouldn't have a chance. I am forever humbled by our guys and gals efforts in spite of the odds against them both here and at home...to keep the Faith because if "love thy neighbor" is what He said, then it's what our guys and gals are doing...

As you may have guessed or seen on TV by now, things are moving rapidly here in Baghdad. Many of our projects are going forward simultaneously with our guys "clearing neighborhoods" along the way. Sooooo, I've been busy trying to coordinate our re construction efforts with our guys' efforts to "gedderdun".
Above are some pics of a courthouse and witness protection facility we're getting ready to turn over to the Government to carry on "the rule of law" in the midst of what must seem like unending lawlessness. The folks here are doing the "normal" things we take for granted in spite of the daily threats of kidnapping, murders to familiies, friends and associates...It is just so very humbling to see them "suit up" each day and make the daily trips from home to work necessary just to provide for their families under the most extremely dangerous of circumstances. We are so blessed...