Online Archives

By Christine Kumar
UMConnection Staff

As United Methodists sing choruses of 'Silent Night' this Christmas season, Capt. Matthew Lawson will be listening for the recurring sounds of explosives and turmoil.

However, the spirit of the sacred song still rings true for him. A member of Parkhead UMC in Big Pool, Lawson speaks of witnessing miracles right before his eyes. His faith in God became an anchor in a foreign land that is drowning in the depths of a bloody war.

In his first tour to Iraq he witnessed God?s mercy. 'I saw minor miracles, times when I should have been hurt in explosions, but I always managed to make it through,' he said. 'This tour has challenged me to understand God?s mercy.'

The war has also brought new understandings about mercy to Julie Flinchum, a member of College Park UMC who had many sleepless nights when her 18-year-old son, Justin Flinchum, was in Iraq. He served there from September 2004 to April 2005.

She was a praying mother. 'I held my breath between phone calls or e-mails,' she recalled. 'I knew no matter what happened God was always with Justin.'

Flinchum is proud that Justin found God in the midst of riots and terror attacks. In his previous years, he debated with her about the existence of God. He did not accept the Bible that was offered to him when he enlisted in the Marines.

The faith that Justin lacked when he set out to war was birthed on the river banks of the Euphrates when he found a Celtic cross. He had it tattooed on his back. In an e-mail to his mother, he wrote, 'You can?t be over here and not believe.'

Flinchum experienced beautiful sunrises and sunsets in Falluja, which is 43 miles west of Baghdad. He shared the scenic pictures that he took with his family, affirming God?s presence.

A cross also plays a role in the life of Joe Elseroad, a 22-year-old Marine helicopter pilot who wears a cross around his neck for the first time. His mother, Julie Elseroad, gave it to him when he was deployed to Iraq.

'I miss him everyday, not just the holidays. He is always on my mind, in my heart and in my prayers,' said Elseroad. Both mother and son are members of Ashton UMC.

Erich Jerscheid, who is spending this Christmas in Iraq, does not take even one day for granted. 'Erich was an active and mischievous child when he was young,' recalls the Rev. Dennis Whitmore, pastor of First UMC in Laurel.

Jerscheid, who Whitmore calls his adopted son, was raised by a single mother. His perspective about the world and God has changed since being in Iraq.

Despite the many that oppose the war and want the troops to come home, many of the young service men and women express that there is a need for them to help the people of Iraq achieve a sovereign government.

Jerscheid wrote in his e-mail to Whitmore that they are doing great things for the people of Iraq.

'They have new schools, running water, electricity and we even travel with military doctors and medics and help treat those who need help,' he said. These people have never seen life so good; then again, I?ve never seen life so bad.'

'I don?t support the war, but I support my son Joey,' said Elseroad. 'But now that the troops are there, how can we leave the country in such a shamble?' she asked.

Lawson is frustrated when he hears questions of when the soldiers are coming home. He wants the conflict to end before touching American soil again.

'If I knew that staying here another year would mean that Iraq would become a stable, free democratic nation, I would not hesitate to stay,' he said.

Stephen Jarvis, a member of Calvary UMC in Frederick, is very proud of his son, Bobby, a corporal serving in Anbar Province.

'To say that Bob is happy to be deployed to Iraq would be stretching the truth, but he feels like they are protecting loved ones from terrorists,' he said. 'Bob says that most of the people he?s met over there want exactly what we want: to live in peace, to send their children to school and to worship without fear.'

But that doesn?t lessen the loneliness that haunts some families during the holiday season.

Carla Allen, a member of Calvary UMC in Waldorf, and her two young sons will have to sing 'Silent Night' this Christmas without their husband and dad, 42-year-old James Allen who is with other soldiers in Iraq.

She credits the success and security of their 14-year union to having a strong foundation. 'Being apart helps to really focus on what?s important; little things don?t matter,' she said.

The families are grateful to their churches that are uplifting them and their loved ones through prayers and random acts of kindness.

'I pray,' said Whitmore, 'that our Christian soldiers would be the light in a place where there is much darkness.'