Newspapers / Montreat College Student Newspaper / March 26, 2004, edition 1 / Page 5
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2002 Grad Writes from Iraq by Donovan Campbell I Greetings to all of tlie Mon treat College commuaity. My name is SPC Donovait Camp bell. I am Deeember 2002 graduate of Montreat. I dm also a Chaplain’s Assistant in the North Carolina National Guard. Cur rently, I am deployed to Iraq with the 1/113 Field Artillery, a battalion of the 30 HSB. For the next year my wife, Renee, will he at home in Charlotte raising our daughter, now nine months old, while I serve my time here. At Montreat, 1 was very active with The Whetstone. They have asked me to try and keep the campus updated with informa tion from the efforts in Iraq. Our flight landed in Kuwait on March 2, and we spent the next week there preparing for our drive through Iraq. On March 10 we headed out on what would be a three-day trek across Iraq. Our route of march passed through almost all of the populated areas of Iraq - the only real inhabitable sec tors, lying between the rivers. Being in part of the Old Testament lands excites most of us. The soldiers of this bat talion are particularly interested in its biblical and historical importance. Beyond that, all 1 can say of Iraq, from what I saw, is that this is a destitute country. One officer explained it as a “fourth-world country.” We saw children with no shoes lining the streets because there was no school for them to go to. We passed men and women, adults, sitting by the road because they had nowhere to go for work. All of them were asking for food and water. Yesterday I visited a large brick “company” - 53 giant kilns with chimneys pouring out thick, black smoke. It was about 50% staffed by children as young as six and seven. Even in the most populated and advanced city, Baghdad, everything was des titute, run down, and pathetic. The happy ending - this is the reason we are here. Saddam’s lengthy reign ruined this coun try and drove the people deep into poverty. We are now work ing to help these people get their country headed toward progression. Most of these people want us here. They were cheering as we passed them on the streets. We bring them hope and a future. That is something that we Montreat Hosts Southeastern Conference on Christianity and -Staff RepQrts The English and Foreign Lan guages Department of Montreat College is hosting the Southeast ern Region of the Conference on Christianity and Literature on the Montreat campus, April 15-17, 2004. This year’s theme is “Suffering and Loss in Lit erature.” The keynote speaker will be Jill Pelaez Baumgaert- ner. Dean of Humanities and Theology at Wheaton College. With the exception of Friday night’s keynote address, all ses sions are free for Montreat Col lege students, and will be held in Gaither Fellowship Hall. Dr. Rich Gray, Montreat Col lege Professor of English, will serve as moderator for the Cre Montreal alum, Donovan Campbell (far right), serves communion in Iraq as a Chaplain’s Assistant for the North Carolina National Guard. cannot let the few fanatical fundamentalists stop us from doing. As a soldier, I can tell you that despite the sacrifice we make, our armed forces are glad to be here and ready to help in any way we can. For my first correspondence, I will leave you with this: Iraq is an open mission field. The resi dents of our district have been asking for Arabie translations of the Bible. The people of this UnEmployed by Matt Steen eountry are desperate and ready for outside help, hope, love, and compassion. Islam does not have as strong a hold on these people as it thinks and, with the right kind of missionary interven tion, this could one of the ripest mission fields of our generation. I am open to any questions and comments you may have. We do have some Internet aceess here; you can e-mail: donovan.j. campbell@us.army.mil. Please sign your name to any e-mail; I want to know whom I’m talk ing to. If anyone is interested in writing letters or sending pack ages, my address is: ADDRESS: SPC Donovan Campbell HHB 1/113 FA BN, 30 HSB, IID Operation Iraqi Freedom FOB KMTB . APOAE 09392 ative Writing Session, Thursday night. The Conference on Christian ity and Literature (CCL) is a national organization interested in the relationship of Christian ity and literature and dedieated to both scholarly excellence and collegial exchange. An allied organization of the Modem Language Association, the CCL is active in the annual MLA national convention as well as in seven regional eonferences held at rotating sites throughout North Ameriea. For additional information, please contact Dr. Rich Gray, rgray@mpntreat.edu or visit http: //www.montreat.edu/efl/CCL.pdffor the PDF version of the brochure. Short on Cash? Want Print out your best essay from this academic year and submit It to the Britton Writing Contest by April 16 fora chance to win. Visit" the Writing Center for more details. WE WANT YOU Like to investigate news? Have an eye for that magic shot? WELL, LET US KNOW phone: 828-669-80I2 ext. 3675 email: whefstone@montreat.edu website: www.montreat.edu/whetstone Reporter and photographer meeting April 6 @ 6 pm in The Whetstone Office. Mar. 26,2003, Page 5 The Whetstone
Montreat College Student Newspaper
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March 26, 2004, edition 1
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