GOAL/LAMP Alum Making a Difference in Iraq

Editor 's Note:Life is shared through the stories we tell.This remarkable story... about an alum,a college and a country... focuses on one man 's character and his desire to serve. Joe Phoenix participated in this story during a week of lock down and high tension caused by the resurgence of fighting in Iraq in mid-April. I am so grateful for the time and attention Phoenix gave to me and to you in telling his story in the midst of such turmoil and stress.

W ith a name like Joe Phoenix, is there any chance that such a person would become something other than a superhero intent on saving the world?Although, in this case,“saving” the world may take on a different form than it did for the superheros in the movies and cartoons we grew up with, the possibilities are nonetheless out of this world.

And out of this world – as I know it – is where I was able to connect with Phoenix, a Greenville College GOAL (‘00)and LAMP (‘03)graduate and former sergeant with the Centralia, IL police force,currently serving as an international police advisor in Iraq.

Q.What influenced your decison to volunteer for your current position in Iraq?

A. I had prayed about overseas missions for several years. When I entered the LAMP program, Joe Culumber [GC director of LAMP] was of great assistance. We shared a mutual enthusiasm to spread the Gospel, and his prior missions experiences were exciting to me. I wanted to participate in an adventure overseas where I could help people and share the Gospel. Joe was very supportive in prayer and helped me make my decision to come to Iraq. When everyone else told me I was nuts for going to Iraq, Joe supported me and told me it was the chance of a lifetime. Joe was right. I love it here and know God used Joe to assist me in my decision to come. I belong here.

NOTE:Read more about Phoenix 's experiences in GOAL and LAMP here...

Q.Can you tell us more about your official role in Iraq?

A. I hold the title of International Police Advisor. I am currently assigned to the “Advance Team.” The advance team is a group of six people that travel through Iraq to individual police departments in the area. We are the first contact to each of the police stations. We go and assess the station, weapons, security and equipment on hand or lacking. We make sure it's safe for other police advisors to travel to these stations and provide training to the Iraqi force.

We then coordinate with the military or Coalition to get things up to status. This is the most dangerous job there is at this time. Some of the stations have been taken over by criminals, burned down or the officers killed. We never know what we are getting into until we get there. We are armed with heavy bullet proof vests, weighing about 25 pounds each,and M4 rifles.

Q.What are your primary responsibilities as part of this team?

A. We trade responsibilities on a daily basis. This way we can all perform the job in case of an emergency. When we go on an assignment, one person, with a translator, interviews the station commander to collect information on that station. We also assess prior threats, religious make up of the community and risk factors. Another person will make a sketch of the area and another makes notes on security in place, security risks, lighting and weaponry available,and gates. While some are working on these tasks, other members of our team are responsible for our security while at the station.

Q.What does a typical day require of you?

A. A typical day consists of visiting one or two stations. We get up, have breakfast,and then go to the Baghdad hotel offices. We then decide what stations to visit and view intelligence reports.You never know if the roads are going to be open or not due to explosive devices. It makes you a little more cautious in traveling from point A to B. When we travel through towns, it wears you out trying to watch each person on the street and what they are doing. Each of us in a vehicle has a sector we cover in watching the crowds.

It's still war here on the streets. The veterans of other missions say that this is like nothing they have ever seen. I believe them.

Q.What opportunities for ministry have you encountered through work and outside of work?

A. Outside of work, ministering is limited due to language barriers. I have found that wearing a cross or some type of religious symbol helps in letting outsiders know that you are a Christian. We have been arranging to get items such as flashlights to the Iraqi guards here at the hotel. This is a great witness, because when you give an Iraqi something you have a friend for life.

Setting a good example for these people is the greatest thing, at this time, that we can do in ministry. The majority want us here and are proud of us.They are very grateful.

Within the group of people I work with, ministry opportunities and fellowship have been great. We have a group of about 15 that meets regularly on Sunday evenings and Wednesday evenings. We put together an Easter skit where I played Jesus. Over 100 people attended. This was the greatest witness opportunity I have had so far.

I always ask God to give me one person to minister to daily and always get my prayers answered. Now people are just walking up to me and asking God questions. Most want to get their lives squared away and want advice about the Bible or just moral issues.

Q.Based on your experiences so far, how have Americans been received by the Iraqi people?

A. As I mentioned earlier,many of the Iraqi people love us here. It's only that one percent that doesn 't want us here. However,in a country this large, one percent is still a large number. Ninety- nine percent are glad to have us here. They wave and thank us for being here. They are so grateful for Saddam's capture. Now they just want to live without war, which will be some time in the future.

So many of the Iraqi people struggle with safety. They cannot go out after dark especially if they're female. It 's too dangerous. Mainly there is fear here,and the people are tired of living this way. They look to us for a better life. I wish we could do more, and do it more quickly, to help them... When we get out of the Baghdad area, many of the people are so poor, it breaks your heart seeing the small children. They are so beautiful.

Q. As the Iraqi people work to restore their lives, professionally and personally, what successes have you observed?

A. The Iraqi people are becoming more successful in their businesses. With the new currency taking hold it appears that the economy is on the up. Also the Iraqi police officers that are graduating from the academies are more proud of their jobs than ever. They work even if the pay doesn 't come through as promised. They are a hard working society and the new of .cers have a sense of pride about their police work, for the most part.

Q.What has surprised you most about the Iraqi people?

A. I guess I was surprised to find that so many of the Iraqi people supported us. I was also surprised to learn that Iraq is the cradle of civilization and that there is so much history here. I want to see all the Biblical sites,however it's just too dangerous to travel about as I want to. I was also surprised that there is a Christian church in the area. I've talked to several of the members but they said it would not be safe for us to attend at this time. Even they have to go with guns and protection. Imagine going to church with a gun for protection.

Q.What has surprised you most about the Americans serving in Iraq ?

A. I was surprised that about half of the people serving here with me have Christian values. I believe that God gathered a group of believers for this mission for some reason. I'm sure when it's over we will be able to look back and see His purpose through all this.

Q.How has this experience affected you spiritually?

A. My spiritual life has definitely grown since I 've been here. Most is because of ministry to others. When we minister to others, it builds us up as much or more than the person we are ministering to. I find myself thinking about how I can make a difference over here. Many of us left family and friends to come here and I feel sorry for those with wives and children back home. It is extremely dangerous here and I know most of the hardships families have center around family issues. The Internet has been working poorly here at the hotel, and when families can't communicate tension runs the highest. I really don't worry about my safety. I am used to mortar shells exploding on a regular basis. Also the machine gun fire and bomb blasts occur on a regular basis and we are used to going to bed listening to such attacks. I know God has a purpose for us here and He didn't bring me here to be killed. To Him I give all the glory.

Q.Have you felt more prepared in one way or another for this season of life because of your GOAL/LAMP experience?

A. The organizational skills and ministry skills I developed while in GOAL and LAMP have helped me tremendously over here. I have been re-working much of the advance team activities, as well as the process in which we do things. The GOAL program gave me the ability to analyze the information and organize much of the work needed.

The LAMP program has helped me in ministry to the other officers. Many have questions about their own denominations. The LAMP program curriculum encompassed many denominational views, in addition to the diversity within our class.Having spent a lot of time learning about different denominations has enabled me to minister according to the various denominational backgrounds of the officers. It has opened the door to discuss what the Bible says according to their denominations, while at the same time emphasizing that Truth is what's most important, not just what the denomination says.

Q.How can we pray specifically for the efforts in Iraq ?

A. Americans should pray for the salvation of the Iraqi people as well as the safety of the Americans over here helping out.When the Iraqi people learn about salvation, the nation will change. Now most believe they have to work their way into heaven. Faith is a new concept for them which will take some time.