Letter from Spc. Dustin M. Cumbie

[JoeyWarren]

Dustin is the son of Mike Cumbie mikecumbie.org

Letter from Spc. Dustin M. Cumbie

For the Parish Family

Hello Everyone,

As you may already know my name is Spc. Dustin M. Cumbie.  I am a soldier in the American Army.  I serve with the 101st out of Fort Campbell, KY.  I am currently fighting in Yusufiah, Iraq, south of Baghdad.

I apologize for not writing earlier.  I hardly have time to write my family.  I had some extra time, and thought I would write all of the people praying for me.  I know it is not much, but I just wanted to show my appreciation.

I don’t know if you have had a real encounter with answered prayers or not.

If you haven’t, I want you to know that God always listens. My father, Michael, told me that the church has been praying for me. He really didn’t have to tell me. I somehow already knew.

I want to give you some idea of what where I live is like.  From the beginning we have been in a bad situation.  My company was given the toughest area of operation.

We have been extremely undermanned. Many times we received orders and tried to figure out how we were going to scrounge the manpower for it.

I am sure you have heard about the roadside bombs they place here.  Our area has been riddled with them the whole time.  The place we are in is an infilling spot for insurgents.  They come from all different countries to enter Iraq through our cities.

I really have to hand it to my brothers here.  And that is what they are, my brothers.  I have never found a better group of men to be associated with.  We have sustained an amazing amount of casualties, and yet we push on as if it is the first mission we were conducting.  We deployed with 119 soldiers.  They have fallen from various things, around 25 non-returnable to combat from injury, and about five removed from combat for mental stress related issues.  Even though my boys are mentally and physically worn we still think of each other first.  They are well trained soldiers and even better friends.  

I know that people have “Religious Experiences” when near death experiences occur. There is something different here though.  Being constantly faced with danger even while back at base, and being on duty 24/7 is mind bending.  

But, prayers work.  I feel like there is a shield around me.  I know it because the Lord has been protecting me this whole deployment.  We are a “light” unit.  This means we walk a lot.  These roadside bombs are designed to decimate tanks.  They are the main reason for our casualties.  I have walked up on them many times.  When three artillery round explode next to you, and the guy behind you gets hit and you don’t it says something.   I have had mortars dropped on me, rockets launched at me, and snipers shooting at me.  Still I am continuing with no bad injuries.  There is this unexplainable force protecting me.  The Lord definitely looks out for those who will call to Him.

 

[JoeyWarren]

I had stopped having a relationship with God a long time ago. I thought I had drifted. So I thought I would start talking to Him again. Sometimes I have cried out to Him when I can get some down time. Praying so intensely for the protection of my brothers and family back home I am forced to tears. When I think I have nothing left, and something horrible has happened. Things just seem to get worse and worse. I have seen my prayers answered many times. If you think God does not listen then you are dead wrong. Many times the Lord has guided me. Some non-believers may call it gut feelings, or instinct, and maybe dumb luck. It might be something as simple as, “Don’t take the left around that building.” Then a few hours later someone else takes that route we avoided and a bomb goes off.

I just want to show you that the Lord is alive and among us.  He really does care for His people.  When things seem dismal and you feel this burden like a weight is unbearable.  Remember He is there.  Maybe not visible to you, but He is watching.  Also be good to you brethren.  Even though you might dislike them it does not matter. We are all people.  You would not believe the hatred I feel for these people at times.  Days when I have just felt like “Blow it all up, they’re all insurgents anyway!”  Then I see a glimpse of innocence.  A group of children playing soccer in the middle of the road.  In a street that gets blown up regularly.  Having the time of their life.  Just being children.  Not tainted by things of the world.  Not driven by money or things that often take the place of God.  Knowing only that they love their family and could find joy in the simplest of things.  Then a man will call his children in, and see me.  He will approach and invite us in for bread and tea.   As I accept his offer and enter his house I recognize it.  I have been here before on a raid.  Coming in at 3am, and kicking his door off the hinges.  Now this man offers me and my men food and is being polite to me.   It is mind blowing. 

We are getting ready for redeployment to the states.  I am ecstatic.  The morale of the men is through the roof.  After enduring all the hardship and losses we are finally coming home.  Home what a beautiful thought.   I can’t explain it.  I have never wanted anything more than a return flight to the wonderful state of Alabama.  It is like being given the most precious gift ever.  A chance to take care of the things that should matter most to a person.  Their family.  I know mine has been awaiting my return.  I could not ask for a better family.  So supportive and loving, and that ties into my extended family, my church.  You might not know it, but the man next to you is your brother.  We are all God’s children and should treat each other better than we treat ourselves.  Please, I ask only one thing of you.  Try to slow down a little and remember what really matters in this life.  Not your car, how big your house is, or what your worldly stature is.  All things of this world pass away, but I am eternal.  I think someone famous said that.  O yea, God did.

Once again I would like to thank you for keeping me in your prayers and thoughts.  If really does mean more than you might know.  And a special thanks to the choir.  I shall soon be home, and can’t wait to see all of your smiling faces.  I pray that God keep you all and shine His love upon you.


	
						With much love and thanks,

		
					   	Spc. Dustin M. Cumbie