Sounds of the Chapel
September 3, 2003

As the command chaplain for Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, Africa, I am in a unique position to observe and enjoy the many sounds associated with the base chapel.

Let me see if I can describe the layout of the chapel. First, it's officially known as the Chapel of Enduring Freedom. It's made out of plywood, and was completed only hours before the Easter service this year. The official dedication of the chapel was May 23. It sits on the main drag through the base so everyone walks by it during the day. It is without a doubt the most recognized structure on Camp Lemonier. It has a pitched roof, a front porch, and a steeple. Upon entering the chapel you find yourself in the sanctuary. There are padded folding chairs four across on both sides with a center aisle leading to the altar. We can seat about seventy. The altar is a raised platform with a large pulpit taking center stage. There's a huge cross on the back wall of the altar. Behind the altar is the office area where there are two parts. One part is the office where my RP (Religious Program Specialist) sits and manages the office. My office is directly off from there.

Take this evening for instance. One of our Pentecostal brothers enjoys coming in to spend time in prayer. He'll play one of the many worship CDs I have purchased since arriving and spend time with the Lord. He's an ordained minister, so he approached me the other week and asked if he could lead a service on Friday nights that would have a Pentecostal/charismatic flavor. I said sure. Tonight was the second time that he's had a service, and after it was over he came back to my office all excited, to tell me six men had come to the altar to receive Christ. Glory!

Shortly after he stopped in a Catholic soldier visited me. He wants to notify his diocese back in the States to send clothing and shoes to help the orphanages that we are working with through the chapel. Once we settled on how we could best do this he was pleased and left.

The sounds coming from the chapel right now are a couple of Christian brothers who like singing old time bluegrass Gospel. One strums a guitar while the other gets down with a mean fiddle. Both sing with the nasal tone typified in this style of music. It's just good old-fashioned, foot-stomping music, like "Keep on the Firing Line." It makes you happy. They have invited me to join them when I can. Don't you know I will too!

Then there are the groups of folks who come to the chapel to gather before heading out to the orphanages. Yesterday was the weekly visit to the boys orphanage. I went along this time so I could speak with the director about other programs we want to start. This weekend we are starting an art class for both the boys and girls orphanages. We have begun conversational English classes that are being taught by our military members.
This Monday we will begin wrestling classes for the boys. (An Army sergeant, a reservist, is a wrestling coach back in the States and has offered to teach these boys five days a week. This is on his own time!) We had two trips today out to the baby orphanage to help feed these little ones. And the chapel is the center for all this activity.

Then there are the sounds of folks coming in to have a cup of coffee (Starbucks). They sit and visit a while before heading back to their offices. During the course of the day I will load three worship CDs in the player on the altar and have it play, creating an atmosphere of reverence. Quite often, folks will stop throughout the day and night and spend some time in prayer and reflection. It is indeed a haven in this barren land.

Because the chapel is the best building for holding large groups, those commands checking in will schedule the use of the chapel. It's fun to see how some of these folks handle being in a chapel. Earlier this week I had stepped out of the office for a moment. When I returned I saw a large number of soldiers filing in. So I walked right in with them. Just inside the door a soldier stopped and with a smirk, looked up at the ceiling. I knew what he was thinking, so I said, "You know, I don't think God is intimidated by you." He looked around at me in surprise. "You were expecting God to strike you with lightening because you've walked into the chapel, right?" He gave me a sheepish grin and nodded to the affirmative. I walked on past him saying loud enough for everyone to hear, "God is not intimidated by you." I love doing that!

These are some of the sounds of the chapel. There are a number of services going on each weekend, plus Bible studies and prayer meetings all week long.

It's a blessing to be here and to have a front row seat where I can enjoy the sounds of the chapel.