Brian's Story

Imagine going to sleep at night only to wake up sweating and panting with terror racing through your thoughts! Imagine gun shots piercing your buddy who just a moment ago was crouching right beside you! Imagine fear coursing through your veins like ice water running through your body! Imagine worrying about your family back home - 3000+miles away! Imagine coming home and your family embracing you with love and surrounding you with the joy in their hearts that you are finally home safe!

 

Anxious, angry and not able to sleep at night because the nightmares permeated his life is how Brian faced every day. Brian is the father of 6 children and has a lovely wife who waits and watches and prays for Brian's recovery and the recovery of their lives together.

 

When Brian realized his anger was out of control, he knew he had to do "something." You see, Brian was an E-6 with 19 years in the Army when he decided he "just couldn't take anymore separation from his wife and kids." He was sick tired of being sick and tired after three tours overseas in Desert Storm, Desert Watch and Iraq.

 

During the last tour he was on the front Humvee that led convoys through the streets of Iraq. He was a quarter mile ahead of the convoy so his Humvee could "take the flack" for those that followed. Even for a seasoned veteran of two other conflicts this was the most unnerving. "My job was to draw fire away from the rest of the convoy and to take the action as we guarded while the rest of the convoy came through. I didn't know if I would be alive the next minute."

 

Once Brian came back "stateside" he became violent - that happens when night after night your body gets no rest. Not wanting to hurt his family, he returned to Washington City Mission on March 10th of this year for help - and, on June 12, 2008, Brian experienced his own independence day!

 

Brian's counselor and a few staff gathered around him and prayed to the Lord to deliver him from the anxiety, anger and most of all the nightmares. That evening Brian experienced the first good night's sleep since he could remember. Brian said just yesterday, "I have slept like a baby ever since."

 

Brian said the Washington City Mission "program is awesome. All you have to do is listen to scripture and the answers are there." Brian believes his new found relationship with God will carry him through, and he is praying for a full recovery.

 

Brian's biggest desire is to be united with his family, to be a husband to his wife and a Dad to his children. He is well on his way to recovery - thanks to your help and support. Thank you for allowing us to be the hands and feet and heart of Jesus so that joy returns to the hearts of those we serve - and where they are finally safe.