Hi Everyone: Wow!  This has been a tremendous experience and the tour is just getting underway. I will try to write a few words as time permits to let you know about my life on the other side of the world. The time has been flying by due to all the many requirements to establish our ministry here at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan. Travel here was an adventure in itself. Starting in the US on the east coast on May 5 we flew commercial air stopping in Germany and finally arriving in Qatar. After enduring two days of sweltering heat we prepared for a difficult flight from there to our destination. This required full combat gear since our route of travel was through Afghanistan. We (meaning myself and three colleagues) didn’t know how long we might be in transit so we prepared for the worst. After enduring combat landings (which are fun if you like carnival rides) and close quarters in a C-130 aircraft, we were elated to finally reach Manas on the 8th of May. Once on the ground we immediately began to assume control of the chapel offices and learn more about the expectation for ministry here. There are roughly one-thousand Airmen here but also contingents of French and Spanish Air Force. What is overwhelming is the large numbers of soldiers and marines that pass though here on their way to and from hot spots in Afghanistan. Not just US but many nations. Tens of thousands per month. Of course there are also US and coalition civilians working on base as well a local nationals. We serve any and all, though our chapel programs and visitation. I am taking the morning and evening service this Sunday and we also offer bible studies and counseling. On top of all that I am a key member of a private charitable organization called Manas Air Base Outreach Society. We provide food, clothing, general maintenance and many other benefits to the local communities. We fund heart transplants for children, visit the cancer and heart wards of the hospitals as well as schools, orphanages and homes for the elderly. Quite an undertaking but also very rewarding. I was at a children’s home for the handicapped and it was an eye-opener. The culture here is very different from the west.  The standard of living is very low and our hearts went out for the children. It seems they are cared for but the conditions are appalling. We are doing what we can to make their lives a little brighter. The local Kyrgyz people that we see and speak with on base are very warm. They like us because the US pays them much more than they could otherwise earn. A local dentist (female) comes and does general housekeeping in our chapel. A professor (male) works in the kitchen. They want us to stay but there is a great deal of tension due to propaganda from Russia and China because of our presence here. It is an extremely delicate diplomatic climate here and we are not sure what will happen in the coming months. I am finally getting over the jet lag and settling in to the routine of life here. The days are long and busy but the conditions are far better than what I had in Iraq last year. For that I am grateful. The atmosphere is very collegial and morale is high. Our services are well attended and life is pretty good here. At least we have some limited opportunity to experience the local culture. The landscape is spectacular. The Himalayas are to the south and offer a marvelous vista from the base. One tour takes a bus to the range for a hike on a glacier. I hope to make that trek before I leave. I’ve sampled some Kyrgyz food at a restaurant in Bishkek which was quite nice. They serve a lot of lamb which I like. Farewell for now. It is still a very busy time of transition but the pace may slow a bit in the coming weeks. I hope to hear from you soon. Until then God bless. Jim //SIGNED// JAMES W. IAUN, MSgt, USAF NCOIC,  Chapel Operations 376  AEW/HC DSN:   318-441-2310 CELL:  0772-555-373