US-Europe World Affairs

By Chaplain (Major) Patrice Borne, 41^st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon Army National Guard, deployed to Kosovo in support of the NATO KFOR mission

          Growing up in the deep south, we wore summer clothes in the month of December. I remember waking up on a Christmas morning putting on shorts and sweating as I walked downstairs to our multicolored lite Christmas tree with silver streamers blowing around from the window unit above it. I would hear the weather man say that morning that it was going to be a sunny 85 degrees for the day with no change for the week.  During Christmas season my parents were often busy in the kitchen cooking for our large family. The house smelled divine and the heat from the oven of pies made it scorchingly hot inside, but this extra heat meant it was Christmas in the Borne house. This was the best season of the year because my brothers and extended family would be together. The house was hot, but somehow watching the snowy Christmas shows on TV each year made me feel like temperatures were cooler. I dreamt of snowy mornings with everything white and fresh. I wanted to build a snowman and make ice angels like what I saw on TV.  I wanted it to be cold were we lived for Christmas.  I hoped for it so bad that I recall praying for it to snow. I remember waking up and before I got up I would plead with God for it to be all white outside. I believed that if I just had enough faith and prayed, I could somehow have snow on Christmas morning.

         I wonder what the shepherds in the field from the Bible thought as they witnessed an angel of the Lord appearing to them with a message?  Did Mary have certain thoughts as she was told she would carry a baby born of the Holy Spirit?  Josheph, Mary’s betrothed was with child and what was Joseph’s response?  All of these scenarios seem shockingly impossible. These seem as unbelievable as snow in 85 degree weather, yet their outcome required a measure of trust for their faith to be revealed. The shepherds did indeed go at the advisement of a host of angels informing them of a Savior being born in the town of David; Bethlehem. The shepherds heeded the message and by faith witnessed what had been promised to them for many generations.  “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him.” Isaiah 11.  Mary too received the news of her pregnancy and expressed, “I am the servant of the Lord.  Let this happen to me as you say.” Scriptures add that as the baby grew her friend  told her, “You are blessed because you believed (have faith) that what the Lord said to you would really happen.” Luke 1:45. Josheph struggled to believe and was ready to divorce Mary quietly. His faith deepened as the Lord revealed the truth of the circumstance in a dream. By faith Joseph married Mary and believed she carried the Savior of the World. 

 

 

 

 

 

Today I am deployed in a place that could use some faith.  In the short time I have been here I have witnessed the people of Kosovo strive to better their days with hope and resilience for a brighter tomorrow. I see the courage in their eyes as restaurants and other businesses open and patiently serve their patrons. I watched as young adults study for test for degrees in professions such as lawyers, doctors, and social workers that will enhance their cities. Additionally, I have met with Imams that open their doors to all and promote peace and hope. These actions take faith that moves mountains and there is no shortage of that faith in this place. 

            During those years as a young child clinging to hope of seeing snow paid off.  One year my parents brought us to magical place where snow was as tall as the height of my dad that stood at 5’7. The snow didn’t happen in my town or state but I did see it and made snowmen and snow angels. Faith may not have an outcome that way we think it should, but it may come in other ways of vacations to Pikes Peak, and courage to move in impossible circumstances, or taking a stand to believe life will be better one day. Faith can and will always move mountains.     

          This year during our rotation of KFOR 34, hope is in the air.  In the short time TF Jungleer has been boots on the ground Soldiers and leaders have been eager to bring hope in the communities by providing conversational English, building relationships with community leaders, and supporting the people that live here with kindness. Tonight is one such night.  Soldiers are gathering to bring gifts to a community of children. Coordination for this effort has been in progress for a month.  Additionally, an ecumenical service will take place in the Peace Keepers Chapel around this holiday season.  All are invited from every belief to participate. This time of year hope is shining bright on Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, and RC-East is front and center.

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Acknowledgments: Article by Chaplain (Major) Patrice Borne, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon Army National Guard, in NATO KFOR mission. Image : KFOR Chapel Christmas 2024 © Army Chaplain (Major) Patrice Borne/ U.S Army in NATO-KFOR.