For the past 14 months, Principal Terry Thompson has been serving our country in Iraq, with the North Carolina National Guard. He has recently returned to Jacksonville Christian Academy and, as part of a welcome home appreciation, we decided to ask him a few questions about his experience in Iraq.

Q: Did you find yourself going through any spiritual battles while in Iraq? If so explain.

A: Yes, there was the spiritual disillusionment of seeing so many American soldiers not being receptive to the Gospel, although some were. Then there was the obvious spiritual battle, that most of the people were Muslim.

Q: Did you have a chance to lead someone to the Lord?

A: I may have. I did a lot of witnessing, but I did not have the opportunity to actually sit with someone and go through the plan of salvation with him. It was very discouraging.

Q: How did your job here and in Iraq differ?

A: I carried an M-16 rifle everywhere I went. Another difference, I got rocketed while I was over there. When I come to work, I don’t have to worry about scanning for roadside bombs or enemies on the rooftops while I’m in town.

Q: If there were any, what were the similarities between your job here and your job there?

A: I went to church every Wednesday and two times on Sunday. I invited people to church and had devotions each morning.

Q: What was your best experience?

A: When I got on the Black Hawk (helicopter) and headed home.

Q: Were you ever discouraged, and why?

A: Yes, I was discouraged by the Iraqi people’s failure to stand up for their freedom and to fight for themselves; they were entirely too dependant on the American forces to do almost everything for them.

Q: Did being in Iraq frighten you and why?

A: Yes, I was not afraid of dying, but the thought of never seeing my wife and daughter scared me the most. God gave me a promise that He would bring me home, obviously His promise proved true!

Q: What were some of your best memories?

A: The times I spent in church, fellowshipping with other Christian soldiers, visiting villages, and seeing improvements, like wells being drilled and electricity being installed.

Q: What were some of your worst memories?

A: The soldiers that we lost and the funeral services I attended.