Photo Epistle# 46 Loving Our Enemies

Back in the days of Desert Storm I would look for great stories of soldiers to shoot. Being just down the road from Ft. Hood, I had a contact introduce me to an Apache Helicopter pilot who was considered by many to be a real war hero. He was considered by most to be the best pilot in the Army. He had saved the lives of countless U.S. soldiers time after time. Officially he was credited with over 300 personal Iraqi KIA’s. For obvious security reason’s I will change his real name to Paul. When I first met Paul on the tarmac at Ft Hood to do our shoot for Heartland USA Magazine, I was a bit intimidated by his numerous tattoos covering his arms and neck. The man looked like a warrior from Hell. He, at first sight, definitely fit the image of someone who had killed so may Iraqi enemies of America. As one soldier I had meet before Paul had arrived said, “He sent a boat load of our enemies straight to Hell”. Over the years, I’ve meet with and spent time in the field with several warriors, both professional and for hire (mercenaries) and most always they liked to brag a little about their adventures. Some in public and others only in private.

Before I shoot photos of my subjects, I like to sit and visit with them. My goal is to get a feel of who they are so I know how to shoot them. Especially in photojournalism, I feel it is my responsibility to capture who a individual is in the context of the story, rather than portraying who I want them to be or look. Paul was not who I thought he was. My first opening statement  was “so I hear you sent over 300 hundred of the enemy to Hell!” I just cringe at writing what came out of my mouth. It was a pretty lame attempt to gain his confidence in me before we started shooting photos. At first his response was non verbal. I immediately knew I had just hit a nerve very hard. His eyes immediately watered up, his head then dropped. For what seemed like a century but was only 5-10 seconds I squirmed under an awkward  silence. I has hit with shame for my callous comment. Paul  still looking down, quietly and with remorse said “no, it was really less than 200″.

Trying to be sensitive, I asked Paul if he was ok? He knew nothing of me or my faith, but immediately raised his head and looked me square in the eyes with a firm yet tender look in his eyes. I knew he was about to speak from deep in his heart. He said ” Kevin, I love Jesus Christ with all my heart as much as I love my countrymen for which I am more than willing to die for any day! However, Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and I took no joy in killing those men!” Matthew 5:43-48 “⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”NIV

Paul then smiled are reported he did take great joy in saving so many of his brothers lives. I told Paul I was ashamed of my joy for his kills, that I was his brother in Christ, but God clearly needed to work on my heart. From there on we took off and had a great time talking about scripture. He also was convinced his Apache Helicopter was foreseen by Ezekiel  in his vision from God in chapter one. Could be….some strong resemblances! I was humbled by my brother in Christ. He lived Christ in was most of us have never dreamed of. Most of all though, I was  impressed with the love in his heart for others. It is so nice to know there are Christians willing to put their lives in harms way to protect me if gravely threatened by others. Not very common in this age of lukewarm Christianity!

Revelation 3:16 “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

the Jesusfreak