We were shocked when our oldest son, B.J., informed us he was thinking about joining the Army. He had just begun his senior year at Andrews Academy, and we thought this was just a passing phase. After all, when B.J. was a child, he also wanted to be a garbage truck driver and hadn’t pursued that either.

Then came September 11, 2001, and our son became more fervent about his decision to join the Army. He sought as much information as he could.

We pleaded with B.J. not to join. One of our concerns was for his college education. He convinced us he would continue college when he graduated from high school, and believed joining the Michigan National Guard part-time would help to pay his tuition. He planned to work one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer, and then start college in the fall.

We talked to our son about consulting God first before making a decision of this magnitude and made it a matter of prayer. After talking to his youth leader as well as some other people who are in the military, he went with his recruiter one night in December to Lansing, Michigan, to enlist with the Army. I was disappointed to learn that parents are not allowed to go with their children unless they are less than 18 years of age. B.J. had turned 18 in October and was considered a legal “adult.”

Our son returned the next evening grinning—happy that he had made his decision. He seemed relieved and started to tell about his test results. He said he tested academically and physically as one of the highest for his group.

B.J. graduated from Andrews Academy in June and then took ten credits at a local community college before leaving for Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He continued Advanced Training in the Military Police and graduated on January 17, 2003.

Immediately, he was deployed, which meant active, full-time duty paid by the Federal Government instead of the State. He was ordered to report for duty in Pontiac, Michigan, and later to Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. We were able to go see him some weekends and shared a lot of quality time when we were together.

On May 8, B.J. left for Kuwait where he worked 12-hour days and more, helping to process the soldiers who were going home and securing equipment once it has been processed. He was able to call home a couple of times, but not for very long. I emphasized to B.J. that he might be put in a situation where he may have to defend his beliefs, or may be called upon to support another person struggling with his or her own beliefs.

After a year in Kuwait, we expected B.J. to come home for a two-week R&R (Rest & Relaxation). We were anxiously looking forward to his arrival when he called to say that he was just about to board the plane. I scurried around with renewed energy, trying to get last-minute things done.

We were discouraged to learn the next day that he was still in Kuwait and that his departure had been delayed indefinitely due to a terrorist threat in Amsterdam where he was to make a connection. We didn’t hear anything more for almost 48 hours.

I contemplated calling the American Red Cross, but a friend encouraged me to just “wait and see.” Smiling, she added, ”No news is good news!” Ugh! Those ubiquitous clichés...

I looked on the Internet to see if the airport in Amsterdam had opened up for business, but to no avail. I e-mailed the Army office in Michigan, but the reply stated I would probably hear from my son before they would.

Frantic, I called a friend from our church. After telling her some of the things going on, she asked how I was doing. I said weakly, “Okay.”

"It doesn’t sound like you are," she replied perceptively.

I burst into tears.

What if they reversed his leave and he couldn’t come home anymore? Maybe something else had happened and the country went into “Red” alert.

I started to focus my attention on supper, but I couldn’t concentrate. I asked my two younger boys to pray with me. Within 15 minutes, my husband called with news that our son was at the airport in South Bend waiting for us. We all went to meet him—my sister and her family, along with our church family. The tears were flowing with happiness and a great sense of relief. Our reunion was one of the most joyful occasions, but all too soon our son returned to Kuwait.

I had just come out of a short meeting the day after he left when I found a gift basket sitting on my desk. Wondering who had given me this gift, I started to read the card, but couldn’t continue for fear I would burst into tears.

“I don’t know what it’s like to raise a child to adulthood,” my co-worker had written, “then watch them leave to protect a country that is often ungrateful. I don’t know what it’s like to pray in earnest for my child that’s in a war. I can only imagine how hard it is emotionally to wait for them to come home, and when they do, you have to watch them leave again to go back to war…. This basket is for you when life is physically, mentally, [and] emotionally tough. Thinking of you and praying.”

Prayers from warriors like her are what keep us and our sons and daughters going as they encounter sand storms, extreme weather conditions, smelly hot ships, drinking water shortages, venomous snakes and spiders that can crawl into their tents, and even facing death squarely head on.

B.J.'s decision has been a “journey” for our entire family. We miss him very much. Even though there have been many challenges, we are confident that God is with him and protects him. We are very proud of our son! We know B.J. believes in what he is doing.

Gyl Bateman is a member of the Buchanan Church in Michigan. She praises God that B.J. has safely returned home from Kuwait and is now a junior Biology major at Andrews University.

You are 18 and an adult,

That is what the world says.

You are ready to go on a mission.

You have trained many months.

What experiences you will have.

What stories you will tell.

What joys and sorrows you will share.

Only God knows what is in store for you.

During your time serving for your nation,

Your mom will keep you in constant prayer.

May you know and feel His presence.

May you resolve to do your best for Him.

May you return knowing Him as never before.

That is my prayer for you!