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2 girls, no shoes
The other day we took a drive down to Rodat to check out a clinic and assess a couple sites for future clinics. The trip was relatively uneventful except for the kids outside the existing clinic. It’d been a while since the last time we were in Rodat, so the kids were pretty shy. While we were waiting for the medic to come out somebody noticed some fluid leaking from the front of our truck, so I went and got SSgt Alde, our mechanic, to come take a look. A group of kids gathered around us, probably 30 or so, watching him work. The driver of our truck got out to take a look and when his door opened the kids scattered like roaches. They were a little skittish. When they saw us laughing they slowly came back to watch.
Kids outside the clinic
I walked over by the kids and showed them the sliding thumb trick which really broke the ice. Usually there’s a kid or two that can speak some English, but nobody here seemed to. To keep them entertained I picked up some rocks to juggle, and when I picked them up the kids scattered again. I guess they get rocks thrown at them a lot. I laughed and said, “No, no, watch!” and started juggling them. They all came back and more showed up to watch the silly American. Juggling with body armor and a weapon is pretty tough but I managed to keep 3 going and throw in some variations. One little kid picked up a rock and offered it to me and said, “Salore?”, which is Pashto for four. I said I’d try. I can do four balls without body armor, but could only keep the rocks going for about 10 or 15 seconds. Then they started yelling “Pinze! Pinze!”, which is five. I just laughed and said “No pinze…”
Two little boys
The medic finished up and the mechanic pronounced the truck fit to drive, so I had to tell the kids goodbye and get back in to the truck. It sucks going to places like this because even though I know we’re helping them in the long run by building the clinics and schools, right now the kids don’t even have shoes and it’s pretty cold over here right now. I wish there was more I could do for them, but there’s so many of them. I can’t bring a bunch of shoes out with me and hand them out because it’ll start fights between the kids or the adults will take them and sell them. You just have to try to not let it bother you.
I added more pics to the Rodat album and the Achin album.
January 26th, 2009 - 1:10 pm
Hello Mike,
I read what you write and am not quite so afraid. You see in 2 weeks i will be Mrs. Noel McKeever and 2 months after that Noel will be mobilizing for a 14 month deployment to Afghanistan. He is a driver for HQ Co. and all i hear is how everyone is hitting more and more IEDs. Your accounts are positive and inspiring. I think that you should be a writer when you return…. hehe. Seriously though you write in pictures that that ease my mind. Your photos are wonderful also. The children are beautiful and they landscapes and sunsets are breathtaking.
I plan to keep up with your saga and will respond often.
Yvonne
January 27th, 2009 - 1:38 pm
And you can juggle, too? Why didn’t someone take a picture of that? I love your stories and photos.
January 29th, 2009 - 10:03 pm
I agree Yvonne. The pictures and writings have helped ease my mind (if you knew me, that is an accomplishment as my kids are my world). Please consider writing a book. I will be right here with you. I would like to know what is needed where you are. Because where you are, my son is there also. Prayers going up for all of you. Thank you for your service!
January 30th, 2009 - 1:17 pm
OMG Mikey, these lovely ladies are really making you out to be something special… A writer??
Yea, let’s add that to the list of things you are going to do to get rich when you get out of the AF next year!! Well ladies, if you don’t know him, he is pretty wonderful and he’s pretty talented! Oh yea, and did he mention that he’s SINGLE!! Come one come all! 
January 30th, 2009 - 2:57 pm
That was a good laugh.. I am way too old- 47 .. My youngest son is at the same post as him. I really wish there were support groups around here because at my age, the stress can kill ya.
February 1st, 2009 - 9:40 am
Angie, I’m not in the market for a man, personally. Nor do I need a writer, but when we start building on to our house this spring, a big strapping man might come in handy
And I do have a lovely daughter whom I have already introduced to Mikey.
February 1st, 2009 - 12:17 pm
Hi Mike. My husband Kevin, Alamo Area Wrestling Association, sent me your website and said I should look at it, that I’d be glad. We have several very close to us already there, leaving very soon, deploying and/or been there. Yes, Thank you for sharing your journey. Happy, Uplifting, Real World! Blessings, Yolanda
February 2nd, 2009 - 7:22 am
Hey Yolanda, glad you like the site. Tell Kevin I said hi and that I can’t wait to get back to refereeing. Thanks for the good thoughts!