“We give the boys tools they can use for the rest of their life,” said Harrold. “I’ve seen their confidence increase. We challenge them in every single way physically and watch them face their fears. I’ve noticed a big change in the manner in which they accept demanding tasks. We challenge them to take responsibility for all of their decisions. And to see their faces after they accomplish something they’ didn’t think they’d be able to it’s amazing.”
Lord, guide these young men without fathers and help them find godly role models.
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example…” (1 Timothy 4:12)
September 3
NOT THE ONLY ONE
Major Steve Harrold, founder of Knights of Heroes, says he didn’t expect the impact his camp would have on the boys’ mothers who accompany them to camp.
“It’s the friendships they develop with other widows,” said Harrold. “To come here for a week and share their stories, talk about challenges they’re facing, and get advice, is really big. It means a lot for them to see that other people care about what they’re going through. It’s important to know they’re not alone and not forgotten.”
Nine-year-old Tanner Hartwick has attended Knights of Heroes since it began, and in September 2008, chose to write a school assignment about the experience:
I’m Not the Only One
One evening mom says, “Do you want to go play at the neighbor’s house?” My sister and I said yes! So we played at the house and then my mom asked Haley to come here. When my sister came out, she was crying so hard that she couldn’t talk to me that well. But then I went in and said, “what did you say to her?” My mom said, “Son, your dad died.” At that moment I thought I was in a dream and ran home like a cheetah! When I got home, I ran into my mom’s room and looked at a picture of my dad. I remembered the last words he said to me were I love you and I said I love you too. My mom came in and hugged me.
A couple of months later my mom heard on the radio about a camp in Colorado called Modern Day Knights (now Knights of Heroes). I went to the camp. When I saw all the boys that lost their dad too, in my mind I knew that I wasn’t the only one without a dad. That week I made a lot of friends and it was cool! I was out camping in the woods and doing lots of boy things. It was more fun then going to Disney World and made me feel better to know that I wasn’t the only one. My mom and sister had fun doing girl things too. I wait all year for camp time to come again. This year will be my third year.
Lord, show me how to support those who feel forgotten.
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” (Psalm 68:5)
September 4
HALEY’S TESTIMONY
Thirteen-year-old Haley Hartwick gave the following testimony at a Fields of Faith Rally for Fellowship of Christian Athletes in October 2008:
In December 2005, my father left for Iraq on his second tour. I didn’t realize it would be my last goodbye. On April 2, 2006, my mom, my seven-year-old brother, and I received tragic news that my dad had been killed in action while on a flight mission the day before. We were all brokenhearted. All I could do that night was cry my heart out. Friends and our church family came for comfort. I stayed locked up in my room. I was asking God why he had done such a dramatic thing to me. Why me Lord? Why such a great man? At the time it was so hard to glorify and understand the Lord, but my mom always said to praise the Lord through the good and bad. My mother was such a great role model through this time. She led us strong with encouragement.
God was testing our faith for him. When God gives you a situation you have to try your hardest to praise him and make it. A few months after his death, this wonderful organization (Snowball Express) gave us a trip to California with other Gold Star Families. I came home from the trip overwhelmed by how much God has really blessed me by having ten years of memories to cherish. I knew my dad loved me and I know my Heavenly Father up above loves me. As long as you have faith you’ll be good, because faith is like a muscle. The more you use it the stronger it gets.
I honestly believe that everything rides on hope and faith. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me if have faith, trust, and love the God almighty. I know for sure I’m going to see my dad and God someday in heaven. Are you?
Lord, grant me child-like trust and faith in you, even when life isn’t what I expected.
“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it.” (Mark 10:15)
September 5
PRELUDE TO DEPLOYMENT
Sara Horn spent her twenty-sixth birthday aboard the Navy aircraft carrier
Though her husband Cliff was in the Navy Reserves, Sara saw herself more as a journalist than a military wife. Sara’s mission during her ten-day stay on board was to find and report stories for Baptist Press. She wasn’t disappointed. She met a fighter pilot who prayed for his leaders and clothed himself with the armor of God (Ephesians 6) along with his flight gear. She even witnessed the first baptism take place on board using a joint direct attack munitions (JDAM) crate filled with water. “This is normally used to end life, but we’re using it today for the beginning of life,” the chaplain had said.
In November 2003, Sara traveled to Baghdad to cover more stories for a book she wrote with Oliver North, A Greater Freedom. There she talked with an American sniper who, six hours after recommitting his life to Christ in Baghdad, encountered fire on a mission. While taking cover behind a metal gate, Sara recalled what the soldier had told her. “He distinctly felt God tell him, You’re not safe, you need to move. So he did. When the firefight was over, he went back to that gate. The sides were riddled with large bullet holes. But where his chest had been, there were thirteen dents. He told me, ‘I put myself in a place to die but God pulled me out.’”
The trips were life-changing for Sara. “Faith is so important in life and death situations,” she said. “God is all you have sometimes. And when it comes down to it, God is all we need. That trip was a real wake-up call for me.”
