March 16, 2011

It has been over a full year since I sent an update on my whereabouts and “briefed” you Berteau family. Janelle and I are still in Norfolk , Virginia . As I mentioned last year, I am executing a new set of 3 year orders that has assigned me to the Navy's Surface Force Ministry Center (SFMC). At this new assignment I am the Deputy Director there, responsible to mentor, train, and assign 20 young chaplains to the "small-boys" (destroyers, frigates, and cruisers) when they go out for their six-month deployments and to make sure the 40+ ships on Norfolk 's waterfront have their ministry needs covered. Shortly after arriving at the SFMC, I was given VERY little notice that I was going to have to deploy on the amphibious assault ship, USS KEARSARGE, for between 2 weeks and 9 months. I was only able to stay 2 months on the ship as the Command Chaplain there, but I learned a lot and had a great time. At the conclusion of that little stint, the lead chaplain in the Middle East asked me if I would stick around his Area of Responsibility and fill ministry gaps for another two months. So I agreed and hopped from ship to ship throughout the Arabian Gulf doing ministry on 3 more destroyers, 4 Coast Guard boats, and the Iraqi oil platforms. I am certainly glad to be back home now though.

The week that I left on KEARSARGE was the very week that Janelle and I dropped our youngest son Ben off to college at Concordia St. Paul. Ben is having a great freshman year studying Biblical Languages with every intention of going to seminary and becoming a pastor. Emily, as you may well know is continuing upon her nursing track at NIU and is excited to finally begin the clinical/practical nursing classes that are part of her program. Jeff and his wife and 3 children continue to excel in their lives down near Louisville , KY where he continues to guide planes in as an FAA Air Traffic Controller. Melissa, Nate, and Lauren are no strangers to you all I am sure as they continue in their busy lives down in DeKalb. When I left to go out to sea and Janelle and I dropped Ben off at college our house became an empty nest for the first time. Yet Janelle, because she teaches Kindergarten, is involved in the church choir here, and tries to keep me on task as a good chaplain's wife, has had little time to be sad.

In the Navy, you never know what is around the corner. Who knew last year when I wrote my letter that I would spend significant time on four continents this year. It would be very disconcerting if we didn't have faith that the God who has given us exceedingly more than we could ever ask or imagine, will continue to supply all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ, Jesus. In Him, we do indeed have every reason to be glad and rest in His forgiving grace and mercy. You too have that same assurance and hope, and I pray that God continue to bless each of you as you work in the mission fields of Northern Illinois .

In Christ,
Pastor Dan Berteau