Chapter 10 Marial Asks for Leave to Find His Family

 

 

 

SHORT IN HEIGHT, TALL IN COURAGE

Chapter 10

Marial Asks for Leave to Find His Family

 

     Hosseini, Samuel, Mabior, and I sat in the meeting room at the large round table opening in the center. A report from Mossad on Abubakar Shekau and his Boko Haram gang was the topic of our discussion. We compared that report with info we had previously received from the South Sudanese Army Intel Unit and Hosseini's Christian contact in Central African Republic, CAR. All the pieces were similar. The analogous information gave us some certainty as to its overall accuracy. The nasty side of those reports was that Boko Haram was at the border of CAR and South Sudan. Those evil beasts' nearness to South Sudan's western border meant an attack was most likely near. In anticipation, Samuel and Amani had begun planning a preemptive strike.

     Affirmation of Boko Haram's intentions came from one of our own team members, Marial. He came into the meeting room and just stood there looking at us for a few seconds before speaking, "Chief, I have some personal business to discuss."

     I stood up, motioning toward my office.

     Marial shook his head, "That's not necessary. The Team is family." He pulled out a chair and sat down beside me. "Chief, I would never ask for personal leave unless it was of extreme importance."

     At this point, I and all present were becoming very concerned. This world needed more of Marial's type. He is gracious and loving, yet tough as nails when it comes to God, morals, and battle. Samuel blurted out, "Marial, your word is all we need. Tell us about your needs and how we can help, brother."

     At this moment, Marial's face transformed into the look he wore whenever going into battle. "Chief, they have kidnapped many of my remaining family in the area, along with several Christian leaders! I am leaving to find my family. After that, I cannot promise what I might do to those terrorists. They have already robbed me of my closest family."

     All of us stood in unison as I replied, "Muster The Team, immediately! This is war!"

     Mabior, Samuel, and Hosseini took out their phones, texting 911 at the compound. Never before had that signal gone out.

     It seemed like only seconds before the door was thrown open, and the remaining team members came rushing to us in various states of dress and with weapons at the ready.

     I told everyone that Marial's family had been kidnapped by Boko Haram and that this meant war. Everyone seethed with anger. I was so agitated that I yelled, "Team, your families will never face being kidnapped, assaulted, or threatened in any way and The Team not bring all its assets to bear against that individual or group! Prepare to move out at first light tomorrow morning."

     Mabior ordered Dok to have his men get all the vehicles ready. He grabbed Alek and Diemba, who were on their way out the door, ordering them to "grab the heavies; machine gun, grenades, and mortars."

     Alek and Diemba gave each other a high five, yelling, "Yes!"

     Then, turning to the twins, Ali and Kuol, Mabior instructed them to get with Little Brother and Amani to go over the scouting plans."

     Approaching Marial in the chaos, I asked him to supply us with family pictures and descriptions and separate photos of the village and surrounding terrain. I said, "You know the routine; give us any details about the area that might hinder or help us in a battle or pursuit."

     The Team had specific lists of items that traveled with us. Everyone had their jobs and responsibilities. I ordered everyone back into the meeting room for a few minutes before scattering, "Team, at this point, we are understandably outraged, but let's not let that anger overwhelm our training. Never discount our groundwork and preparation - those are two of the three elements that set us apart from most of our foes. The most important element, of course, is our total dedication to our Lord. Everyone get down. We always have time to talk with our Lord."

     Samuel led the prayer, "Father, You are the only true God. By your grace, You have given all of us spiritual riches which none of us deserve. You have forgiven our many sins so that we may be holy in your eyes. Please, lead us to our enemies and give us victory over them for your glory, not ours. Father, please fill us with your wisdom and strength. Help us rescue Marial's family and their neighbors. We cannot defeat our enemies without your divine power, Father. Give us humility in victory. It is for your glory that we do all these things, Father. All this we pray in Jesus' holy name, Amen."

     Shermake followed Samuel with this, "It may sound strange, but whenever I expressed some childish fear of dying, my Father would recite a famous quote from the American, Mark Twain. 'The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.' I never understood those words until this very moment. I now am living my life fully for God. I am prepared if death comes to my door."

     Samuel put his hand on Shermake's shoulder, saying, "Living for God is the only way one can live their life fully. Look what he has already given to you."

     The following day, before boarding our new Range Rovers, we had a short meeting and prayer. I told The Team, "This is the first time we have been at full strength since Somalia. Let's make Mark and Chan proud of us. Remember, we are to glorify God through our actions - always. For our new team members, if in doubt during battle or finding yourself alone, lean on God as you should always be doing."

     We rolled out of the compound into the darkness of pre-dawn. The streets of Yei were deserted. Rarely a light anywhere. As we rounded a corner near the outskirts of town, Mabior's children lined the road at attention and saluting. All of our windows on the right side came down to allow us to return their salutes. It was a good feeling. Thon remarked, "Someday they will be in these vehicles traveling to some distant battle for our Lord."

     Mabior turned and looked at Thon with an approving smile. We found ways to occupy ourselves as we traveled mile after mile toward the western South Sudan village of Deim Zubeir, just 70 miles from Central African Republic. The men played mind games like Skillz to sharpen their quick recognition skills that are so important in the pandemonium of a battle.

     I sat scrutinizing the game plan developed by Samuel and his team. They were prophetic for seeing the possible future need of a game plan for just the situation we were headed into. Central African Republic's government bordered on impotent in the same manner as South Sudan and other surrounding African states. These corrupted states had no idea or willpower to develop a strategy to deal with Boko Haram and their cohorts in the civilization-hijackers league. Boko Haram thrived on the disorganization of these North African states.

     Turning to Mabior, who was looking at the maps of the area, I asked him, "According to our best intel, Boko Haram appears to be headed for CAR's border with the hostages. How would you handle the pursuit situation?"

     Never looking up, Mabior answered, "I would head straight for the Central African Republic border. That same intel report said they were traveling in vans and pickups, and there is only one road to the border in the area. A large group such as theirs will face many difficulties if pursued. Number one, the area is heavily forested. Off-roading in the rainforest's swamps is out of the question. Attack them just this side of the border, Chief. They will be experiencing some feelings of safety near the border. As untrained militants, their guard will be slackened. Our problem will be catching up to them at that point. The gap between our two groups is concerning. If they cross the border before we catch up, the CAR soldiers may fight with them. We are never sure on that point."

     With a sly smile, I asked him, "What would you really like to do if borders were not a problem?"

     Mabior's answer was, "Go about a mile inside Central African Republic's border, then set up an ambush. They'll think they are safe once over the border. Camouflage the vehicles and cross the border quietly on foot. Marial knows that country. He and his family regularly took cattle through that area when he was growing up. He knows all the shortcuts and backwoods paths."

     I slapped Mabior on the leg, "Exactly what I'd do. Let's do it!"

     "Chief, you know this could get us in big trouble with Central African Republic? It might even cause problems for South Sudan's government for giving us sanctuary?"

     "This isn't the time to play nice guy, Mabior. Marial's family is at great risk. If we let them get away with this, they'll be like the bully on the playground. Besides, we have powerful friends in high places. Let's make them earn their money."

     With a big grin, Mabior answered my conniving with, "Yes, sir! The bully messed with the wrong kids this time."

     Deng and Thon let out an American Indian war-whoop in the back seat. If you guessed Samuel, you guessed correct. He taught them the whoop. His lineage is mainly native American, Cherokee. I don't think they had war whoops like the plain's tribes. I never brought that up with him.

     Mabior put out a conference call to all the men concerning the change on speakerphone. There wasn't a dissenter in the group. In #2 vehicle, Samuel chimed in with, "Chief, I just finished the general plan for crossing the border and ambushing inside Central African Republic. There is an excellent attack point at a clearing beside the road about a mile inside CAR. We'll disable their vehicles at this point. We'll need all the help God will give on that point. The intel reports show their base is just a short distance from this location. They'll have to come by there. Another problem, the intel says the hostages are spread among the vehicles. But Boko Haram did make a big mistake by running home after throwing a rock through someone's window. You know they have a huge head-start on us. As a precaution, I'm working on a plan to attack them in their camp - not the ideal circumstance. Pray!"

     Thon threw out a quote by Napoleon; I remembered it from my West Point days, "Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake." Thon added, "It's time God showed Napoleon that he wasn't always right. Let interrupt their mistake!"

     Samuel must have had an angel hit him with insight the way he shot back this reply, "Thank you, Thon. Proverbs 3:5-6 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.' Gotta go, bye."

     With words like these flying around, I felt confident.

     Mabior increased that confidence with these words, "Chief, the situation is looking good because we rely on God, not on ourselves."

     20 minutes later, a call came from Mossad. The contact relayed this message that changed the game entirely, "We were finally able to get a drone on the Boko Haram convoy. We're seeing them broken down short of the border. Not going to believe this, they placed the prisoners in a group off to the side of the road with only one guard. The rest are arguing and pointing guns at one another. Appears to be a major breakdown in vehicles and men. You are only two miles from them. Circumstances are favorable for an attack. God, himself, seems to have intervened."

     I had the phone on speaker for all in the vehicle to hear. Mabior shouted, "Roger, attack as soon as in position. We'll close the gap to one klick or a little over a half-mile. The rest of the way will be on foot."

     The contact signed off, saying, "Sounds like you men have work to do. We'll be high above you with visual support constant. God be with you. Out."

     Mabior did a conference call to all the units giving orders to prepare to engage. He ordered Samuel to provide us with a countdown as we neared one klick from our POC. While waiting, Mabior turned to me with, "That's the Boko Haram we've all come to know and love."

     Samuel called back quickly with, "Stop the vehicles in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, stop. Everybody out with gear for assault."

     Everyone clamored out of the vehicles gathering together at my lead vehicle.

     Samuel, with laptop in hands, spoke quietly to The Team, "As you can see, we are just around that corner down there from Boko Haram's convoy. The hostages are about midway down the convoy on the left side. They are gathered in a group about 50 yards from the convoy with one guard. The others are on the road arguing about what to do." He had a feed from the drone going live on his laptop. He continued, "We will straddle the road in the shadows. With our night-vision goggles, we shouldn't have any problems. You will stop at a point we decide is suitable for sniper ops. Deng and I will circle around to disable the guard on the hostages. We will signal "mission accomplished" when the hostage guard is secured. At that point, Deng will fire a flare from our location to distract the BH boys from the direction of your attack. This will also light up BH's convoy and personnel. At the signal, Alek and Diemba will open up a mortar barrage. Four rounds; two off to the right side and two just in front of their convoy. Alek and Diemba are down the road, sighting in the mortars. After the mortar rounds land, we will begin sniping targets as available. You can advance as it becomes safe to do so. Remember, professionalism in your firing and advancement. If any of the vehicles attempt to drive toward the border, Alek and Diemba will be given ranges by the drone team and ordered to place mortar rounds ahead of them as is possible. If they attempt to escape toward us, Amani will take them on with our M240 loaded with armor-piercing rounds. The Chief gave the authorization to use grenades, but only if absolutely necessary. You've all been thoroughly trained on their use and safe areas. God is with us. Let's talk with him."

     After the prayer, I asked if there were any questions. With none offered, we formed a circle and quietly slapped hands together, saying, "For God," then moved out silently down the road. Samuel and Deng had already disappeared into the trees on the left.

     Mabior whispered, "You know we are going to wipe this Boko Haram unit from the face of the earth tonight. The men are filled with anger over Marial's family. I talked with them about self-control. I have no worries about their courage."

     With a smile, I retorted, "To quote Billy Graham, 'Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.' You, my brother, are the chief back stiffener on The Team." Mabior turned his head and cleared his throat. I could tell that he was affected.

     As we stealthily ambled down the left side of the road, with Marial out front about 100 feet, I sent Ali and Kuol to the other side of the road to cover that area. As we came to the corner, Marial came trotting back with his hand up, stopping our advance.

     Softly, Marial told me, "They are in the positions just as the drone team told us. Arguing and shoving one another. I couldn't make out Abubakar Shekau, nor any other real leader."

     I motioned The Team forward, with Amani getting the signal to set up his machine gun just around the corner and to the right side of the road. We slowed our pace as we came round the corner and gained sight of our targets. Finally, I gave the hand signal to lie down and sight in on targets of opportunity. Mabior, crouching low, went along the line of men giving encouragement.

    The post-engagement debriefing told us that the guard on the hostages was focused on the sight of his fellow saps arguing on the road. His AK held loosely at arm's length beside him with the barrel digging into the dirt. He never knew what hit him. Samuel, without intention, broke the man's neck with a violent twist. Deng had quietly shushed the hostages who were totally taken aback by the sight of these camouflaged men wearing those Star-War's night goggles. Once it sunk in that these are people here to rescue them, they were off to the woods with Deng at their head and Samuel ushering them from behind while calling with the hostages-rescued signal. Reaching the trees, Deng paused long enough to fire a flare into the air over the convoy.

     There came the hollow thunk of the mortars firing. Those sounds must have confused them, for they ceased arguing to listen. The explosions only increased their confusion. All took off in various directions, but the majority ran toward us. This was the objective of our plan. Hidden beside the road in the darkness, we opened fire. The result was that they began to fall. Suffering the effects of our deadly accurate fire, they turned back toward their vehicles. I signaled Alek to lay rounds on the road in front of their vehicles. As the hollow thunks of the mortars resumed, I gave Amani and his loader, Chol, the signal to open up on the vehicles with the machine gun. The firing added to the devastation. Large chunks of the vehicles flew into the air. Screams were audible above the cacophony of the now one-sided battle. Battles always feel like forever, just as this one felt, but it was over in under ten minutes. I didn't want any of these terrorists escaping, but it was soon evident that our attack had destroyed their ability to do us or anyone else harm. I ordered a cease-fire and a careful advance on the carnage before us. It is scary just how lethal we have become. 

     We found a survivor in the bed of the lead vehicle. He lay in the fetal position with a painful wound in the stomach. He answered our questions in a hysterical voice, "Abubakar Shekau, while we were in the village, he drove away when one of the hostages told him that their nephew is a member of The Team, and they would be coming for him. He fears the wrath of your God. If you spare my life, I will swear allegiance to your God."

     Mabior told the man, "Christians do not swear. If our word is no good, then no amount of swearing will correct that. Our God does not kill you for not becoming a Christian, but you will lose your life. Our Lord has conquered death. He is the Loving God who commands us to love one another, even our enemies. For merely having faith in him, he offers you eternal life."

     Though in great pain, the man gathered the strength to ask, "But if you love your enemies, how can you call them your enemies?"

     Mabior moistened the man's lips as he told him, "You have answered your own question."

     When the firing ceased, I sent Marial to the hostages to check on their welfare and comfort them. We heard crying and shouting erupt a few minutes later. We all knew it was Marial meeting his relatives. Samuel showed up a short time after with news about the hostages' ordeal. Some of the hostages had been beaten severely, but none killed. Evidently, Marial's Uncle telling Abubakar that his nephew was with The Team had saved everyone's life. Watching Samuel as he reported this, I could tell that he was shaken by something. Later, after hearing the details of his accidentally killing the guard, I understood why. I told him, "Samuel Winston, God will never hold this against you."

     We buried the dead and treated the injured. It was well into the morning hours when we loaded everyone into the vehicles and headed for Deim Zubeir. The Team was joined by the hostages and all united by speakerphone for a sing fest to honor our Lord, who stopped the enemy's vehicles and gave us victory. The lone prisoner died on the way to Deim Zubeir. But Samuel and Shermake converted him as he lay there dying. A day later, in Deim Zubeir, an enormous crowd attended the funeral services in Marial's family church. The man, Jabir Farouq, found paradise at the last minute. A year later, on a mission that took us through that same town, Marial's relatives wanted us to stop at the cemetery to see the beautiful headstone that the town's Christians had erected for Jabir Farouq. Our Lord instructed us to love a one-time enemy as he does us. Our Lord indeed works in mysterious ways, and that is the way I like it.

     People lined the roadway on the way home, passing through the Thatch-hut villages. The crowds rushed our vehicles in an attempt to touch us. With a frown, Mabior told me that the villagers think we are holy men and that touching us will help keep evil spirits from them. Each time this occurred, The Dinkas leaned out the windows shouting, "We are not holy men. You must put your trust not in men but in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Deng wanted to stop and preach to each village, but Mabior convinced him of its futility. He told Deng and the rest of The Team, "We are in unknown territory. Our mission is not to convert everyone but to convert those our Lord identifies as fertile ground. We must keep in the forefront of us our mission to rescue Christians and Jews from danger."

     It is 624 miles from Yei to Deim Zubeir. Typically, it would take 16 hours straight through with no stops. However, stretches of the road had been washed away. We were in the monsoon season, the rainy season. The rivers were overflowing in many areas. In the end, it took us four days to reach home in Yei. Sleeping in the vehicles was our only option. The ground was filled with annoying critters looking for a dry place to sleep during the rainy season, just like us. Lions, elephants, and whatever didn't concern us as much as the critters that get into your body. Dinners were military MREs; meal ready to Eat, freeze-dried foods. I had a particular fondness for MREs. It's military comfort food.

     Thon kept us laughing and our minds off the tedious travel and sleeping arrangements. He told stories of the early days of The Team when he was in recruit training.

      One of Thon's stories went like this, "It was my first time to ever handle much less shoot a rifle. Artie and Giff were sober and in a bad mood - like they ever had good ones. I shot at the target. I was shooting an old heavy M14 that kicked like a zebra. The guy operating the pulling pit radioed Artie that I hit a bullseye. I was elated. But not after Artie told me that I had hit the bullseye on the target of the man two down from me, Chan's. Oh, yeah! Remember the time on one of our long marches in Training that you fell into the ditch beside the road, Chief. While everyone was laughing, you stood up at the bottom of the ditch with a mean look on your face. You said all the people that laughed, get down and give me 20 pushups. Chol, Dok, and I remained standing while everybody else did their 20. After they had finished, you looked at the three of us with that sly grin of yours, saying, 'Those who lied, get down and give me 40!' That's when I understood that this wasn't your first day out of baby diapers."

     After much prodding, I told the men one of my old recruit stories from long ago, "Well, I had been at West Point about two weeks. We were in week two of the six-week CBT, Cadet Basic Training. Our company of Plebes and I thought we were old-timers. We knew everything. Some bright bulb came up with the idea to write "KICK ME"  on a piece of red paper and put a piece of tape on it. We would put it in a chair just before someone sat down. When the guy would stand up, several of us would foolish kick him in the rear. All of us would break out in laughter. This stupidity couldn't be helped, we were just teenagers, and everything stupid amused us. Okay, so, this one afternoon, unknown to the rest of us, one out-of-his-mind recruit slips the sign in the Sergeant's chair just before he sat down. The recruit ran out the back door of the barracks.

    Meanwhile, the Sergeant stands up and walks out his office door, putting his back toward me. I didn't know who it was because I had just walked into the hallway. I'm zeroed in on seeing the red sign and getting the first kick in. Wham, I connected with Sergeant Masterson's rear end with my boot at full force. Everyone sitting around the barracks looked up in total shock. I laughed like a hyena until Sergeant Masterson turned around to face me with a face redder than the devil's outfit. I had never heard many of the curse words he called me that day. By the time he was through cussing me, and it took some time, I felt about one inch tall. Then comes the really foolish part. I told the Sergeant that I only kicked him because he had a red sign on his rear that told me to. Uh, oh. Now, the entire company was in for it. We marched all that night in the freezing rain, with Sergeant Masterson yelling at us as he drove alongside in his warm car."

     Instead of laughing, the men just stared at me with a look of horror in their eyes. Mabior quietly commented, "Chief, I cannot imagine you doing such a horrible thing to your superior. You are always so calm, polite, and professional. I cannot believe that they did not dismiss you from the Army."

     I vowed never to tell another childhood story again. It is clearly seared into their brains that I'm old, and never was I young and full of mischief.

     Samuel took me aside at the first opportunity after the story incident, telling me, "Chief, we are young men. Our horror at you being a young, impetuous person at one time in your life is only due to our enormous respect for you as you are today. No man among us harbors any disrespect or contempt for you. You just showed us an honest and human side of you. We would put our life on the line for you.

     Looking at Samuel, I replied, "Thank you, Samuel, I realize that, but I think that I just got a hard taste of reality. I'm getting on in years. It gets a little scary when one thinks about becoming useless in society."

     Thrusting his hands on my shoulders, Samuel, with a gritty look on his face, said, "Chief, we nor anyone else are putting you out to pasture. You are just beginning to put on that mature look of a real leader. You are not going anywhere. You are the glue that holds The Team together. Useless? Never!"

     Still, those visions entered my thoughts at times - more every day.

     The Team arrived at the compound victorious but tired, stiff, and ready for a long night's rest.

     They were shocked when I called all of them for a special meeting early the following morning.

     At the meeting, running my eyes back and forth to scan everyone, I said quietly, "Team, I realized last night that we had made a huge mistake in our prep and performance of the last mission. We placed our faith in and relied on our anger and weapons instead of relying on God. We could have taken that BH team with minimal casualties if we performed in our normal mode. We had the opportunity to do much better as far as discipleship. Tomorrow, starting at sunrise, we will fast till sundown. Be here before sunrise. We'll spend the day in prayer to ask our Lord for forgiveness and the wisdom to repent."

     All hung their heads low and agreed with the plan. "If we are going to represent our Lord, we will do it as a living-loving example of Him. We will rely on and trust Him fully, " I told them all these things with me sharing fully in the guilt.