DAUGAVPILS, LATVIA -- A feeling of awe struck me a few times over the course of my Saturday as I watched the spirit of humanity unfold before my eyes.
My perspective shifted as far from the begrudging before sunrise wake up as it possibly could.
Around 6:30 a.m. the morning of April 9, more than 60 soldiers assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment and myself loaded into four vans and a bus for a three and a half hour drive to a volunteer community outreach event.
On the way we picked up Capt. Ruslans Markevics, Latvian army Chaplain of the 2nd Infantry Battalion at Adazi Military Base who coordinated the volunteer project for these soldiers in the region supporting Operation Atlantic Resolve.
Markevics' friend, Stephen Janz, a missionary and children's camp developer from Calgary, Canada, also came along for the trip.
Thinking the community outreach event at the end of the ride would consist of cutting wood for orphans or less fortunate people, there was a general feeling of surprise as everyone piled out of the convoy in Daugavpils saying, "So where is the wood?"
Once soldiers refueled from the long ride, Markevics greeted us all, announcing his position as a Baptist Chaplain and explaining our duties that day would be doing God's work by helping prepare a Christian youth summer camp for the season.
The camp hosts hundreds of children and families from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia each summer. Markevics is friends with the developer, Peter, and provides services and night games when camp is in session.
Having been blessed by the everlasting memories and life-changing experiences from three summers of Christian bible camp during my adolescence, the meaning of the day struck my heart.
The general attitude of the formation seemed to change. While still lighthearted and ready to get down to business, the soldiers appeared more serious about doing a good deed for a higher purpose.
"I'm glad that we're able to help someone else work on a project like this," said Spc. Zachary Beougher, a combat medic. "It's for a good cause."
Regardless of job title, religion, nationality, language or age, these soldiers were ready to give their labor for a cause with potentially great community impact.
This group became more than soldiers helping people, but simply people helping people.
"I think it's important to show the community that we're not here just to support them as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization defense," Beougher said. "We're also here to build relations, not only with the soldiers but with the community as well. It shows that we're willing to get outside our comfort zone and do something we're not normally used to doing to help the community."
Markevics split soldiers up into three groups: digging, stone gathering and trailblazing. While the end state of each task was eventually revealed, volunteers began working without knowing the big picture.
As the trailblazers took off for the forest to create a hiking trail, the diggers took instruction from camp developers cutting precise holes into the earth for cement blocks.
Stone gatherers took to the wooded area nearby, "hunting stones like mushrooms," as Markevics' joked.
"Everybody has been pretty motivated and in a good mood," Beougher said. "It's a nice day and we're all getting after it and working as a team."
Soldiers took turns digging the foundation for what will eventually become a small building housing a fireplace for sweet bread.
Once the hole was complete, the stone gatherers' work came into play. Soldiers layered sand dug nearby with the stones to create the fireplace's foundation.
As each step in the process was completed, the final product became a more tangible vision.
"You get the feeling of giving back to Latvia," said Sgt. Nicolas Schroeder, an infantryman. "(This country) has given us a lot since we've been here."
Markevics rounded up everyone for lunch at a nearby cabin overlooking a lake. His camp developers showed their gratitude by serving soldiers a homemade meal.
After Janz gave the benediction, everyone dug in.
This day was unlike any other experience I have had in my life.
I saw the true beauty of people not only through soldiers giving their time and energy, but also in the gratitude and love of those on the receiving end.
Markevics smiled and apologized for his English before giving his thanks.
"I think it's good witness for local people, for these people who work here from church," Markevics said. "It's good witness for soldiers not only fighting but they can help (here too). I think it's a good event. (As) a chaplain I can say this is work for God and for people. Thank you very much, God bless you."
I told him words don't matter as long as the meaning is understood.
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