From ‘Nehemiah in the Nineties’ by Mark Tolec.
Bosnia had been a tough, yet very fulfilling tour of duty. The Lord had protected me in line with the Word He had given me through Psalm 91 and my trust in Him had been repaid many, many times over. He not only looked after me, He prospered me.
I know fellow sapper officers who were blown up by mines in Bosnia, yet I did not receive a scratch or injury during my time there. I have since visited the World War One battlefields, which are a stark reminder of how many do not return from the combat zone. I had got off very lightly. Neither did I have to fire a weapon in anger, and many years on I am glad I was not required to take life, nor order my soldiers to do so. But I would have been prepared to and under similar circumstances, I still would.
My prosperity in Bosnia is also linked to the fact that a lot of people were praying for me during the tour of duty. It was not just the OCU prayer group, but other Christians I knew who were aware that accidents and incidents can happen in a lively place like Bosnia. Every Christian has an enemy who prowls like a roaring lion wanting to kill and destroy. This prayer support was vital to my well-being and success; I shudder to think of the potential disasters that may have occurred without it. Prayer works.