By 
Coalisland’s Rev Andrew Rawding has recounted the harrowing loss suffered during his time serving as an army chaplain in Afghanistan.
Writing in his weekly column for the Dungannon Herald, Rev Rawding said the deaths of 21 colleagues had left him and his regiment ‘battle shocked’.
“We were ‘decompressing’ after six months working in Afghanistan. Twenty one of our colleagues had been killed. We were battle shocked.
“A cigar seemed like a breath of fresh air. So I joined the ranks of those for whom smoking is a coping mechanism, a welcome relief from the pressures and stress of life.
“It wasn’t a healthy decision. Smoking is harmful to our health.
“On Sunday, May 31 this year the World Health Organisation (WHO) is promoting ‘World No Tobacco Day’ to protect youth from the dangers of smoking.
“This Sunday another type of ‘World Health Organisation’, which focuses primarily on ‘spiritual health’ will be promoting the healthy benefits of fire and smoke, but not from cigarettes and cigars.
“Churches all over the world will be celebrating ‘Pentecost’, the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Biblical narrative is that after Jesus’ ascension to heaven his disciples, Jesus’ mother Mary and other women were all together in Jerusalem praying. “
Read Rev Rawding’s full weekly column in this week’s Dungannon Herald on sale in newsagents or available to download straight to your device https://bit.ly/2XEfHRc
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Take Care
The Dungannon Herald Team