February 19, 2010
Force Chaplain
Navy Installations Command
716 Sicard Street
SE Suite 100
Washington, DC 20374-5140

Greetings in the name of the Lord:

This past year was a whirlwind of challenges both personally and professionally. We were notified in April we would be leaving Japan, our overseas home for the past two years, for assignment in Washington, DC. Naturally this news was simultaneously exciting and vexing as we needed to bring to close our ministry and anticipate a household move of over 7,000 miles. The logistics of purchasing a new home, finding, schools for the children, cars to drive, and a new church were all part of the changes ahead of us. Thankfully, God was at work, weaving a tapestry, we could not at first discern but one that became clearer in time. We arrived in Virginia in June and all the details began to fall in place. We were helped by friends and even lived three weeks with one family until our home was ready.

My new assignment, involves the leadership and supervision of over 150 chaplains and an equal amount of enlisted assistants assigned to 76 installations spanning the globe. Additionally, I have the privilege of leading ten regional chaplains who are also Navy Captains. Assisting me in this effort is my deputy, Susan Fritz, who is a retired Master Chief and a very reliable and valuable teammate. Sue and I oversee a budget of nearly $10 million as we coordinate our world-wide religious ministry teams.

We are blessed to be grounded by my wife's membership and our family's participation in the life of Trinity United Methodist Church in McLean, Virginia. The church family welcomed us from the start and we are involved in discipleship, worship, fellowship and service. Our children are even excited about going to church every Sunday! It is good to be back in the States, although, we are all homesick for Japan and the respect and courtesy of our Japanese neighbors and friends.

Through it all - we were sustained by our love for God, each other, and the support of an extended network of family and friends. Connections do make the difference in life. It is with a good bit of pride that I write I am proud to be part of the United Methodist Church and able to bring God to people and people to God on your behalf.

Sincerely,
Captain John H. Lea III
Chaplain Corps, United States Navy