Rocky Mount, North Carolina — A mother in the city of Rocky Mount is leaning on faith and community support as she waits anxiously for updates from her son serving in the Middle East during a period of heightened tensions in the region.
The mother, Ebony Collins, says the emotional strain has grown heavier in recent days as news reports have described increasing military activity in parts of the Middle East.
Her son, Jaden Collins, is currently deployed overseas with the United States Navy, where he serves as a logistics specialist, a role responsible for coordinating supplies and operational support for military units.
According to family members, Jaden Collins has been stationed in the Middle East since January 2025.
Before joining the Navy, he graduated from Leesville High School and made the decision to enlist shortly after completing his studies, choosing a path of service to his country.
For Ebony Collins, the distance between her and her son has made the situation particularly difficult.
She says the uncertainty surrounding the evolving conflict in the region has caused constant worry, especially after hearing reports about drones appearing in the skies over areas where American forces are stationed.
The stress became so intense that Ebony Collins said she eventually stopped watching television news and reduced her time on social media because each new update increased her anxiety about her son’s safety.
Despite the fear, Collins says prayer and faith have helped her remain strong during this uncertain period.
Friends, relatives, and members of her community have joined her in praying for Jaden Collins and other service members currently deployed overseas.
One moment that deeply affected her occurred during a simple shopping trip to Sam’s Club.
Collins said she had entered the store to buy just one item, but when she reached the checkout line, the weight of her worries suddenly overwhelmed her.
Thinking about her son thousands of miles away in a conflict zone, she broke down in tears.
After sharing her concerns online and asking others to pray for Jaden Collins, she was surprised by the overwhelming response from people across the country.
Messages of encouragement began arriving not only from friends and relatives but also from strangers who wanted to offer their support.
Many people sent written prayers, supportive messages, and even handwritten notes. Some supporters photographed those notes and shared them with Collins to remind her that many people were standing with her family during this difficult time.
Although her son is far from home, Ebony Collins says she wants Jaden Collins to know he is constantly surrounded by love and support. She prays for him every day and reminds him that his family is waiting for his safe return.
According to Collins, Jaden Collins’ younger brother misses him greatly, and their grandparents continue to keep him in their prayers as well.
Earlier this week, Collins received a brief but reassuring message from her son. Jaden Collins contacted her to let her know that he was safe at that moment, providing a small measure of comfort amid the uncertainty.
Still, as tensions in the Middle East continue, Ebony Collins says she will continue to rely on faith, prayer, and the support of her community while she waits for the day her son can return home safely.
