Art Auction and Volunteers Needed for Operation Hope

Dear Friends of Operation Hope:

We wanted to make you aware of an opportunity that you have to support Operation Hope. I have attached a flyer of an art exhibit which will be held from February 3-7. As the flyer states, the artist is donating one of his pieces to Operation Hope. There are a few different ways that you can help us with this event. (1) come out and support this exhibit; (2) place a bid on the auction which will be on February 6 in support of OH; and (3) pass the word of this event to family, friends and co-workers.

We also wanted to make you aware of two volunteer positions that we need filled within Operation Hope. They are as follows:

(1) we need a volunteer willing and able to create and print flyers and/or brochures throughout the year when we are having events; this would be on an as-needed basis; and

(2) we need a volunteer willing and able to maintain Operation Hope's accounts using the current spreadsheet; this would more than likely require minimal time once you have become familiar with the program and have things organized.

If you would like to help us with either of these positions, please contact me via this email address.

Thank you for your support of Operation Hope. I know that with your help many more great things will be able to happen through Operation Hope in the coming year!!!!


I pray that God will bless you GREATLY as you are a blessing to those around you!
Jaye Lynn Lester
Administrator
Operation Hope

OH January 10, 2008

OPERATION HOPE – KUWAIT

A Mission of Mercy

January 10, 2007

Greetings and a blessed 2008 to one and all! I begin this year firmly trusting that the LORD will continue to bless OH's outreach to the neediest of Kuwait's needy third-country-nationals.

This update will be brief but rather focused brothers and sisters. The balance currently outstanding for coats purchased, packed and distributed remains at KD 12,738.

Broken down it is equivalent to:

· 12.5 donations of KD 1,000 each OR

· 26 donations of KD 500 each OR

· 1,273 donations of KD 10 each OR. . .

. . . I think you get what I'm saying here.

This country is FULL of people who can afford a KD 10 donation and wouldn't even feel a dent in their pocket!

Most of us have heard of the late John D. Rockefeller. He was one of the wealthiest men who ever lived. When Mr. Rockefeller's accountant was asked about the total sum of what he left behind, the accountant replied, "He left all of it." My point ~ we CAN'T take what we own with us when we leave planet Earth but we CAN make a difference in someone's life today!

I want to begin 2008 with a challenge. I ask that you would consider making a donation of KD 10 today (even if you've made a donation before). I also challenge you to ask your family, friends, and colleagues to also make donations of KD 10 each.

The investment I am challenging you and your loved ones to make is small, however the return is enormous.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me; I was sick and you looked after me; I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in; or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:34-40

What OH does for the "least of these" is done for the LORD. Please join us in serving Him as we continue to serve those in need.

God bless,

Sheryll Mairza

Founder

OH December 28, 2007

OPERATION HOPE – KUWAIT

A Mission of Mercy

December 28, 2007

Greetings! A new year is facing us and with that is the excitement of waiting to see where the Lord will take OH. What a blessed anticipation!!

Within a week of one another two dear friends have lost a parent. Both were ill and both have gone to be with the Lord, nevertheless both will be greatly missed by their respective families. In memory of each friend's parent a donation of winter warmth for two needy TCN's has been made.

The outstanding balance for the winter bags remains at 13,250 KD. My hope is that the balance will be paid in full with in a month's time. I thank you for whatever support you are able to give toward eliminating our debt. And remember. . . OH is now able to accept corporate support under the umbrella of both the National Evangelical Church of Kuwait and St. Paul's Anglican Church. Simply let them know that your donation is to be earmarked for OH and they will be sure to pass it along to us. All donations made are US tax-deductible.

In 2007 OH has served 9,000 men/women third-country-nationals who are on salaries of less than KD 40 per month ($110 USD) by providing them with winter coats, hats, gloves, socks and thermal underclothing.

Other OH highlights of 2007 include these blessings:

· Eleven TB patients repatriated to their respective countries with 'seed-money' to begin their lives anew.

· Eight families from Middle Eastern countries helped with such needs as rent, food, as well as refrigerator purchased for one who lost their possessions in a house fire early in the year.

· More than twenty third-country-national families assisted through OH for help with their rents, medical assistance, and other necessities.

· One Indian laborer's life has been spared through the purchase of a life-saving feeding tube.

· One hundred twenty Bengali's living on the border of Iraq have received blankets, pillows, rice, sugar, tea, flour and other non-perishable food staples. All of them are on monthly salaries of KD 18 – 25 per month ($48 – 60 USD) and living in metal shacks with no heat/AC/or plumbing.

· Financial & food assistance to several families from the Philippines who are struggling through temporary but difficult times.

· A brand new stove given to a needy Philippine family.

· Used furniture/rugs/and other household items donated to countless third-county-national families in need.

· A used computer given to a needy Indian girl to complete her education.

· Continuous supplies of clothing, reading materials, blankets, pillows, toiletries, and food to the men/women/children living in the embassies of the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. The combined total number of people helped in these embassies is well over 500.

· Prescription medications purchased for needy Arab and TCN people in need.

· Visited the sick in hospitals with no family in Kuwait.

Brothers and sisters there are many others who have been blessed by your support through OPERTION HOPE. I thank you for your willingness to help others in need. You have attended the distribution of coats, delivered food to families in need, packed coat bags, held fundraisers, attended fundraisers, given cash donations; food donations, given us clothing, furniture, blankets, pillows and food, prayed for us, prayed for those we serve, served on the OH committee, forwarded words of encouragement, and seen those we help with new eyes.

I pray that God will bless each of you for all you have done to make a difference in the lives of so many needy men and women in Kuwait. I hope 2008 will be doubly blessed by the One who we serve each time we serve someone in need.

A blessed New Year,

Sheryll Mairza

Founder