OH April 29, 2007

From: sheryll mairza;
Date: Apr 29, 2007 9:59 AM
Subject: OH April 29, 2007

OPERATION HOPE – KUWAIT
A MISSION OF MERCY
APRIL 29, 2007

Beloved Brothers and Sisters,
Nearly two months have gone by since our last chat and I'm anxious to fill
you in on what's happened since then! With the heat ushering into Kuwait it
is difficult to focus on winter ~ but it'll return soon enough and when it
does we'll be even readier to serve the poor! It IS best to plan ahead.
Remember it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark!!!

I have ordered 5,000 sets of thermal under-clothing for next winter's
distribution. The order will arrive in late August/early September and will
remain stored with the company I've placed the order with. The cost of each
set is KD 1, which means the total bill for our order will be KD 5,000. My
hope is that our bill will be paid in full by the time the order arrives to
Kuwait.

The Embassy Chapel – Protestant congregation will make a donation of KD 435
in the coming week. My sincerest thanks to Pastor Dave and his congregation
for remembering OH!

Thank you to the family of Danielle Morris for their recent donation of two
computer printers and a monitor! We look forward to receiving the CPU when
that is emptied!

A blog was recently set up by an OH member. To access it simply go to
www.ohkuwait.org Your feedback is invited!

The American University of Kuwait (AUK) will host a Social Awareness Fair on
their campus May 7th from 12 – 4 PM. OPERATION HOPE has been invited to be
a part of that exciting event. Therefore I will take our fliers, pop-up
stands, and donation jar to help advance our cause! I would love to have a
volunteer or two on hand to help me field questions, distribute fliers,
etc…. Kindly RSVP if you're able to help out that afternoon! Oh and you'll
need to be wearing your OH t-shirt & cap, too!

Recently I bought a case of water and distributed it to street-sweepers as I
passed by. Each one happily accepted the drink offering. I'm wondering if
OH needs to branch out to setting up water dispensers. . . What are your
thoughts?

Does everyone remember my references to a lovely Australian sister who sends
encouraging emails and who has sent via wire transfer a donation to aid in
our mission of mercy? Her name is Miriam and she has, once again, wired a
donation! You see right now it is winter in the "land down under." She
volunteers her time and resources year after year to help the downtrodden
during the winter months there! How like a woman of God to reach out and
clothe men and women far from her reach. She blesses me each and every time
she writes and I thank the Lord for her!

I thank the Lord for each of you, too! When I reflect upon ALL that was
done this past winter to alleviate some of the suffering of the poor in
Kuwait I'm profoundly moved. I trust your life has been changed in some
way, too. If you or someone you knows would like to contribute towards to
the cost of the thermal underclothing order, kindly do so at your earliest
convenience. I appreciate your prayerful consideration.

In closing I'll share a lovely email I received from a member of the OH
family. It is a beautiful reminder to me about my own attitude.

Giving Thanks

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings; thank you,
Lord that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as
possible; thank you, Lord that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising. Thank you, Lord, that I
have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day may be hectic when socks are lost,
toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are loud. Thank you,
Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the picture in the
magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced. Thank you, Lord, for the
food we have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job can be monotonous; thank you, Lord, for
the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my
circumstances were not so modest. Thank you, Lord, for life.

Blessings,
Sheryll Mairza
Founder