Operation Body and Mind

Hello all my faithful bloggers. My good friend from church has a nephew over in Iraq. She sent me an email with his wish for his Christmas gift from family and friends. If you could help it would be great!

"Hello, my name is Gregg Raybourn. I am a 21 year old Navy Hospital Corpsman currently serving in Husaybah, Iraq with the United States Marine Corps. Husaybah is a small city in the northwestern part of Iraq, on the border of Syria, nestled next to the Euphrates River. I work as a combat medic for my fellow Marines and Iraqi nationals. As health and welfare are a big part of my job, I have noticed that school children here really need our help. They are learning the math and sciences, learning to read and write, just like we all did as kids. They enjoy the same childhood pasttimes like playing tag and soccer. These kids are the future of Iraq and the key to democracy.

As winter hits, these kids are in dire straits. They spend most of the year in the blistering heat, but now, as it gets cold, I realize that no one has shoes. They have sandals for the heat, but nothing for the wet and cold. These children go to school all day and then come home to help on the small farms and feed their brothers and sisters.

I am in contact with one of the local schools with about 200 students. My goal is to put a pair of shoes on the feet of each student. I would like you to gather up the shoes that have been outgrown or are just sitting around taking up space in closets and send them to me. Socks too, if you have them.

My second goal is to provide crayons for each student. None of the students has ever had crayons. Coloring books would be great too. The students also need pencils, paper and other school supplies so that they have the tools to enhance their education.

The students are learning English and anxious to have pen pals. Is there a child out there who would like a new friend to write to? The way we will change the world is through our actions not our words. People have the same desire for peace everywhere.

I will appreciate any help you can give me to accomplish my two goals. These goals are modest, but I really believe we can make a difference. "

When he heard that everyone at home was getting involved he sent the following Thank You:

"hey i just have to write to thank you for supporting the idea and stay proactive when it would be easier just to stay out of the mess over here. it nice to know that so many people want to do their part. i love the fact that everyone is willing to donate money and school supplies but the big need right now is the shoes. thank you very much for getting involved as well as reaching out to others and getting them involved. our humanity will not go unnoticed"

The address to mail the shoes is:
HA Raybourn, Gregg L.
3-4 Kilo Company 3rd Platoon
Unit 41615
FPO AP 96426-1615

It is a military address...so shipping isn't too bad. I have a huge box and mailing it through the post office is only about $15.

I know it will make him smile to see how much we all care. If you can't do anything...pass this on to someone else. Working together we CAN make a difference in lives of Iraq's future (the innocent children.)

Thanks again to everyone at Everest College who pitched in to make this project a reality. Together we are sending over 15 pairs of shoes, lots of crayons, socks, and coloring books.

Thanks Gregg for helping everyone over in Iraq and being Jesus in the lives of so many children.