The Play-doh Offensive Update

How are things coming along, people? Remember, you were warned. Until we start getting some positive feedback regarding efforts to secure some simple school supplies for Teresa who is currently serving in Afghanistan, we will continue our Jimmy Carter-like nagging.

The following are portions of an email that Teresa sent to Mongo:

...Did I tell you that when I was on the medical mission seeing patients,
that I was seeing an old woman, and she was crying.. because she cannot work
and take care of herself. That she had no money and no way to support
herself. no way to get medical care. I see people who are drug addicts,
Women without a male in the family.... children that are small due to poor
nutrition. many without proper medicine for their ailments... including
adult onset diabetes. a lack of a good water supply, which is the source of
illness and uncleanliness. The stench is horrible, but can not be helped.
when the locals come into be seen you can barely stand the smell, because
they are so filthy. their cloathing is in rags and dirty.... it is like a
page out of a history book... people here still uses donkeys as vehicles,
and donkey carts to load supplies and cart things places....

...I got another package for the humanitarian aid! It is soo nice of people
to do this... There was a little boy that came into the clinic yesterday, he
has a rare genetic disorder that causes his bones to break and bend very
easily... not much can be done for him really, but they did fundraisers and
bought him a chair... I am either going to give him my computer when I
leave, (the new one I got) or buy him an inexpensive new one... he cant go
outside and play, so he needs something he can do while sitting down. He was
such a cute little boy, he was nine years old but looked more like a six
year old... and his bones were all deformed... he can not go to school, but
his family tries to help teach him... I have nominated myself, (no one else
was doing it) to be in charge of setting up fundraisers here... We have a
car wash, (we will be washing the military vehicles for people) and possibly
a poker night and karaoke night in the works...

Well I did go on a medical mission the other day, and it was wonderful. I
had the opportunity to actually see the patients, and if they had any
problem that was beyond my ability then I referred them to higher care. I
have to tell you that the main problem was poor diet, poverty and
oppression, (as I saw females). One woman in particular started to cry
because she was so poor, old and could not work to support herself. It was
so tragic. Mostly they needed vitamins, and basic pain relievers like
tylenol, basic hygeine products like tooth brushes and tooth paste

...The things that you send do go to where it is needed and even though some
people do not believe in handouts because they feel it makes these people
dependent... I think if they were to see the hunger and the hope in the eyes
of the most in need, they would readily change their view... Poverty is not
a joke, and some of these families have a male head of the family who is
only a small boy. women cannot find work... and are oppressed and it is only
the well educated that can pull themselves up, but these are few and far on
the female side. Partly because some women were never given the chance..
very sad. The men say... oh they get used to it, refering to the burka...
and oh they like it, but if you ask the women they do not... or they hide in
it. Sad either way. anyway... I love the people here.. I think this is a
beautiful and enchanted land, for all of the war, violence, ignorance,
religious fanatisism... it is a good learning experience and I know that I
am blessed to have this opportunity...

We make runs to the front gate about one to four times a week to look at
burns to small infants and children.... usually due to abuse. most of the
time they are small second degree burns, non life threatening, but blistered
over and pretty painful looking. I wrote a poem about it... simple poem, but
you might like it.

It seemed as though time had stopped
The moment I saw her weatherd face
Her youth, hardship and pain had robbed
The lines of worry and fear, had become her disparing lace

You see the saddest beauty in her joyless eyes
In her shame from a life of oppression, she tries to hide
A land and people broken from political and religious lies
This barren piece of earth seems a void where only tears reside

The tiny bundle wrapped in her distraught embrace
Burns on his leg, cuts and scratches on his face
Malnurished, impoverished, and dirty, his little eyes gaze
With a look still trusting that time will soon erase

Where is Rumi with his poems of truth and devoted love?
I see no light posts lighting the way
No angels of mercy, no white doves
Not even a park where the children can play

Take away forever the veil that hides your torment
Lift your faces to the sky and feel the warmth of day
it is long past due for your freedom and atonement
With a song of joy in your heart, sing as you kneel to pray...

I must believe in the will of God
In the kind hearts that hear your broken sobs
One day instead of Armies marching through your land
I pray officers of peace, who in integrity will stand

It is not an Army that this country needs
But schools, hospitals, jobs and police
It is only further sarrow that these seeds we sow will reep
For the wounds in these hearts and souls are growing ever more deep...

anyway... there you have it.
you have been a very good friend. Thank you for being so supportive.
I hope you are having a wonderful Easter.
As always
Teresa


And this from an email just received by Mongo a few days ago:

... everyday I see more that causes me heart ache... everyday I cry for the children... I pray that more good then harm will come from our presence here.
You are wonderful.. you really are... thank you for trying... please GOD... please.. let someone give... let the children have a chance to laugh and play...
Perhaps we can not cure all of the problems in this land... perhaps it will be a long time for an answer to come.. but maybe we can make a difference in one or two peoples lifes.. perhaps we can give one or two smiles.. one or two good memories among a centuries of bad.


We don’t think we can make this any more clear. If you are already an active participant (no, penning checks doesn’t count) in a service-related cause, then you’re off the hook. If not, then please make this one or one similar your own, if for no other reason than to prevent all that gratitude from going to Mongo's head. We know where you live – lets not make this unpleasant, shall we?

P.S. Our package arrived in country in just under a week. The impact of your effort is immediate.