Friday, December 12, 2003

Chief Wiggles from the sands of Iraq:

The girls

A big warm thank you goes out to all of you who have so promptly responded to my request for assistance. So many have graciously responded with ideas, suggestions, and solutions for the predicament the young girls find themselves in. We are taking all of that into consideration as we work through the situation on this end. You have given us just what we needed and that is options. You can imagine how sensitive of an issue this is and that there are many things to work through, but now we have solutions.

I wish I could tell you more than that but I just can't at this time. When the time is right you will hear how this all worked out. Some of you will definitely hear from us in person over the next few days. I appreciate so much the abundance of generosity that was expressed and offered in such a short period of time.

 I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. You have come through once again showing how kind, compassionate, and charitable the people of the world can be. We had responses from various countries and people from all walks of life, rich and poor, those with small apartments to large houses, some with money and others just with ideas, even several attorneys offering their services for free, with one thing in common a desire to help someone in need.

Being Like Jesus

I am reminded of a study that was done of the top 100 most influential people in the history of mankind. Jesus was ranked as the third most influential person in history. When asked why Jesus came in at number three, the man who made the list replied that Jesus taught great principles about loving each other, loving those that use or abuse you, or who wrongfully persecute you, but he added that most people don’t follow his teachings.

Maybe that person didn't meet all of you. Who have proven that you can reach out with love to others, offering of your love, your money, your homes to total strangers from another land, one that we have been at war with. Christmas time and any time, you are awesome.

Christmas is the best!

Christmas is such a special time of year, giving most of us cause to reflect on the fact that we have been so abundantly blessed in so many ways, with reason to share and give to others that might not have been as fortunate. As we reach inside ourselves, we find a part of us that sincerely wants to share and give to others, knowing that in such service we find the essence of true happiness. It is through those simple acts of true service that we feel a greater sense of value, and purpose for living.

It is no wonder then that history is replete with stories of lavishly wealthy individuals who sadly take their lives, because life fails to offer them no continual purpose or value for living. They have failed to realize where true happiness lies. It is a gift from God within each of us, as we give of ourselves to others, giving a part of what we have been blessed with. 

Only a few know the joy and happiness that comes from losing yourself in the service of another in need. As is stated in the Bible, "when you are in the service of your fellowmen you are really in the service of your God."

I can remember as a young boy so anxious for Christmas but more than anything I recall how fun it was to do things that would surprise the others around me, doing those special little things that would bring a big smile of joy and excitement from the recipient. Each year I attempted to come up with something new, something totally unexpected, forcing me to be even more creative each year.

Where is this going?

Now I am involved in the Chief Wiggles "Sharing Joys with Toys" campaign with all of you, giving smiles to kids in a war torn country, coming out of a very dark period in it's history. These toys are not the answer to everything but they do bring hope for a brighter future in the lives of these kids.

I can't imagine doing anything of any greater value or anything else that would give me any greater happiness and joy. I would love to take this same project into other areas of the world where the dark cloud of poverty or war has left the children without a reason to smile or without hope for a brighter day.

I hope that we will not lose the momentum for this cause, that it will continue to expand to other regions and other areas of the world, enabling us to take toys to kids everywhere. With all of your help kids throughout the world might receive a package of joy, needed school supplies, clothes, and other essential items, along with learning good solid principles taught through our example, through our efforts, through reading perhaps the Chief Wiggles comic book, or other children’s books.

You have started something wonderful, which will continue to roll forward gaining more and more momentum. Please continue to help in spreading the spirit of this endeavor, as we continue to spread love through the children of the world, one child to another. As Jesus commanded us, "Be ye as little children."

Letters from Kids

Yesterday, I received my first two letters from children in America, along with their picture, going to the children of Iraq. I will be posting these letters on my site for kids everywhere to read, and printing a copy to be given out to kids here. I hope to be able to translate these into other languages also, for kids in other countries.

We are trying to facilitate the communication between kids, kids in one land talking to kids in another land. This hopefully will open their eyes and broaden their horizons, as they get to know kids from all over the world and understand that kids everywhere are not that different.

I hope this works.

Another explosion

It was 12:23 am, 0023 army time, it had been a very busy day as usual, I had just laid down on my bed grateful for being able to retire around midnight for a change, when the sound of a streaming mortar round and then the explosion was heard right near our trailer. My trailer buddy and I immediately sat up in bed looking over at each other anticipating additional rounds to go off, then another one was heard way too close for comfort. But it is the silence afterwards that is a little unsettling as we listened for any additional explosions.

Then came the sound of helicopters, the customary sound of automatic weapon fire and a few retaliatory explosions were heard, as we knew the assailants were on the run. The CPA siren blasted "take cover", "take cover", "this is not a test." We have been instructed to stay in our trailers and to take cover under the mattress of our beds.

And you have issues?

These sporadic explosions continue to remind us that we are still in Baghdad. Even though things seem to be getting better, with lulls in the action extending for several days, we are still in an area plagued with issues.  But, we are unified in our desire to continue what we have started, that is the freeing of a nation of people from the evil darkness of a demented dictator, putting these people back into the stone age.

Bondage is a terrible thing. Any type of control of one human being over another is wrong, whether it is mental or physical. We must all be free to chose for ourselves, free to make choices in our behavior, in our way of thinking, in our way of life, in what we belief, or what we like or don’t like, the inalienable right of free agency.

Due to a string of unfortunate circumstances caused by an intricate web of corruption in high places I have spent most of the week trying to keep my sources alive and out of jail. I have been building a file of information and evidence against several high-ranking officials that I hope will get them caught in their own web of deceit and corruption.

We are grouping our forces, as we build our case, calling upon all the powers to bring about the fall of these individuals. Please join me in calling upon the powers of heaven to help us in this endeavor. We must not leave this country in the hands of individuals with evil designs, desiring to further enslave this people.

Who says we shouldn't be here?

For those of you who in your infinite wisdom feel that we should not be here helping these people then obviously you haven't taken the time to ask any of them, who unanimously agree with our presence. Something had to be done in this region of the world to break the bonds of hatred and distrust, promulgated by their own corrupt dictators, who with their evil intentions, would chose to keep these people in darkness and fear.

It is a travesty for all mankind when any evil ruler controls the minds and actions of a people to the point that if anyone is for example caught with a satellite dish will be put in prison for 6 months to a year.

Freedom had to be introduced to the people of the Middle East anywhere where rulers, in an effort to perpetuate their own power, use fear, intimidation and punishment to enslave a nation of people against their will, preventing them from pursuing the designs of their heart.

On funny note

Once the Saddam heads were taken down they were placed face down into the dirt waiting transporting to another location. There was a sign posted by the head which stated, "Do not urinate on", written in both language.

I was in a restaurant the other day when we asked if we could have some water at our table. The waiter brought a bottle of water and one glass for all four of us. I guess there is a shortage of glasses, this one being the only one in the place perhaps. Maybe it came from the restaurant next door for all I know.