PRAY

They need our frequent and fervent prayers.  They may be far away from home and family.  They may be lonely and afraid.  They need to feel the presence of the Lord day and night.  Hold them up to Him for both their physical and emotional well-being.

Pray for their families.  They need to feel God's tender arms around them, too, and to know that we care about their fears, loneliness, trying to hold their families together. 

WRITE LETTERS

Their daily life at it's best can be so much worse than anything we have on what we would call a bad day. What can lift their spirits and let them know we are thankful for keeping us safe are letters from home. Someday they will be able to tell you it was the letters from family, friends and anyone who showed they care, that helped to get through the worst. 

SEND CARE PACKAGES

Most of what we take for granted, they are lacking.  Very simple things. Christmas will be on us soon.  IT CAN TAKE UP TO SIX WEEKS FOR A PACKAGE TO ARRIVE OVERSEAS!  Shop for them NOW -- please don't put it off!

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Adopt-A-Platoon  http://www.adoptaplatoon.org/  ,a non-profit organization, makes the following suggestions for packages.  (More details on their website)

SEND

Beef jerky, gum, individually wrapped
hard candies, prepackaged cookies, 
boxes of snack mix, boxes of crackers,
licorice, Pringles, and the like

Envelopes, pens, paper, Christmas cards for THEM to send out (no need to send stamps)

Socks, Chapstick, toothbrush, trial sizes of 
lotion, antiseptic wipes, baby powder

Word puzzles, comic books, carefully 
chosen magazines such as "Country" with
pictures of home

LETTERS, LETTERS, LETTERS

DON'T SEND

Religious material (if they're in a 
Muslim country)

Magazines such as "People" (same reason)

Homemade goodies (melt in heat)

If they are in Iraq or any similar situation,
please remember not to send large, heavy
items.  In many cases, all they have must be
carried in a pack on their backs.

 


Wrap everything very, very well. Assume an elephant will be handling your box.