My Story

Marhaba!

I am surprised at how many views my blog has! To all my new readers, a big HELLO. To all my haters, a big GOD BLESS YOU! And to those who have stumbled upon my blog, WELCOME.

I began this blog to talk about my experience in the Middle East. But since I'm not there anymore, I am keeping this blog and adding to it, with news regarding the persecuted body of Christ. Because they still need their voices to be heard. 

BUT if you're still reading, then here is my story:

In Kuwait I was working as a civilian defense contractor on a military base. I lived in Kuwait City and commuted 2 hours from the Persian Gulf Coast city of Salmiyah, to the border of Kuwait & Iraq to get to work. It was one of the most valuable experiences in my life. Not necessarily working on a military base, but because I got to live among a unique culture. Really it was a mix of culture- Arabs, Indians, Philippinos, etc. I saw how badly most (not all) Arabs treat people from India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines, etc. I saw a unique class system. I witnessed maids being stuffed in the trunk area of an SUV while the rest of the seats were empty. 

The rest of the seats were empty yet look where the maid is sitting. I was shocked!

I saw how much money they made from our purchase of oil and how they would lavishly spend it on expensive sports cars, the latest technology, high fashion, and lots of food.

But I was also able to travel to surrounding countries: Lebanon, Jordan, Bahrain, Israel, Dubai (went twice), Abu Dhabi, even England. I learned a LOT about Islam and the culture differences between East & West. 

Living in that region also exposed me to Christian persecution. It's not that there was a lot of persecution in Kuwait, but daily there were reports in the newspaper & on the news stations about churches being bombed in Egypt & Iraq. Christians being burned alive, butchered, hunted, beheaded, raped, imprisoned, enslaved- in North Africa. Christians being accused of blasphemy against the prophet Mohammed and being thrown in jail pending the death penalty. I was so overwhelmed with the horrible reality of what our brothers and sisters were facing that my faith was shaken. I knew that God warned us about persecution.....but somehow what I was witnessing and what I had been taught in church all the way in the U.S. just was not jiving....in the American churches, the pastor does mention trials & suffering but ultimately, it's such a positive, hopeful message that leads us to believe that everything will be ok, God will protect you especially when you're in His will, nothing can touch you. While some things may be true in its original context, part of God's will IS to suffer, some He wills to be martyred. But I was struggling with what I've been hearing and from what I was seeing. 

What separates me from the Nigerian Christians who weekly attend church services KNOWING their church is most likely going to be bombed b/c every Sunday a different church gets bombed? Nothing makes me different than they except geography. Why would God want to spare my life should something dreadful befall me, if he doesn't even spare poor, starving Africans who worship Him? They get hacked to death with machetes by Islamists. I really began to be very afraid. Even on flights travelling to other countries, I would pray that the Lord keeps the plane safe and then I would begin to freak out b/c I felt like praying was useless- God WILL allow evil to befall me if it is his will. I struggled to pick up my Bible & struggled to pray. On top of that, I started to fear death. I never was really afraid to die b/c I just never thought about it. But living amongst the people in Kuwait- the Middle East, did give me anxiety at night. I was assigned an apartment with a roommate. Every night as I lay in bed I thought, "I wonder if my apartment will be bombed since there are many American contractors in here." Or when I would walk past parked cars to get to my apartment I was always afraid that there may be a car bomb going off. Nothing did happen in Kuwait since they are great at foiling terror plots. One plot was stopped but they got close to one of our bases with explosives. I would read in the local English newspaper of Iranian spy rings, terror rings, etc. And when it was my day off and I went to the mall, as I sat enjoying some food- I too feared an explosion. 

So my trust in God went out the window. How I could feel 'safe' in his arms? What really shook my faith the most was the real story of 2 missionary couples. These couples lived on a boat and traveled to many small parts of the world giving away Bibles to unreached people. Well their boat was hijacked by pirates and they were held hostage. I immediately prayed for their safety and release. I was pleading with God and in a way, telling him, "Lord if you miraculously let them go, I'll be able to trust you again! Lord I need to see a miracle b/c my faith is fading!" I couldn't even sleep,  I kept thinking about the four, their safety, and praying. Surely God would let them go to continue their work in leading people to Christ right? About 3 days later the U.S. intervenes. They take the boat back away from the pirates. But all 4 were dead. http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-202_162-20034691.html

That broke my heart. I literally sobbed like a baby. I was mad at God. Of course I still loved him and I had to remind myself that Jesus warned us, "in this world you WILL have tribulation, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world." It was an inner struggle between my logic, between the ugly realities, and my weak faith holding onto the very words about persecution, suffering, and God's will. But I still couldn't read the Bible. I still didn't pray as much. But I still kept paying attention to the news regarding Christian persecution b/c it still kept happening. I was mad at the American Christians. I was disgusted that SO many of our brothers and sisters are suffering in such cruel, inhumane ways and the American church does nothing! They pray and that's it. I found organizations that go to those places and help rebuild villages, provide Bibles, provide training for local pastors, provide for widows of pastors, provide for orphans whose parents have been killed for being Christian. I learned that there is more the American church can do than just pray. They can give. And more than that, I realized that American's didn't know what was going on b/c they weren't exposed to it nor is it ever on the news. So another way to help the persecuted body is to let their voices be heard. So I started posting articles, gruesome pictures, and links on Facebook about Christian persecution. It was the ugly reality that needed to be seen. People were telling me how much negativity I posted on FB- but that was just a LITTLE bit of the reality I was seeing. Then what pissed me off was that some people were complaining to me about the images and negativity that showed up on their feed rather than accepting the truth. Now, at the time I was a bit zealous and mad at Christians and felt unsure about God (though I didn't blame him since we have been warned), so I know I can't push my convictions on others. But we in the West have a lot of unused power to make a difference and yet we don't.  Few, however, do.

Now, I kept seeking miracles through horror stories. I wanted God to restore my hope. One story I read was finally enough to get me back on track with God. This is the story: https://www.facebook.com/notes/jessica-vasquez-cone/captured-woman-freed/10150104412253364

Well anyway, sorry I wrote a book ahaha! But I now have a huge burden for the persecuted body of Christ and that is just one of the reasons why my time in Kuwait has changed my life.

"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness"

Lamentations 3:22-23

Kuwait & Terrorism

Three Kuwaiti Officers Arrested For Ties With Terror CellsBahrain, Qatar Attacks Planned

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 27: The intelligence unit of the army has arrested three Kuwaitis working for the Ministry of Defence — one of them a captain and two sergeants - because of their alleged links with the terrorist cells that were recently busted in Bahrain and Qatar, reports Al-Shahed daily quoting knowledgeable security sources.
The sources said the arrest came following information received by the State Security police and details about interrogations with the arrested members of the cell conducted by the security authorities in Bahrain and Qatar.
The names of the three citizens working for the military came up during interrogations. Following this an unit from the military intelligence went to the workplace of the suspects and whisked them away for interrogation.
The source added the three Kuwaitis were in contact with the accused in Bahrain and Qatar and one of the ‘terrorists’ had even sent money to the Kuwaitis through a money exchange office.
The source added the recent visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior to Saudi Arabia was concerning this issue and to brief his Saudi counterpart on the latest developments of the investigation.
It had earlier been reported that a gang of terrorists was arrested in Bahrain and Qatar who were planning to carry out acts of sabotage on vital installations in Bahrain, including the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Manama and the King Fahd Causeway which links Saudi Arabia with Bahrain.

US Treasury Preps Report On Terror Funding By CharitiesKuwait Asked To Thoroughly Investigate Issue

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 25: The US Treasury has prepared a preliminary report on the terror financing operations allegedly being conducted by Kuwaiti charitable organizations and even forwarded a copy of it to Kuwaiti authorities, informed sources told Al-Dar daily.

Authorities have reviewed the report and will summon those accused in the report, said sources, adding more than one charitable society is involved in such suspicious activities. The US Treasury had been apparently monitoring the activities of these organizations and had asked officials to thoroughly investigate the issue.

Sources said authorities do not know exactly how much amount the charitable societies transferred overseas under the pretext of human aid, but know that some of the amount was used to aid terror operations.

A final report on the issue will be prepared and submitted to authorities at a later date, added sources.

Kuwaitis Protest at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait

So yesterday I posted the email warning that was sent to me by the U.S Embassy about a possible demonstration being held. I had not seen anything on Twitter about a protest at our embassy or heard of any reason why.  

But today I checked out The Arab Times Online and on their home page they had this as the feature article. So that answers my question!

‘Release Kuwaitis At Guantanamo’Citizens Protest In Front Of US Embassy

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 20: Around 400 Kuwaitis gathered in front of the US Embassy in Bayan Sunday to demand the release of the Kuwaiti inmates at Guantanamo Bay Prison, Fayez Al-Kandari and Fawzi Al-Awda.
Speaking at the gathering, MP Dr Waleed Al-Tabtabaei affirmed the protest action in part of efforts to secure the release of the two inmates. He condemned the detention without trial and called on the US government to release them as an act of friendship if it truly regards Kuwait as one.
Al-Tabtabaei said the WikiLeaks has published cables, quoting  former Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Khalid as saying that Kuwait does not want the inmates, while citing how the Israeli government went out of its way to secure the release of Gilad Shalit. He urged the Kuwaiti government to exert more efforts in demanding the immediate release of the Kuwaiti inmates in Guantanamo.
Meanwhile, head of the Guantanamo Inmates Support Group Fawzi Al-Enezi stressed the protesters have conveyed a clear message to the US embassy and its government, confirming the gathering of 20,000 signatures on a petition tilted “Guantanamo Prison is a Mark of Disgrace for the US.” He asked for the immediate release of the Kuwaiti inmates.
Also, attorney Adel Al-Abdulhadi appealed to the Kuwaiti and US governments to work together to guarantee the immediate release of both inmates.
 

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By: Jaber Al-Humoud

While I definitely know America won't be releasing any prisoners from Gitmo just because they received a petition, these Kuwaiti's do have a point in that the prisoners should be getting a fair trial. But I don't think it will necessarily harm the friendship the U.S has with Kuwait. America isn't punishing Kuwait for their citizens being involved in plotting terrorism against the U.S, they are treating the individuals rather than the state. I think that's fair. Would Kuwait rather that we pull out of their tiny little country & let them defend themselves from...hmm...Iran & Iraq? Things between Iraq & Kuwait are getting a bit heated again since Kuwait is going forward with building this new port where Iraq says it will stop their only way of boat transportation.

But if Kuwaiti's want to play that game, why don't we quiz them as to why they released those 11 who plotted to attack Camp Arifjan (a U.S Military Base in Kuwait)? They found explosives, weapons, & their plans and thank God it never came to fruition, but because Kuwaiti Secret Service interrogated them too harshly they were freed!!!!! 

Emergency Warden Message for Americans in Kuwait

Kuwait City, Kuwait

November 20, 2011

Subject:       Possible Protest Gathering at the U.S. Embassy on November 20, 2011

Please circulate the following message without additions or omissions immediately to all U.S.  Citizens within your area of responsibility.

There are unconfirmed reports of a possible silent protest gathering in front of the U.S. Embassy on Sunday, November 20 at 19:00.  The gathering may take place near the main Embassy gate.  An increased police and security presence around the Embassy compound is expected.

Spontaneous and planned demonstrations take place in Kuwait from time to time in response to world events or local developments.  At times, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.  Please avoid the areas of demonstrations and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any large gatherings.  Please stay current with media coverage of local events, be aware of your surroundings, and practice personal security awareness at all times.

U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at the following website:https://travelregistration.state.gov. U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at their destination.  By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

Updated information on travel and security may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).  

 For further information, please consult the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov where the Worldwide Caution and Country Specific Information can be found.  In addition, the Embassy encourages U.S. citizens to review "A Safe Trip Abroad," which includes valuable security information for those traveling or living in foreign countries.  You can also follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and on Facebook.

The U.S. Embassy is located at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa Street, Block 6, Plot 14, Bayan, Kuwait.  If you are a U.S. citizen in need of emergency assistance in Kuwait, you may reach the U.S. Embassy by calling +965-2259-1001 and requesting the duty officer.

U.S. citizens in Kuwait who would like to receive future Emergency and Informational Messages from the Embassy directly by e-mail may sign up for this service by sending an e-mail to the following address: join-wardenmessagekuwait@mh.databack.com

This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov
Please note that the Consular Section is closed for U.S. and most local holidays.  The current holiday schedule for 2011 is posted on http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/holidays.html.

'Musical Parties' During Holiday is "Moral Corruption"

Sample Flyer of a party in Kuwait

 I understand the serious reflection of a holiday as big as Eid. Maybe what they think of "musical parties" is more of a club scene. In any case....I just have to shake my head at this because this is something an American would never see in the news. I'm thankful that in the West, religion or religious traditions are not forced upon us.

Don’t Sanction Musical Parties During Holidays

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 4: MP Mohammed Hayef has warned the government particularly the ministries of Interior, Commerce and Industry and Information against organizing music parties during the Eid Al-Adha holidays. The warning came following advertisements placed by some people through the media outlets, reports Al-Rai daily.

In press statement, MP Hayef referred to the advertisements and campaigns on social networking website Twitter by a group of youths who talked about organizing music parties in some suspicious locations during the Eid holidays.

The parliamentarian said such functions should be stopped. He also said the Ministry of Interior must fight this moral corruption in “our society. We will be watching closely any violations that will take place in this regard and take to task the authorities which fail to do their duty.”

The Arab Times Online

Shop the Holiday Bazaar in Kuwait & You Fund Charity

There will be a booth run by Operation Hope Kuwait selling baked goods which will fund their charity projects. I'm going to try and see if I can wake up early before work & go to this since it isn't far at all from where I live. 

Kuwait is Finally Looking into Forcing Employers to Pay their Employees!!!

I was just about to give three cheers for Kuwait after reading the following statement of the Ministry of Social Affairs & Labour stating they would look into enforcing sponsors to pay their workers by obligated bank transfers, when I realized....

This should have been law YEARS ago! Yes I applaud Kuwait for finally stepping up to protect their foreign national workers- God knows this will help bring them down a notch from the Human Rights Watch list. But this is only a STUDY OF THE PROPOSAL. So they could study all they want & still decide that is is not important to make Kuwaitis pay their workers. Now- given the fact that this legislation has actually made it up this far, is a good sign. I sure hope the Ministry goes forward with making this proposal law because it is the right thing to do. Especially since some Sponsors (Kuwaiti Employers) sometimes withhold payment from 6 months to a year!!!

Proposal To Bank Pay Of Domestics

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 2: The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, in coordination with the Domestic Labor Department at the Ministry of Interior, will study a proposal on obligating sponsors to transfer the salaries of their household workers to the local banks.

In a press statement Wednesday, Head of the Labor Relations Department at the ministry Hadi Al-Enzi disclosed the Higher Committee for Organizing Domestic Labor will soon refer the proposal to the concerned authorities for discussion.

Al-Enzi said two other proposals have been presented — one is requiring the sponsors to issue a receipt written in Arabic, English and the mother tongue of the workers, while the other is the submission of the monthly salary transfer advice to the relevant departments. He pointed out most disputes between the workers and their sponsors arise from the non-payment or delayed payment of salaries. He revealed some employers do not pay salaries for six months.

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By: Al-Sayed Al-Qassas

Arab Times Online

Kuwait Arrests Tweeters

Kuwait arrests FOUR 'Twitter Activists' on the typical ego-trip charge of insulting 'royal sanctity.' However, there is outcry from within Kuwait & they make a good point- what does this show the international community about Kuwait??? In my opinion as a Westerner, I expected Kuwait to be highly strict. But they aren't as strict as I expected (I expected a mini Saudi Arabia). They are very conservative of course but there is a lot of hypocrisy. Taboos are only taboos if no one knows or sees. It's human nature! But to arrest people because they insulted royalty? His Highness must know that there will always be critical people. We can't please everybody. If leaders have nothing to be ashamed of & they are sincerely making decisions for what is best for the people, then they need not worry about what the opposition thinks- especially since there are only 4. I guess I understand the possibility of 4 activists turning into 400 then 4,000 but if only 4 are active, then maybe the majority of Kuwaitis are ok with HH? I don't know...all I know is that Kuwait arrested 4 people for Tweeting. It's stupid & I'm reporting it so that the international community can read how ridiculous it is to arrest people for insulting each other.

Twitter Arrests Slammed By MPs, Political Bodies‘Dubai-Based Firm Monitoring Site’

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 2: Opposition MPs and political movements condemned on Wednesday the arrest of four Kuwaiti Twitter activists on the charge of insulting the royal sanctity, His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah.

The arrests were announced by the Ministry of Interior on Tuesday, which said in a statement that it had been following the activists and has seen evidence of the transgression on the social networking site. Two of the activists, Hamad Al-Alayan and Tarek Al-Mutairi, were referred to the Public Prosecution after investigations and are scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.

MPs Daifallah Buramiya, criticized the Interior Ministry’s interference with the basic freedom of opinion. He said the arrests have proved that the ministry is still being managed by ‘a repressive policing ideology’ that violates the Constitution and basic freedoms.

The method of “gagging” is useless, Buramiya added, it merely harms Kuwait’s reputation internationally. He said it seems Kuwait’s ministers are working with the prime minister, to protect him from criticism and warned Minister of Interior, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Humoud, of severe political repercussions.

For his part, Islamist MP Mohammad Hayef questioned what he describes as the “double standards” of the interior ministry. He said the arrests of Twitter activists, which only serve certain agendas, while ignoring those who have committed blasphemy against the Divine, the Prophet ‘s (PBUH) wife in the media and tore national unity, will not be tolerated.

MPs Abdulrahman Al-Anjari, Mubarak Al-Walaan, Musallam Al-Barrak and Falah Al-Sawagh further described the interior ministry actions as an attempt to transform Kuwait into a “police state.” The Islamic Constitutional Movement (ICM), opposition youth organization ‘the Fifth Fence’ among others also condemned the arrests and called on MPs and political movements to act in protection of democratic freedoms.

Al-Barrak said the Interior Ministry is interpreting of its own accord what it has seen on Twitter to intimidate activists justify arrests, not for the protection of the royal sanctity. He insisted the allegations are false as the Kuwaiti people have always respected the Amiri sanctity.

Al-Barrak further claimed that there is a Dubai-based company, owned by a Palestinian, which monitors Twitter activists and is paid by the prime minister’s office. He said the company sends reports to the Ministry of Interior on all what is tweeted on Prime Minister, Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah.
The opposition MP addressed Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud and urged him not to appease the PM at the expense of freedom, and to monitor Kuwait’s security status instead of Twitter activists.
 

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By: Nihal Sharaf

Arab Times Online

Help The Needy in Kuwait This Winter!

A Mission of Mercy

November 2, 2011

Mother Teresa once said, "We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love."

Tis the start of autumn in Kuwait, which means winter is just around the corner.  While the cold season is relatively short-lived in Kuwait it can get quite cold - especially for the street sweepers, and others working in the labor industry.  More often than not they are under dressed for the rain & cold while they perform their work duties. It has been the goal of OH-Kuwait to provide winter warmth for our brothers & sisters in need since 2005. 

This year our goal is to provide winter warmth to 2,500 such workers each in one of three ways:  1) a winter warmth bag consisting of thermals, socks, gloves, and a hat, 2) a heavy-duty blanket, or 3) a coat. 

Will you help us?

Further to that goal is another important project concerning the maids living at their embassy's shelter.  We aim to provide each with a toiletry bag which contains: a toothbrush, toothpaste, body soap, shampoo, and sanitary napkins.  We estimate at this time there are more than 1,000 such shelter residents in need of these basic toiletries. 

Will you help us? 

We have determined that the average cost per person for either campaign is KD 4.  Here's how you can help: 

1) sponsor 1, 2 or 100 needy people by presenting us with the funds in which to purchase these items. 

 2) purchase & bag the aforementioned items (for a set # of people) and bring them to our premises before December 1st, and we'll deliver them to the needy (our address will be provided upon request). 

 3) Or directly pay our wholesale merchant for the # of workers you wish to sponsor and he'll deliver your pre-paid goods to our premises, whereby our volunteers will bag them and deliver them (contact details will be provided upon request). 

Mother Teresa was also noted for saying, "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." Your provision of support will mean a great deal to those receiving the help.  Any of these means of service could be managed individually or corporately - you choose; but DO choose to help, please. 

We always welcome new volunteers to sort, bag, and distribute aide to Kuwait's neediest ~ won't you join us? 

Sincerely,

Sheryll Mairza

Founder

operationhopekuwait@yahoo.com

Gulf Women Have Vitamin 'D' Deficiency- DUH!

It doesn't take a genius to figure out WHY Arab women in the Middle East have a deficiency in Vitamin D. Look at the photo! If they're not in their abayas then they're in really expensive, stylish designer outfits with arms, chest, hair (most of the time), & legs covered. But the article below doesn't mention that perhaps their dress code is the biggest reason for the cause. Look, I understand covering up is important to these women because they want to be very modest  (or because they have to obey the man in the family who makes them cover up). But what they need is sun exposure and it's not going to happen when they are completely covered up like that. 

Vitamin D Deficiency An ‘Epidemic’ In GulfOsteoporosis Risk Increasing: Kuwait Doctors

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 31: Kuwait doctors have warned that the lack of sufficient vitamin D intake is becoming a growing problem in the state and entire region, due to lack of exposure to sunlight, leading to an increased risk of the debilitating bone disease osteoporosis and associated bone fractures.

The warning was issued this week by doctors attending the “New Era in Treatment of Osteoporosis” Speaker Tour in Kuwait, where physicians gathered to listen to Professor Serge Ferrari, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Bone Diseases, Department of Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, Geneva University Hospital, Switzerland, a world expert in osteoporosis.

“The Middle East has the highest vitamin D deficiency worldwide, and this statistic is not decreasing at all and in fact we see younger people every day with severely low levels of the mineral. Younger patients have lower bone mineral density (BMD) levels compared to the standards, and fractures are occurring at a lower age than the equivalent in the Caucasian population,” said Nadia Al Ali, Head of Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Amiri Hospital, Kuwait.

“Unfortunately the Gulf is synonymous now with bad lifestyle choices that increase the risk of contracting osteoporosis, such as lack of physical activity, bad diet, and reduced sun exposure due to the extremely hot summers,” she added.

Osteoporosis affects one in two women and one in four men over the age of 50, higher than the incidence of breast cancer and prostate cancer respectively, with the rate of osteoporosis-related fractures almost doubling over the last decade. 

Statistics suggest an osteoporotic fracture occurs every three seconds, with one in three women and one in five men over 50 years old expected to be burdened with a fracture at some point.

“Once someone gets their first osteoporosis-related fracture, it doubles the risk for the second. Once a bone is fractured for the second time, it triples the risk for the third, and so on.  BMD tests are therefore crucial in the Middle East for people over 60, which is still younger than the international standards of 65 for women and 70 for men due to the increased risk factors here,” added Dr Al Ali, who is also a Clinical Member of the Committee for the Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis, a committee under the umbrella of Kuwait’s Ministry of Health.

 The committee established the first Kuwait-specific guidelines for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and also made available all drugs licensed for the treatment of osteoporosis.
Vitamin D deficiency is the result of lack of exposure to the sun and poor dietary intake of foods containing the vitamin, such as fish and eggs. Vitamin D is essential for bone health as it assists in the absorption of calcium, without which the bones become less dense and fracture easily.

Many people do not know they have osteoporosis until they suffer a fracture and undergo a Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan to check their bone density.

Treating osteoporosis involves reducing bone resorption using bisphosphonate drugs, which are either taken weekly or monthly orally. However, a new medication, which is given via an infusion, only needs to be administered once a year, so helping to improve medication compliance.

Spending 10 minutes per day, exposing 40 percent of the body area such as the back, arms and legs to the sun as well as eating sufficient foods containing vitamin D, are both recommended actions for helping to maintain vitamin D levels within the normal range that prevents osteoporosis.

The “New Era in Treatment of Osteoporosis” Speaker Tour took place 24 October at the JW Marriott Hotel in Kuwait City.

I Don't Get it...Do You?

I'm not sure if this is some kind of joke...or if this is a serious "Important Public Announcement." I was on The Arab Times Online website when I saw a ticker at the top of the page saying "Important Public Announcement." So I clicked on it expecting something seriously important. All I saw was the photo above. I'm not familiar with animal slaughter-houses so...I don't know what to make of this. 

Combat Troops in Kuwait instead of Iraq

Remember when Obama said the troops will be home for Christmas because he was keeping his 'promise' of pulling out of Iraq??? Well- that's partly true.....but it's also very misleading! They're going from Iraq to next door!

From The Arab Times Online

US Said Negotiating ‘Combat Presence’ In Kuwait

WASHINGTON, Oct 30, (RTRS): The United States is planning to bolster its military presence in the Gulf after it pulls out its remaining troops from Iraq, the New York Times reported in its online edition on Sunday.

President Barack Obama said on Oct 21 that he had decided to withdraw all US troops from Iraq by the end of the year and the paper said that US military officers and diplomats worried that the withdrawal could bring instability to the region.

It said Washington was negotiating to maintain a combat presence on the ground in Kuwait and was considering deploying more warships in the area.

No one at the Pentagon was immediately available to comment.

The United States also wanted to expand its military ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, it said.

The proposal needed approval by GCC leaders who are due to meet in the Saudi capital Riyadh in December, the paper said.

How to Drive in Kuwait

Helping the Needy in Kuwait

I am soooooooo excited!!!

If you've been following my blog at all (which is probably unlikely since my blog turned from personal to kinda political in a social justice sense thereby losing my audience), you may remember that I posted about wanting to be a part of an organization or ministry that aides expat labor & domestic workers who are abused or in need. I briefly came across a ministry through a Church that ministered to abused domestic workers in the Philippine Emabssy but I learned of it through a church bulletin that was given to me at work that I can no longer find. I googled it but could not find any more info.

There are organizations in Kuwait to help clean up the place, make it greener (LITERALLY), and even a human rights campaign against the abuse of foreign national domestic workers (mainly women who are physically abused, sexually abused, tortured, & trafficked). But I couldn't find ways to help.

Finally today I learned about a ministry with a sincere heart in aiding the needy in Kuwait. I came across it through Crazy in Kuwait's blog, a popular blog written by an American Muslim convert who married a Kuwaiti & uses her blog to help other expatriates. I immediately decided to check out Operation Hope Kuwait. Aside from my excitement to come across an organization that actually asked for hands on volunteers (b/c I want to get my hands dirty SO BADLY instead of just giving money all the time), I was taken back to learn that this organization was created from a sister in Christ, led by the Lord. So imagine my surprise to see a Muslim's blog supporting a Christian ministry for the sake of good.

To me, the founder of Operation Hope Kuwait is an unknown hero. She's just an average woman who was compelled by the Lord to offer a cup of cold water to a thirsty soul in the name of Jesus. She's not making a big production out of it- not trying to get her name in lights, billboards, or fliers- she's just doing what God has called her to do- in a Muslim country. She's a light. How I praise God for her. I just hope that I can actually do some volunteer work on my day off! I'm so frustrated that I have to work 6 days a week & that I haven't been able to even do much in Kuwait.

Anyway, even though this organization is in Kuwait, donations will be accepted from anywhere in the world- and I'm not just talking about financial donations. They need things like shoes, clothes, toiletries, feminine hygenic products, blankets (yes it can get very cold in Kuwait), household items, and much more.

Let me help paint a picture of the people who are receiving help:

She's actually a cleaner where I work

Makeshift shelter in an Embassy

So if you're living in Kuwait or would like to contribute in a creative way contact: operationhopekuwait@yahoo.com  or call 9937-5613

Another Threat to National Security in Kuwait

As if the suspension of services from the British Embassy in Kuwait due to terror threats weren't concern enough, the Brits tipped off Kuwait that al-Qaeda has been smuggling weapons into Kuwait through the border of Saudi Arabia! The article below states that Kuwaiti Intelligence is aware of the smuggle but does not report that anyone has been charged. Oh boy! Back in 2009, there was a planned attack against Camp Arifjan, the American military base. They found explosives & were able to arrest the perpetrators. GOOD news? Yes! BAD NEWS: It was found that Kuwaiti Secret Service was too HARSH during their interrogation so GUESS WHAT?!?! Those attackers were LET GO! HOME FREE! Kuwait has been amazing with being able to catch terror plots & prevent security threats but what the hell were they thinking to let those men go?!? 

Anyway, read below for the current security threat as of 28 October 2011:

Light Weapons Cross Borders‘Abdali, Salmi’

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 28: Security and inspection procedures were intensified at all Kuwait’s land borders with Iraq and Saudi Arabia after the Interior Ministry re-ceived intelligence about the smuggling of light weapons into the country by al-Qaeda agents, reports Al-Dar daily.
Sources in the customs and security sectors said modern and high-tech inspection apparatus are being used at the borders to locate the weapons.
According to sources, the ministry took the step after receiving information that some light weapons had already been smuggled into the country through Abdali and Salmi borders to destabilize Kuwait. Reportedly, British security authorities, with whom Kuwaiti authorities are coordinating on security issues, passed on the information.
After Eid Al-Adha, officials of the Interior Ministry and the General Department of Customs will hold a meeting and form specialist committees in both sectors to inspect vehicles and trucks that could be loaded with weapons. They will also discuss inspection procedures at ports and marine borders, noted sources.
This is the second time in 10 days that security has been tightened. The last time was on Oct 19, 2011 when the British Embassy in Kuwait temporarily suspended its services in the wake of a heightened security threat.
In fact, the British embassy in Kuwait only reopened its doors to the public last Sunday.
“(But) we still have increased security for precautionary measures,” a spokeswoman has said when it reopened.
The embassy had suspended public services due to increased security concerns but did not elaborate on the nature of any potential threat.
In an update to the “terrorism section” of its travel advisory, the embassy also told British organisations and businesses to review their security measures, though the threat was aimed only at the mission.
The embassy also advised British nationals to exercise caution before sailing in Kuwaiti waters following maritime restrictions issued by Kuwait last month. No further details were provided.
The security alert came less than two weeks before British heir to the throne Prince Charles is due to visit Kuwait. He is also to visit Qatar. The visit to the two countries is due to take place on Oct 31 and Nov 1.

British Embassy Suspends Service in Kuwait due to Terror Threat

I'm telling ya...it's only a matter of time before terror attacks hit Kuwait- not IF, but WHEN. So far, Kuwait has been amazing with foiling plans, raiding cells, & preventing attacks from occurring. My prayers will remain with Kuwait. 

I read another article that stated the US Embassy was resuming normal business operations.

The British Embassy in Kuwait has temporarily suspended its services because of a terror threat, the Foreign Office has said.

It advised British organisations and businesses to review their security measures, although it said the threat was targeted at the embassy itself.

Threats against other UK interests in Kuwait could not be ruled out, it said.

The Foreign Office said services were suspended until after the weekend.

A spokeswoman said all non-essential staff had gone home.

The statement issued by the embassy said: "There is a general threat from terrorism in Kuwait. Terrorists continue to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region."

"These include references to attacks on Western including European interests... residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests," it added.

The embassy is also advising British nationals to exercise caution before sailing in Kuwaiti waters, following what it termed "maritime restrictions" issued by Kuwait last month.

Prince of Wales is due to visit the country in two weeks' time to mark the 50th anniversary of its independence.

When asked whether the visit would still take place, a Clarence House spokeswoman said: "We are keeping security under constant review as we would with any visit and we are taking advice from the Foreign Office."

About 20,000 British nationals live and work in Kuwait.

And according to Arab Times, they add:


Kuwait hosts Camp Arifjan, a vast US logistics base in the desert south of the capital that serves as a staging post for US forces being deployed in neighbouring Iraq.

Kuwait said in April an Iranian spy cell uncovered last year had monitored the US military presence and possessed explosives to attack “strategic” facilities.

A source at Kuwait’s foreign ministry source said he did not know the precise nature of the security threat against Britain, but did not expect the measures to last for long.

“They (the embassy) will resume operations on Sunday,” the source told Reuters.

Inshallah vs. Good Samaritan: Muslim Countries Don't Love Their Neighbors

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy [Moses]. 'But I [Jesus] tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. 

~ Matthew 5:43-44

Today I had to wake up early & go in on the day shift to take a CPR/First Aid re-certification course as required for my job. We reviewed the Good Samaritan Law that America has implemented:

Good Samaritan laws are laws or acts protecting those who choose to serve and tend to others who are injured or ill. They are intended to reduce bystanders' hesitation to assist, for fear of being sued or prosecuted for unintentional injury or wrongful death.

Then our Instructor reminded us where we are at. Kuwait. He said, that although it might be in our nature to help someone on the side of the road who is need of medical attention, we cannot. Muslim countries have this saying...

InshallahIt could mean any one of the following variations: If Allah (God) wills; When Allah (God) wills; If Allah (God) wishesIslamic Dictionary

That means, that if there was an auto accident, then it's up to God whether the person lives or dies. If anyone tries to help the victim, then they are interfering with God's will & will be charged for their injury or death. So save yourself & leave the victim there.


How sad. For a religion claiming to have Moses & Jesus as prophets, they are very misinformed about the laws of Moses. Of course, Muslims believe the Bible is 'corrupted' & that Moses was Muslim too...wow...but that's' not the issue! 


They don't seem to understand the whole point of the 10 Commandments. And the Quran DOES have them in there. The first 3 commandments are directed towards God. The rest are directed towards your treatment to your neighbor. Jesus summed up the commandments by saying LOVE GOD & LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR. 


For some of you not familiar with the Good Samaritan story, here it is in a nutshell:

"There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.
 ^33-35"A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back.'
 ³⁶"What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?"
 ³⁷"The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded.
   Jesus said, "Go and do the same."

Luke 10:30-37

I read an article entitled "The Entitlement Mentality" by John Agresto that showed America as a country guided upon Good Samaritan principles. Read on please, because this makes my point:


This morning I read the posting of one of my Iraqi students here on a student exchange program: “The words, ‘Americans are cold and unfriendly,’ and ‘America is a dangerous society,’ were the words that always completed the answers to my questions.” Yet, after spending a few months here, he and his friends “were convinced that almost all the rumors about American society and its people were wrong.” America, as it turned out, had “the friendliest people I have ever seen,” and, he added, every other student here with him agreed.

But this should hardly surprise us.  When I first went to Baghdad in 2003, there was any number of suicide attacks.  Whenever a bomb went off, the Iraqis would run for their lives.  That’s only natural.  But Americans were different:  Whenever a bomb went off, our soldiers would run TOWARDS the bomb, not away.  Why?  Obviously, not to save themselves but, oblivious to their own safety, to see if they might help save their friends. 

Or consider that day ten years ago when the planes flew into the Twin Towers.  Beyond the picture of the falling buildings, perhaps the image most seared into our American memories is of policemen and firemen running UP the stairs of the towers while everyone else was running down.  They ran up, and they died.  Why did they run into those burning and crashing buildings?  To save their neighbors, neighbors they didn’t know; neighbors so many of them would never meet.

There are more recent stories.  I was in Missouri soon after the tornadoes that destroyed the city of Joplin. Yet, beyond the destruction, what was most evident was the repeated story of strangers sheltering strangers. And hospital workers with no hospital left to go to handing out sandwiches they made.  And people no one knew keeping safe children they didn’t know. And the sign scrawled on one collapsed building,  “We’re all OK in here,” with the unspoken words: don’t worry about us, help those who are worse off.

How can this be?  Where did this concern for our neighbors – and even, in the case of my Iraqi student, for strangers – come from?  Let me suggest that we are a charitable and neighborly people for the very reason that we tend to be a fiercely independent people.  Look around at most Americans you know -- free men and women who do not wait with their hand out but who stand on their own two feet and give the world their best shot. 

In so many places citizens are hardly citizens but subjects -- wards of the government, dependent on the state for their housing, their health care, their monthly salaries, their education, even their weekly food baskets.  When troubles come, their first thought is not “How can I help myself and my community” but “Hurry up, government, and help me.” In this regard the contrast, say, between the decidedly independent citizens of the American Heartland on one hand and supinely dependent New Orleans could not be greater.

The excerpt above beautifully illustrated a Western nation that was guided by Biblical principle of loving your neighbor. In contrast, you see Muslim countries who, though give to Charity as required, will not stop to help a neighbor who was assaulted, injured, & in need on the road. LITERALLY. 


That is the difference between Western cultures & the Muslim Culture. I'm not saying individuals do not show kindness, they do. But as a CULTURE, they do not. They do not have laws protecting 'Good Samaritans.' Instead, there are 'Moral Police' officers who will arrest their neighbor for having tattoos exposed or kissing in public. And in general I have witnessed Kuwaitis speeding up in their cars towards an Indian pedestrian crossing the street. In Kuwait, a CAMEL is worth more than a human life. You hit a Camel you're screwed.


I pray sincerely that all Muslims come to know the TRUE God & his perfect love in Christ Jesus. Really- though I disagree with their heretic doctrine, I love Muslims & pray for their salvation.