February 18, 2010:      "No more blankets, please ! The blanket count is well over 600!   I am so pleased. I have my last airplane load ready to go out. I'll try to take some more photos. Thank you, thank you, everyone! Sending my best!” David Snyder   LTC David G. Snyder, a member of Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery and an Army chaplain stationed in Afghanistan, is trying to meet a goal of receiving and distributing 1,000 blankets to the Afghan people who need them between now and March.  He says, “It is a simple, yet practical way of reaching out to the Afghan people.” Consisting of 89 churches, Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery is assisting Rev. Snyder's efforts and has asked that congregations or groups send the blankets directly to Chaplain Snyder with your prayers and the following information tucked safely inside: Your Name Your Congregation's or Group's Name Your Presbytery's Name Your Email and Complete Mailing Address
	The Rev. Dr. David G. Snyder US Army Chaplain (Lt. Col.)

IMPORTANT INFO for everyone doing this project:

No electric blankets.  Also, only send single or double size--no big queen or king since the bigger sizes are harder to launder.  There is to be nothing flashy to say this blanket is from America.  Muted colors - such as beige, tan, sage  - are requested since these colors will blend in.  Nothing with American flags or team logos.  We want those getting the blankets to be safe.  Be aware that the cost of shipping is approximately $5-$8 per blanket.

David will let you know when the package arrives.  Please also let Patty at Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery (phone: 304-232-3490) know if you're participating and how many you have shipped so she can keep the totals.

I really want to thank the many churches of the presbytery that have contributed to the blanket campaign. So far, over 508 blankets have come in and I have promises totaling about 1,000 more coming. I am almost ready to fill another airplane and send them forward. I can receive blankets anytime from now until February.

Please continue to pray for the international effort to bring peace, freedom and stability to this troubled region. Our men and women on the roads and in the skies are constantly at risk. I do think they are making a huge difference. There are so many good things happening in this country on a daily basis, big and small things. I hope the news back home shows you all the many things that occur. Yet please know that freedom is not free and it costs the lives of men and women. The vast majority of Afghans seem to want peace but are often afraid to take a stand for risk of being found on the losing side should the US and coalition pull out. Pray for them to stand for peace. Know that God is great and very active here. He is moving powerfully in the lives of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coalition, civilians, Afghan people and insurgents. People are coming to Christ here!!”

We had our first soldier killed. Staff Sergeant Ron Spino, a nurse at a Forward Surgical Team (a small group of surgeons and nurses very near the front lines), was killed by an Afghan Soldlier recently. The Afghan soldier's son was kidnapped by the Taliban and told to hurt Americans if he wanted his son back. The Afghan soldier did not want to do it but felt forced in a terrible predicament. Another Afghan soldier tackled the soldier after he shot at our soldier, but our soldier was mortally wounded. SSG Spino was married to another soldier and has a grown daughter. Please pray for the family, the unit, and the Afghan soldier (we have no word on his son).

In Christ,

David

Please find attached some photos (and powerpoint) from our first missions delivering blankets. I, unfortunately, did not take the pics, but hopefully they will paint the picture of what we are doing. The people receiving blankets are in the North and East of Afghanistan. Some pics are of those about to receive the blankets, some with the blankets and some are of those doing the mission. Note the little girl with the blanket and the donkey wearing the blanket the man received. I can provide more photos in the next week or so as we have more missions planned.

Thank you again for your support. If I can answer any questions about these photos, please do not hesitate to contact me at the email provided. By the way, we have nearly 500 blankets so far!!!!!!!! Pretty amazing, huh?

In Christ,
David

Click for the powerpoint show that David emailed.  A reminder from Patty at Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery:  END DATE:   ALL BLANKETS NEED TO BE RECEIVED BY DAVID BY THE END OF JANUARY. This gives him time to get them distributed before he leaves Afghanistan and not have them returned to sender. So please get them in the mail to him by the end of this year!

At last count, a total of 14 congregations plus the presbytery have participated in collecting and mailing 332 blankets.

David emails:  “All of these blankets so far have been moved to be positioned to distribute.  We are waiting for the weather to begin to turn.  So far the temp is still in the 80-90s and no one really wants blankets yet. I hope to have photos as soon as we can deliver them.”