 Angel Scribe®   Lieutenant Colonel Doug Mastriano;
caring for the Orphans of Kabul
Dearest Readers, At this time of year, we often reflect on our lives. Do you ever wonder, what your path of life is, or what you can do for others? Do you think you have to be someone special?
Or go some where special?
Most people, stop...and stand or sit, right were they are, and look around. They see a need, and begin with what God/Angels/Spirit brought them.
Betty Tisdale did just this! During the Vietnam war, she sat, reading a book, by Dr. Tom Dooely, "Deliver Us From Evil", that changed her life, and the lives of thousands of others. The book inspired her to spend her Christmas vacations, in a way few others ever dreamed. Betty left the comforts of her life in New York, and spent two months 'vacation,' helping the author of the book, Dr. Tom Dooley, and his 'children,' at his beloved orphanage, in Vietnam. Now, half of a century later, yes, 50 years later, she continues helping orphans, around the world, in any way possible. Newsletter readers have followed 85 year old Betty, as she dedicates her life to this noble cause. Check for/or book her for speaking engagements. Currently, Betty needs walking canes, for blind and injured orphans, and anything in Spanish, for the children she is visiting in Bogota, Colombia at the Luz y Vida (Light and Life) Orphanage, on Jan. 16th. Please do not hesitate to Email her, if you can help.
The following story took place a few months ago, when Earth Angel Betty, met Lieutenant Colonel Doug Mastriano; at an orphanage in Kabul, Afghanistan. Betty makes us wonder, what should we be doing with our lives. Hopefully, both her and Doug's life paths will help us draw a mind's photo, of what we can do in our circle of influence.
Their story is a miracle, of how two souls connect, thousands of miles apart, for the betterment of many. Also, all donations Betty receives goes directly to the orphanages. There are often extra costs of $25 to mail packages of vitamins to the children.
Any extra air miles or postage that you have to donate would be very much appreciated by Betty. BettyTisdale@aol.com
Happiest of New Years! Mary Ellen "Angel Scribe" From Afghanistan
with LOVE Hello Mary Ellen, As you can imagine - things are busy here in Afghanistan - as it is a combat zone. Our mission, is led by NATO under ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) - and is comprised of 38 nations.
http://www.nato.int/isaf/structure/nations/index.html Under my command, are soldiers from 18 nations - we work in an international environment. I believe it is important having them also involved in the community. My multi-national soldiers are heroes, and they play a key role in supporting an orphanage, that houses 140 orphaned boys and girls. In three months, the soldiers conducted 7 relief missions, to the orphanage - distributing blankets, winter clothes, school supplies, candy and toys to the children. It is a joy to interact with the orphans - it makes a difference in their lives, and in ours...and they love my soldiers. Children are children, no matter what country,
or under what conditions. We were fortunate to meet Betty, at our Kabul orphanage. What an honour to meet this godly woman, and work along side her.
Happy New Year. Douglas Mastriano NOTE: Lt. Col. Doug, is known for discovering the location, in the French Argonne Forest, where SGT Alvin York earned the Medal of Honor. (Hollywood produced the movie Sgt. York.)Betty Tisdale writes... "Doug, is a fine man from New Jersey, who is currently stationed over seas, who uses his extra time, to help the orphans. He takes his men to the Orphanage, and they play with the children. I send packages through him, to them. This orphanage is in such need. What I saw, horrified me. The building is in terrible shape. The windows have no glass, and it is winter - the children are cold - no electricity, or running water.
They sleep on a thin mattress, and have one blanket each. Rain water runs down their walls. The wires in the walls were hanging exposed, and loose.
The children sit on the floors, doing nothing. There is nothing to do, and they were so cold, except when the soldiers come.
When the soldiers arrived, the entire atmosphere changed. They brought the children balls and toys, and the place became alive.
You could see the children responded with such appreciation, as they interacted with the soldiers." On a serious note; Betty says, " I worked for the Red Cross in WWII. I drove their ambulance on the home front, and seen WWII, Korean War, Vietnam and now this... it is all too much.
I would love to wake up one morning and not have to worry about the creation of any more orphans.
War creates widows and orphans. I often wonder what is going to happen to these children, when the soldiers return to the safety of their own homes.
I had the same worries in Vietnam.
Things slowed down, for the orphanages, after the USA pulled out. They had a shortage of food and rice. When the soldiers left in 1972, there was 3 years when things slowed down so much, that the children suffered even more. Over the last 50 years, I have watched as war continues making widows and orphans. They are the casualties of war, with their men dead, their families suffer immensely.
In countries that have no feelings towards women, and children, things are so much worse for them. Wars contribute to their deep sadness. They have no way to fight for themselves.
On a lighter note, Doug has a story of a stray cat, on their base. He obviously loves all God's small ones."
Diesel and Lt. Col. Doug Hello from Kabul, Afghanistan!
Here on our NATO headquarters we have a "stray" local Afghan cat, Diesel (or Commander ISAF.) His primary mission is to keep the rodent population low. As such, the staff was directed not to feed him. However - he has many partisans among the soldiers, and as you can see - he has not missed many, if any meals.
Diesel is everywhere on camp. Last Veterans Day, here in Kabul - November 11, 2007, the international staff of the ISAF mission conducted a ceremony, for Veterans Day. Several of the NATO Allies honour the day in a solemn and respectful manner - especially the Brits and Canadians. It is a good occasion to remember those who have fallen, from 1918... to today.
In honour of the Armistice of World War One, we conducted the ceremony on the 11th day, of the 11th Month, at the 11th hour (the instance where the cease-fire ended World War One in 1918.) The event is somber and serious. Hundreds of soldiers, from throughout NATO, stood in formation at our headquarters in KABUL; lining the street in a mixture of various desert colored uniforms, from 30 diverse nations. Taps was played, and we rendered a salute. As the trumpet fell quiet, we lowered our salute and began two minutes of silence to remember those who fell. Suddenly off to my left, Diesel, came out howling and meowing - loudly - walking up and down the line. He continued howling - trying to get someone's attention, to pet him.
Finally - after the two minutes ended - he marched towards the middle area where the commander and the staff were. As the commander began his remarks - Diesel walked up to him and began howling, and then slowly wandered off. This cat owns this place! Diesel offered us all, a light moment for this serious ceremony. And, as I write this today, Diesel made his rounds again - as we are busy helping the Afghan people.
My guys are hard at work, and Diesel strolled right in the door - making his loud meows - a funny, albeit welcome, interruption to our day.
Please continue to pray for us in Afghanistan. Psalm 91
Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Mastriano Douglas.mastriano@us.army.mil
 Diesel at the Veteran's Day Memorial I am very proud, that Doug carries on our family tradition of caring for others, and for all God's creatures.
He has always taken under his wing, all the people who didn't *fit in* with the mainstream, and made them feel special. Doug had many friends that felt welcome in our home, when they had no one to talk to, and share their feelings. Doug always spent time with them, to give them attention and love.
I am also proud of him, as he makes a difference in the lives of the unwanted children in orphanages, helps brighten their lives, and encourages others to care and help. I hope the soldiers working under Doug continue his mission, with the children, and I am pleased that Betty also sees him for being a caring person. I worry about Doug, since he is in an unstable area, but one has to put our fate in the hands of the Lord, and trust. He always answers our prayers, but not always in the way that we want, but in the way He thinks is the best for us. Doug feels the same way, and places his life in the hands of The Lord.
I raised my children to be kind to others, and am very proud that Doug is so caring, and is teaching his soldiers to follow his lead. Fire Fighter Tim Wilson
passes from ALS Dearest Readers,
Our beloved Firefighter and friend, Tim, passed peacefully in his sleep, on December 31. I had the honor of helping him, several ways, prior to his passing. When he was home bound, and his wife worked all day, I drove him around this beautiful countryside, where he had grown up. We drove the back woods at 15 mph, so that he could drink in the reds and oranges of the autumn leaves, and hear the crunch of the dried leaves on the road.
I watched as he recorded the scenery, with his heart and eyes, to hold it there for the rest of eternity.
When he needed a handicap accessible room, for his home, I contacted the media; newspapers, radio and TV and got his plight wide coverage. Tim beamed and said, "All this attention is fun. It is great to be 'famous'."
Then for his last few months, I volunteered to massage him, alleviating the pain he experienced by lying immobile, from Lou Gehrigs. (ALS) When Tim knew I was leaving to drive 1,000 miles to Canada, to get my mother for the holidays, he joked about finding him a replacement massage therapist. "Now, Tim, you know there isn't anybody as good, as me, because I do it with love." He smiled, and nodded yes, he agreed. I did find a replacement, and Tim kept telling his wife, "They just don't do it like Mary Ellen, she is so much better." The funny thing is, the other person was professional. So, it says something for taking care of someone, when it comes from the heart. Tim had a great sense of humor, right to the end, even though he had lost the use of his arms and legs. One day, he indicated he was thirsty, so I reached for his glass of water and straw, to hold up to him, and some how dumped it all over him! It was on his chest, his arm, his leg. He got a thorough soaking!
He loved how embarrassed I was!
While quickly soaking the water up, with a miracle cloth, his wife came in. I winked at Tim and said to her, "Oh, Tim just spilled water all over himself."
Tim smiled from ear to ear, enjoying the private joke.
Tim's celebration of Life Service is Saturday at 11 am, here in Cottage Grove.
The Fire Department is doing, "The Last Call" to honor Tim.
And all his fellow brothers and sisters will stand, in uniform, along the side of the church as a last salute to him. I will be standing with them.
Tribute to Tim, by a local TV station http://www.kval.com/news/12928782.html?video=YHI&t=a More of Tim's story, photos and other TV coverage http://www.angelscribe.com/firefightertim.html Hello from Hungary Dear Mary Ellen, I'm a Hungarian member of the Angelscribe family! Thanks for the technology which makes it possible to enjoy your newsletters from afar! Thank you so much for the Good News, smiles and compassion you are spreading! Love Kati in Hungary Iowa Dear Mary Ellen,
You bring such joy to everyone, and a smile on my face, and in my heart.
God bless you. Love, Karen in Iowa Walk with Pride
By Mary Ellen "Angel Scribe" www.AngelScribe.com There are billions of topics to discuss, but none as important as you. You shine like a candle in the dark. Your every action touches the lives of others, and like a wave spreads out into eternity. Once you leave the planet, your essence will never be forgotten. The very air you breathe circles the globe and feeds the plants and people. Walk with Pride. Amen Mary Ellen Shares
Miracle Stories on TV
- View on Your Computer -
Mary Ellen's Beautiful Cats - Swimming - Seattle's KING 5 TV Evening Magazine http://www.king5.com/video/eveningmagazine-index.html?nvid=184584 #2 Eugene's KMTR TV http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu6fVdAFGSI Support It is an honor to have you reading,
and sharing Angel Scribe with your loved ones. Donations of support
for this inspirational newsletter,
are a blessing and help spread
Angelic and miracle messages of hope.
Donate here...
MARY ELLEN "Angel Scribe" PO BOX 1004 Cottage Grove, OR 97424 Angels - Miracles & Good-News-Stories
Inspirational Newsletter - Sharing from the Heart - since January 1996 11 years of
Angelic Volunteer work! Angels & Miracles
Global Prayer Team
Prayer Team Leader Cynthia:
cynthiamorse@mindspring.com You may only be one person to the world, but you may also be the world to one person. ~ Anonymous ~ "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead Archived Stories
http://www.angelscribe.com/aletters8.html Love Cats and Dogs?
Enjoy Mary Ellen's newspaper column
"Pet Tips 'n' Tales"
Subscribe "Pet Tips 'n' Tales"
& "Angel Scribe Newsletters"
UNsubscribe/change subscriber options...
below this line |
