December 30

We just received an update from Kevin. He says, "The tremendous team effort that has been expended so far is beginning to bear fruit. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State have agreed to issue the necessary travel documents for Amina and her mother to move from Iraq through Jordan to the US. We are in the process of obtaining an Iraqi passport for the mother. I expect to have that in hand no later than 7 January."

We thought you might be interested in this newspaper article written before Christmas.
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/2155/

December 29

We would like to explain in more detail Amina's medical condition. She was diagnosed with

"Tetralogy of Fallot." This is a heart condition which occurs when the baby is developing in the uterus and the developing artery (aorta), which pumps oxygenated blood to the body, is displaced, and an abnormal opening exists between the two main chambers of the heart. This causes the oxygenated and unoxygenated blood to mix and go to the wrong places. Amina already has clubbing of her hands and feet due to low oxygen levels in her blood. Her condition has progressed to the most common, often fatal, consequence of Tetralogy of Fallot- progressive congestive heart failure from heart enlargement. So time is our enemy.

"And let us not weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." - Galatians 6:9

December 28

We are currently in need of $25,000. Donations will pay for travel costs and any expenses the mother and daughter will incur while they remain in the US for surgery and recovery. They will also pay for the team of US civilians to travel to the Iraq/Jordanian border to pick up Amina and her mother to transport them to Nashville, TN. Any balance remaining in the account will be donated to Children's Hospital. We are trying to execute this plan as soon as possible due to Amina's worsening condition. We hope to have them at the hospital in Nashville as soon as financing allows. Thank you in advance for your financial support and prayers.

A charitable account has been established at Branch Banking and Trust for the sole purpose of supporting this operation. The account number is 0005240050082. Routing number 061113415. Swift code BRBTUS33. Address- BB&T, ATTN: MS. ROBIN SMITH, 455 Jesse Jewell Parkway, Gainesville, GA 30501. Checks payable to "OPERATION AMINA."

Robin is a personal longtime friend of the Jarrard family, and she and Kevin's wife, Kelly will jointly oversee the administration and accounting of the fund. You may rest assured that each dollar will be carefully safeguarded and wisely spent in support of one goal: facilitating the successful life-saving medical procedures necessary for little Amina and then returning her safely home.

Greetings from Iraq

We'd like you all to read about Kevin Jarrard's exciting plan to save the life of a little Iraqi girl:

"I am serving as the company commander for Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines, a Marine Corps Reserve unit headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama. This is our second tour of duty in Iraq. We arrived in Iraq in early October. During our interactions with the local folks we met a family with a sick little girl - Amina Ala Thabit (Amina), age 3. She needs immediate open-heart surgery in order to preserve her life. I have been working on a plan to transport her to the United States for treatment ever since. It looks like this may be possible. Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville has agreed to perform the procedure."