Re. – Biblical Characters Carvings, Funds reach $22,490.00

        (“The Olivewood” Project)

From:  Dennis Sparks, executive director, West Virginia Council of Churches

To:  Persons supporting the Olivewood Project

A copy of the e-mail below indicates the 2009 contribution from the sale of the carvings of Biblical Characters (“Olivewood Project”) that comes from churches supporting the project by hosting sale events.  All funds go directly to support the families of 46 Carvers in Bethlehem. The coordinators of this project are Micheal and Carmen Zoughbi who live in Bethlehem.

These funds have been raised predominately in Ohio and West Virginia, but come from other nearby states as well.  Thanks goes to Phil Star from Trinity United Church of Christ in Wooster, Ohio who serves as the collecting agent in this part of the country.  Funds are being forwarded to Arland Jacobson in Minnesota serves as the primary base of support for the cooperative.

Prayers Needed:

Thank you all who make this possible. We ask for your prayers as the Zoughbis will be traveling to America – Colorado, Wisconsin and Minnesota this fall.  We are also waiting to learn how we can support the effort for their son Jamil to have a much needed surgery in America at the Mayo Clinic.

How to Support the Project:

Last November, 2008, a group of four of us from West Virginia visited the Zoughbis and many of the carvers in their shops while in Bethlehem. We are available to speak to churches on this important subject – Supporting Christians and Christianity in the City Where Christ Was Born. Call or e-mail dsparks@wvcc.org, 304-344-3141.  We are also developing a house party kit for individuals to host a party to promote the sale of the carvings – Great Christmas Gifts.

e-mail:

Hi Arland:

 We have accumulated $22,490 in Olivewood funds - we are cutting a check today - and should be mailed over the weekend once my signers sign it.  I'm mailing it to the Box 6 Moorhead MN address payable to The Olivewood Project.

FYI - Phil