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Whatever your view of the ethics of the war in Iraq, all of us can play a part in galvanizing support for that beleaguered nation. As with previous crises around the world, Southern Baptists are taking the lead to bring a “cup of cold water” in Jesus’ name.
With each new day, liberation is spreading across Iraq (as we go to press this week, major sectors of Baghdad seem to be falling from the control of Saddam Hussein’s regime of repression). While it’s clear that the Iraqi people welcome their liberation and are eager to throw off their oppressors, it’s also clear this nation needs assistance with basic, human needs. It is an illustration of the truly evil nature of Hussein’s regime that this resource-rich nation is nevertheless wracked by hunger and poverty.
Even though you and I cannot be there, Southern Baptist relief workers are already in the region. Through them, we can make a difference. For less than $60, an Iraqi family of five can be fed for one month. This project can be undertaken by any church, and even many families.
In the early days of hostilities, Southern Baptists relief workers were already setting up front lines of assistance. Now, the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention is urging Southern Baptists to provide family food boxes for the people of Iraq.
Jim Brown, director of world hunger and relief ministries for the International Mission Board, says that this relief will be distributed without regard to ethnicity or religious identity. Instead, any who have needs will be recipients of this “Gift of Love.”
“This is a great way for Southern Baptists who can’t actually go themselves to minister in a personal way to Iraqi people,” Brown said. “This isn’t relief that is going to be mass-distributed in a refugee camp either. It will be specifically delivered to hungry families in the towns and villages of Iraq once peace has been restored to the country.”
A label on the outside of each box will quote John 1:17 in Arabic: “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” It also will identify it as “A gift with love from the Southern Baptist churches in America.”
Here are the IMB’s directions for how to participate:
Use only a U-Haul “small box” product (16 3/8" x 12 5/8" x 12 5/8" = 1.5 cubic feet). Same size boxes will help facilitate both bulk packing and transportation.
Begin by lining the box with a large trashcan liner—this will protect the contents and prevent spillage outside the box. Pack the items by quantities listed below.
Begin by layering the 4 bags of rice on one side of the bottom and the sugar and flour (standing) on the other sides. Next stack the bags of beans and lentils on top of the standing sugar and flour bags. Lastly place the salt, tea and powdered milk (10 - 3.2 oz. envelopes) in the remaining air space. Tie the trashcan liner and securely tape the box (making sure the box has also been securely taped on the bottom). (Total weight will be approximately 68 pounds—box capacity is 70 pounds.)
Your “family food box” will help provide food for a family of five for approximately one month.
PLEASE do not place any additional item/literature inside the box. The IMB will be providing state conventions stick-on labels to be placed on the outside of the box.
ITEM QUANTITY/SIZE APPROX. COST PER ITEM
- Rice-Long Grained (4) 5 lb. bags $2.50 x 4 bags = $10.00 (not instant rice!)
- Flour-All Purpose (3) 5 lb. bags $1.89 x 3 bags = 5.67
- Sugar (2) 5 lb. bags $1.99 x 2 bags = 3.98
- White Navy Beans (12) 1 lb. bags $ .89 x 12 bags = 10.68
- Lentils (4) 1 lb. bags $ .69 x 4 bags = 2.76
- Iodized Salt (2) 26 oz. containers $ .43 x 2 containers = .86
- Loose Tea (Lipton) (4) 1/2 lb. boxes $3.69 x 4 boxes = 14.76
- Powdered Milk (10) 3.2 oz. envelopes $8.00 for 10 envelopes = 8.00
Fritz Wilson, director of the Florida Baptist Men’s Department of the Florida Baptist Convention is coordinating relief efforts in our state. At press time, the delivery site was not designated. We will provide more information about that as it becomes available, both through our Web site and in next week’s issue. In the meantime, get your boxes ready for delivery to that site by May 21. For questions, contact Wilson, at 800-226-8584, ext. 8240.
This relief effort is an opportunity to provide assistance to those in great need at a strategic time. Please join my family and me in helping the families of Iraq by helping to bring to them a gift of love.