Some soldiers in Iraq have said that the battle times aren’t as hard as the down time, the time when all there is to do is sit on their cots and wait. Boredom becomes the enemy without a gun.
The church resources division of LifeWay Christian Resources recently began working with Baptist associations to create LifeBox. These boxes contain items such as a personal note to a service member, chewing gum, tube/crew socks, small candies, stationery supplies, homemade goodies and wet wipes, plus a LifeWay magazine and "The Invitation" compact disc from LifeWay Christian Stores.
"LifeBox is a way that LifeWay can work with local churches and state Baptist associations to make a positive contribution to our armed forces personnel," said Rhonda Buescher, director of LifeWay’s magazine advertising and circulation.
Because Maxim, a soft-porn magazine, is sent free of charge to military personnel, LifeWay wants to offer a good alternative, Buescher said. "Soldiers have said that mail and magazines are greatly appreciated, and now we have an opportunity to have a positive impact on their lives."
Churches and community organizations donate money to their local Baptist association to pay for magazines and postage for flat rate mailers, which can be obtained at post offices. Associations order HomeLife, Christian Single, Journey or Stand Firm through LifeWay’s network partnerships area at a special discount for this project.
Churches and interested community organizations collect the LifeBox items and deliver them to collection points. Addresses of individual military personnel or chaplains are collected from churches and from Web sites that house names of military personnel who wish to receive mail.
Boxes are mailed by March 23 to arrive by April 7 (Easter weekend). (BP)
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