Baptists in Zimbabwe have written to express their “deep gratitude” for 578 boxes of food delivered to families struggling amid the country’s food crisis.
“Let me say, on behalf of all who benefited, how grateful we are for the love and interest and practical involvement of you brothers and sisters in Christ,” said a pastor in Harare, writing on behalf of the Baptist Union of Zimbabwe. “You have made our problems your own and in bearing our burden you have fulfilled the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2).”
Boxes containing rice, oil, salt, powdered milk, candles, corned beef, tea, sugar, soap, matches, flour, washing powder and beans were purchased by Baptist Global Response (BGR), a Southern Baptist development and relief organization, at a cost of about $70 per box, with money Southern Baptists donated to the World Hunger Fund.
They were delivered in December by a small fleet of pickup trucks and automobiles assembled by about 30 congregations in the vicinity of Harare, the country’s capital.
Another 400 boxes are expected to be delivered in late January or early February, said Mark Hatfield, who leads BGR work in sub-Saharan Africa.
The needs of many hungry families in Zimbabwe could not have been met without the concern of Southern Baptists, Hatfield said.
“Because Southern Baptists care about people in need, Baptist Global Response was able to assist the Baptist Union of Zimbabwe in demonstrating love and care for people struggling to survive the present economic crises in Zimbabwe,” he said. “Our desire is to continue that assistance during 2008, and that will be possible because Southern Baptists give generously to the World Hunger Fund.”
For information about the World Hunger Fund, visit www.imb.org/give/project/global-hunger-relief.
(TAB)
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