wfn.org | Iraq: Food and Bibles distributed to Baghdad=92s poor

[Christian B. Schäffler (APD Schweiz)]

May 15, 2005

Adventist Press Service (APD)

Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief APD

Fax +41-61-261 61 18

APD@stanet.ch

http://www.stanet.ch/APD

CH-4003 Basel, Schweiz

Iraq: Food and Bibles distributed  to Baghdad?s poor

Baghdad/Iraq.	Families living in some of Baghdad's most deprived

areas were intrigued when they heard that food and Bibles were being

handed out in various local Christian churches the week before Easter.

Hundreds of people went to the churches to investigate and were

delighted when they received their own packages.

The distribution, which also took place last year, was organised by

the Bible Society in Lebanon, in co-operation with Christian

humanitarian agencies. Nabil Omeish, who leads the Society's team in

Iraq, said that he felt "enormously blessed" to see people's positive

reactions to the gifts. "The joy was apparent in the eyes of adults as

well as children," he commented. The Bible Society in Lebanon

(organised in 1820; founded 1966) is also serving Iraq (organised

work since 1816) and Syria (organised work since 1820). According to

Rev Lucien Accad, General Secretary of the  Bible Society in Lebanon

storage facilities in Baghdad are available in the compound of the

National Evangelical Church.

One church leader declared, the project has sent a clear message to

the local community about Christian compassion and unity. "We are so

happy to be part of this project to distribute these much-needed

food items and Bibles," he commented. "It is saying so much about our

ministry as members of the body of Christ."

Meanwhile, Bible Society work in Iraq continues to grow. New

distribution projects and holistic programs are in development, with

sensible measures taken to avoid unnecessary risk in the uncertain

situation in the country. Iraqi Christians still have the vision that,

one day, an autonomous and independent Iraqi Bible Society will be

established. The purpose of a Bible Society can be formulated as
follows:

to achieve the widest possible effective distribution of the Holy

Scriptures in a language which can be easily understood and is

faithful to the original texts, without sectarian doctrinal note or

comment , at a price which people can afford and in a format people

will appreciate.