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After an earthquake killed
thousands in Bam, Iran, Southern Baptists are responding. A volunteer
team of Southern Baptist men is headed to Iran, ready to meet physical
needs.
“We’re going to offer that cool cup of water in times of
need,” said one of the men. “Jesus said, ‘Whatever you
did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”
The men are no strangers to working in crisis situations. Most of them
have served together before-in locations as distant as Venezuela and as
close to home as Ground Zero in New York City. When the call came for
relief in Iran, they were scheduling flights and packing bags within a
few hours. They know the challenges they’ll face there. When they
go out to minister, they’ll carry three days of personal food and
water rations with them and sleep in sleeping bags.
They ask Southern Baptists to pray that God will keep them safe, enable
them to meet people’s needs and give peace to their families left
in the United States.
Long-term work planned
With the death toll expected to top 30,000 and with at least 60 percent
of the city in rubble, further assistance will be needed in Iran. Relief
workers and their local partners hope to work with residents of Bam and
the surrounding areas to reconstruct and develop their communities.
“We are in the process of working with local contacts in Iran in
determining ways we can meet needs,” says the director for the International
Mission Board World Hunger and Relief Ministries. “We have already
authorized $50,000 and will be able to help more if needed.”
The earthquake ravaged Bam’s economy and left the city’s
employed destitute. Most of Bam’s survivors have lost their livelihoods
through personal injury, loss of business or death of a spouse. Relief
workers and their local partners will explore opportunities to provide
job training for these individuals and help develop industry in Bam and
the surrounding region.
Relief aid will be implemented in several stages. The first stage will
involve immediate emergency and relief distribution and last from two
to four weeks. Projects for the reconstruction of local communities and
Bam’s economy may follow.
One relief worker with earthquake relief experience spoke of going into
Iran: “Even though the needs are overwhelming, I am ready to get
my hands dirty and my heart broken.”
The pre-dawn earthquake, measuring 6.7, struck Bam on Dec. 26 and decimated
the historical city.
Contributions to relief efforts through the International Mission Board
World Hunger and Relief Ministries may be made here
or by calling (800) 999-3113. Every penny of your donation will provide
food, shelter and other immediate needs for people around the world.
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