Food Boxes and Eid Clothing

We have struggled with the fact that we made the decision that LDS Charities can no longer provide food to the Syrians who are living outside of organized camps in Jordan.  As much as we would like to feed everyone, we realize that LDS Charities cannot continue this program forever.  It's still a hard thing to do, but knowing that refugees can get food by moving into a camp makes it easier.

We discussed the situation with UMR officials several weeks ago and told them there would be no more food boxes from LDS Charities.  UMR understood and agreed that they cannot continue either but decided to continue their program 3 months on their own and give the people time to prepare.  We have just been heartsick.  Our leaders  and after discussing the problem with our leaders, we decided to ask them  if they would approve continuing the food boxes for just one more month.  The cost is $12,500 for 250 boxes.  Today we received approval.

The scriptures remind us again and again to take care of the poor and the needy, but it must be done in the Lord's way.  We never want to create a "dependent" people, and hope we can help others become self-sufficient.  We don't know how to do that--but the Lord does.  That's all we need to know right now.

CLOTHING FOR EID (Muslim version of Christmas)

We were happy to hear that our after-the-fact proposal to donate $2,000 toward UMR's project to buy Eid Clothing for refugee children was also approved.  We are very impressed at the support our leaders have given to the Muslims as they celebrate their religious holidays.  "Eid Mubarak" means "happy Eid"