Let's Send Books, not Bombs to the Middle East - Faithful America

[helderheid]

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21*

The images are horrifying – children by the hundreds killed by U.S. made bombs lobbed into Lebanon. Thousands of homes, hospitals, schools, and houses of worship leveled. Hundreds of thousands of frightened families displaced. In Israel Hezbollah’s random rockets terrorize communities and kill innocent civilians. On both sides of this out-of-control war, it is the children who are the victims.

At the very hour Lebanese officials were pleading with the U.S. to negotiate a cease-fire, the U.S. government was instead delivering fresh shipments of bombs to Israel to rain down even more terror on the innocent people of Lebanon.

We believe America can do better. Our faith teaches that love is more powerful than hate. That is why FaithfulAmerica is launching a response to help deliver shipments of love, not hate, and we’re calling it:

Books, not Bombs



I spoke this morning with Aline Papazian, a Lebanese relief worker in Beruit with the Middle East Council of Churches. (listen to our conversation here: http://www.cyprop.com/faithfulamerica/alinecall.mp3 ) She told us that last night the city was shaken by Israeli bombs exploding all around them, though thankfully they remained safe through the night. Aline told me that the greatest need at the moment is for children, who were about to begin their school year, to experience some semblance of a normal life. The volunteers serving in shelters, refugee centers, hospitals, and makeshift schools need, among other things, educational supplies as they try to minimize the trauma of this war.



You can help right now by buying “back to school kits” for children provided through our partner organization, Church World Service. While it is doubtful that "school" as they know it will begin anytime soon, volunteers are doing all they can to help make life as normal as possible. School kits can help children gain some measure of control by focusing on learning. With each school kit we will include a message of hope and love from you so that the children will know that they remain in our hearts and minds.



Note: We will endeavor to provide kits for children on both sides of the border.



Please help provide school kits for the innocent victims of this war.

https://secure.ga3.org/03/books_not_bombs

As always, we are inspired by your commitment to the things that truly matter in this life, and we are grateful to be part of your expression of faith and conscience. We will be sure and follow up to let you know where and how your gifts have made a difference.



Blessings to you as always,



Vince Isner and the FaithfulAmerica.org Team



* Other sacred texts addressing the power of love:

"Recompense evil, conquering it with good." (Islam)

"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Judaism)

"With kindness conquer rage, with goodness malice, with generoisty defeat all meanness." (Hinduism)





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Please tell your friends and colleagues how they can participate in "Books, not Bombs" to help the children of Lebanon and Israel find comfort in this terrible time.