
CARY, N.C. (BP)–Named for International Mission Board workers Larry and Jean Elliott who were killed in Iraq in March, “The Elliott Project” is encouraging people in North Carolina to assemble health kits for families in the war-torn country.
The project, sponsored by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and Medical Missions Response, has a goal of delivering 16,000 kits to Iraqi families and honoring the memory of a couple who gave their lives in an effort to make Iraq a better place.
The Elliotts, of Cary, N.C., died March 15 when the vehicle they were riding in was ambushed in Mosul. Co-workers Karen Watson and David McDonnall also died, and Carrie McDonnall is recovering from serious injuries sustained in the attack. The group was in the northern Iraqi city to help with a water purification project.
Medical Missions Response, a network of healthcare workers committed to the Great Commission, and First Baptist Church of Collierville, Tenn., first conceived the idea for a similar project about a year ago. Rusty Griffin, executive administrator for MMR, told Baptist Press several states have taken part in the effort — called the Iraqi Health Kit Project — during the past year.
North Carolina Baptists had been considering joining the project when the Elliotts were killed, and it seemed fitting to name the emphasis in their state after them.
For North Carolinians who would like to participate, boxes for the health kits may be obtained at local association offices or by calling the state convention at 1-800-395-5102, ext. 341. All boxes must be the same size and include the same contents, such as toothbrushes, hand sanitizers, bars of soap, children’s vitamins, shampoo, dish towels and bandages. No personal notes or religious materials may be added to the boxes. For a complete list of specifications, visit www.ncmissions.org.
The deadline for turning boxes in to collection sites in North Carolina is May 21.
Anyone wishing to help with the cost of the project may send a check payable to North Carolina Baptist Men, P.O. Box 1107, Cary, NC 27512.
Also, an endowment has been established at the North Carolina Baptist Foundation in memory of the Elliotts. The Larry and Jean Elliott International Hunger and Disaster Relief Endowment will provide assistance for international hunger and disaster relief mission projects. Endowment fund contributions may be sent to the North Carolina Baptist Foundation, 201 Convention Drive, Cary, NC 27511.
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For more information about the Iraqi Health Kit Project in other states, contact the state Baptist convention office.