Venture International Update from Jordan & Syria:

Helping Iraqi Refugees

March 21, 2010

Food Distribution in Jordan

Beginning this weekend, and continuing for next 3 to 4 months, 1,000 Iraqi refugee families will receive desperately needed food supplies. Food distribution will include rice, pasta, flour, and canned goods recently received from Feed the Children in the United Kingdom.  Arizona Community Church provided a generous gift of $3,000 which was used to cover the cost of shipping this container of food. The food was recently received by Venture International’s partner in Amman, Jordan, Manara International. Manara is organizing the distribution through the local church and a Christian humanitarian organization, Messengers of Peace.

The food distribution will be augmented by additional nutritious food items such as cooking oil, powdered milk, tomato paste, tea, sugar, cheese, and sweetened sesame paste (Halawa). This complementary package will cost about $20 per family. Venture International is hoping to raise $10,000 as a contribution toward these supplementary food packages.

Food distributions will target 1,000 Iraqi refugee families living in very poor areas in and around Amman, the capital city of Jordan.  The needs are overwhelming. At least 400,000 Iraqi’s remain stranded in Jordan, struggling for survival and hope. It is good that Venture International and the Arizona Community Church stand together and support the local church in Jordan as it reaches out to needy Iraqis.

Iraqi Refugee Children in Syria

Support for the Iraqi refugee children’s afternoon school program in Damascus, Syria, has arrived.  Earlier in March, Venture International partner, Manara International, sent a team to Damascus with the financial support provided by ACC. This support will enable the school program to continue for the next 3 months.  It means that 130 children will receive counseling, learn English, Arabic, and Geography, take educational and fun trips, and receive a nutritious meal.

The program takes place in a church school. The church is giving a bold witness to the love of God in Jesus Christ by loving the children in many practical ways and by sharing openly the good news of Jesus Christ.  Please pray for this ministry with both Christian and Muslim children. Venture International is still seeking to raise $65,000 to cover a full year of this program.

Family to Family Sponsorship in Jordan

Plans are underway to recruit new family sponsors to enable Venture International to expand outreach among very needy Jordanians. Our expansion plans will initially focus on collaboration with a Christian pre school and include skills training for mothers in this community.

Venture International plans to sponsor an additional 25 families in the coming 3 months. $40 per month sponsors a family in the context of this community project.

Please consider helping us show the love of Christ to our Iraqi & Jordanian brothers and sisters by pledging your support. Please call us at 1-800-421-2159 or donate online by clicking here.