Four American Christian relief workers dead after northern Iraq attack.

By March 17, 2004

Iraq (MNN)–Humanitarian aid teams are reeling in shock. Unknown assailants used automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades in the Mosul attack that killed four Southern Baptist relief workers and critically wounded a fifth.

The victims include Larry and Jean Elliott, who had served with with IMB in Honduras since 1978 and transferred to the Middle East in February.

Also killed were Karen Watson and David McDonnall. David’s wife, Carrie McDonnall, is in critical condition. Karen had been with the board since March 2003; the McDonnalls began serving in November.

Southern Baptists have sought ways to share God’s love with the Iraqi people. Last fall Southern Baptist churches in the United States sent more than 3 million pounds of food to Iraq. The workers involved in this attack were researching the need for future humanitarian projects.

International Mission Board spokesman Erich Bridges. “With what seems to be an apparent beginning of a pattern of terrorist targeting foreign civilian aid workers, particularly Americans, we’re going to have to monitor the security situation even more closely, but we still very much hope to continue meeting the needs of the Iraqi people.”

According to IMB’s statement, their personnel, as Americans and Christians, are well aware of the risk of living and serving in a place like Iraq. Yet their love for the Iraqi people and obedience to the conviction of God’s leadership have been expressed in a willingness to take that risk, even to giving their lives.

Bridges urges prayer. “The tendency in the aftermath of incidents like this is for people to say, “That’s it. We’re not leaving the United States again” or to redouble their efforts to not be foolish and unwise, but to realize that we’re still called by God to serve hurting people in a dangerous world.”

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