Ministry will continue in Iraq despite a deadly attack Monday.

By March 19, 2004

Iraq (MNN)–Four Americans researching needs for humanitarian projects in northern Iraq have died after a drive-by shooting March 15 in Mosul.

Larry and Jean Elliott and Karen Watson died on the spot after automatic weapons fire and rocket-propelled grenade fragments tore into their vehicle. David McDonnall succumbed the next morning as U.S. military surgeons struggled to save him. His wife, Carrie, critically wounded, has been stabilized and is being treated after being flown to a hospital in Germany.

Through the sorrow, the love of Christ moves forward through a clean water initiative that will continue in Iraq. However, support teams from the Southern Baptist International Mission Board cancelled a March 20th Iraq trip, and postponed future trips.

Facing the risk of ministry is not new to the IMB. The deaths of the Elliotts, Watson and McDonnall came barely a year after IMB missionary Bill Hyde was killed by a terrorist’s bomb at the airport in Davao City, Philippines.

Just 14 months ago, Southern Baptists also suffered through the deaths of three workers who were murdered by a terrorist at the Baptist hospital in Jibla, Yemen.

Plans to return the victims’ bodies to the United States are incomplete. However, memorial services for David McDonnall are slated for 2 p.m. Saturday, March 20 at the
First Baptist Church in Lamar, Colo.

Services for Karen Watson are scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 24 at Valley Baptist Church in Bakersfield, Calif.

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