# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S678
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

678 FINANCIAL MATTERS

ground, destroying with it tools and precious equipment needed
in building the mission compound. Terrible fires have swept
through the refugee settlements in Hong Kong and Korea.
Typhoons have taken their toll of pain. Epidemics and plagues
followed in the wake of floods in India. The New England flood
of some months ago left St. Paul’s Church in Naugatuck, Conn.,
in complete ruin.

A total of $261,161 was granted during the last three years
in response to these and similar needs. Many critical appeals
could not be granted because of our limited funds.

VIII. Reimbursement of Ocean Freight
It has been possible for our Board to help so many people
at such a comparatively small cost not only because of our
free access to Government surplus commodities but also because
Lutheran World Relief and Church World Service, through which
we ship, are reimbursed by the United States Government for
shipping costs to some countries.

It is a matter of concern to us that Congress has begun to
modify this arrangement. Germany and Formosa were recently
removed from this list of eligibility. The prospect is that an
increasing percentage of ocean and inland transportation costs
will, as time goes on, need to be paid from our funds.

IX. Overseas Distribution
It is our objective, wherever possible, to make our relief work
supportive of the church or mission that has been established
in a given country through the efforts of missionaries of our Synod,
or where these are not represented, to distribute through such
channels as can be depended upon to serve conscientiously, in-
telligently, and in terms of a Christian witness.

While’ it is only natural that we should be particularly
concerned about the need of suffering fellow Lutherans, we are
also mindful that Christian love embraces all-people. This is the
peculiar characteristic of the Christian religion. Accordingly,
distribution must be made on the basis of need, regardless of
creed or color. Love translated into this kind of compassionate
action is a mighty force in pointing people toward the Savior,
to whom our total service is dedicated.

We do not ship directly to individual families abroad. To do
this would sizably increase our cost of operation. The task of
distribution is left entirely to the discretion of our representatives
abroad. They are in best position to know where the need
is greatest.

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