FAITH & WORKS

Christians aid Muslims outside the glare of Western journalists bent on uncovering a new crusade. In Jordan, Red Crescent officials clearly don't want Christians credited for helping those displaced by the war in Iraq. That's just fine by the relief workers. The idea is for someone else to get the credit, anyway | Bob Jones

The chow line starts out the same as it always does. Refugees queue up outside the big tent holding their white plastic buckets with red handles and lids. Once inside, out of the howling wind, they stop first to register in a spiral-bound notebook. Then they progress around the horseshoe-shaped buffet, picking up the usual staples: flat bread, rice, yogurt, pickles.

The fried meat is the first sign that today is something special. Residents of the Ruweished camp receive one hot meal a day, usually something along the lines of macaroni and cheese or baked beans. Today's entree—a cross between meat loaf and beef jerky—is clearly better than most. But it's the last stop in line that has everyone buzzing. There are rainbow-colored eggs, chocolates wrapped in foil, and delicate little cookies filled with preserves.