Gordon remarks, "Non-Christians have bought the book and told us that some of the stories were so moving. I think it helps them to understand why some of these charities do the work they do - that they are showing God's love in action, that they do this because of their care and Christian love for these people. That's what it's all about."
Although some of the recipes sound exotic, all the ingredients can be bought at the local supermarket and Brenda and Gordon ask that fair-trade products are used wherever possible.
The emphasis is on connecting more deeply with the people living on far less in one year than many people in the UK live on in one month.
"Rather than overeating on traditional Christmas turkey and pud and actually not giving much thought to people with far less than we have, we want people to just take one of these recipes and actually think about the people in Malawi or Ethiopia, the places where these recipes come from, and just think and pray about them," says Brenda.
She and Gordon are greatly encouraged by the movement in the UK towards fairly traded goods and ethical consumerism that takes into consideration the ones at the other end of the chain who are planting the crops and sowing the seeds.
"It was Christians who led in the anti-slavery campaign and it is Christians who have led in this drive towards increasing awareness about trade justice and fair-trade and maybe this book is part of that," says Gordon.
"Not only are you making a particular dish, but you are learning about a country and its problems. On the other hand, you are seeing something positive, because you are learning that there are lots of partners and local charities that are doing really powerful work to address some of the needs in those societies, whether that's caring for Aids orphans or looking after street children or re-housing people after a disaster."
He concluded: "At the same time they are hearing the Good News and they are seeing that it is Christians who are behind this work and it is Christians who are helping Muslims and Hindus and they are not just helping other Christians. That is, I think, presenting quite a powerful image."
To download recipes or purchase the "Recipes for Disaster" cookbook go to www.recipesfordisaster.org/index.html
