I made this short-sighted attack without thinking about the people all over the world who would consider a typewriter one of the miracle machines of the 20th century. I had no idea.

Thanks to Mel West, who works with the United Methodist Rural Fellowship out of Columbia, Mo., I have had my hand slapped and now I want to rectify the situation.

The truth is, West says, typewriters, especially the older manual machines, are needed in Third World countries all over the world. Manual typewriters are best, of course, because many rural areas don't have electricity.

I'll admit I don't often think enough about the needs of people in Third World countries. I think that's fairly typical of people in the United States. Few of us have traveled to countries trying to emerge from poverty, and we have no idea how desperate life can become.

But just because I'm ignorant of that situation doesn't mean I have to stay that way.

I realize now that churches in the United States could really make a difference. I wonder how many church families have an old Smith Corona sitting in the back of a closet? Try to sell one at a garage sale -- put a $1 price tag on it and watch people smile and look away.

But if every congregation in the United States sent one manual typewriter, or a dozen, to churches in Africa, for instance, it could rain down opportunities, especially for young people. Isn't that the most amazing revelation? You could make a big difference in someone's life with your old manual typewriter.

This is what you have to do to help with this mission:

First, don't send typewriters to Mel West in Missouri unless you have permission from him. He has a small operation and doesn't want to be overwhelmed with old machines.

Instead, write to Mel West at United Methodist Rural Fellowship, 108 Balow Wynd, Columbia, MO 65203, and ask him for permission to send the machines. If you don't hear from West, that means he has enough.

If West writes back and wants your typewriters, get busy in your congregation and ask people to dig out their old machines.

Each person who donates a typewriter should make sure it is in working order and has been cleaned and lubricated. And with each typewriter, please include all the ribbons you can find -- a minimum of five.

Remember, it will cost West $25 to $30 to ship the machines to missionaries in Zaire, Mozambique and Angola -- so send a check under separate cover -- and be generous.

Then pack the machine and ribbons in plastic bags and a sturdy box -- available at moving companies. Cushion the typewriter by stuffing good used clothing all around -- those items also will be put to good use.

Remember, don't send anything to West unless you have written permission from him personally.

If your congregation is not affiliated with the United Methodists, you still can take part or you might want to contact the church-wide offices of your denomination and ask world mission people if they have a similar program. But don't hesitate.

Larry Hills of Zaire, one of the missionaries who received machines from West, wrote a poignant letter of gratitude. In a district with 320 United Methodist pastors, Hills says he knows of six typewriters.

"All the typewriters came to us packed in individual boxes, usually with used clothing around them as packing material," he wrote. "The average church member in our conference is very poor, earning less than $50 a year per family. As a result, our pastor's salaries range from $1 to $2 a month and and the district has very little money with which to work. The typewriters were therefore something that could never be purchased from local resources and so were a gift of great value. ..."

Clark D. MorphewMarch 1, 1998