LEBANON OUTREACH
“Our God will tend His flock like a Shepherd, He will gently leads those who are with young; comfort My people!” – Isaiah 40
After many years of desiring to go into Lebanon, we have finally had an opportunity to serve where many thousands of Syrian refugees have made camp. In the beginning of this year, we connected with two camps operated by Korean missionaries who have both opened community centres in the refugee camp in Lebanon. The centres provide opportunities for the local Syrians to gather for social meetings, receive some aid in the form of food and medical care, come for elementary school, and attend church services. However, the main goal of each centre is to preach the gospel and disciple Syrians.
During our 10-day outreach to the refugee camp in Lebanon in March, we were given all the social meetings for the women, men and teenagers. We were also able to spend time with each school class and were given the church services!
It was amazing to see how much room we were allowed.
Aside from hosting group sessions where we shared stories from our lives testifying to Gods heart of love, we also visited tents to meet with individual families and share the gospel. The Syrian population in the camps is primarily Muslim, so we felt privileged to share about Yeshua, the one true Shepherd of our souls.
While sharing testimony in individual homes and hosting group sessions were precious, our sweetest moments were with the young women who worked as staff at the centres. These young women would normally be required to work in the agricultural fields to provide income for their families, or would be married to alleviate some of the burden the Syrian families bear economically. For these individuals, being hired at the centre ensures they have money coming in to their household so they aren’t required to work in the fields or marry so young. These young women are a main focus of discipleship for our Korean missionary friends, as they are the ones who have accepted Yeshua as their personal Saviour. Coming from an Islamic background, their faith in Yeshua is more of a secret. Working at the centre not only provides money for their families, but also allows them much needed space to be intentionally discipled.
As those ladies were involved in everything we did at the camp and centres, we became very quickly impressed by them and felt a deep love towards them. The hope in their hearts and love in their eyes was a testimony to our Lord, our Shepherd, our God’s love and favour.
At the end of our time in the camps, we prayed together with those girls, shedding many tears, as we hope to be with them again.
We do believe that God has His hand over the Syrian refugees in Lebanon and that He will add many more to His fold.
by Sarah Hicks