The opportunity for Christians
ACP has been running schools for Syrian refugees in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon for years. The terrorist organisation Hezbollah has spread there, leading to repeated airstrikes by the Israeli army. Despite this, our schools have resumed operations in the middle of the war, because somehow everyday life has to go on.
Our long-standing partner Pastor G. is a Christian Lebanese. He tells us on the phone how his compatriots fleeing Hezbollah territory are seeking protection, help and shelter in the Christian neighbourhood. The escalation of the Middle East conflict has triggered a humanitarian crisis among the civilian population. The pastor and his team distributed mattresses, blankets, food, hygiene products, medicines and some cash to alleviate the great need: ‘Many people are coming to us and our church wants to help these people. We see it as a huge opportunity to show God's love to those stranded here through practical emergency aid.’
ACP has transferred tens of thousands of francs in emergency aid to our partner in Lebanon. Pastor G. guarantees that our support reaches those in need. Without further ado, G. has accommodated five Lebanese families with a Muslim background in his church. Another man lives with them, whose house has been reduced to rubble - as a result of terrorists nesting in homes. ‘We keep hearing from people in Lebanon that they long for their people to be liberated from the terrorist Hezbollah,’ says the pastor.
During the 20-minute phone call with G., three rocket detonations can be heard in the background. ‘It's a queasy feeling when missiles hit in close proximity,’ says G. ’Or when drones hover over our heads that we don't know whether they belong to a friend or an enemy.’ He realises time and again that hardship and fear are door openers for the Gospel. Our partner seizes the opportunity to give people hope. For example, he was recently able to explain the good news of Jesus in detail to 600 predominantly Muslim pupils. The pastor prays that they will take the outstretched hand of Jesus.
