Report from BHW Lebanon Partnership Facilitator

Recent Events

Activities

There are two main activities still going strong despite the difficulties for the people of Lebanon. The first activity is the discipling of the Christians in the fellowship. This is largely done by WhatsApp. They send out questions, Bible verses and lessons to people on WhatsApp during the week and when they gather, everyone shares. They don't have a normal sermon, Bassam says, "God speaks through everyone, not just pastor Bassam!" (Photo shows main street in Boucheriyeh)

The second main activity is sharing what they are learning with others. This is the main expected outcome of the meetings. Everyone is expected to share, and many amazing stories are being told. Syrian people are even witnessing to Lebanese and in many cases shaming Lebanese Christians with their newfound faith, knowledge and passion for evangelism. 

Many Lebanese Christians are now trying to leave the country to the West. Anyone with family outside is trying to go but it is almost impossible to get a passport. "There is not even any paper in the police stations" Bassam says. 

Most Syrians would like to go back to Syria, but few of them are able, maybe only one or two families a year from their network. They have nothing left to go back to. 

Because of the cost of diesel and electricity they do not go out to Ain Dara (photo on right) as frequently as before. But now that winter has passed and it is becoming warm again they expect to resume this way of meeting. The people love it, to get away from the city into the quiet, fresh air. 

Personal Stories

T is a 10-year-old boy who has been coming to church with his aunty for the last year. Last Sunday at the service he shared that he is now very happy because he feels loved by his aunt and the Christians who have accepted him. 

He came from Syria a year ago to live with his aunt who is a refugee too. His mother died 18 months ago, and his father remarried almost immediately. The new wife didn't want T around, so the father sent him to his wife's sister in Beirut. Now he has love, goes to school, and has friends and support. And he is being loved by Christian people. 

General Comments from the Leader

Bassam is so encouraged despite all the issues. "This is a time for us to grow God's kingdom. Although it is very hard physically and economically, it is a harvest time, it is the best time for the kingdom. God is at work in the lives of many people. The real work here is prayer, and nothing can stop us doing that. We are so grateful for the partnership with BHW and the prayers of the BHW team and donors." 
(Photo: looking down on Boucheriyeh)

Partnership's Influence within the Community

Many people are being helped but there is a great deal of stress and trauma being experienced by the people. 

Ideas for the Future 

Currently they are researching the actual needs of the people. Last year they grew several crops on the land in Ain Dara and this was very successful. Bassam wants to use the land more productively and involve people in small scale farming to help themselves. He is going to come back to BHW with a plan to set up a training programme.  

Ain Dara has good land and plenty of water so is an ideal place to do this. It is great for vegetables and fruit trees. Last year they experimented and were able to grow things well. This won't ever be a great income generator, but it will help people to feed themselves and help others. His training is based around the mantra, "I will help you to help yourself so you can then help others." As part of his discipleship he wants to help break the begging mindset and train people to take responsibility for themselves and others too. 

Current Issues and Challenges 

Later this year there are elections in Lebanon and in the run up to the election there is a high probability of clashes between factions and violence. There is a great deal of fear in the communities. 

The general feeling in the community is that there is no hope economically or politically. They are more aligned politically to Russia than the West because of the huge influence of Hezbollah which is branded as a terrorist organization. 

There is a great deal of hardship amongst ordinary people. Bassam wonders how people are able to live. Food, fuel and anything related to the medical sector is hard to come by and skyrocketing in price. The situation in Ukraine and the ongoing Covid pandemic is making it even more difficult. 

The two biggest issues the Boucheriyeh work is facing is the cost of diesel as they frequently go to the camp in Ain Dara and the cost of fuel makes it expensive, and also the cost of electricity makes it impossible to afford heaters in the winter and air conditioners in the summer!

Prayer and Praise Points

1) For a peaceful run up to the election and outcome, though they doubt this is possible.
2) For greater maturity and growth in the believers and that many more will come to faith.
3) For some stability to come to Lebanon again. 

Comments 

This report was written after an hour conversation with Bassam on WhatsApp. This is his preferred method of communication. The internet and phone services are currently very patchy in Lebanon, another symptom of the chaos that reigns.   

In talking to Bassam and communicating with Izdihar (LEB02) it is possible to visit Lebanon now, but it is risky. I think it is too risky for them actually.  

I am in dialogue with Bassam about the possibility of helping with the sustainability project.