Update from BHW Lebanon Partnership Facilitator

Recent Events

Context

It is important to understand some of the recent context of life in general in Lebanon. The slowing down of the war in Syria has reduced the flow of new refugees into Lebanon. However, some are still arriving and many Syrians are trapped in Lebanon - because they are not registered with the UN they have nowhere to go. The economy has been in free fall in the past two years and turmoil in the political sector has meant there was noone effectively managing the dive. Then COVID-19 came along, existing businesses came under increasing pressure and many lost jobs. Finally, the huge blast at the Beirut Port in August 2020 destroyed many homes, businesses and jobs along with the deaths and injuries.  

All this together has not reduced the numbers of needy people seeking assistance. 

Activities and Programmes 

The church is still meeting regularly and using the camp building for times of encouragement and training. 

Discovery Bible Study (DBS) groups continue and many people are involved in this and discovering relationship with God. 

Teaching Arabic literacy and English language have been continuing online classes while the country is in lockdown. 

There is ongoing distribution of relief to the people who are in need as a result of the situation in the country.

The Impact of COVID-19 

They shifted from personal meetings to using WhatsApp and Zoom and this has given them the opportunity to reach more people. The Discovery Bible Study is a very interactive method so it is well tolerated via the internet.

Online meetings are helping them to connect with people in Jordan, Syria, England, Turkey, Canada and even Australia. This involves following up with fellow brothers and sisters who accepted Christ in Lebanon and then moved to these countries.

Personal Stories 

Through the DBS group two ladies have recently accepted Christ; one comes from a Muslim background. She has tolerated her family’s persecution and refuses to leave her faith. Both ladies learnt the DBS method and are now sharing with other women in different groups. 

The first lady is Syrian living in Lebanon and she came to know Christ through her sister-in-law. Her parents knew about this and they disowned her. However, she remained true to her faith and was baptized. She is very excited to serve the Lord.

The second lady is Lebanese. She came in for relief after the Beirut blast. We shared with her about Christ and she started asking about Him. She accepted Him into her life and witnessed to her sister too. 

Plans for the Future

They are aiming to reach four new people (or families) every day - maybe help them out with some kind of relief and tell them about Christ. Their target is to reach a total of 5,000 families in 2021. At the present moment they are involved with 3,574 families.

Current Issues and Challenges 

Lebanon has endured three major traumas since October 2019, the revolution and economic relapse, COVID-19, and the Beirut blast, therefore the need is growing on a daily basis to help those who have lost their jobs or homes.

Other challenges include ongoing protests, the value of money plunging more, irregular electricity often turning into no electricity ...
“In Lebanon, the minimum wage is 675,000 pounds, or about US$67 a month. Before the protests broke out in 2019, the minimum wage was about US$450 per month."
"Today, we woke up to the news that most roads are blocked with riots and the protestors are at combat with the army and policemen."

The numbers of COVID-19 cases are also raging; hospitals cannot welcome any more cases and the number of deaths is increasing on a daily basis. 

Prayer and Praise Points 

Praise:

1) They are thankful to the Lord that the internet has helped in continuing, and even expanding, the reach of the ministry.
2) They thank the Lord for His protection and provision.
3) They thank the Lord because they have been given the honor and privilege of blessing many people in assisting with their needs 

Prayer: 

1) For Lebanon which is passing through a very difficult time
2) For the financial needs that face them on a daily basis. The ministry is extending to the Lebanese population as well as the Syrian refugees.
3) For the harvest to multiply 30, 60 and 100 times

Comments 

It is very hard to grasp just how desperate it is in Lebanon right now and the valuable role our partners are playing. The more we can assist them the better. It is great to hear of the holistic way they are going about their ministry and the impact they are having. 

Note: We cannot put any photos online for security reasons.