God’s work never stops
Editorial
Earlier this year, just days before the outbreak of the latest war between Israel and Hezbollah, we published an editorial in our newsletter titled: “The most important story in the Middle East isn’t televised.” The crux of the article centered around how God’s work continued unabated in the shadow of another looming war. While headlines about regional tensions and military build ups dominated the headlines, we saw — and indeed were part of — the magnificent things God was doing in the Middle East.
Throughout the bloody and destructive several months that followed, that message held true. As Lebanon and the Middle East descended into a terrifying regional conflict, our church partners across the country and the region actively stepped up and responded to the needs of their communities through prayer meetings, aid assistance, outreach programs, and more. Amidst death, hate, and suffering, they presented an alternative response to injustice and pain. It was a response grounded in their faith in Jesus and adherence to His teachings.
Scripture makes clear our calling to be peacemakers. In a region where injustice and violence are so often met and perpetuated by more armed violence, the church’s position is a striking one.
For our summer newsletter, we highlight a home rehabilitation project in Syria supported by Thimar’s relief and development ministry MERATH and how it has helped hundreds of families return home after years of displacement.
Though major challenges and threats continue to loom over the Middle East, God sustains us and the church. Scripture makes clear time and time again that no one and nothing can stop His plans. As always, we remain committed to following Him and faithfully carrying out the work He has called us to do.
Helping Syrian Families Return Home
In a war-torn city in western Syria, a MERATH-supported project is helping families return to homes they were forced to abandon years ago. By rehabilitating damaged houses, the project is giving displaced families more than a roof over their heads. It is restoring a sense of stability, dignity and hope for the future. Read more here.
In their shoes!
“Nowadays, we are all so busy and overwhelmed with superfluous deadlines that sometimes we feel we don’t have time to care for and feel with others,” writes ABTS Teacher Kamil Aquila Malak. As Kamil reflected on the teachings of Jesus, he examined his role as an educator. “I believe that humans and their feelings are more important than deadlines, and that’s why I thought of a heart-centered approach in education that focuses on being emotionally intelligent while maintaining professionalism. This approach can be summarized using the acronym ABTS”. Click here to read more about Kamil's approach to putting himself in others' shoes that blends wisdom, justice, trust in God, and empathy. Read more here.
