By Veteran Middle East Missionary (via Baptist Trumpet)
Tell me, what would you do if 675 refugee families crashed the door of your church because they
were needy and hungry? I agree, it is a good problem, but it is a problem, none-the-less.
These families came from areas where you and I could never go. Then God, in His time and through sad circumstances, brings them to us. Can we sit idly by and not help them? This is not an easy question to answer when you do not have a continuous flow of support to help these families. And even if we did, is it our goal only to feed them?
I have always been a fan of the sovereignty of God. I like to be responsive to His moves, especially when they relate to the affairs of nations and men. I like to see every event as a platform for sharing the gospel. I like to be used of God to snatch people from the fire.
This pretty much tells you where we stand in relationship to the Syrian problem we are facing. Though I despise war, I can always see God’s hand as it allows me to share the gospel so that refugees who have seemingly lost everything can be saved for eternity.
This week, we made the decision to stop registering more families on the relief lists because we are running out of funds, space and personnel. Our team is visiting every family to map their needs and then decide what type of assistance would be best. The visit is always an opportunity to share Christ.
In the last week, we have had revival meetings at our refugee center east of Beirut and hundreds attended. Many stayed afterward to pray and seek the Lord.
Those of you who follow my Facebook page are staying up-to-date on what’s going on here. We have given out 250 blankets, and mattresses are on order. We have set aside $14,000 for mattresses and clothes.
When you look at the faces of these dear people and see the broken pride and the tears of loss and bewilderment, you wonder what tomorrow will hold for them. I saw one Muslim lady in one of the services who dealt with that question by singing, from the bottom of her heart, “I know who holds tomorrow.”
Another gentleman came to me, weeping, after hearing the message. “They killed my brother before my eyes,” he said. “Can I take revenge?” Then he broke down because he knew he had to wait on the Lord, forgive and be a peacemaker. He also realized that this can only happen if his own sins are forgiven and Christ is the Lord of his life. With tears streaming down my face, I laid my hand on him and led him in prayer.
These stories are only a sampling of what we encounter every day here.
In America, we are so far removed from the sights and sounds of war. But here we see families that are torn apart, children are killed and mothers raped. And, in many cases, it falls on the shoulders of missionaries on the field to care for them, pray with them and for them and show them the way to Jesus.
“Joujou,” who is in her thirties, is the leader in one of our Bible study groups. She has always been wheelchair bound and had been limited in what she could do here. But she loves the Lord and His Word, and now, for the first time in her life, she is able to share her faith with others and help them study the Word.
We are up to three Bible study groups, with an average attendance of 15 in each one. With the way things are going, next time you read an update there will be more.
Our refugees are learning English, and we are up to two classes. Would you like to teach? Would you like to share the gospel in English, then give them homework to memorize John 3:16 in English and explain it? Doors are open, would you join our team?
I am ecstatic that churches of the BMAA have taken interest in what is going on here. Now is the time to show the love of Christ in action. Not only do we need funds, we need people who are willing to serve among the refugees and share Christ with them.
Let me close with two urgent needs.
Prayer — There is resistance and opposition that we cannot talk about openly in this context. Prayer can break down the barriers.
Funds — We need plenty! In the past, our churches have responded with generosity, and I am grateful. Would you do that this time also? I would like to raise $100,000 for this project. I know we can do it. If 100 people or churches each gave a $1,000, we could raise that amount in one day. I believe God and I have confidence in His people.
Thank you for trusting me to be your missionary in this part of the world. It is probably the toughest, and most dangerous, field on our missionary map. Your ongoing prayers and continued support have produced fruit for eternity. Please help me continue the work.
Please send all gifts clearly designated for Syrian Refugee project to:
BMAA Missions Department
P.O. Box 30910
Little Rock, AR 72260.
