Facing War’s Impact, Adventists Mobilize to Assist Others in Lebanon

Church ministries are reaching out to give hope to the displaced and hurting.

Oct0ber 10, 2024 | Lebanon | Middle East and North Africa Union Mission and Adventist Review

In the face of the impact of war in Lebanon, Seventh-day Adventists in the church’s Middle East and North Africa Union Mission (MENAUM) are mobilizing to assist thousands of displaced people. Various ministries of the church are answering the call to give hope to others, regional church leaders reported.

“Lebanon is in crisis. The darkness in the country is real. The challenges now haven’t been seen since 2006,” MENAUM president Rick McEdward said. “Right now, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, along with other NGOs and denominations, are called to be light in the darkness. We are offering people, regardless of religious or political affiliation, a ray of God’s love. They need to see the real God, which is a God of love. Sharing hope and love is the motivation of our teams who are doing so much right now.”

One Care Pack at a Time

Every day, as the sun rises, a dedicated group gathers in the Middle East University (MEU) auditorium in Beirut, their voices uniting in fervent prayer, both for peace in Lebanon and that they can be the hands and feet of Jesus. This act of faith sets the tone for their mission of mercy. After a season of prayer, the cafeteria becomes a buzz of activity, where the group works as a team to prepare more than 100 sandwiches for families uncertain about their next meal.

“Instead of sitting at home, feeling helpless in the face of this crisis, the Holy Spirit inspired us to share essential items and food with those in need,” a young student, her eyes glistening, shared. “Preparing a sandwich might seem simple, but knowing it will bring a moment of joy to someone who has lost so much makes me want to make countless more. It’s a small act, but it’s filled with love.”

Andy Espinoza, leader of the University Church of Seventh-day Adventists at MEU, affirms their commitment. “Our mission is to pray and work. By God’s grace, we’ll continue as long as the need persists, and as long as the Lord provides the means.”

This dedicated team’s efforts extend beyond meals, leaders reported. They collect donations to purchase essential supplies like powdered milk, water, baby wipes, diapers, and sanitary napkins — items that become precious commodities in times of displacement. Students, parents, teachers, and community members work side by side, their hands busy, their hearts united. They know that these care packages will not only bring physical relief but also a touch of comfort to those who have had their lives upended. Once the packages are ready, a small, brave team navigates the streets of Beirut to deliver food and supplies to those forced to call the sidewalks their temporary home.

Compassion and Love, Just Like Jesus

Each morning, as dawn breaks over a tense Beirut, staff, volunteers, and students from the Adventist Learning Center (ALC) embark on an adventure. They have no way of knowing what this day will bring, but what they do know is that Jesus will be with them, giving them the grace they need to be lights shining in a dark place.

Several cars are dispatched to drive through the city’s streets to deliver the 300 meals prepared each day by the dedicated kitchen team, and also to bring women and children in need back to the center, where their most basic needs are met. When these displaced individuals cross the threshold of the center, they discover more than just shelter for a few hours — they find a haven of hope.

At the ALC, amid the chaos of people’s upended lives, those in greatest need enjoy the simple dignity of a shower, the comfort of clean clothes, the nourishment of warm meals, and the reassurance of basic medical care. These are the blessings that many never expected to find after fleeing their homes and leaving behind everything they’d ever known.

One volunteer shared a story that encapsulates the very heart of their work. A four-year-old girl arrived with her parents, her small frame trembling with fear, her skin marred by illness and caked with dirt. This child suffers from a skin condition caused by liver problems, and in their hasty escape, the family forgot her vital medication. “By God’s grace,” the volunteer shared, “we were able to obtain the cream she needed.” Her eyes misted over. “It felt like a small miracle in so much hardship.”

After the girl had a shower, a nourishing meal, and treatment, the transformation was absolutely remarkable. “The little girl who arrived frightened and withdrawn left us with eyes full of light, her smile brighter than the morning sun,” the volunteer shared, her own face lighting up. “In that moment, we saw hope reborn.”

The team at ALC is united in their commitment, leaders said. “We want to meet the basic needs of the displaced with compassion, striving to reflect God’s love through every act of service.”

A Refuge in the Heart of Beirut

In the bustling heart of Beirut, the Adventist School in Mouseitbeh (ASM) has also transformed into a sanctuary of blessing for more 300 displaced individuals fleeing the ruins of conflict. Families who’ve lost everything — homes, possessions, and in some heartbreaking cases, loved ones — find refuge within the school’s walls, its classrooms now serving as temporary shelters from the storm raging outside.

Attending to 300 people who have had their lives shattered, in a place where the infrastructure isn’t designed to handle so many people around the clock, is a monumental challenge. The school’s plumbing, electrical systems, and living spaces are being stretched to the limit. Yet, the Task Force — a dedicated ASM group formed to address the crisis and care for those in need — tackles these challenges with remarkable grace and efficiency as the impossible appears manageable through their tireless efforts and innovative problem solving.

“This is how we live our faith,” ASM principal Elias Choufani said. “Through action, through opening our doors when others might close theirs, we demonstrate our identity as Christians and as humans. It’s not just about providing shelter; it’s about preserving dignity and kindling hope in the darkest of times.”

Providing Immediate Relief

The past year has brought a wave of challenges for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) workers in Lebanon. Since the first day of conflict, they’ve been on the frontlines, their hearts and hands extended to those whose lives have been upended, agency leaders reported. More than simply distributing food vouchers or providing cleaning supplies and kitchen utensils, they have continued to offer hope to those who have lost everything.

ADRA Lebanon project coordinator Jessy Challita leads a team that works around the clock, providing immediate relief to those caught in the crossfire of conflict. Their purpose goes beyond mere survival; they strive to restore dignity by assessing shelters, providing warm meals, and ensuring access to soap and water — small comforts that mean the world to those displaced.

“These are our people,” Challita said. “They had homes, jobs, and income. Now, they’re facing a completely new and frightening reality. They’ve lost everything.”

In close coordination with government entities, ADRA Lebanon has become a lifeline for 11 shelters in several locations across the country. Numbers speak volumes: 1,550 individuals have been fed, and 4,760 warm meals have been served.

The toll on the ADRA team is visible. “We’ve barely slept these past weeks,” Challita said. “We’re constantly checking to make sure our own families and friends are safe.”

Willing Hands that Bring Comfort

In northern Lebanon, the Seventh-Day Adventist School and Church in the mountainous community of Bechmizzine has been a haven for more than 130 people seeking refuge. From bedding to food and water, even basic necessities are scarce. Despite the challenges, church members are doing all they can to be beacons of hope to families in need.

With the high altitude and winter approaching, nights are unbearably cold. The lack of proper bedding and a roof for everyone adds to the discomfort and the ever-present danger of sickness. Working tirelessly to provide at least the basics, Bechmizzine members are using their savings, calling for aid, and raising awareness within the community, leaders reported.

“As Adventists, we are seeking a better place, not built by human hands, but we also believe in making this world better or more tolerable while in it,” McEdward said. “We are here to point others to a better day when all will be smiles, but in practical ways until Jesus comes. I have no doubt that many will see a new picture of God through the loving service of our members.”