Syrian Refugees

The aim of our refugee camp ministry is to provide basic education in Arabic literacy, mathematics, and Bible to refugee children living in the camps. We teach Arabic literacy, women’s health and childcare, and Bible in the women’s program. Without these basic skills they will be trapped in poverty even after the war ends. We believe that God will glorify his son Jesus Christ through this work, which is always our first and ultimate goal.

Deir Qanoun -This program was started in September 2017 at a nearby location. Our ministry workers have spent years in the area, and established good relations prior to starting the school project. Attendance is consistent, with 25 youth attending regularly. Our women’s ministry there has recently been rejuvenated and about 20 women attend.

Al-Basil camp -This program started in December 2017, but workers were evicted from the camp three times during the first month. In February 2018, a refugee tent was purchased by Words of Isa ministry to give the school program a secure place in the camp. Tyre Presbyterian Church workers had been in the camp working in previous years sporadically, and had limited relationships in the camp. Residents have been suspicious of the program, especially any part related to Bible or ethics. Some parents discourage their children from attending. Attendance is volatile. About thirty children are registered, but daily attendance may swing from only a few to twenty or more. The women are more consistent in attendance, with 15-18 normally present at each meeting.

An extension of our women’s health and child care ministry is providing aid to expectant mothers. Hospitals in Lebanon will not admit mothers for birth unless a deposit is paid, and will hold the baby after releasing the mother until the full bill is paid. The mothers are sent home without their baby, going door to door to beg for money to buy their release. We help mothers in our program with this so that they can be admitted and be discharged without worrying whether they can take their baby home with them. Each baby that we free from a hospital and return to their family is a story of redemption. We love redemption.