Global village

Christians help in Lebanon

Many people in Lebanon are living in nearly hopeless conditions as a result of the worst economic situation since the civil war of 1975–1990, compounded by the Covid pandemic and Beirut’s Aug. 4 explosion. The blast left 190 persons dead, injured thousands and rendered 300,000 people homeless.

The economic collapse has led many people to look for ways to leave their country. On Sept. 7 four boats carrying Lebanese refugees arrived illegally in Cyprus.

Christians in Beirut are taking action. Heart for Lebanon, a discipleship ministry, sent 60 staff members to clean up damaged streets, homes and churches. Arab Baptist Theological Seminary opened its dormitories, emptied by the Covid crisis, to people needing a home.

The many humanitarian crises the country has experienced has led many Lebanese churches to establish relief programs as part of their evangelistic work. These efforts have had an impact far greater than the Christian 1 per cent of the population would suggest.

Although in need of international help, the Lebanese Church is committed to providing hope. “Not the hope of a better government, or a better life socially or economically, but a hope that is bullet- and blastproof, a hope that is everlasting,” said Wissam Nasrallah of the Lebanese Baptist

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Refugees need compassion: European churches

In response to the dire situation of refugees across Europe, a coalition of Christian organizations is calling on the European Union to “reject the discourse and politics of fear and deterrence, and to adopt a principled stance and compassionate practice based on the fundamental values on which the EU is founded.”

The call is signed by Reformed, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist and evangelical associations across the continent.

“In the face of refugees, we see the image of God,” says Martina Wasserloos of the World Communion of Reformed Churches. “As churches we offer help to overcome this crisis in manifold ways, but we expect as well benevolent and humanitarian solutions from those who have to take political decisions.”

A fire in Greece’s Moria refugee camp that left 13,000 refugees without shelter prompted the call. Rudelmar Bueno de Faria of ACT Alliance said Moria was “a poignant reminder of the entirely predictable and avoidable consequences of an EU asylum and migration policy that puts the integrity of borders over that of human lives, and favours populism over dignity and humanity. We expect better from Europe and its leaders. It’s time to change course.”

Stephen Brown of the World Association for Christian Communication added a reminder that media professionals “ensure balanced coverage of migrants and refugees, avoiding stereotypical portrayals and oversimplification.”

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Corruption is “an expression of profound injustice” and “matters to God immensely.” With the pandemic “pouring gasoline on the fires of corruption,” churches are called to be agents of social and cultural change to fight the “cancer” of corruption. –Roberto Laver, president of FIDES

SOURCE: WWW.WORLDEA.ORG

“Asanteni kwa ajili ya kujibu maombi yetu” is Swahili for “Thank you for answering our prayers.” In Uganda those are the words in the hearts of Rosa and Mr. Omedi as they receive bags of beans and maize. Canadian supporters of Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. (www.Crossroads.ca) and its program 100 Huntley Street have supported the distribution of more than 11,000 kg of food to 250 families in Uganda since the Covid-19 pandemic began there, and 5,800 people have access to clean water through the refurbishing of eight wells.