The last couple months in the region have been unpredictable to say the least. The conflict seemed to be almost at an end with a ceasefire in Lebanon a couple months ago. However, it quickly became evident that the fighting on the border regions was not going to stop. Drone strikes on vehicles and even larger building airstrikes in Beirut continued on like before as well.
This meant the mountains once again became filled with those fleeing the advancing ground forces in the south, and the local church resumed their meals for hundreds of war displaced around early May, continuing on serving meals up to this week.
With the newest ceasefire between the USA and Iran announced this week, it seems the situation in Lebanon is not going to immediately change for the displaced families helped with food and other needs by the local mountain church. Fighting in the south continues on as before, and the situation is not resolved yet, though the intensity of strikes has lessened at times.
Some of these families returned to their home areas earlier this week after the ceasefire was announced on international news. They returned in tears after seeing the heavy destruction in their areas from the war. Some could not even locate their homes. For various reasons, this phase of the war has seen much heavier destruction in some villages and districts than in 2024. Others are reported to have tried to return and found roads in the south still blocked by tanks and keeps due to ongoing fighting. Thus, almost all of the families helped in recent months remain in the mountains, unable to return and still in need as before.
Continuing Meals For The Displaced During The “Ceasefire” Period
We continue to provide support for the ladies there as they decide to press on with cooking meals for those in need. As of last week they were cooking for upwards of 400-500 people at times even during the “ceasefire” period. After a brief break as we assess the changing situation this week, they currently plan to continue an every other day schedule (minus Sundays) to be able to rest in between and manage the meal ministry for a potentially longer term than before. They will likely continue helping around the same amount as before as long as families in need remain, as we assess the best way to transition to long term support of the displaced Lebanese in the community.
The meals continue to be hand cooked with love and care. Sometimes the displaced send messages of appreciation, and one recently thanked them for providing food that was actually good to eat, as often such help can be institutionalized and the food bland or made hastily and poorly.
Until there is some kind of broader resolution to the situation in Lebanon or peace agreement, it is expected that the fighting will continue on. The local Lebanese who fled their villages and districts will remain displaced for now. The needs will continue on as before, as well as the opportunities that God gives to serve. The meals to this needy group continue to be appreciated by them and a testimony of Christ’s love to the community. The local mayors office has been directing the displaced people to the local church to find help, as they are one of the few groups still able to assist the needy during this period.
Those involved in the kitchen and delivering the meals continue to report open doors from some of the people being helped. Please keep these things in prayer, that God would use all of these efforts for His glory and for the good of those being helped.
Please Pray For Other Efforts Helping Those In Need
While the food ministry to the war displaced has been a prominent feature these past months of the compassion ministry to the needy in the mountains, the other ways the team and local church help the refugees and impoverished locals continue on unabated as well.
As the Lord has given further opportunities to help families in need, word continues to spread, and new people come seeking help for medical and other material needs. Some recent things to pray for:
- In the medical ministry, they’ve had to help in recent months with a heart attack, a stroke, ortho surgeries due to injuries, chemotherapy for the women we are still helping to fight cancer, and other urgent medical conditions that people have been unable to afford to treat themselves. There have also been the usual hundreds of others needing chronic or emergency medications, diagnostic lab work and consults with specialists. The medical team remains very busy as they also add requests from the war displaced to their priorities for help.
- The farm ministry has completed summer plantings and are working toward a soon harvest of tomatoes, corn, beans, cucumbers and peppers. They’ve begun planning on how to distribute this harvest amongst the war displaced, along with the previous (and still existing) group of Syrian refugees benefiting from this ministry.
- The bakery ministry has increased their distribution to include the local war displaced now throughout the week. They’re still producing thousands of pieces of bread a week to distribute to the existing group of refugees helped before, and now the newer group of war displaced in the community. This has continued to be a help to those in need and a good witness to them.
Thank You For Your Prayers And Support!
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