Lebanon. Tall, concrete buildings. Endless hills and stairways, steep drop offs and shortcuts. The winding roads and so many little storefronts, seemingly all selling the same products, all at “the best price!” The colorful graffiti, lining the streets, alleyways and pretty much every other surface you’ll find. Traversing the chaotic roads, dodging motos and ignoring the honking of persistent taxi drivers. Holding your breath at the close calls, as you can see every near-collision riding in the back of a bus. Admiring ruins of places whose walls have been standing thousands of years longer than you’ve been on the planet. Climbing the remaining dusty bricks, stones and rocks in order to gaze out on the same sea that the occupants of this structure would have, centuries ago. While the buildings are ancient, the mountains, the truly ancient occupants of Lebanon, seem timeless. Driving up to newly snow-capped peaks make me wonder how many times they’ve struck awe into people throughout history, just like myself. Admiring the Cedars of Lebanon, the stuff of legend and history, the very trees from which Solomon built the temple of God was an experience and a feeling I will not soon forget. There is a constant sense of reality and history as we walk around this area of the world. Things that seemed so far off in miles and years are now under our feet and fingertips.
This place is not simple to understand. While stunningly beautiful in its geography, diversity of art, architecture, language, and culture– the years of conflict and struggle are evident in the bullet-hole ridden walls of abandoned buildings and in the worry-worn wrinkles of those who have lived in the midst of it. But the complexity of this place also provides a unique perspective and experience. Walking through the streets of Beirut, you are likely to meet local Lebanese, Syrians, Armenians, Kurdish, Palestinians, and travelers from all over the world. Learning about these people and their cultures was the most amazing part of my experience in this country. One in every three people you meet in Lebanon is a refugee. The reality of this was sobering and made the reason we were there all the more urgent: Hope.
During our time in Lebanon, we partnered with an organization called Horizons International. Through this organization and it’s amazing leaders, we received incredible training and intentional personal and spiritual development. We took Arabic language classes, visited many local churches, helped out with children’s programs, assisted in schools, and had the honor of visiting the tents of multiple families in a Syrian refugee camp. We heard story after story detailing tragedies and miracles I will never be able to understand fully. We witnessed living conditions that would break any heart. We were aware of terrible, chilling realities that were right under our noses, but were hidden from our eyes.
I have never felt the concept of “paradox” so tangibly. Simultaneously feeling like I had absolutely nothing and everything to offer all at once! Yes, we can offer gifts and meet tangible needs- and I was so grateful to be working with an organization that does this with so much intentionality. But that isn’t enough. If you walked into these tent cities with food, water and clothing for everyone, you would still feel something lacking. There is so much more than the physical. People need hope– and not a fleeting hope, in their government, country, military, or even their families, educations, businesses or social status. God’s truth withstands any circumstances. It was an honor to be able to share this with these beautiful humans and watch how they were filled with awe, wonder and peace at the truth of God’s word, in many cases, heard for the first time as they exclaimed “I’ve never heard anything like this before!”. We were able to see people’s eyes widen with amazement as God healed them of physical pain. We were able to explain about the incomprehensible peace of God when they said “There is something different about you. I feel so much peace around you.”
It is not unusual for people to say that we are different, because it’s not unusual for people to be ignored, despised, devalued, and abused. So when they are treated with regard, told that they are worthy of the greatest love, and shown love, no matter their social cast, religion, or political affiliation… they see, feel, and know there is something different.
I have received plenty of “funny” looks when I tell people that the work that we are doing is not primarily “humanitarian” in the sense that we are building homes, giving out supplies and “teaching a man how to fish” if you will. These things are crucial and have their place, and we do get to engage with communities in these ways! But this is not our primary goal. The reason we share the gospel is so that people can be introduced to the God who holds all meaning, all purpose, all hope and all life. The Redeemer– of life, culture, and hearts.
My heart breaks, knowing that the circumstances of so many of the people we have met here and elsewhere will not change, or for some, even improve. The reality is that some will be able to return home and rebuild their lives. Some will remain displaced. Some children will be able to go to school, and some will not. Some will be safe, and others will not. Yes, you are responsible to do something about this. Yes, you are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Yes, he is actually the only sustainable hope for every person. But how are people going to know, if you don’t tell them? This is why we go. This is why we try to stumble through Arabic. This is why we travel. This is why we meet incredible people and learn from them all we can. This is why we invite you into the process and into the journey too.
“Living within you in the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it!” Colossians 1:27
For more about our time in Lebanon, keep an eye out for upcoming blogs from me- and in the meantime, check out some of my team’s blogs from Lebanon!
“If I Could Stick You In My Backpack” https://landrypetersen.theworldrace.org/post/if-i-could-stick-you-in-my-backpack
“Healing In The Median” https://kelseyweener.theworldrace.org/post/healing-in-the-median
“Nov 12, 2018” https://kelseyweener.theworldrace.org/post/nov-12-2018
“Life in Lebanon”https://joelleurquhart.theworldrace.org/post/life-in-lebanon
