A personal encounter with refugees in Lebanon
John McGrath, a 20 year old law student from Christ Church, Kilkeel, shares his experiences of a recent trip to Lebanon and his encounters with refugees from Syria.
In late May 2015, I travelled with a group of 8, which included YWAM staff from An Cuan, Rostrevor, to Damour, Lebanon (25 minutes south of Beirut) where I had the chance to meet some of the many Syrian refugees who have settled in the area.
My hosts were Ramy and Roulah Taleb (right). Ramy is Lebanese and had previously worked with YWAM Belfast for 5 years. He is one of the most gracious, gentle and godly men I have ever met, with a real passion for forgiveness and reconciliation between communities, particularly in the Middle East. Ramy’s wonderful wife Roulah, is the headmistress of a school in Damour that specifically caters for the many Syrian refugees in the area.
Many of these children have been emotionally and physically hurt by the war that drove them from their homes in Syria into Lebanon. I spoke with children whose fathers, mothers, brothers and friends have been tortured or killed by government or militia forces in Syria. The teachers within the school are a mix of Lebanese/Syrian and some Americans and Europeans. Patient and graceful, they love without limit, give without question and fight for the safety and well–being of these wonderful kids.
In addition, I was privileged to join some YWAM staff in visiting many Syrian homes. Most of the Syrian people in the Damour area have built small dwellings on the vast banana plantations on the coast. The government gives them amnesty to stay there as long as they work on the plantation. Many of the homes are very basic and the people lack essential provisions. We were blessed to be able to distribute food, clothing and aid to many of these wonderful people. It was very moving to sit with them and just listen to them talk about the homeland they miss and ache to return to. Many have hope, however, many still need the hope that only Christ can give.
The highlight of my trip was the football ministry with many of the young Syrian guys. We (an international team!) played two matches against a select Syrian team. We won the first game which was a first in the history of the ministry (I scored a simply sublime free–kick). However in the next game, I dislocated my elbow (and was rushed to hospital) and we lost 7–1.
It was absolutely remarkable to see the joy that the football brought to the young guys. Many of them, if they were still in Syria, would have been forced to join the government forces which means death. So to see them run and shout, full of life was amazing! We were able to present the gospel with words to them, but honestly, the gospel was shown most effectively by standing alongside my Syrian brothers and kicking a ball with them.
My time in the Middle east showed me that though we may speak in different tongues, have different cultures and circumstances (some more horrific than others), the human soul will always respond to the true love of Christ. I believe that in Christ lies the hope of the nations. He is the common ground between Arab and Non–Arab, Muslim and Christian; and in his name, we can hope for a better future in which mercy reigns.
John McGrath