Stunningly sobering day today, my first experience of visiting with people fresh out of a war-zone, refugees from Syria who have found sanctuary in unofficial camps in the Bekaa Valley, in the Lebanon.
A seven year old boy, a beautiful child, with a hand blown off and toes destroyed. He kisses my cheeks, with the respect due to an elder. Mothers without husbands. Men my age with sons who have been killed. Showing hospitality and bringing me tea and coffe in their tents, reinforced with hardboard. Humanly speaking, no future to live for.
This is an environment in which many are turning to Christ, because they have no other hope. Wounded, broken and hurt. And church is growing because Christians are taking seriously the challenge of sharing the Gospel; but also demonstrating integrity as disciples, through caring for the homeless, the poor and the disadvantaged. Let'sboth pray for the work here and also learn from it.
