Latest from Lebanon

Since our summer in the United States, I have spent almost as much time in Lebanon as I have in Egypt.  While Keli and the kids were beginning a new school year, I went back and forth to Lebanon twice; first to participate in the annual Ana Terzo young adult camp, and then again last week for the annual Heart for Lebanon fall staff retreat.  So, this is a good time to update you on what we're seeing experienced from the Christian community in Lebanon these days.

Ana Terzo 8
This was my third experience with the annual Ana Terzo camp ("I am third"), and my first where I

Most of the Terzo camp!

was not a speaker, but just a friend to these young adults.  This was the largest and most diverse in age; there was the younger spectrum of older teens, and there was the older spectrum of young marrieds who had their first child.  There were actually three babies at the camp next year.  With two engaged couples also in attendance, I told lay leader Shukri that this may quickly become a young family camp!  The speaker was Pastor Chadi from Jordan, coming from a Nazarene church.  Pastor Chadi delivered challenging messages encouraging the Terzos to take a greater grip on their faith in Jesus and His Word.

Three Worlds will be helping one of these young leaders make his way to attend the camp of the Paris Church of God.  This will be a wonderful bridge-building opportunity as we continue to seek connections among the Church throughout the Europe and Middle East region.


Church of God in Lebanon

Pastor Bassem Melki translates for
Bob Moss, CAO ChoG Ministries

While in Lebanon, I wanted to take time to visit Church of God pastors and congregations.  I had the opportunity to worship with both the Achrafieh congregations in Beirut--Mar Mitr and Sioufi.  After worshipping with Mar Mitr, I was invited to dinner with Pastor Joy Mallouh and his family in their home.  We were able to not only have a good visit, but we were also able to talk and pray together about a coming partnership between the Lebanon ChoG and Three Worlds to better disciple older teens in Lebanon.

Last Sunday, fellow H4L Board Member and Church of God Ministries CAO Bob Moss was invited to share the Word at Sioufi Church of God.  It was a wonderful morning greeting several of the church members.  I also was able to meet with a couple of young adults after worship for lunch; during that time, we discussed the ways they could help us in the proposed teen discipleship plan by participating as good examples and encouragement to the younger participants.


Nearby Crisis
The Syrian conflict continues to rage to the north of Lebanon, occasionally spilling over into the border communities.  The Iraqi crisis brought about by the development of ISIS radicals taking over a larger territory in Syria in Iraq not only led to an increase in Iraqi refugees into Lebanon, but also ISIS insurgents failing in their attempt to take over part of Lebanon's Bekaa valley at the beginning of August.  ISIS has also executed two Lebanese soldiers just as they did the American journalists.  And, there is also the Israel-Gaza clash to the south of Lebanon, that occasionally has Hezbollah factions in southern Lebanon contributing to the violent skirmishes.  That's three major world events pressing in on this tiny country--and not only is Lebanon absorbing refugees from these events, they are also absorbing the emotional and psychological strain, too.

In speaking with a leader of a Christian ministry not in either Church of God or H4L, he said that the "fear" and "dread" among the Christian community in Lebanon is the worst he had seen in his many years serving the country.  He sees it among the various denominations his organization serves.  He noted the panic that cries out for help, but in their panic, they lack a plan--and while many may give to such a cry for help, how and for what those funds will be distributed and used remains a mystery.


Heart for Lebanon

H4L continues to grow and exceed their dreams almost quarterly; new staff, increases in non-USA financial support, and new vision are only part of the story.  H4L is one of those Christian communities that not only has a plan, they continue to plan greater and broader ministries of service to reach or partner to reach more and more families.  As I and other American pastors/leaders gathered last week for the annual H4L staff retreat, we observed their smiles, their joy, their positive interaction, and their sincere prayers of faith.  At one point, I asked one of the other leaders, "Do you sense any 'doom or gloom' among these believers?"  To which he responded with an incredulous, "No, not at all!"

It wasn't that the H4L staff were unaware of the nearby crisis, or the car bombs, or the retaliatory strikes, or the possibility of another ISIS invasion--they knew these things probably better than most because they are on the front line of service to the victims of these events.  The difference was the faith to personally respond courageously; not fear, requesting for external contributions.

It's a joy to partner alongside of Ana Terzo, Church of God, and Heart for Lebanon--for planning and praying for greater Kingdom effectiveness, even in the midst of trouble.

Thank you for your continued encouragement, prayers and support for us and the believers in the Middle East.  Now that I am back in Cairo, the family begins a very busy week: returning to regular weekly CCF Kids and CCF Worship this weekend, and meetings with Church of God pastors next week.  We hope to have an update on these and other Egyptian ministry activities soon.