Thursday, July 20, 2006

WHAT ABOUT THE CHRISTIANS IN LEBANON?

By Ron Brackin

Special Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

AMMAN, JORDAN (ANS) -- “Christian” is not just a political party in Lebanon. Many true evangelical believers live in that war-torn nation, and they are not all in the “safe” areas, away from the rockets, bombs and troops.

Many Christians are among the hundreds of thousands of Lebanese already displaced by the escalating conflict. They have taken refuge in open parks and playgrounds. Others have fled into Syria and Jordan.

For more than three decades, Jordan-based Manara Ministries (“Manara” is the Arabic word for “lighthouse”) has demonstrated the love of Christ to the needy throughout the Middle East through relief aid, Bible and literature distribution and youth camps.

Now, Manara is launching relief efforts in the latest war zone.

“The relief was originally intended to aid Iraqi refugees living in Syria,” said a Manara spokesman, “but now it can also include Lebanese refugees, if additional funds become available. The main target for this project will be to aid ‘those of the household of faith.’”

He explained that food, medicine and other relief items will be given to the local churches to distribute to those in the greatest need. But the conflict in Lebanon erupted suddenly, and Manara does not have enough resources to meet the rapidly-growing needs.

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If you would like to help Christian victims of the war in Lebanon, you can send your tax-deductible gifts to Manara Ministries via Hope Builders International, PO Box 55, Greenwood, VA 22906.