Stories

From the eyes of a child…

The sound of excited chatting with the twinkling of the Christmas tree met me as I came in for the first day of camp. I saw my friend and so I rushed over to her to get my spot next to her. We were so excited for the Christmas camp to start!

We all started downstairs to go over rules and a talk about Jesus. Then we got to go to our first class I got to go to cooking where we got to use chocolate and cake and other things to create a Christmas treat! Then I went to dance and theater class where we practiced a play about the birth of Jesus. Then we had a class that helped us to memorize the story.

A cool thing happened too! When we were in dance class the teacher saw that one of my friends was really good. So, she got him a scholarship to a dance school for a whole year!

The last day we had a party at the end of the day and Santa came! As we left they gave us all a sheep that had stories and songs about Jesus recorded on it when you push it’s foot.

I was so happy! The camp was so much fun and I can’t wait until the next one. It was so much better than staying home and just sitting at home! I learned a lot about Jesus and the Christmas story that maybe next year I’ll be the one to tell it at home!

Stories

 

The smoky smell of burgers on the grill wafts through the door as tic-tic of knives on cutting boards, Christmas carols and chatter fill the background with sound.

 

 This isn’t the normal at the center, but today is a fun day.  We’ve set up a barbeque outside for the community to drop in. Decorated with balloons, you could walk through and see buns being cut and sauces being prepared.

 

Some are stopping in just for food and some coming to join the festivities. There is laughter and chatter, dancing all around as everyone enjoys the atmosphere of Christmas. With the questions about the future, the war, and troubles in the South of the country many are finding it a bit more difficult to get into the “Christmas Spirit”.

 

Our team goes between cooking, mingling, and serving food. It’s the first time we’ve had a party like this inviting the whole community. But there was one household that needed a delivery today. Eva and her sister were too old to come to the center for their burgers, so a couple of our team made a surprise visit. They don’t have electricity or generator. These two women never married and spent their life as tailors taking care of their mother.  They spend their evenings by candlelight chatting. Despite their circumstances they have a joy for life that we got to partake in that day.

 

We handed out almost 1,200 burgers and had many more conversations.

 

We want the community to know that we stand with them and that they have a place to come when they are overwhelmed or in need. Our goal is that our community center can really be a place of “community,” a place a rest and a place of peace. A place where those who come would know that when they leave, they feel like a weight has been lifted.  That those who come would know that there is something different about this place. That God is in this place.

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We had a story written by one of our staff summarizing the special christmas gift, but then this testimony came in and we felt like our beneficiaries’ words mean more than the story we can tell.  

December 13th, we received a message from a friend sent by one of our beneficiaries. The woman was telling our friend how Triumphant Mercy has stood by her side during hard times. 

She started the message thanking us for giving her kids school supplies like notebooks, pencils, calculators, even backpacks, in the beginning of the school year. 

Today, her husband passed by to pick up the food pack for Christmas. When he arrived home, he put the “Kishk” and “Kawarma” on the table. Both are traditional Lebanese foods.

“She asked him are you kidding? This is from Triumphant Mercy? Our son wanted Kawarma so bad and he has been begging for it for weeks. I honestly can’t afford it. My fridge is empty. I thank God for Triumphant Mercy, God be with you and encourage you to keep on going, God bless you abundantly,give you Grace, and keep your heart. While listening to God you know exactly what people need and you intervene to help. “

After listening to the lady’s voice message, we called her today to ask if we can visit her so we can hear more of her story, what she is facing and to see how we can help her further.  

The Lord knows best how to give His good gifts. He gave us the gift of His son and now we get to be the conduit for His giving now. We wish you a Merry Christmas full of joy in the gift that God has given us.

Stories

Marie hobbled in the door breathing heavily from the short walk, she was two hours early…

Medication has become so expensive, and the price continues to climb higher. Triumphant Mercy is helping to provide medication for over 200 people monthly. Many show up early for the distribution time since they have anxiety about getting their medication.  TM works to bring the most expensive of the medications for them. This is a huge burden lifted from the backs of those we help.

Many of the people we are helping are older individuals who can no longer work and who’s families are already struggling to make ends meet. With winter here the added expense of heating many are extra thankful for the relief that this program offers. They share with us their struggles and their thankfulness. Some even telling us that they feel like they don’t know what they would do if we were not able to help them.

 

Sometimes it’s not only about the medication, but these medications give us a chance to sit with people, to hear about their lives, their struggles and let them know that they are not alone. We are lifting heavy burdens from those who are feeling overwhelmed enabling them to see God working again in their lives.

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I stuff the rest of my breakfast in my mouth as I head toward the stairs, hearing my name being yelled for help from below. I weave my way past guys rearranging things and hear from behind me one of the staff tell a woman that we won’t begin until nine. She’s over half an hour early, and anxious to see the doctors since the price has increased so much to see one here.

 

From the moment we walked in the door today the set up began. We have the blessing of a team of seven doctors from the states who came to volunteer and so a last-minute clinic was set up for our beneficiaries. One of staff spent her Sunday evening sending out text messages to the neediest of those registered and they were already arriving by 8:15 am.

 

The rest of the day runs smoothly with only the occasional call for another translator.  People are continually filling the waiting area and making their way down to receive care. They move from the interview with our staff member who gets all the vital signs and information, then down to the consultation with the doctor. After the consultation they are offered prayer and then given medication and have a chance to see the physical therapist also. These doctors spent five days with us meeting over 400 patients between our centers in Beirut and in Zahle.

 

As people come back up the stairs, for many you can see the relief in their bodies and faces. Smiles where there were furrowed brows and shoulders more relaxed. They all say a thank you as they go out the door and some say this thank you with tears of relief filling their eyes.

 

And these moments are the reason we do it. To lift the burdens and be the healing hands to the hearts and bodies in the community.

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The cool air flows through the open door as Christmas music blasts out to the street. The crinkling of bags and candies being organized joins the twinkling of lights as they are tested before they go onto the tree. It’s a sensory overload. The preparations have started for Christmas.

 

400 bags are being loaded with candies and sweets for the children of each family. These bags will be added to our Christmas packages. 400 families will come and receive the packages a couple days before Christmas. These packages will have enough for the Christmas dinner for 10 people and include the most expensive parts of the meal like chicken.

 

Our team started the preparations last week and will continue through this week and next. Christmas is always a lot of work but the joy and relief on people’s faces as they receive the boxes, makes up for all the work. These families no longer need to ask how they will afford the Christmas meal. It’s a weight that has been lifted.

 

Each year we look forward to this time to give these gifts as we celebrate our greatest gift.

 

The gift that changed our lives, the world and why we do what we do. Christ.

Stories

 

We asked a few of our students to share about how TM has changed their lives. This is a story from one of our teenage girls Georgia who is 14 years old.

 

“Hello I am Georgia H and this is my small story.

In 2021 I was a teenager who didn’t care about nobody’s feelings. I used to say lots of hurtful words to people that I needed most. I didn’t pray nor care about God or His path I only cared about going out with my friends and having fun. When school started, I was a very noisy girl who annoyed all her teachers but still didn’t care. I almost got expelled from school and still did not care, until I joined my happy place TM Lebanon. Everything changed in a good way.

 I joined in July 11^th 2022 they taught me how to respect others and control my anger. And most importantly they taught me what God really is and what he can do and they never made me feel bad about myself. There’s always positive energy.

2022 is coming to an end as a person I have really changed thanks to TM Lebanon. I’m doing great in all my classes and I know how to respect others and control what I say. Remember if you put all you can do it.

 Thanks God.”

We at TM are so proud of Georgia and the progress and growth she has had during her time with us. We look forward to what she is dreaming for her future. 

Stories

The school year here at the Triumphant Mercy Zahle Community Center has gotten off to a fantastic start! There have been a lot of new and exciting changes that have come with the start of a new school year. During the summer break, we had to say goodbye to our founder and fearless leader of the past 10 years??, Ansa Christine. This was a shock to many as she decided to step down and pursue new endeavors. It was difficult to see her go as Ansa Christine had built the school from the ground up and has been with us through every change, challenge, and success. We owe so much to her years of service to the school. Despite the sad goodbye, the teachers were also excited and willing to embrace new leadership and move forward with the school. 

Smiles, laughter, and genuine excitement have echoed through the school these first few weeks. The teachers and students alike have all expressed how much they like the new look of the school. We gave the school a fresh coat of paint as well as cleaned and organized a lot!!!  At the start of the year, there has been a great sense of teamwork and open minds as we implemented new procedures in the school. It’s been amazing to see how willing and ready everyone was for these changes. As I walk through the school, I am always made aware of how much love and appreciation there is for the school. The excitement, anticipation, and joy we see on the students’ and teachers’ faces every day is contagious. They are so grateful to be in school and learning. Every day we have had to turn away parents who are trying to register their children. It’s so exciting to be a part of a community that is making a difference in so many families’ lives. We are all looking ahead toward a great school year filled with fun and learning!

-Bethany 

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One in the middle of the statue, another in a flower bed, another on the very tip of a tree branch and the clues were hidden. Over 100 questions are now scattered across the park awaiting the excited children. Our last day of camp was a treasure hunt. A couple of us staff had snuck out the door early to hide the clues ahead of the children.  

A few minutes later the bus is unloaded, and the teams are ready to go. The next couple hours were filled with running, racing and laughter as each team raced to finish the questions to reach the final question. After about 45 minutes there were cheers of success, and we had a winner and the day finished with happiness from the kids and a sense of satisfaction from the staff.

For the last five weeks there has been around 70 children coming every morning for games, stories, art, theater, and personal development and more classes. This camp was not only about having fun. They were meant to take something with them greater than just a toy or having fun.  They were meant to take a deeper understanding of themselves, God and life lessons with them that would serve them for more than just the summer but for their lives.

 

Below are some quotes from the kids about the camp:

 

To the question, “What did you learn?”

“Arts, teamwork and Patience” ~Aya age 6

“More about God and how I can forgive” ~Elio age 7

“Respecting the time, discipline and respecting the other person while they are talking” ~Emilio age 9

“I learned to think about my actions” ~Houssam age 9

“To respect and self- control” ~Georgia age 14

“Cooperating with friends and meeting new friends and how to collaborate” ~ Rime age 14

“Invention, acting and life lessons” ~ Dimitry age 12

We saw so much growth from so many kids. I think it’s fair to say mission accomplished. Small things they take away like this help these young people grow into better people and investing in the younger generation is investing in the future of Lebanon.

Stories

 

On May 27th, the grade 9 students were ready for their journey. They packed their bags and waited hours on the border between Lebanon and Syria. They were excited, and nervous as well. Their exams were starting the next day. Students were preparing for this day the whole year. Their parents as well. The last meeting with the parents showed how much they trust the school, teachers, and directors. They had confidence in us with the safety of their kids, especially the girls. The year has been a long journey for students, but by their perseverance, they were able to pursue their goals. Before leaving for Syria, students hugged their teachers and assured them they were ready for their exams, and that going will change their lives. They were an example to other classes, an encouragement for them to persevere in their focus on their goals.

Students from other classes were supporting their grade 9 friends, telling them they couldn’t wait to reach grade 9 to get a degree. Kids now talk about having a goal. Despite difficult life conditions, and a tough studying atmosphere, they are intent on getting an official degree from Syria and experiencing this journey. They are also working on additional skills through extracurricular activities such as sports, sewing, carpentry, computer, and painting, among others. These kids are working very hard to stay in school. They are afraid of being forced, by their family, to work and lose their opportunity.

One of the grade 6 students, Hatem (16 years old) had to fight for his education during this year. His parents wanted him to quit school to work and support his family. For a few weeks, he went to work. But he came back and caught up with everyone. As his teacher, I must say that his dedication and performance were great. His yearning for learning was obvious. At the beginning of the year, he didn’t participate with his friends but now he is the first to raise his hand to answer. Hatem and all the students at Beqaa Center are preparing for their final exams and looking forward for the upcoming years of education.

–Written by Pamela teacher at the School

Stories

The following is a letter from one of the ladies who has participated in our programs. She wanted to express her thanks and love and how Triumphant Mercy has blessed her.

 

*note that the following was translated from Arabic*

 

This special hour that I spend with the loved ones who are devoted to our Beloved Redeemer Jesus Christ.

 

I want to thank first the leader of this center, the servant of God, Mrs. Nouna, and her family, for establishing this social center.

 

Yes, it is the Triumphant Mercy Center whose first and last goal is human dignity and development for a better to be person, and this is what we need now in Lebanon. Triumphant Mercy Center played a big role in my life, my personality, my self-development and my self-confidence, which prompted me more and more to visit the center with strong eagerness and without hesitation. I miss them all, they are my second family. They are my psychological and spiritual comfort, and this is what I have longed for.

 

Allow me, even briefly, to go back to that special moment and describe to you how I reached Triumphant Mercy for the first time.

 

I received a call from the center for food pack distribution. Maral received me with a face full of mercy, love, and a gentle smile. The day I stepped into the center, I started to feel a change. Maral played a major role, psychologically and spiritually through the experiences that ravaged my life. I was telling her everything; I don’t know how and why I opened up to her. She used to hold me tight and pray with me. Her prayers were quickly answered. I encountered Jesus in lovely way and that made me, day after day, more and more confident in Him.

Maral handed me three opportunities upon my arrival: food, e-learning and spiritual encouragement.

 

Rime, the energetic, intelligent, and sweet girl, filled by the talents of the Holy Spirit, taught me computer lessons and technology. In my life I wanted to learn from these about these things, but my circumstances did not allow me. So here the Lord is allowing me at this special time to learn and acquire the art of writing, and I am now typing this letter to you! How beautiful this is.

I also had a dream to learn English, this is my special hour with my young blonde teacher, Miss Kelsey. I am working with her to acquire this language, so I am becoming, even in a simple way, able to speak, read and understand English, and now I am sure that I can do everything with the help of God. Everyone is thankful for this team, everyone who knocked on their door.

 

As for the classes upstairs, the voice of the Lord calls us through Nadine. She is the screaming voice in the wilderness and the bride of Christ. The virtuous women and I meet weekly to hear the word of God. We pray and the Holy Spirit makes us weep. We rejoice in the word of God. We are nourished spiritually. Spiritual blessings are poured upon us to strengthen us and make us strong in front of our difficulties and trials, especially at this point in our country. Lebanon is passing through hard times. Here I was strengthened personally and experienced the love of my beloved Jesus, that I was asking for from the bottom of my heart. It is a special hour for my spiritual and family life. At the end of the bible study, we go out with the peace of Jesus, happy and loving, assured that he would not leave us orphans, His Holy Spirit is with us to the end of eternity.

 

We are thankful for Triumphant Mercy, and I thank the Lord for all of you, wishing that this center will continue under the patronage of the Lord and pour out more blessings upon you.

 

One last word Congratulations to our Dekwaneh region, how much I wish that every region in my country will have such a center full of mercy, whose first and only goal is to help people with dignity and spread the word of God. I love you so much and surely Jesus loves you much more.

A.S

Stories

Trudging with my stuff I weave through the crowd, “excuse me Madame… sorry Monsier,” just to get through the door. It’s more than half an hour before registration starts, and there are at least 50 people waiting already. They are anxious to get their families registered. The parking is blocked and the staff who are usually inside preparing for the day, are outside arranging, and setting up early. We need to start because the people are blocking the street. The hum of people speaking continues for the next two hours as the morning students come in and most are assigned videos so that they can focus.

 

It’s introductions only for today. We take a bit of their story and a small amount of information, and each family will receive a visit to their home. For us it’s a way to double check information, but mostly to be able to sit and hear about their lives. We hear the pain and the hurt, the struggles, and the trails. We want to be a listening ear and a hopeful presence as we come. Many have no one to listen. They compare their problems to their neighbors and remain silent if their situation isn’t as bad. But with a tanking economy, their money locked in banks (if they have any) the need is great, whether or not they talk about it. Many go without electricity because they can’t pay the bills. Some of our regular students bring their phones each morning to charge.

 

As the need grows, we continue to open the doors to be a safe presence in the community. Some come to ask for help, some just want to sit and talk with us. Either way we are here to be a presence of Christ in the community. To remind them they are not forgotten and that there is and will be more for Lebanon.

 

Stories

We knew the snow was coming, we knew for days and everyone was on edge hoping it wouldn’t be as bad as they feared. Alas, it did snow and it snowed a lot, the most snow Lebanon has had in seven years. 

After a few days of being snowed in, I was finally able to make it to the camps to check on some of the teachers who live in the camps. What a sight! I can tell you honestly I will never look at snow the same way again. A group of women that I passed kept asking me to take pictures of the conditions saying “We want the world to see this. We want them to see what is happening here!” I saw men working together to shovel snow into wheelbarrows to transport it out of the camp. No snow plows come to the camps. 

The roads were piled high with snow! I had to traverse the large mountains of snow in the road just to get to one of the teacher’s houses. This teacher had asked me to lend her a pair of rubber boots so she could walk around her camp in the deep snow and sludge. She told me her kitchen had flooded and I could see that the snow was still piled high in her courtyard. There was no escape from the cold and the wet. Despite the snow, I saw many children running around without shoes. One teacher told me that she and her husband had to work all night on the roof of their tent shoveling snow to keep the roof from collapsing under the weight of the snow. Another teacher, a mother of 5 with newborn twins had her tent collapse on her entire family! They had to hurry to get the children and babies out and then propped up the tent with a plank of wood for reinforcement. The phrase I kept hearing was “I’m afraid of the snow”. I can now understand why. 

Now, three weeks on, much to everyone’s relief, the sun has finally come out, the snow has mostly melted and people are hopeful that the worst of the cold is behind them. However, the snow left damaged tents, and roads full of water and mud in its wake. All this amongst a broken economy with soaring prices. One teacher told me, “I can’t afford to feed my family. My money goes directly to bread and fuel and then it’s gone in a few days.” My children are cold and they don’t understand why we can’t use the heat. One teacher told me she and her three kids had to move back in with her mother because she couldn’t afford to buy fuel to heat her home. Recently there has been some relief with the donation of fuel vouchers. One teacher recently told me that the fuel vouchers were provided the same day she ran out of fuel and did not know how she was going to be able to buy more. The timing was perfect. People are grateful for whatever help they can get. Everyone is now looking toward spring, praying it will arrive soon. —Bethany 

If you would like to give to help buy gas to help a family heat their home in Zahle please head on over to our giving page or click here.

Stories

As I open the door the smell of fresh cut citrus hits me. I take a depth inhale of the sweet yet sour smell as I head into the bathroom. The guys in the back of our center in Ashrafieh are sending the oranges through the slicer so they can place them on the trays to be dehydrated. Rows and rows of orange slices are lined up and it will be about 12 hours before they are ready. After the 12 hours they come out looking almost like stained glass in the sun. Then they are packaged and ready to go to homes to be enjoyed as a healthy snack.

 

These dehydrated fruits will begin to work their way towards other nations and into markets and exhibitions across Lebanon. These aren’t just any dehydrated fruits these fruits are meant for more.

 

Okay it sounds a bit cheesy, but the point is that this is meant to continue to grow as a business and give jobs to Lebanese when many businesses are having to downsize or scale back. These fruits are working to open doors for some and provide a living wage in a weakened economy.

 

At Triumphant Mercy we don’t only desire to give help, but to empower. Giving someone work can help lift them. Maybe they learn a new skill, maybe they find a calling and a purpose greater than they thought or could dream in the current situation.

 

Dreaming breaks boundaries, and it pushes us towards who we were meant to be. We don’t normally dream best from our couches watching devastating and depressing news. We dream when we set our hands to something. Maybe it’s something small to begin with but it’s important to not despise the days of small beginnings.

 

Just as TM dreams we want to encourage those who dream around us to not stop at the small dream, but allow their dream to grow and be the change the nation needs.

If you’re interested in ordering our dehydrated fruits. Head on over to the instagram page (Click here for Heart Bites). Check it out, give us a follow or like and message to order some fruits! 

Stories

Mid English class there’s a knock that interrupts the quiet room and I go to the door to see what the man waiting needs. He’s there to pick up his medication. I grab the paper and the stack of medication and bring them out to him. He signs the paper and there is an exhale and his shoulders relax as he takes the medication and takes an extra minute to look me directly in the eyes and say, “thank you.” “Really, you don’t know how much this helps.”  

 

As the situation for medication continues to deteriorate many are bringing suitcases full of medication when they come into Lebanon and even traveling to get cancer medications. For the many who can’t afford to travel, or can no longer afford to buy the medication, they rely on NGOs like ours.  

 

Four months ago, TM began to register families for medications. When word got out that we had started doing medications we began to have people coming daily to ask if they also can register for medication. 

 

Being able to continue to provide and help families during this time gives them a place that lets them now they are not alone. Knowing you are not alone is key to continuing to move forward. With so much working against them we desire to have people know we are next to them and ready to do what we can to help them and give them hope to keep going.

 

 

Stories

Seven in the morning yawning and cold we are waiting for the fresh chicken to arrive.

 

Over the next three days chickens and cartons filled with beef, rice, oil, vegetables, fruit, and cakes will pass through our hands to 500 families just in time for Christmas dinner.

 

Each of these three mornings the team walks in clean and walks out covered with dirt from vegetables and with tired muscles from filling and giving out boxes.

 

“This box needs rice!” and “I need potatoes here” are shouted across the room as everyone works together to sure that each box is full and ready to be handed out. As the boxes are filled they begin to overflow out the door, as we don’t have room for everything inside.

The people start to arrive and the tent must go up. The rain is coming. We can’t stop there are too many boxes and the guys helping carry the baskets get the ‘short end of the stick’ as they go back and forth with baskets, in and out of the rain.

Many of these families are early anxious to be able to give their families a Christmas meal. Because of the economic situation in Lebanon and the dramatic decline in the currency most families cannot afford any chicken or meat in their diets. To be able to have chicken on Christmas is a special treat, and some have tears in their eyes as they receive their box.

On the Monday after Christmas as the team arrived there were over 100 messages on our hotline. They were messages of thankfulness and gratefulness from families that were able to celebrate because of our work.

 

During these tough times we want to be able to bring a light to Christmas just as we were brought the light of Christ.

 

 It was a dark time filled with uncertainty that Christ came as the light to bring hope. We in the same way want to bring His hope through bringing practical help. It starts one by one. Bringing practical help to the body, that allows us to speak the hope of the Savior to the soul. He is the hope that fills empty stomachs and empty souls. This is Christmas, the coming of hope, the coming of Christ.

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We all know that boys love hands on activities and challenges. Every Monday and Thursday, at TM’s carpentry workshop, boys have a special day where they can create things they enjoy and develop their skills.

Accompanied by an expert, they learn the basic steps of carpentry. They first learn to take and make measurements and finish having made complete tables and other crafts. Many of them have discovered a great hobby they did not know they would enjoy and can now express themselves and their struggles through these creations.

At the workshop, you would see a group of boys working hand in hand. Working like this brings them closer together and creates and strengthens friendships. You can feel the group spirit as they help each other and see their focus and their willingness to do and learn more.

With every item they make, their eyes light up and happiness flows. They feel proud of their achievements and eager to show off their handiwork.

For them, carpentry is not only a new skill to learn, but it shapes their personality and character. The workshop is a place for healing, friendships, and hope.

Pamela

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Happy, joyful, and loved

We are delighted to see the joy in the eyes of the kids’ at TM during Christmas time. During these bad times impacting people and enjoying these happy moments are precious. We can be a light in the dark days of the kids who received useful gifts and toys, to be able to live their childhood and feel loved.

God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son to save us, and He became Emmanuel, God with us. It is our joy and blessing to bring God and his joy closer to these kids, and to show them the Father’s love.

Kids from different classes were gathered, listening to Christmas songs, and clapping with excitement… it was a beautiful day to share with them. Kids deserve happy times, so we stand by them and lead them into a better tomorrow.

-Pamela

Stories

The “ding” of different notes comes distantly from the room upstairs as the guitar students practice. Each taking their half an hour after their tutoring time to practice what they learned in class. Slowly we can start to hear songs make their way out of the mix of chords and the students can hear their dedication paying off. Requests to start to come Christmas love songs come from the teenagers as we near the holidays and the excitement grows as they hear songs they know coming from their own hands.

 

The newer class started only a couple weeks ago is the piano. The teacher sits with two students next to her and in different octaves practicing scales and short melodies. Then they rotate and the next two come and sit.

 

Music, like a new language builds new bridges in the mind and can communicate things we cannot say with words. The feelings and emotions that are held deep down. The ones we were created to express since we are made in the image of God.

Many times these things that need to be expressed, to keep moving forward with hope for a future. Music changes and music inspires. Remember how many times you’ve been in a dark place and were lifted by a song or just the sound of the music. It has power and a power that can deliver a message. As we work to raise up messengers of change a freedom, it’s another tool we can give them to move forward and dream for a future.

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Out of breath, running as fast as he can, Antoine made it just in time to catch the bus to the field. Every Tuesday we have our football (soccer) group. The group, in just five weeks has doubled in size with new kids showing up each week and jumping in before we even know their names. The van we have is jam packed and the staff are having to use their personal cars in order to get all the kids there.

 

After arriving they empty the bus that now looks like a “clown car” as the kids come out, and break into two groups by age. One group goes into the discussion and the other heads to the field first. The discussion group talks about real life subjects and stories from athletes who are believers and the obstacles they faced. Last week one of the students was given the responsibility to prepare a devotion for the group from the gospel of Luke. He spent four hours reading and when presenting he talked about how we love each other.  After the teaching and their friend sharing kids have time to discuss and talk about how these principles affect the way they play sports and how it affects their real lives. After an hour the two groups switch.

 

After a few weeks we’ve had more than one kid say to one of the teachers/coaches, “Can I talk to you alone?” These discussions give these teenagers a place other than just their families to express how they feel or share something they want help with changing. The trust and honor that these kids and teens have begun to put in the teachers allows the teachers to encourage this generation to dream bigger, not be afraid of hard work, have no fear to stand out. 

 

It’s those who “stand out” that are the changers of the world. These are the ones who have the audacity to challenge what is wrong in the world and then the hard work they learn makes them not give up when they hit roadblocks. This is the generation we are working to raise that will work to change the wrongs in front of them for a better world.

Stories

Even with a day off from work, they are here. The life coaching class is not one that we want to skip a week. This class is key to giving the power to make changes in their lives. Giving practical skills and new ways of thinking that move those who are stagnant into motion.

 

This week they are working on how to change the way we think about events. The life coach’s example? Rain.

What do YOU think about when you know that it’s raining?

 

Is it positive or negative? If it’s negative, how do we change it? Each person in the group shares how they think and how they came to have that idea of it. As they share and coach Gio brings around the discussion, you see the light come on and the idea hitting home. Not only is it hitting home but the examples they share are coming from their lives.

 

Realizing we have the power to change how we think about things is a key to moving forward. This gives a perspective that can move someone forward instead of being stuck.  This is the type of thinking that changes situations and lives. 

 

These ones who are in class are changers. They are taking seriously what they need to do to change their lives. These small changes, growing person by person, changes cities, and nations. These are those who refuse to give up. They will look at a challenge as an opportunity. These are those who will persevere and who will lead others into change and a new future for Lebanon.

Stories

It’s nine o’ clock, and the first hour of English students are arriving. Usually, they are here a few minutes before nine and are waiting their turn to come in.

 

The soft click…click…click of typing and soft mumbling of sounding out a word is the hum of the room.  Each hour, a change in the people, disinfecting ensues along with new assignments. Different levels all in the same room learning not only from me and the programs but also from each other. Sometimes when someone asks me about a word another student answers before I get the chance, everyone working together to help each other learn and improve their skills.

 

Some hours are quiet and all that is heard is the hum of the A/C as they concentrate. Other hours like the conversation sections are full of fun and laughter. Idioms was on the list first for the advanced conversation class. The puzzled faces as I tested them to see if they could figure out what they mean before I told them. Interesting to find out that some of them exist in Arabic but are the exact opposite meaning!

 

Times are filling up as the (mostly) ladies tell their friends and fill the hours with groups of neighbors. The learning creates a comradery at the center and opens doors for other activities. The trust gained through learning transfers over to the women’s groups and the life coaching hours.

 

Trust is key to impacting lives and creating a community that will thrive. We want to build trust in real ways that improve and bring opportunities to those in the community while allowing us to open the hearts of those around us to hear that there is a hope and there is a future and that we believe it starts with individual finding out and walking in who they were meant to be.

— Kelsey 

Stories

A sense of relief and graciousness from parents as they file through to pick up the backpacks. Excited kids waiting for their turn, peeking inside to find: notebooks, pencils, pens, a lunch container, toothpaste, soap, towel, a mask, toothbrush and a water bottle.

 

All of this is worth around 600,000 Lebanese Lira. For some this is more than they make in a month.

 

Usually, this time of year is an exciting time preparing for the coming school year. This year, for many it’s a scary time. Parents unsure if they can afford to pay school fees or to purchase the needed school supplies for this coming year.

 

There are many questions about how the school year will proceed. Will there be in school with Covid number rising still? There are also questions about electricity and whether students will be able to join online. If the children return to the building will there be gas or petrol for parent so drive them or a school bus to pick them up?  There are so many questions with no answers in sight.

 

 All these questions lead to more stress on families. For these families the issues collide, from finances for the supplies, COVID numbers, and not having WIFI to join online because of lack of electricity.

 

This is why, this year specifically, our cooperation with School in a Bag is so important. These school bags given out will take at least one of those stresses from families. Though, giving the “load” of the backpacks to the children, we are lightening the load for parents.

 

The bags cleared customs just in time to get to the kids as school is starting. It’s one of our goals to offer practical help that allows a burden to be lifted and a small piece of hope and a reminder that they are not alone.

Stories

*NOTE* This article was originally posted on Missions Network News. You can read the original article here.

Lebanon (MNN) — Lebanon’s financial crisis could be one of the worst in the world since the 1800s, financial experts say. Learn more here.

Christian ministries in the country continue to provide food and other resources to those in need, but they also want to see healing in Lebanese society through sustainable growth.

Providing people jobs

Nuna with Triumphant Mercy Lebanon says, “We have visited people who just say, ‘I don’t want your help, I want you to provide me a job.’ So many people have said this, so this is what we’re trying to do. I know we cannot do much. I know we cannot provide like 100,000 jobs. This is something a government can do, but we can start to do small things.”

Nuna says they place some people working with children, some working in the kitchen on dehydrated food, and others teaching soccer or dance. These are very small jobs, but they provide people with a little income.

Healing

They also provide community and outlets for creativity. Nuna says, “When you’re in a depression, you cannot be creative. So we have groups of people who do some trauma healing.”

As people work and share their lives together, Nuna says it’s a good opportunity to share the hope of Jesus. “It’s quite easy actually to share the Gospel, to share the hope of Jesus. We say there is a way to get out of what we are in. And this is Jesus. That’s very acceptable in people’s minds. They are just open for it all the time.”

Stories

A couple hundred used water bottles and cardboard boxes sit in the corner of the center. Little do they know, what excitement they hold. It looks like a pile of trash, but this “trash” will become some very interesting things in the next few weeks. One of the kid’s favorite portions of our summer camp has been the experiments. From Lava lamps, mini water fountains to making balloon-powered cars this pile of plastic bottles is slowly dwindling as the numbers for the camp are growing. Also growing is an excited and a sense of creation. Right now, even as I write, there is a volcano being formed behind me. The teenager group “remodeling” it for the third time to make it look as realistic as possible before they do the explosion.

We started camp with a smaller group as some parents are still wary from Covid, but each week more kids come as kids hear from their neighbors about what’s happening in camp and ask their parents to register them. From experiments to cooking, crafts, dance, music and outdoor games each group gets their chance to experience a sense that they are creating something, a car that moves on it’s own, a beautiful card for a friend, a song or maybe even a waffle. Each day holds something new and each day they are waiting at the door when 9:00 am rolls around. Some showing up half an hour early to make sure they aren’t late.

Yesterday, one of our students who goes to an English-speaking school wrote us a thank you letter. Talking about his love for the teachers and the other kids and his excitement for the camp each day. Lebanon is suffering right now, and it needs creators. Those who look at what they have; something that looks like a pile of trash, and sees something new, something beautiful and something exciting. This is why we call them to create, God created, and we are made in His image, so we create also.

We want to instill in this next generation that creation mindset. One that may be handed one thing but from love, hard work and dedication they choose to redeem it and make it something beautiful.