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Lebanon
Through MERATH, Thimar-LSESD helps over 3,000 Syrian families make it through the winter. Virginia Baptists want to assist with 1,000 of them. Including mattresses, blankets, and stove/fuel, MERATH needs $80/family. (Goal: $80,000)
Small Union, Big Impact
In Lebanon, a country where a third of its population are refugees, it seems impossible that a small family of Baptist churches could make an impact. But God likes to take small things and make immeasurably more than we can imagine.
Thimar, also known under its orginal name, Lebanese Society for Educational & Social Development (LSESD), serves the Church in Lebanon and its region by equipping and resourcing leaders. They address the needs of vulnerable people in the community and the LSESD is at the forefront of responding to the plight of their refugee neighbors.
In Lebanon we can see how a family of churches with limited resources is holistically addressing the reality of its community. They are extremely active in their communities and taking bold actions for the Kingdom of God.
Middle East Revive And Thrive MERATH
LSESD’s first emergency relief response was to show Christ’s love in action to those displaced by the 2006 war. Since 2011, most of the resources of LSESD’s community development and relief ministry, MERATH, have been focused on responding compassionately to thousands of refugees displaced by the horrific conflicts in Syria and Iraq who have been left poor and disadvantaged.
Relief support across Lebanon, Syria and Iraq include food aid, hygiene kits, milk and diapers, health care, trauma support and winterization items, all of which are distributed through local church partners and faith based organizations. Partners are given training so they can administer relief and assist as many as possible in a coordinated, accountable and helpful way.
MERATH also supports education projects to give refugee children and families a more hopeful future. Once the war is over, there are plans to implement more long-term development assistance as people return to rebuild their lives and countries.
Thimar - LSESD's Name Change
"The name Lebanese Society for Educational and Social Development has proudly served us in these past 25 years, but it was time for a name change. The new name tells the story of this amazing journey of how God enabled us to join Him on His mission.
God brought into being a creation that was good and breathed life into human beings who were meant to reflect His image and be stewards for what He had designed and crafted. In His own words, He called us to be fruitful, to multiply, and fill the earth (Gen 1:28).
At LSESD, we acknowledge that we are just one branch, and there are hundreds of other branches that are doing great ministry work. Together, we form the tree that reflects the image of Christ. As such, we want to be recognized by the fruits we bear. They are the fruits of faith, the Thimar, meaning fruits in Arabic, that result from the transformative power of the Gospel working in us and through us so that we can love God and love neighbor.
THIMAR-LSESD is our new identity, reminding us for the next phase of our journey to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of His will (Colossians 1:10)."
Pray
- for the Child Friendly Space in the Beqaa Valley, which provides training and support for children and families in the informal tented settlements.
- for the Women’s Hairdressing Training center that is teaching marketable skills!
- for the dialogue between the partners working in the war-torn areas, as well as for their safety
Give
- to provide mattresses, blankets, and warm clothing for distribution to those in need this winter.
- to provide crucial food security. MERATH distributes over 4,000 food parcels each month to hungry families.
- to provide medical attention and hygiene kits.
Go
- co-lead a Vulnerable Children’s Camp with the Baptist Youth and Children Ministry.