We want to share some important information with you about the dreadful situation that is unfolding in Lebanon. As you will have seen thousands of people are being displaced in the south of the country due to the Israeli military moving into villages and towns in the south of the country. These displaced people are moving into Beirut. Also people from south Beirut are moving to safer parts of the city, and they are being joined by others moving from the Beqqaa. As such there are now thousands of traumatised people in Beirut without food, shelter, and access to clean water. Our international partners the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS) and Life Center are responding. ABTS have opened up their guesthouse and are now housing 140 families including 40 children. Pastor Said from Life Center is mobilising the church to provide food, mattresses and support to the displaced who are now homeless and living on the streets.
We are asking people to give.
We have been able to release £5,000 from our international mission budget to send to both ABTS and Life Center to help as they respond to this tragedy. If you would like to support our international partners financially and add to the contribution from the international mission budget you can. There are three ways you can give:
Via the Dona webpage HERE. Just select the Lebanon option when you make your gift.
Via the Dona machine in the foyer with your debit or credit card. Again, be sure to select the Lebanon option when you make your gift.
Make a bank transfer to Bookham Baptist Church. Details can be found HERE. Please use the reference ‘Lebanon’ when you make your gift.
We are also asking people to pray.
Pray that there will be a de-escalation in the conflict across the Middle East, in particular across Southern Lebanon and Beirut. Pray for the leaders that they would exercise restraint and turn towards brokering a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Pray that our partners will have access to all the resources they need as they meet the needs of those that have been displaced and are now seeking refuge. Pray that our partners will be kept safe as they reach out in what is a very volatile and insecure context
Pray that those who have been displaced will find safe refuge and access to shelter, food, clean water and the care that they need. May their physical, emotional and spiritual needs be met in this time of trauma and displacement.
Thank you!