Greetings from Beirut dear friends,
We are deeply grateful for God’s provision and protection during these difficult times. We also appreciate your love and care, shown through your emails and prayers.
It has been a challenging year since we left Canada last October. The instability here due to the war at the border has made family life more difficult. However, in August, we had the opportunity to take a break by moving to Egypt for a short time to reduce the stress. We returned to Lebanon as Timothy and Nathaniel had to start their school year.
As you know, Timothy, our oldest son, decided to begin university here in Lebanon instead of Canada last year! This was unexpected, but God has been faithful. He provided an excellent alternative university nearby, and we’re thankful to have Timmy still at home with us. Please pray for God’s guidance as he decides on a major by the end of this academic year.
We also praise God for Timmy’s gifts. He’s been actively volunteering with YFC, teaching ESL classes, and assisting with media and filming projects.
Nathaniel is back to school, finishing his last year of high school. We’re now thinking about his plans for university next year. Over the past year, Nathaniel has grown, not just physically but also spiritually. He’s been leading Sunday School classes and a weekly Bible study for teens at our home.
Almess continues her tutoring ministry, which has been a source of encouragement despite all that’s happening around us. As you may know, these times bring back painful memories of the war in Iraq for her.
The situation here in Lebanon has worsened in the past few days. The war at the border has intensified, and the country is suffering deeply. There’s widespread fear of a full-scale conflict between Israel and Lebanon. People are anxious, and the sense of instability is overwhelming. Sometimes, it feels as if the entire country is paralyzed.
Schools and universities have been shut down until the end of this week, and classes may be moved online. This adds another layer of uncertainty, especially as we think about our children’s future. But through it all, God is good.
Indeed, we need to learn how to adjust as we serve God in such difficult times. This is not an easy task, which I address fully in my recent blog, Whether or Not to Adjust: Living through Tension while Teaching in the Middle East.
As a family, we are safe. We aren’t better off than anyone else in the country and share the same struggles. Yet, life goes on by God’s grace, and we continue to rely on the prayers and support of many like you.
We are leaning on God’s strength and your prayers to sustain us in these difficult times. We kindly ask that you to continue keeping our family and Lebanon in your prayers. Specifically, we ask for prayer for the following:
- Safety and protection for our family and the people around us.
- Peace and courage to serve faithfully amidst the chaos.
- Wisdom and discernment as we navigate our ministry in this region.
- God’s intervention for peace and stability in Lebanon and the surrounding areas.
Arab Baptist Theological Seminary Update
It was supposed to be a very busy month at ABTS, with the Middle East Consultation, Graduation Ceremony, and the annual Residency for students. However, due to the current situation, the Leadership Team decided to postpone all these activities until February 2025. ABTS has also decided to open its facilities to host internally displaced people. Please join us in prayer for:
- ABTS that God would give us wisdom and strength as we serve our displaced guests.
- That God may pierce all this darkness with His light!
- Our students and graduates, a few of whom are now taking shelter on our campus to escape from high-risk areas.
You can give to support the crisis response of our partners in Lebanon here: https://www.cbmin.org/appeal/lebanon-conflict-relief/
A Student’s Testimony from Algeria
It is very encouraging to see how God is working in the lives of our students, despite the challenges we are all facing. Their testimonies serve as a source of hope in the midst of despair. Each year, the Lord blesses us with a new cohort of believers who are called to be equipped for effective ministry through the Arab Church. These men and women come from across the Arab world and its diaspora, bringing with them stories of how God has worked in their lives and the callings He has entrusted to them. Hearing their testimonies always strengthens our faith as we witness how the Lord moves through their lives and ministries. Here is one of those testimonies from Algeria:
“I come from a large non-Christian family. When I was younger, I would always try to carry out my religious duties so that I could get closer to God, but more and more I realized that I had gotten to a place where my life felt empty and full of sadness. I had grown up watching a lot of Western movies, and I was always captivated by how simply people talked to God in those movies, so I adopted direct prayer from a young age, and I was always curious to read scripture from other religions. I said this to a friend in school, and the next day he brought his brother over to talk to me about Christ. I would ask questions, and the man would talk, and bit by bit I became convinced. At the end of the conversation, I gave my life to Christ. In that moment, I finally felt like my life had meaning, and I was overwhelmed by joy and gratitude that I had never experienced before. When I came to Christ, the Church in Algeria was witnessing a revival, and I was blessed to be part of the work of the Holy Spirit back then. I currently serve with my church and with the Bible school here in Algeria through teaching. I feel called to teach theology. I first came to ABTS because I had a deep desire to know more about the word of God. My journey began with the online Certificate in Ministry program, and I am thankful that I can continue now toward a Bachelor of Theology.”
Zouhir is asking us to pray for the Church in Algeria, that the Lord gives our leadership wisdom to navigate the difficulties we are facing. Pray for Zouhir, that the Lord helps him balance between family, ministry, and studying responsibilities. Also, pray for his wife and kids, that the Lord blesses them in all that they do.
CBM in Egypt: Pastors’ Family Retreat in Egypt
CBM’s partnership in Egypt continues to grow in various directions: youth ministry, educational centers for children and women, leadership development, church growth, and pastoral care for pastors and their families.
Last December, in partnership with the Egyptian Baptist Convention, CBM held a pastors’ family retreat, which brought together about 120 participants.
The retreat aimed to provide a space for pastors and their families to rest and be refreshed while learning how to manage the stress of ministry and prioritize their families.
A special session was dedicated to the pastors’ wives, focusing on overcoming stress, managing their families, supporting their husbands, and discerning their own unique callings.
By the end of the retreat, there was a deep sense of unity, joy, and rest. We also held a “renewal covenant” ceremony, where each family prayed together and renewed their commitment to one another. It was a blessing to have Almess and the boys with us during this special time.
Emad, Almess, Timothy & Nathaniel
