On February 6, 2023, at around 4:00 a.m., I woke to the sensation of someone shaking the bed, followed by my wife’s voice telling me that there was an earthquake. Lebanon hadn’t had a significant earthquake in years, so I wasn’t worried and told her to go back to sleep. A few hours later, we discovered that a major earthquake had struck northern and central Türkiye, as well as northern and western Syria. The TV coverage was devastating; hundreds of buildings were leveled, and thousands of people were left homeless on one of the coldest nights our region had ever experienced. The faces of the people revealed a sense of hopelessness and despair; they had lost everything, including their loved ones, homes, and jobs. What can I do in a situation like this? How can I support these people? These were the questions that struck me directly.

CBM stepped in to support the relief work of our partners in Lebanon. Through local churches in the affected areas, they were able to provide mattresses, blankets, food, and hygiene assistance to thousands of people in need. However, the significance of the work being done on the ground wasn’t solely about the quantity of aid delivered; it was about demonstrating the unity of the body of Christ, as churches and individuals in Canada selflessly contributed to the efforts of the churches in the impacted areas. It was about showcasing solidarity, as the church in Canada prayed for those who were affected. Moreover, it was an opportunity for the churches working in these regions to demonstrate and share the gospel with hundreds of individuals who had never heard about Jesus. Churches opened their doors to host and provide shelter, and held prayer and evangelistic meetings that resulted in many coming to faith. This had never been seen before, and it sent a clear message to the communities that the house of God is truly a shelter in times of need.

As I visited some of the regions where our partner was involved in the relief efforts, I had the opportunity to meet with pastors engaged in the work; they appeared exhausted and drained but remained hopeful and encouraged by the practical display of love that was shown to them and their people from churches in Canada and around the world.