News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Syrian-refugees-in-Lebanon-main_article_image.jpg
Heart for Lebanon
World News

Crisis of vengeful orphaned Syrians looms, Christian aid workers warn

Heart for Lebanon has told Premier it's concerned Middle Eastern attitudes towards shame and honour could contribute to youngsters being "brainwashed" into seeking revenge for lost relatives.

The group is appealing for help to help refugees, many of them women and children, fleeing the war-torn country and arriving in refugee camps in neighbouring Lebanon.

Heart for Lebanon

While staff are distributing sugar, grain, milk and toiletries, they're also highlighting the importance of emotional and spiritual healing.

Founder of Heart for Lebanon, Camille Melki, told Premier people - many of whom have experienced trauma - are seeking answers to crisis they are facing and a God who "helps, forgives and cares" for them.

He said: "When you're talking about spiritual healing, you're talking about forgiveness. You're talking about love, you're taking about acceptance of others, you're talking about diversity. It's very important."

Heart for Lebanon

Camille added: It's very important for us because if we don't work on that level we are not only dealing with the crisis of today but we are also preparing ourselves, God-forbid, for another crisis in another couple of generations time.

"We're talking about children that would grow up being brainwashed and being sent off to avenge ...in a way, to restore the honour of the family that was taken and robbed away from them."

Heart for Lebanon says many people they have seen arrive from Syria have come only with the clothes on their backs.

The Christian group is asking for help to support 50 families in the Fayda camp near the Syrian border and says a £56 package will help them and their partners provide things like food, hygiene packs, Bible studies, counselling and prayer support where appropriate.

You can listen to Camille Melk from Heart for Lebanon speaking with Premier's Alex Williams by clicking here:

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate