Syria Update

THE RECENT PAST

While fighting in Syria has gone on for over a year, it was only last May when the need arrived at the doorstep of the church in Damascus. Faithful members of the church wanted to help the families caught in the middle of the fighting in cities just miles away, but it was too dangerous to attempt getting beyond the checkpoints to help the desperate families who lived there.

The situation suddenly changed last May when families arrived in Damascus from a city that was under siege. Some said they had been forced to leave. The Damascus church got to work and started providing food, medicines and household items to 100 families. By the end of September the number of families increased to 650 families in need with an additional 300 families waiting for assistance. The church is trying to help all they can, regardless of religious affiliation.

THE CHURCH AT WORK
Two days a week, members of the church arrive to put together bags of rice, beans, tuna, tea, sugar, tomato paste, jam and oil. On distribution day, the small church courtyard is packed with people, and the line to the free clinic is long. All who want to join a service where there is singing to God, prayers for unmet needs and a message of hope are welcome.

The church volunteers are tired and under pressure. Yet one says, "God is meeting our needs spiritually, emotionally and physically. It is a joy to live with God from day to day."

SCHOOL STARTS
The Damascus Nazarene school started the new school year. Children in Damascus are more fortunate than those in the outlying cities where the danger and fighting is more constant. "Education for these children cannot stop," says the school director. "We will remain open as long as it is safe for the children to come." The Damascus School has made room for 12 Syrian students of displaced families to attend their school free of charge. The tuition is $600 per student. There are families living on the streets near the church. One church member hopes that they can give a book bag, a toy and book to the children of these families, but the resources do not match the need at this time.One organization is giving children the gift of a blanket for the coming winter.

25 Syrian children are needing help to attend the Nazarene School in Beirut, and 5 children need scholarships to attend in Amman. The Beirut Church is also doing a local drive to provide household items, clothes and food to Syrian refugee families living our our three churches,there.

Our estimated need.... between now and March 2013 we need to raise $90K to help 1300 Syrian families in need....in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. Donations arrive at the Jordan NCM Office, and one hundred percent of these funds go to the greatest need described above.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

 You can make a tax-deductible donation here.


* $25 can buy a mattress or provide supplemental food for a family.
* $50 can provide medicines for people at our free clinic, or a heater, or three blankets for the house this winter
* $100 can help pay the rent to house a family
* $700 can pay for a Syrian child to attend a Nazarene school this year.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support.