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.

As Fighting in Syria Continues, Nazarenes in Neighboring Countries Respond

Since March 2011, the violence in Syria has escalated from protests and marches to what many governments and humanitarian organizations are calling a civil war. The death toll has reached 19,000 people, and in addition to the estimated one million internally displaced people within Syria, tens of thousands of refugees have fled to neighboring countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey.

The five Syrian Nazarene congregations with their almost 800 members have been praying for their country and government long before this year’s violence began. Four years ago, Nazarenes all over Syria started fasting the first three days of every month for this purpose. They are praying now more than ever for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and for their own safety.

The church in Damascus is focusing on providing basic needs, such as food, medicine, mattresses, fans, and diapers, for 350 families who fled their homes from cities like Homs where intense fighting has taken place. Most of the people coming to the church are Syrian Christians—a group that makes up about 10 percent of Syria’s population.

In addition to the 230-student Nazarene school at the Damascus Church of the Nazarene, the congregation also runs an afterschool program called Acts of God for 100 Iraqi refugee children who are unable to attend regular school programs because of their refugee status. These children, who fled to Syria for safety before the violence began, are beginning to relive the fear and instability they left in Iraq. While it is relatively safe to move around Damascus in the daytime, it is not so at night. In fact, the Church of the Nazarene is mourning the death of one of its members who was murdered last month after running an errand at night.

This week, Nazarenes in Jordan will partner with other denominations to deliver aid to some of the tens of thousands of Syrian people who have crossed the border. The majority of these refugees are living in tent cities or have found apartments in the northern cities.  This need is vast and concentrated, and it will most likely be ongoing for several months.

“We are doing assessments so that we will deliver exactly what people need,” said the pastor who is heading up the effort to procure aid and volunteers. “We want to share what we have and also give words of comfort, love, and encouragement.”
Nazarene schools in Zarqa and Amman expect to enroll Syrian children this August and September—many of whom will be unable to pay the US $500 to $800 tuition fees for the year. In Amman, four Syrian families already received assistance from NCM when they enrolled their children for the second semester last school year.

The church in Damascus has asked for prayer. They are addressing the needs as best they can and report that many families are benefiting from the open prayers and fellowship offered by the church.

“We know God will make something good out of this bad situation,” the pastor said. “We have started classes for people to know more about Christ, and many are finding peace and hope in the midst of pain and sorrow.”

Join Nazarenes in Syria, Jordan, and other neighboring countries as they assist their Syrian brothers and sisters. Gifts made through NCM will combine with their efforts to support families during this insecure time.

* $25 can buy a mattress or provide supplemental food for a family until they can find some employment in the city.
* $50 can help supply medicines for people with chronic conditions or pay for two visits to a doctor.
* $100 can help with the first month’s rent to help keep a family housed.
* $700 can pay for a Syrian child to attend a Nazarene school next year.

Today make a donation, click here.

Make checks payable to General Treasurer, and send them to:

Global Treasury Services
Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, MO 64184-3116

In Canada, make checks payable to Church of the Nazarene Canada, and send them to:
Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3.

Be sure to put ACM1832 in the Memo area. Thanks for your contribution!