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missionsheart for lebanon
UPDATE: Thanks to all who partnered with Heart for Lebanon in helping to send 146 students to Christian school in Beruit, Lebanon. You can still get involved in this project by donating now .
Over the past three years, listeners of 106.9 the Light have partnered to support the Beirut-based ministry Heart for Lebanon by pledging support for 407 scholarships to provide Christian education to children in and around Beirut.
As a result of the continuous political deadlock and the unstable security situation, the economic conditions in Lebanon deteriorated and the Lebanese families found themselves in front of new struggles. The job opportunities lessened, many found themselves with a very limited salary, and some even lost their jobs. Consequently, the caretaker was unable to provide all of his family’s necessities; the living expenses like the rent and the school tuitions became a real burden. For these reasons, some parents were obliged to take their children out of the schooling system.
Heart for Lebanon seeks to intervene in the lives of these families by carrying a part of their load and offer them scholarships. Every offered scholarship ensures the return of a child back to school in a safe environment with proper academic teaching and strong emphasis on Christian principles. Moreover, this scholarship will take the student out of a poor desperate environment that is subject to radical influence and bad social behavior.
The scholarship offered by Heart for Lebanon will not cover all of the annual fees of the students. Instead, the scholarship comes as a part of a partnership between the school, the parents, and Heart for Lebanon.
Roy is 13 and the youngest of three kids living with their mother. Roy’s father passed away a couple of years ago quite suddenly. Roy’s mother and his school are concerned about his depression over his father’s death. He was an excellent student but has struggled staying focused in school since the difficult incident. When visiting with Roy he shared about being a follower of Jesus Christ; he goes to church and is in the church’s basketball team. The family’s challenges lie in making ends meet and covering the cost of proper education for three children of schooling age. Roy’s personal challenge is to deal with his emotions regarding his father’s death. His mother has expressed her appreciation for the support they receive through the H4L student scholarship. She thanks God for His provision, and shared with H4L staff personal stories testifying God’s work in her life and in the life of the family including her deceased husband who received Christ as his Lord and Savior one week before his death.
Joy (9) and her two younger sisters go to the same school. Their mother expressed her greatest joy for having her kids getting not only a proper education but also exposure to the gospel. Joy’s mother having attended a school where the gospel was shared said that this made the whole difference in her Christian faith, so she values the importance of this component of the school. Although financially the family is not doing very well, the mother’s attitude was remarkable in putting her daughters’ interest first and trying to give them good education and exposure to the Word of God. She said that her daughters’ school is opening doors for her to be able to witness to her family and friends who are nominal Christians. She expressed her gratitude and joy for receiving the scholarship and was encouraged to keep growing in her faith and helping her kids grow in their faith as well (CTI).
Tony, 17, is one of the brightest in his school with an average of 92% in grade 12. He is preparing for his governmental official exams which are scheduled for June. Tony dreams to have the opportunity and financial resources to be able to continue his studies to become an airplane pilot. Tony lives with his mom and sister; his mother works at the same school which he attends. It has been a difficult ride for the family on many levels, especially financially, to provide good education for the children. Tony seems to have the potential and the skills needed to do something big and important with his life but one cannot but see the question in his eyes which keeps reminding him whether he will be able to make his dreams come true or not. Nonetheless, both Tony and his mom were very grateful for the support they received through the H4L student scholarship as that alleviated a huge burden off of their shoulders. They said it is hard to imagine how he would have made it even this far without the scholarship which he has been receiving for the past three years. He is so thankful to be at a school with a strong academic program.
Shadia is in grade 4 and comes from a Christian family of four. She is an excellent student with 95% average in school. She loves reading, languages, and the Bible classes at school. During the H4L visit she received the gift book with a big smile on her face as if wondering how the team knew she loved reading so much. She began reading right away and finished chapter 1 right then and there! Shadia’s family started to receive the H4L student scholarship support last year. Her parents were surprised at the concern of people willing to help others alleviate some of the financial burden from them which got them interested to know more about H4L. Her mother kept talking about the blessing that this scholarship is to the family and because of this she felt God the love of Christ in a tangible way. The highlight of the H4L visit was when we found out that Shadia had recently received Christ as her Lord and Savior. She showed a hunger to know God more and her parents said she reads her Bible regularly, and likes to watch spiritual movies and read stories of heroes of the Christian faith.
Grace (13) is a very hard working student who lives with her mom and her grandparents. Her father left the family and soon after got a divorce. The financial situation is very tough as the grandmother is suffering from an illness. Her mother’s brother provides the only support for the family. This bad situation has been affecting Grace, who now in her teenage years sees the different lives of her friends and wonders why can’t she live more like them. The H4L staff noticed the seriousness of the situation and its psychological effect on Grace. The family thanked the staff for the assistance they received through the H4L student scholarship (Torossian school). We pray that the Christian influence of Grace’s school will be a great encouragement to her in the years ahead.
Lara who is in grade 7 comes from a family background full of hardships which almost tore the family apart. Now the family witnesses about God’s intervention through some believers that helped them resolve conflicts and bring family life relatively back to normal. H4L staff can see the positive influence a Christian education is having on Lara. Both of her parents work hard and long hours for the kids to have a decent life despite the difficulties. She is a bright student who loves writing, reading, and swimming.
Leewa is in grade 7; she is Sudanese and has lost both her parents. Her father passed away in the southern Sudanese war and her mother passed away when she was 6 years old due to an illness. Leewa’s sister lives in Sudan with her aunt, while Leewa lives in Lebanon with her second aunt and her family. The aunt and her husband have four children, and despite the hard living conditions took the responsibility of raising Leewa as well. Leewa goes to Dar el Awlad (Kids Alive International School and Orphanage in Lebanon) with her cousins; the younger ones live in Dar el Awlad’s orphanage. Her cousin and Leewa walk to and from school everyday. Leewa’s aunt and husband work hard to fight the harsh circumstances to provide for their family which Leewa is considered part of. They are living a very challenging life. Leewa is also suspected to have anemia, but in all this she enjoys reading her Bible which she greatly values and she was excited to receive a devotional book from the H4L staff. It is difficult to think about what Leewa would do without her aunt’s support and the ability to get a proper education and hear about Christ at school.
Nada (10) is an only girl and has two brothers. Her father will be retiring from the army this summer and her mom suffers from an advanced cancer for which she is receiving chemotherapy. The family is going through a tough time especially that Nada and her brothers are still very young and need their mother’s full presence and care. The staff reported the intensity of the sadness that was filling this family. Nada is polite and calm, she likes mathematics, and she loves drawing and basketball (CTI).
Elie (17) and Yolla (13) have an older sister and live with their parents. The family was doing very well until one day the father was put out of work as a journalist for no legitimate reason. The father became devastated upon this incident which affected the whole family and their financial situation. During the visit, H4L staff got the opportunity to share the word of God and the message of Jesus Christ with the family. Both Elie and Yolla showed how much they have the ambition to continue their education and be able to serve their community through their future vocation (CTI). H4L staff pray that the Christian influence for the children’s school will one day bring hope and salvation to the entire family.
Nay (16) has two sisters and a brother and they live with their mom. The father passed away so her brother works to support the family. Antonella is smart, ambitious, and hopes to become a journalist. She loves to serve her community and her church where she serves with the children’s group; she also has a beautiful voice and even sang worship songs during the H4L staff visit. The family was delighted by the assistance that they have received through H4L and were very thankful for all those who have participated in serving the Lord through the scholarships (CTI).
Rany is 13 and has an older brother and lives with his two parents. The family was fairly stable until three years ago when his father, who was serving in the army at the time, one day, began to have severe headaches. Medical results revealed a brain tumor for which he needed an urgent operation. Today the father is still on treatment for his medical condition and is unable to work. The family began to have financial needs, especially for Rany to continue his education. His elder brother works and studies in order to help support the family. Rany enjoys school and studies diligently. Both parents were very grateful for the assistance they received through H4L and expressed how this scholarship has made a big different in Rany’s education.
Tina, 17 year old Lebanese of Armenian descent is a very bright student at the top of her class with multiple talents. She knows how to play the piano and the flute which she plays at the neighborhood’s social center. Tina also draws skillfully; her drawings decorate the wall of her family’s living room. A couple of years ago her father left her mother and Tina and never returned. It was not long before Tina and her mom found themselves homeless, with few possessions and no one to support them. Eventually, they found one room at the entrance of an apartment building available for them to live in. The room is no more than a 2x1.5 sq. m. (6.5x4.9 sq. ft.). Thankfully Tina’s mother was able to find a job as a laundry-lady at an elderly home, but it is very far from where they live, so she must take several transportation means everyday to get to and from work. At the end of their long days, Tina and her mom spend their afternoons in their makeshift room. They have an old and worn out couch placed at the entrance of the apartment building separated from the apartment stairs by a sheet hanging from the wall to make a curtain. Every afternoon Tina works on her school assignments in the cold and windy living room. Even her clothes are outside. Recently her grandmother and her uncle joined them. The grandmother sleeps inside the small room with Tina and her mom, while the uncle sleeps outside in the cold every night.
It was a profoundly moving experience for H4L staff to visit with this family and to engage in conversation with them. They continually expressed their thankfulness for the received assistance through the H4L student scholarship. The conversation then turned into singing a hymn together and ending our visit with prayer together. It was amazing to see God’s peace even in the midst of the very harsh situation that Tina and her mother are in. Tina has so much potential as a very good student and is a talented young woman. Our prayer is for God to use her to help bring her family to a better place. NOTE: All names are changed.
missionsheart for lebanonHeart for Lebanon
UPDATE: Thanks to all who partnered with Heart for Lebanon in helping to send 146 students to Christian school in Beruit, Lebanon. You can still get involved in this project by donating now .
Over the past three years, listeners of 106.9 the Light have partnered to support the Beirut-based ministry Heart for Lebanon by pledging support for 407 scholarships to provide Christian education to children in and around Beirut.
Today, Camille Melki, former president of Mediterranean Bible College in Beirut, who founded Heart for Lebanon , joins us in 106.9 the Light’s studio to communicate live to listeners about the scholarship program’s benefits. Just $600 provides a scholarship for one year for middle-school aged child in war-torn Lebanon. The scholarships reach children from various religious and social backgrounds.
Why Heart for Lebanon Started The Scholarship Program?
As a result of the continuous political deadlock and the unstable security situation, the economic conditions in Lebanon deteriorated and the Lebanese families found themselves in front of new struggles. The job opportunities lessened, many found themselves with a very limited salary, and some even lost their jobs. Consequently, the caretaker was unable to provide all of his family’s necessities; the living expenses like the rent and the school tuitions became a real burden. For these reasons, some parents were obliged to take their children out of the schooling system.
Heart for Lebanon seeks to intervene in the lives of these families by carrying a part of their load and offer them scholarships. Every offered scholarship ensures the return of a child back to school in a safe environment with proper academic teaching and strong emphasis on Christian principles. Moreover, this scholarship will take the student out of a poor desperate environment that is subject to radical influence and bad social behavior.
The scholarship offered by Heart for Lebanon will not cover all of the annual fees of the students. Instead, the scholarship comes as a part of a partnership between the school, the parents, and Heart for Lebanon.
Stories from Scholarship Recipients
Roy is 13 and the youngest of three kids living with their mother. Roy’s father passed away a couple of years ago quite suddenly. Roy’s mother and his school are concerned about his depression over his father’s death. He was an excellent student but has struggled staying focused in school since the difficult incident. When visiting with Roy he shared about being a follower of Jesus Christ; he goes to church and is in the church’s basketball team. The family’s challenges lie in making ends meet and covering the cost of proper education for three children of schooling age. Roy’s personal challenge is to deal with his emotions regarding his father’s death. His mother has expressed her appreciation for the support they receive through the H4L student scholarship. She thanks God for His provision, and shared with H4L staff personal stories testifying God’s work in her life and in the life of the family including her deceased husband who received Christ as his Lord and Savior one week before his death. Joy (9) and her two younger sisters go to the same school. Their mother expressed her greatest joy for having her kids getting not only a proper education but also exposure to the gospel. Joy’s mother having attended a school where the gospel was shared said that this made the whole difference in her Christian faith, so she values the importance of this component of the school. Although financially the family is not doing very well, the mother’s attitude was remarkable in putting her daughters’ interest first and trying to give them good education and exposure to the Word of God. She said that her daughters’ school is opening doors for her to be able to witness to her family and friends who are nominal Christians. She expressed her gratitude and joy for receiving the scholarship and was encouraged to keep growing in her faith and helping her kids grow in their faith as well (CTI).Tony, 17, is one of the brightest in his school with an average of 92% in grade 12. He is preparing for his governmental official exams which are scheduled for June. Tony dreams to have the opportunity and financial resources to be able to continue his studies to become an airplane pilot. Tony lives with his mom and sister; his mother works at the same school which he attends. It has been a difficult ride for the family on many levels, especially financially, to provide good education for the children. Tony seems to have the potential and the skills needed to do something big and important with his life but one cannot but see the question in his eyes which keeps reminding him whether he will be able to make his dreams come true or not. Nonetheless, both Tony and his mom were very grateful for the support they received through the H4L student scholarship as that alleviated a huge burden off of their shoulders. They said it is hard to imagine how he would have made it even this far without the scholarship which he has been receiving for the past three years. He is so thankful to be at a school with a strong academic program.Shadia is in grade 4 and comes from a Christian family of four. She is an excellent student with 95% average in school. She loves reading, languages, and the Bible classes at school. During the H4L visit she received the gift book with a big smile on her face as if wondering how the team knew she loved reading so much. She began reading right away and finished chapter 1 right then and there! Shadia’s family started to receive the H4L student scholarship support last year. Her parents were surprised at the concern of people willing to help others alleviate some of the financial burden from them which got them interested to know more about H4L. Her mother kept talking about the blessing that this scholarship is to the family and because of this she felt God the love of Christ in a tangible way. The highlight of the H4L visit was when we found out that Shadia had recently received Christ as her Lord and Savior. She showed a hunger to know God more and her parents said she reads her Bible regularly, and likes to watch spiritual movies and read stories of heroes of the Christian faith.Grace (13) is a very hard working student who lives with her mom and her grandparents. Her father left the family and soon after got a divorce. The financial situation is very tough as the grandmother is suffering from an illness. Her mother’s brother provides the only support for the family. This bad situation has been affecting Grace, who now in her teenage years sees the different lives of her friends and wonders why can’t she live more like them. The H4L staff noticed the seriousness of the situation and its psychological effect on Grace. The family thanked the staff for the assistance they received through the H4L student scholarship (Torossian school). We pray that the Christian influence of Grace’s school will be a great encouragement to her in the years ahead.Lara who is in grade 7 comes from a family background full of hardships which almost tore the family apart. Now the family witnesses about God’s intervention through some believers that helped them resolve conflicts and bring family life relatively back to normal. H4L staff can see the positive influence a Christian education is having on Lara. Both of her parents work hard and long hours for the kids to have a decent life despite the difficulties. She is a bright student who loves writing, reading, and swimming.Leewa is in grade 7; she is Sudanese and has lost both her parents. Her father passed away in the southern Sudanese war and her mother passed away when she was 6 years old due to an illness. Leewa’s sister lives in Sudan with her aunt, while Leewa lives in Lebanon with her second aunt and her family. The aunt and her husband have four children, and despite the hard living conditions took the responsibility of raising Leewa as well. Leewa goes to Dar el Awlad (Kids Alive International School and Orphanage in Lebanon) with her cousins; the younger ones live in Dar el Awlad’s orphanage. Her cousin and Leewa walk to and from school everyday. Leewa’s aunt and husband work hard to fight the harsh circumstances to provide for their family which Leewa is considered part of. They are living a very challenging life. Leewa is also suspected to have anemia, but in all this she enjoys reading her Bible which she greatly values and she was excited to receive a devotional book from the H4L staff. It is difficult to think about what Leewa would do without her aunt’s support and the ability to get a proper education and hear about Christ at school.
Nada (10) is an only girl and has two brothers. Her father will be retiring from the army this summer and her mom suffers from an advanced cancer for which she is receiving chemotherapy. The family is going through a tough time especially that Nada and her brothers are still very young and need their mother’s full presence and care. The staff reported the intensity of the sadness that was filling this family. Nada is polite and calm, she likes mathematics, and she loves drawing and basketball (CTI).Elie (17) and Yolla (13) have an older sister and live with their parents. The family was doing very well until one day the father was put out of work as a journalist for no legitimate reason. The father became devastated upon this incident which affected the whole family and their financial situation. During the visit, H4L staff got the opportunity to share the word of God and the message of Jesus Christ with the family. Both Elie and Yolla showed how much they have the ambition to continue their education and be able to serve their community through their future vocation (CTI). H4L staff pray that the Christian influence for the children’s school will one day bring hope and salvation to the entire family.Nay (16) has two sisters and a brother and they live with their mom. The father passed away so her brother works to support the family. Antonella is smart, ambitious, and hopes to become a journalist. She loves to serve her community and her church where she serves with the children’s group; she also has a beautiful voice and even sang worship songs during the H4L staff visit. The family was delighted by the assistance that they have received through H4L and were very thankful for all those who have participated in serving the Lord through the scholarships (CTI).Rany is 13 and has an older brother and lives with his two parents. The family was fairly stable until three years ago when his father, who was serving in the army at the time, one day, began to have severe headaches. Medical results revealed a brain tumor for which he needed an urgent operation. Today the father is still on treatment for his medical condition and is unable to work. The family began to have financial needs, especially for Rany to continue his education. His elder brother works and studies in order to help support the family. Rany enjoys school and studies diligently. Both parents were very grateful for the assistance they received through H4L and expressed how this scholarship has made a big different in Rany’s education.Tina, 17 year old Lebanese of Armenian descent is a very bright student at the top of her class with multiple talents. She knows how to play the piano and the flute which she plays at the neighborhood’s social center. Tina also draws skillfully; her drawings decorate the wall of her family’s living room. A couple of years ago her father left her mother and Tina and never returned. It was not long before Tina and her mom found themselves homeless, with few possessions and no one to support them. Eventually, they found one room at the entrance of an apartment building available for them to live in. The room is no more than a 2x1.5 sq. m. (6.5x4.9 sq. ft.). Thankfully Tina’s mother was able to find a job as a laundry-lady at an elderly home, but it is very far from where they live, so she must take several transportation means everyday to get to and from work. At the end of their long days, Tina and her mom spend their afternoons in their makeshift room. They have an old and worn out couch placed at the entrance of the apartment building separated from the apartment stairs by a sheet hanging from the wall to make a curtain. Every afternoon Tina works on her school assignments in the cold and windy living room. Even her clothes are outside. Recently her grandmother and her uncle joined them. The grandmother sleeps inside the small room with Tina and her mom, while the uncle sleeps outside in the cold every night.
It was a profoundly moving experience for H4L staff to visit with this family and to engage in conversation with them. They continually expressed their thankfulness for the received assistance through the H4L student scholarship. The conversation then turned into singing a hymn together and ending our visit with prayer together. It was amazing to see God’s peace even in the midst of the very harsh situation that Tina and her mother are in. Tina has so much potential as a very good student and is a talented young woman. Our prayer is for God to use her to help bring her family to a better place. NOTE: All names are changed.
