Dear Friends,
1.
After the special committee set the conditions, and
finalized the special forms in July, Forms
have been sent to all the
churches in Syria.
a)
Some churches welcomed those forms and began working
accordingly. Other churches
trying to make things easier
for those who may think those are much detailed.
b)
August 20-24 there will be a training Seminar for all
those who will be involved in relief,
from all six locations in Syria and
Lebanon.
We trust in our God for guidance so to be able to serve as
many as possible. And also rely much on our partners who are serving with us.
2.
There has been disturbing news this morning: One,
related to the kidnapped two Bishops,( last
week it was said that they are
still living and are in Turkey somewhere )
Soon Turkey denied that they are on its soil.
Today reports, claim to come from Turkish intelligence, that one Bishop
was killed in the first
few days after
the event, and that the second was killed in May.
We cry to God to protect
these two bishops, and believe that God will answer prayers.
On the other hand news of today claim that (jabhat annusra) is now
surrounding the ancient
convent of
Saidnaya, in Syria, and the threats against all ancient Syrian
Christian Sights. The
convent is an
Orthodox famous sight of hundreds of years. And it is the pride of the
Church. In
its
neighborhood is found the other Syriac Patriarchate, as well as
other Christian sights. This
is an area where
residents still speak Aramaic.
Please pray for God's compassion
and mercy. Pray for the Christian presence and witness.
3. Yes there is one good news to share with you friends.
Our general Secretary the Rev. Fadi
Dagher has visited our churches in Latakia, and Banias,
Syria.
He led worship services in both
churches, Saturday and Sunday. Met with the session members
in both and
visited with some displaced families.
Rev. Dagher reported that there are 60 displaced
families from Idleb, Ghassanieh, Ghonaimieh
and Aleppo in
Latakia. The church there is involving all in its services and activities
and all living as a large family. All
those families have been cared for by NESSL.
With the presence of more children and
youth, they expressed their need for:
A) educational material for
children.
B) Photocopy Machine,
C) Lap top and LCD,
Cost
of all the above may be around USD 4000.
We surely
hope to supply those to the church so to provide good service to the youth and
children at a time when those need much care.
The Pastor of the Latakia Church has just travelled to
Canada, having secured a scholarship for further studies. The special committee
of church matters will provide a substitute. Meanwhile the session Members are
taking full responsibility beside the pastor who will be temporarily in charge.
On the other hand Rev. Dagher was happy to see that the
church in Banias is also sticking together in worship and in service.
In this church beside others it is hosting two families from
Aleppo. One man is a musician, who has taken responsibility of gathering the
youth and having made a choir for the church. God surely works in mysterious ways
to uphold His church. Glory be to Him.
You may know that the situation of the refugees is getting
more tragic day by day. Syria is calling all those living in misery in
neighboring countries to come back to Syria, at least they will be displaced
but not refugees. And they will not be abused as many are.
On the other hand with the increased pressure on the
Lebanese, as the numbers of both Syrians and Palestinians coming to
Lebanon, there are voices calling to close the boarders to avoid
more refugees, and an attempt to send many back to Syria. We as a church
are challenged to find ways to help people having hope where hope seems to be
impossible.
So our good and faithful friends, please pray with us, pray
for peace, justice, and God's mercy. Pray for a soon end to this tragedy.
To God be the Glory now and always.
In Christ.
**** ******
