Caught in conflict Penny Vinden When we last wrote about the situation in Syria, we were greatly encouraged to see how 80 students had grown in their trust in God’s loving care through attending a conference in Lebanon. Since then, the faith of all God’s people in that country, and other places throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has been sorely tried. We asked Jamil, IFES Regional Secretary for MENA, for an update on what his happening in his region. Under these dark shadows, we see the hope that God lights within people who have the desire to spread the word of God. Syria ‘The situation in Syria continues to become more complicated as the international powers enter the picture. Many people have lost hope in a peaceful resolution to the conflict. But under these dark shadows, we see the hope that God lights within people who have the desire to spread the word of God and train students to continue his mission. ‘The ministry in Syria is going ahead in gathering students and preparing activities and conferences. There are currently plans for a three-day training event in Damascus, to encourage and equip new young leaders. We also want to hold a conference for all students, but we have to find a safe place that students are able to travel to – probably in Lebanon.’ Egypt With a failing economy and a lot of political frustration, tensions in Egypt continue to escalate. Shaher, General Secretary of EFES Egypt, writes: ‘We need your prayers more than any time before, and we as Christians need wisdom. The Muslim Brotherhood consider the current conflict to be a religious war, and think that their defeat would be a defeat for Islam. So they have started to attack churches and Christians. ‘We need grace to show the love of our God; churches need to challenge their people to practice what they believe. Students need to share the gospel love story freely, and have the courage to stay in the country when they graduate and share in building Egypt. ‘We want to encourage students to not focus on disappointment with the political situation, but to take part in the political life of this country, to share in activities without fear. Please pray that we will have a blessed student ministry this summer and see God’s hands at work.’ Pioneering news Jamil also told us about a new country where IFES is hoping to establish ministry. ‘We are proceeding slowly, and the team is meeting regularly to prepare for coming activities. They formed a group for prayer and planning. They know about the conference to be held in Lebanon in September, and around six or seven are hoping to attend. Communicating is very difficult in this situation. Everything – phone calls, internet, emails, even traveling – are under surveillance. Sometimes our people suddenly find a police checkpoint asking for passports at the door of the church. I can only meet freely to coordinate with the people during their visits to Lebanon.’ Lebanon Lebanon is a country with 18 officially recognised religious groups and a constitution that protects freedom of religious practice. However, as the tensions in surrounding countries spill over into Lebanon, LIVF student ministry in this usually ‘safe’ place becomes increasingly difficult. In making plans for the conference in early September, LIVF has had to change locations several times already. Please pray that this country will remain a place where regional meetings can be held safely. Jamil concludes, ‘Public freedom and the practice of human rights are key issues in the Arab world right now. Future IFES conferences must bring the gospel to bear on these issues, challenging and equipping students to live counter-cultural, kingdom values.’
Posted on: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 10:56:31 +0000
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