Caring for Christian Refugee Children
The planning was completed to once again have large gatherings of Christian children for Christmas in Iraq, Jordan and the West Bank. However, Then came the Hamas terror attack from Gaza on Israel killing over 1,200, wounding more, and taking hostages.
Most of the Christmas for Refugees events in Lebanon and Syria were reinstated. One of the Christmas programs for Syrian refugee children was held in Akkar which is in the far north of Lebanon. About one out of every three people now living in Akkar are Syrian refugees.
I recently reported that the Christmas program was far behind in fundraising. The Lord answered our prayers!
Planning begins for our 2022 Christmas for Refugees events! Inflation is creating a funding obstacle for all of the events planned this year. Donations made through December 1st will all be doubled!
4,550 children were reached by out Christmas for Refugees events in Syria this year. This report takes a look at some of those events, including testimonials from some of the children!
Children at an orphanage in Nigeria enjoyed their annual Christmas for Refugees event this year. This is the first time the event was held at their new location after their old home was attacked by Muslim Fulani Herdsmen in August.
In Lebanon the Christmas programs will reach over 4,000 children, of which 2,435 are Christian refugees from Syria. Other children are from Iraq, and there are also some Lebanese children affected by the large explosion in Beirut and the collapse of the Lebanese currency.
Every donation towards our 2021 Christmas for Refugees events will be doubled! Help us provide Christ-centered Christmas events for thousands of Christian refugees.
At one event in Lebanon, children were greeted by costumed characters. Then they heard a story as they watched a woman make candy canes. The children were told how the different colors of the candy can represented different aspects of the Gospel story. The children were then given their gifts.
There were no large Christmas for Refugees events this year with hundreds of children celebrating the birth of our Lord except in Syria and Nigeria. The events may have been toned down, but they were still about Jesus. Instead of games and song, children received special gifts.