Jordan (MNN) — Foreign relations between Syria and Jordan have been on the upswing since the December fall of Assad’s regime. The countries opened a border-crossing this week in the hopes of boosting trade and shipping traffic in either direction.
While the Assad regime marred relations between Jordan and Syria, its fall has produced a mutual desire in the nations’ leadership for collaboration on topics ranging from border security to energy supply. According to the Middle East Eye, “For Damascus, Amman can assist in lobbying for the lifting of sanctions, which would help revive the economy. On the other hand, Jordan sees Syria’s reconstruction as a potential economic opportunity, generating investment, trade, jobs, and boosting its export and logistics sectors.”
Samuel from Redemptive Stories says jubilance in Jordan is tempered by uncertainty.
“Often times, when we talk about a new normal, we’re not really sure what that new normal is going to look like.”
The same is true for many Christians living in Syria. Among that group, there is widespread concern over the new administration’s history of ties to ISIS and Al Qaeda. Many fear persecution and discrimination at the hands of leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa. Samuel says contrasting this reality is evidence that the administration might be more tolerant than originally expected.
In December, a Christmas tree in Syria was burned – allegedly by Uzbek fighters.
“The Syrian leaders of the new government came and apologized, paid to rebuild the space, paid to fix everything, and said, ‘We are going to stand for Christians and for Christians within our country,’” Samuel says.
But with the leaders’ mixed histories, doubt remains.
Courtesy of freeusandworldmaps.com
“How long will they hold that line?” Samuel asks. “When the country is back on its own two feet, will they then take another turn?”
Regardless of direction, Samuel says he and his ministry partners will take spiritual opportunities at every bend in the road. Redemptive Stories is currently focused on working with youth: training, developing and empowering them, Samuel says.
Fostering reconciliation is another ministry goal.
During Assad’s rule, people feared to communicate freely, he explains.
“Now that they’re open and able to articulate and communicate what took place in the past, it has allowed for some more healing.”
He hopes reconciliation programs will be a springboard for true forgiveness.
“When we talk about emotional health, it creates opportunities to then really talk about the ultimate spiritual health of salvation,” he says.
Please pray for the ministry of Redemptive Stories: that young people especially would respond to the Gospel message being shared.
Pray too for both Syria and Jordan. Pray that there would be true reconciliation among groups that have been at war, and that Christians would not passively wait for reconciliation but, in the words of Samuel, “would be peacemakers: agents of change and reconciliation within their community.”
Featured photo: Aleppo, Syria. Courtesy of DianneKet78 via Pixabay
