Lebanon (MNN) — What would your life look like without the building blocks of an elementary education?
That’s a question one ministry has asked on behalf of Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Tom Atema with Heart for Lebanon says through educational programs hosted at two locations, his ministry is helping provide hope and a future to about 2,000 children.
The program, “Helping Overcome Poverty through Education” (HOPE), is open to Lebanese families but serves Syrian refugees by enlarge. Most students are between the ages of five and thirteen. Atema says this age group is critical.
“You can mold that mind very appropriately in one of two directions: for good or for evil. And we bend it for good so the radical groups don’t bend it for evil.”
School for Syrian refugees
At HOPE, Students are instructed by knowledge level rather than grade level. Courses include science, math, Arabic, English, and most importantly: Biblical character development. Every month, a single Biblical trait is studied, and many of these are new concepts for students. Incorporating them into the curriculum is critical.
“If you can get a young person into a relationship with Jesus Christ and then disciple and educate them, they’re on a path to do something significant with their life,” Atema says.
Public school in Lebanon is only an option for Syrian refugees if they can pay for it. Most cannot. Heart for Lebanon’s offering closes educational gaps, including for mothers, who are able to take classes in home economics skills and management. Atema says graduates of the program take many paths beyond it.
“It’s a stepping stone to further education, or it’s a stepping stone in some cases for people to serve with Heart for Lebanon or some other non-profit in the country.”
Gospel impact
Most importantly, the Biblical training students receive is a seed for future spiritual growth and Gospel spread.
“Most of these kids, I would say, are some of the best ambassadors for Jesus Christ because they’re winning mom – and if they have a dad at home, dad – to Christ,” Atema says.
He recalls the experience of a student named Samuel, a quiet kid who didn’t give much feedback during class. After school, at his home tent settlement, Atema bumped into him.
“In between these tents, Samuel is sitting in the dirt with four other children around him playing teacher and teaching these kids what he learned in class,” Atema says.
It wasn’t math or English he was relaying.
“He was teaching them the story of David.”
(Photo courtesy of Heart for Lebanon)
Your place in the story
Heart for Lebanon is looking for another 275 prayer partners this year.
“We think and believe deeply and strongly that prayer does change everything,” Atema says. “It’s the power, protection, provision. It’s all the things we can’t physically do that God does through the power of prayer.”
Since the change of regime in Syria, Atema says there’s a misconception that displaced Syrians will all return to their home country.
“Estimates will have anywhere from 4 to 8 thousand Syrians a month coming into Lebanon, and the ones living in Lebanon have a greater need.”
Atema says Lebanon continues to be the most democratic country in the Arab world.
“We have to take advantage of that in the proper way.”
That means getting the Gospel to Syrians before they return to their home country, where they may never hear it.
Consider joining in prayer for this ministry, and find more stories of impact here.
