Lebanon (MNN) — Christmas finds Lebanon in a dire economic situation. Corruption in the government has created what the World Bank calls a “deliberate depression.”
According to the United Nations, four of five Lebanese people have become poor. It has led to the most significant migration out of the country since the 1975-1990 Civil War. Many middle-class families now struggle to pay for food and medicine.
Christmas celebration
But Nuna with Triumphant Mercy Lebanon says the ministry is handing out Christmas baskets to 400 families. “No matter what happens around you, no matter the situation, His birth, the birth of Christ, is reason enough to celebrate. So we try to do anything we can to help. Yes, we cater to the physical needs of people. We have food to bring and sweets for the children. We do have to do this. But at the same time, we have a message to bring to people.”
TM Lebanon is also holding Christmas concerts open to the general public. It’s an effort to share the story of Jesus’ birth and His continuing work in the world.
After all, Jesus himself was born into a people in terrible economic straits, ruled mercilessly by cruel authorities.
Nuna says many people in Lebanon are curious about Christianity. “Why do you have joy? Why do you have hope? You have the opportunity to leave Lebanon, yet you’re here to stay and don’t want to leave. Why? And then when we tell them, and they see the joy in our lives, they ask questions.”
“It’s not just a theoretical message. It’s a message that says, ‘We are here for you.’”
This Christmas, pray for many Lebanese to find hope in Jesus.
Header photo courtesy of Triumphant Mercy Lebanon on Facebook.
