Source: www.worthynews.com
Date: September 4, 2024
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Amid an ongoing exceedingly volatile and dangerous situation in the Middle East, the UK-based Christian aid ministry Help The Persecution (HTP) has been working in Lebanon to assist Christian refugees and others fleeing persecution and conflict from surrounding countries, Christian Today (CT) reports.
Although Lebanon is home to the Iran-backed Hezbollah Islamic terror group that is fighting Israel, the country has a substantial Christian population and is viewed by many Christians as a relatively safe haven, CT reports. HTP has therefore established a base in Lebanon through which to provide practical and spiritual support to vulnerable people who have arrived in the country.
In particular, HTP provides an emergency safe shelter at the War Refuge Centre for those fleeing their homes, CT notes. “The people know nothing about tomorrow. They live day by day, all the time. They have nothing, in fact. No economy, no peace, nothing … they are really frustrated,” HTP’s field minister Amin told CT. “The only thing that can change everything is the Lord Jesus Christ. We need Him. Nothing can change this situation except Jesus.”
Notably, the ministry also organizes weekly truckloads of fresh vegetables from their Seeds of Hope farm in Lebanon to distribute among those in need. Launched two years ago, the Seeds of Hope farm is part of HTP’s Crisis Response Program in Lebanon. “Our goal was to help the church endure, flourish, and multiply amidst Lebanon’s increasingly hostile circumstances through: A large-scale vegetable farm to provide fresh food (even during the harsh winter), employment, and training; Supplemental hot meals, Medicines, and medical treatment for the most vulnerable, Emergency Relief Kits (one month’s supply of staple dry food for a family of four); Discipleship and leadership training to grow local groups of believers; Spiritual retreats and Biblical counseling to strengthen believers; Bible and Christian literature distribution, and Public outreaches — both large and small-scale events and activities to present the Gospel,” HTP explains in a website statement.