On Sunday we read that Solomon was concerned with the big things and the small things – the great cedars of Lebanon and the hyssop growing in the walls.
My inbox is slowly filling with photos (thank you to everyone who has sent one so far!) of small things you have paid attention to this week – that have reminded you of God’s care for all creation. And as I turn on the news each evening and see the big things happening (in Lebanon) I am also praying for God’s care for all creation – and grieving for humanity’s destruction of the world that God loves.
Last December, Melissa Lipsett, the CEO of Baptist World Aid, preached at CBC and told us about her recent visit to Lebanon, to see the work our Baptist partners had been doing – particularly among the estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees that are now living there.
Watching the nightly news broadcasts, I have been thinking about Melissa’s description of her visit and of the graciousness and faithfulness of our Baptist partners there. Just after she preached, she sent me this video of the staff in Lebanon singing together after the 7th of October attack in Israel – expressing their trust in God amid that deteriorating political situation.
You can watch that video on this link – Singing Hymns We will also include it on Sunday as we pray, on the eve of the 7th of October, for peace in Israel and Gaza and Lebanon.
Last week Melissa wrote to Baptist World Aid supporters again. There are now over 90,000 traumatised and newly displaced people in Lebanon needing urgent assistance. This number is expected to rise rapidly as the conflict escalates. Through the work of Baptist World Aid’s partner in Lebanon, Baptist churches and schools are being prepared to receive and respond to the needs of displaced families.
They need help, however, to arrange shelter and provide essential supplies. Such as:
- Mattresses, blankets and bedding to keep displaced families warm, as well as hygiene kits
- A safe place to sleep for people who’ve had to leave home behind
- Food parcels and cooked meals to feed hungry families.
If you are able to help, please use this link to give today to Baptist World Aid’s Lebanon Crisis Response.