Dar El
Awlad is a sacred place. Walking around the grounds, I am filled with an
overwhelming peace. This should not be the case considering the chaotic and
traumatic lives that have brought most of the boys to the residential program
and children to the school. However, it is clear that God is working here. The
hearts of the staff are true in their desire to love the Lord by loving these
children. We are blessed to know, serve alongside, and be served by them.
This same
sacred peace was felt Wednesday night on a visit to the Lebanese Society for
Educational & Social Development, also known as the Lebanese Baptist
Society. This ministry collaborative houses six different ministry branches
that serve Lebanon and the Arab World. These include Beirut Baptist School
(K-12), the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary, a publishing house, Community
Relief and Development, Children & Youth Ministry, and SKILD Special
Education.
Take a
moment with me to reflect on the many different passions and skills of
Christ-followers at Calvary (or whatever your local context may be). Now, looks
at the common purposes pursued by Dar El Awlad and the Lebanese Baptist
Society. Is it not blatantly obvious that God has provided a plethora of
options for collaboration to come alongside our brothers and sisters in Lebanon
who are sacrificially devoting themselves to kingdom work?
It is
obvious that our short three days with the boys have impacted them and us as I
watch the boys flock to Trevor, Josh, Les, Tim, and Jason during play time,
repeat in detail the stories told by Lanna, run to hug me goodnight, and beg us
all to join them in their units. My heart is full of joy, hope, and
anticipation of the possibilities of further collaboration and kingdom work to
be done. Please join us in praying about how God might use you to join this
collaborative work. The smiles, hugs, and calls of “Miss! Miss!” are beautiful
rewards.
~Hannah Abernathy
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