Syrian nightmare continues; believers deliver respite

(Photo courtesy Baptist Global Response)

Syria (BGR/MNN) ― Syria's government forces spent much of Thursday in a violent confrontation with rebels in parts of the capital city.

Pro- and anti-Assad gunmen, fueled by tensions in neighboring Syria, were also fighting over the border in Lebanon's city of Tripoli, nullifying a truce less than 24 hours old.

At the same time, the U.S. and Turkey held an "operational planning" meeting aimed at ending  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's embattled regime.

In the 18-months since the first rebellion during the "Arab Spring," the United Nations estimates 2.5 million people are in need of humanitarian aid. The flow of refugees to neighboring countries continues its steady growth, although there are many thousands still trapped within Syria. Civilian deaths, according to observer reports topped 21,000 earlier this month. That number has climbed higher over the last two weeks.

Despite the growing desperation, there are some who bring hope and light with the gentle knock at the door. Baptist Global Responsesays there's a Syrian Christian couple living in a neighboring country who is delivering food and other basic necessities to internal refugees.

These Christians are going into Sunni Muslims neighborhoods near one of the Syrian cities hit hard by shelling and army-rebel combat. The nearby area, populated primarily by Syrian Christians, has been spared the worst of the violence.

"I don't know that there's any 'safe zone' in Syria, but because this area is largely Christian, it hasn't been a target of a lot of the fighting," a Christian worker says. "A lot of refugees who didn't leave the country went to this area and sought refuge. There's a great opportunity there. We're in the very beginning stages of that project.The severity of the need is greater inside the country than what we're seeing [among refugees leaving the country]."

Confused and frightened, thousands of Syrians are looking for something to cling to. They are disillusioned by the war around them and respond to Truth that appears on their doorstep in the form of physical aid, the compassion of Christ, and ultimately, the Word of God.

"In the midst of all the violence, you see these bright spots and know He really is at work and drawing the hearts of people to Himself," the aid worker says. Pray for as these workers share the hope of Christ.

Persecuted family finds rest in the body of Christ

Thailand (MNN) ― A family of five was recently forced to flee their home country in South Asia to avoid certain death. When they arrived in their new home, however, they discovered that life wasn't much easier.

Obaid Wasti ran a business and was the associate pastor of music in his home country. His family lived well. "Every day I bring lots of things home for my children," says Obaid. But that's not the case anymore.

The Wastis were attacked and threatened multiple times before deciding it was time to leave. The family was accused of converting people to Christianity, a crime punishable by death in their nation, according to Baptist Global Response.

After several death threats to the family, men finally stormed the Wasti home.

"They tied up me and my brother and took us into one room," 13-year-old Julie Wasti recounts.

"They beat my mother and father so hard and told them not to tell others about Jesus anymore or else they would kill them. That's why we ran away from there."

Yet the Wastis continued to faithfully pray for the Lord's provision. His answer came in the form of a small Baptist Church.

Another refugee gave the Wastis an address for a place known to help people: Calvary Baptist Church. The Bangkok church welcomed the Wastis with open arms. As Obaid shared and prayed with BGR partner Martin Chappell, another church member packed a food basket for the family using food from the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund, coordinated through BGR to help refugees.

The Wastis still live in a windowless room with no furniture except for a bed. They hang their clothes from a rope stretched across the room. But the family is grateful for God's provision.

Julie says, "Now we have more food. Papa found Calvary Baptist Church. I know they love us like Jesus."

It's a stunning example of the body of Christ in action. You can be a part of this important Kingdom work by helping more refugees through the World Hunger Fund. Your prayers are also needed. Pray for God to use the Wastis' story to bring many people to eternal life. 

Bad feelings cause serious aid lull to Syria

Mission Network News: "Syria (MNN) ― After weeks of gunfire and bombings, the United Nations has finally admitted that the three-week-old ceasefire in Syria may not be holding up, reports AFP News.

The U.N. will continue to send in observers, but the admission of a failed truce is just one more confirmation that the situation in Syria is not going away any time soon. In the meantime, refugees will continue to pile up in bordering countries, creating another large-scale crisis outside of Syria."

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