A wonderful mentor of mine, Gail Ochs, introduced me to Hoda Melki, a lovely young woman with an intriguing accent, who seemed as if she was a typical Laguna Beach local. Upon further conversation, she revealed she and her husband direct a Lebanese camp for Syrian refugees, Heart For Lebanon. Our meeting was weeks before millions would be fleeing from Ukraine to neighboring countries. Hoda and her husband Camille not only direct their organization but act as a resource for those in other countries seeking to aid the burgeoning displaced populations.
Why caring is important:
- It could be any one of us.
If not for another circumstance of birth, any one of us could be in the same plight, so seeking to understand the situation (though it be distant) is an act of good will. It furthers a spirit of commonality and understanding of the human condition.
- Good people are working long term with refugees. We should support them.
In 2006, Hoda and Camille Melki as youth workers in their Lebanese home church, took youth to an international conference. The 3-week trip turned out to be 3 months because Lebanon was suddenly embroiled in a war. Hoda and Camille discussed whether to stay or return, and Hoda said she wanted to return because she had a “heart for Lebanon.” That year they founded Heart For Lebanon. Currently they assist thousands of Lebanese, Iraquis, and Syrian refugees who have insufficient access to shelter, electricity, water, medicine, resources and food. Heart For Lebanon offers church services and Bible studies; staff personally help tent city dwellers with encouragement and resources. Depression and malnourishment are only a couple of their challenges. “Every day we visit displaced people. We tell them who we are and share the Word of God with them openly,” says Hoda. You can find them at heartforlebanon.com
- The eyes of the world community are on refugees.
My son and I saw the performance of “Love,” at the National Theatre of Great Britain, which dramatized vignettes of diverse scattered people in Syrian refugee camps, finding a type of healing through sharing. Many suffered through loss of loved one; often women’s husbands and their sons were killed in fighting. Others were weak and diseased. The commonality was communicating compassion and connecting them to Jesus–and how that brought about incremental life changes on a spiritual plane.
- Scripture shows God cares for the poor.
“. . . He anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. . .” Luke 4:18, referencing Isaiah
“. . . of my possessions I will give to the poor. . .” Luke 19:8
“. . . did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith. . .” James 2:5
“Many of these people are vulnerable populations,” says Hoda. “They made a long journey from Syria on foot often, losing everything including their hope. We help people see hope in the Lord Jesus, who brings people from despair to hope.”
