Please pray as despair grips Lebanon with the fuel crisis worsening the food emergency
Lebanon (MNN) — Families skip meals and go without daily essentials as Lebanon’s fuel crisis causes food prices to skyrocket – again. Food prices are up by 628-percent since 2019.
“People are barely making it. A lot of people have enough to get their bread [and] cheese, but that gives them no wiggle room. Right now, you see a lot of people able to get the basics, but nothing more,” says a Gospel worker we’ll call Alesha*.
The food and fuel crises are two of many plaguing Lebanon today: economic and financial meltdowns, political deadlock, and last year’s massive port explosions in the capital, Beirut.
Alesha just moved to Beirut with her family to serve alongside the prayer ministry Cry Out Now. “Everyone, unfortunately, seems very hopeless and very pessimistic about the current situation,” she says.
As believers, Alesha and her husband want to demonstrate Christ’s love through practical means and prayer. First, they have to gain Lebanese trust. “[People] are very shocked, and because we are American entering into a very chaotic situation, they’re very suspicious,” Alesha says.
“It doesn’t make sense [for Americans to come to Lebanon] because any Lebanese with any sort of means is leaving. There are people leaving by the floods.”
Pray these Gospel workers will have patience as they form new relationships and friendships. Pray God will use them mightily in Lebanon.
“The joy of the Lord is our strength. But it’s easy to get clouded by the current circumstances around you,” Alesha says.
*Name withheld for security purposes.
This article can be seen on the MNN website here.
“People are barely making it. A lot of people have enough to get their bread [and] cheese, but that gives them no wiggle room. Right now, you see a lot of people able to get the basics, but nothing more,” says a Gospel worker we’ll call Alesha*.
The food and fuel crises are two of many plaguing Lebanon today: economic and financial meltdowns, political deadlock, and last year’s massive port explosions in the capital, Beirut.
Alesha just moved to Beirut with her family to serve alongside the prayer ministry Cry Out Now. “Everyone, unfortunately, seems very hopeless and very pessimistic about the current situation,” she says.
As believers, Alesha and her husband want to demonstrate Christ’s love through practical means and prayer. First, they have to gain Lebanese trust. “[People] are very shocked, and because we are American entering into a very chaotic situation, they’re very suspicious,” Alesha says.
“It doesn’t make sense [for Americans to come to Lebanon] because any Lebanese with any sort of means is leaving. There are people leaving by the floods.”
Pray these Gospel workers will have patience as they form new relationships and friendships. Pray God will use them mightily in Lebanon.
“The joy of the Lord is our strength. But it’s easy to get clouded by the current circumstances around you,” Alesha says.
*Name withheld for security purposes.
This article can be seen on the MNN website here.
Lebanon (MNN) – If you’re looking to move anywhere in the world, Lebanon may not seem like the best option right now.
The infrastructure is crumbling. Multiple ongoing crises have increased poverty and put society on edge. However, Alesha* with Cry Out Now says the move makes sense from a business perspective.
“Right now, the country is in a dire situation, but the dollar goes far here, and we have dollars. Financially, that opens up many doors. As long as you have dollars, you have an opportunity here,” Alesha explains.
Alesha recently moved to Lebanon with her husband and new baby. Because Alesha’s business is brand new and still getting off the ground, we’re not sharing many details for security purposes.
We can say it’s creating various opportunities for believers to interact with people from different religions. “While we’re not broadcasting that we’re doing that, we are very open with the people who will connect with our business,” Alesha says.
It’s hard work to start a new business, even in a good economy. Very few in Lebanon have purchasing power right now; most people struggle to meet their daily needs. Only God can make this idea work.
“[We tell people] ‘hey, we believe in prayer first; that prayer takes you further than just striving.’ There’s a quote that says, ‘Grace takes you further than the grind ever will,’” Alesha says.
“We want to bring in jobs, but we want the hand of the Lord in it. And that only comes from first honoring Him in prayer.”
Pray the future of Alesha’s business will unfold as God intends. Pray believers can share the Gospel in daily conversations.
“We believe in the power of prayer and breakthrough through Jesus Christ,” Alesha says.
“Many people have been softened by the idea that only God can breakthrough, and there’s not a man-made solution.”
*Pseudonym
The infrastructure is crumbling. Multiple ongoing crises have increased poverty and put society on edge. However, Alesha* with Cry Out Now says the move makes sense from a business perspective.
“Right now, the country is in a dire situation, but the dollar goes far here, and we have dollars. Financially, that opens up many doors. As long as you have dollars, you have an opportunity here,” Alesha explains.
Alesha recently moved to Lebanon with her husband and new baby. Because Alesha’s business is brand new and still getting off the ground, we’re not sharing many details for security purposes.
We can say it’s creating various opportunities for believers to interact with people from different religions. “While we’re not broadcasting that we’re doing that, we are very open with the people who will connect with our business,” Alesha says.
It’s hard work to start a new business, even in a good economy. Very few in Lebanon have purchasing power right now; most people struggle to meet their daily needs. Only God can make this idea work.
“[We tell people] ‘hey, we believe in prayer first; that prayer takes you further than just striving.’ There’s a quote that says, ‘Grace takes you further than the grind ever will,’” Alesha says.
“We want to bring in jobs, but we want the hand of the Lord in it. And that only comes from first honoring Him in prayer.”
Pray the future of Alesha’s business will unfold as God intends. Pray believers can share the Gospel in daily conversations.
“We believe in the power of prayer and breakthrough through Jesus Christ,” Alesha says.
“Many people have been softened by the idea that only God can breakthrough, and there’s not a man-made solution.”
*Pseudonym
Please join us in praying for Lebanon
It is going through a long dark tunnel spiraling downwards
It is going through a long dark tunnel spiraling downwards