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I walked on my knees across the room (already sitting on the floor it seemed easier), grabbed both of this Syrian refugee woman’s hands in my hands, looked intently into her eyes as mine began to fill with tears and said, “Some people say we should be enemies. But I came from America to be here with you, to touch you, to say I love you because God loves you.”
I had just finished telling this room of women the story of Creation and the Fall, and with that came broken relationships. A broken relationship between us and God (from intimacy to fear), a broken relationship with ourselves (shame), and a broken relationship between each other (from trust to pointing fingers). But then I shared the good news was that Jesus came to reconcile those broken relationships. He came down to earth, crossed barriers, and touched people - all kinds of people. Then I said, go and do likewise.
He has given us this ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18).
I have been in at least 25 Syrian refugee homes this past week. Some homes I visited for hours, some for no more than 10 minutes. Some I shared a story, or prayed with them over coffee or tea, or even a meal. With some I used the healing touch of physical therapy. With some I just held their hand. Some I stood just inside the doorway, smiled, asked them their name and prayed to myself for them. But in each one I touched them. With the traditional greeting and leave taking, I grabbed each woman and child’s hand in mine and kissed each cheek. I touched them and I was present, and said, “Peace be upon you.”
I heard about some terrible things that have happened this past week. I was hoping it wasn’t true. I heard about some people’s reactions on the web. I was hoping that wasn’t true either. But to be honest, I haven’t had time to read those things, to dwell on the reasons or validity. I’ve been too busy loving Syrian refugees. Actually too busy being loved by them and their amazing hospitality.
It’s kind of like our own act of counter-terrorism. Fear will not win. I have seen love winning this week!
We arrived in Lebanon today. Please pray for us to be present in mind as well as body, as we are weary. We will continue to serve Syrian refugees the next four days alongside the YFC Lebanon staff.