Reaching Out to Children in the Bekaa Valley
Release No: 09-27
By Noel Hwande
 
Apr. 14— BEIRUT, Lebanon: Bekaa Valley in Lebanon has a long history of illicit drug production dating back to the days of the Roman Empire. It is also an area where Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) has focused ministry outreach efforts to the children of the Bedouin nomads who settled there.
LHM-Lebanon staff and volunteers routinely make the journey 19 miles east of Beirut to conduct Summer Bible camps, and distribute clothing and school supplies. They do this as a way to show the love of Christ to about 75 Muslim children who attend a school for the children of Bedouin migrants.
"The school is headed by a Muslim who is deeply grateful for the Christian love expressed by our staff," said Dr. Menkir Esayas, the Area Counselor for Africa and the Middle East, who recently visited the school. "The kids appreciate all the support they receive."
The Bedouins are predominantly Muslim, desert-dwelling group of tribes found throughout much of the desert belt extending from the Atlantic coast of the Sahara to the Arabian Desert. Starting in the late 19th century, many Bedouins under British rule began to transition to semi-nomadism and settle in cities and towns. Many of the tribes living in Bekaa valley have maintained their tradition of living in tents.
Lutheran Hour Ministries first opened its doors in Lebanon in 1950 and, today, we continue to effectively reach out to the Lebanese people through Bible Correspondence Courses, Equipping the Saints evangelism workshops, and weekly radio programs transmitted to most of the Arab world.
Your continued prayers and support for LHM allow outreach programs to have an impact all around the world. We ask that you prayerfully consider a gift to our International Ministries today.
To support this ministry click here or call us at 1-877-333-1963.
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