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As violence linked to the wider regional crisis intensifies in southern Lebanon and other parts of the country, SAT-7 hears from people fleeing their homes and others who are refusing – or unable – to leave.
Authorities report that hundreds have been killed and nearly 700,000 – including 200,000 children – have been displaced amid continued evacuation orders and ongoing strikes.1
“Hearing the sounds of conflict, seeing the impact on the city, and living with the unpredictability of each day can be mentally and emotionally exhausting,” said Maroun Bou Rached, Executive Director of SAT‑7 Lebanon.
“At the same time, amid these difficulties, there is also a remarkable spirit of resilience within the SAT-7 team here. Despite the challenges, the team remains deeply committed to continuing their work and mission, knowing that the message of hope, faith, and encouragement that we share is needed now more than ever.”
Across Lebanon, families are seeking shelter with relatives or moving into schools, churches, and temporary accommodation as communities respond to the growing humanitarian needs.
Amongst the displaced is Pastor Maroun Al-Shammas who, along with many of his flock, has fled Deir Mimas in southern Lebanon to take refuge at The Arab Baptist Theological Seminary near Beirut.
“For two nights we couldn’t sleep from the sound of strikes and explosions,” he told SAT-7 ARABIC’s Good Morning From Beirut program. “The road between us and the other areas was becoming dangerous. It became harder to find food for children and medicine for the elderly. That’s why we had to leave.”
As well as sharing his ordeal, Pastor Al-Shammas also offered a spiritual perspective: “The Lord uses difficult circumstances to teach us,” he said. “Life is a lesson and the school of pain is the only school where one can learn spiritual lessons for our faith and know the Lord Jesus Christ is with us. What can make us return to rebuild and develop our village in the future except faith?”
For some communities in southern Lebanon, leaving is not an option.
“We are staying here,” says Hanna El Aamil, Mayor of Rmeish, a town close to Lebanon’s southern border. Speaking to SAT-7 ARABIC’s You Are Not Alone program, he stated: “We are not leaving. We can’t leave our land. If we leave it, we lose it. There’s no guarantee of safety. Our faith in God lets us persevere.”
For others, the decision is not about determination, but necessity.
“Our faith in God lets us persevere” says Hanna El Aamil.
Speaking to the same program, Nader Eid, Deputy Mayor of border town Aalma ash-Shaab, explains: “The people of our town have no money now. They are ready to die in their homes because they have no money to restore their homes again. We only have our faith in God and in our town and in our church. We are tired. We either die in our homes or survive.”
Curfews and restricted movement have become part of daily life in the town, and many residents are now seeking safety together in the local church.
“We started to sleep in the church away from our houses,” adds Mr. Eid. “We sent the location to the UNIFIL and to the Lebanon Army to consider it as a safe zone. We are not afraid of death. We have faith in God.”
Across Lebanon, as the pressures of displacement, insecurity, and loss continue to grow, many believers say their faith remains their greatest source of strength.
“Without having faith and hope, we would have been lost long ago,” Wafaa Saad, a resident of southern Lebanon, said in a live call to Good Morning From Beirut. “The pressure is getting stronger… but we trust that the Lord protects and without Him we wouldn’t have lived until today.”
“We started to sleep in the church away from our houses,” adds Mr. Nader Eid.
Through its ongoing 24/7 broadcasts, digital media presence, and Viewer Support Teams, SAT-7 seeks to strengthen that hope, continuing to share content that brings spiritual encouragement and practical advice to viewers across Lebanon and the wider Middle East.
“There are many morning shows in Lebanon and in the Arab world,” explains Good Morning From Beirut presenter Elie Awash. “On those programs, they would share what’s happening; the conflict. That’s interesting for people. But there’s no hope in what they are presenting. They are presenting the problem without the solution.
“This is where we have the opportunity to share the Gospel and to bring hope to the people, especially through our guests who are working in the midst of those conflicts.”
On social media, viewers in Lebanon and across the region are responding to SAT-7’s posts and messages with prayers and expressions of faith.
“I am a Christian believer from Lebanon, and I am 70 years old. Faith in the Lord Jesus is the greatest security,” a male viewer wrote. “May the Lord bless you and bless your ministry, and give you grace and wisdom.”
As the situation in Lebanon continues to unfold, SAT-7 is standing with viewers there and across the region, and mobilizing prayer for all those affected by the crisis.
“We deeply appreciate prayers and support during this time,” said Maroun Bou Rached, Executive Director of SAT-7 Lebanon. “We ask for prayers for peace and stability in Lebanon and the wider region, for protection and strength for the SAT-7 team and their families, and for wisdom as we continue our work. Please also pray that our programs continue to bring comfort, hope, and encouragement to viewers who may also be experiencing fear, uncertainty, or hardship.”
Source
1 UN News
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