“May God protect Lebanon” were the last words of the Prime Minister of Lebanon’s resignation speech just hours ago, repeating them three times. His resignation follows a weekend of violent anti-government protests and clashes with riot police in the wake of last week’s massive explosion that left large parts of the capital, Beirut, lying in ruins, killing some 200 people, and wounding 6,000 others.
As we reflect on the uncertain and worrisome future, as the LSESD/MEBO family of ministries and as the Church, we cannot afford to be paralyzed by fear and crippled by anger.
While Lebanese have gotten used to political upheavals, this time is different. It is a time of reckoning for thirty years of corruption, mismanagement and criminal negligence. Cleaning up the rubble and removing glass and debris that covered the ground ushered another major hoped for clean up: that of our country and political system.
The Prime Minister stated that he has come to the conclusion that corruption in Lebanon is “bigger than the state”. His resignation will most likely open the way for a period of political and economic instability amidst bitter and virulent negotiations between current political parties over what the next political phase will look like.
The unnerving part is that no one seems ready to give up an inch of concessions, as no one feels responsible for the country’s ills and misfortune. Resentment and distrust in government institutions and political class runs high as it failed to find solutions to Lebanon’s crumbling economy, bankrupt financial sector and mounting social crisis.
By God’s grace we will not be diverted from the “race that is set before us, looking to Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1) for “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Tim 1:7).
We will seek to continue on glorifying God and strengthening the witness of the Church by serving the vulnerable and those that are hurting physically, aching emotionally and yearning for spiritual peace.
To facilitate strengthening the witness of the church in this time of crisis we have set up a “HelpBeirut” campaign. We are actively housing and feeding families that have lost their homes and need your help to repair critical infrastructure of the family of minsitries. Click here to learn more:
• https://mebo.org/helpbeirut/ [USA]
• https://www.give.net/helpbeirut [UK]
We count on your prayers for this coming phase for our country and staff. Thank you for helping us spread the message in your circles and constituencies.
In Christ,
Wissam Nasrallah
Chief Operations Officer – LSESD