From a mustard seed of faith to a community dairy helping displaced families amid war in Lebanon
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” Matt. 13:31-32
What began a few years ago as a small pilot project in Rahbeh northern Lebanon, to support the economically deprived community there, has grown into a flourishing farm and dairy. Today, as the Israel-Hezbollah conflict intensifies, those families in Rahbeh are now helping others by sending vital supplies from the farm’s dairy to help some of the over 1 million people now displaced in the country. They sent us this video update of the incredible work they have been doing:
The moo-mentous growth of Rahbeh’s Dairy
Faith means we often follow where we believe God is leading us without knowing what the consequences will be. In 2021, Embrace supported a small Sustainable Agriculture Training Course, run by our Lebanese partner Thimar. Little did we know how this mustard seed would grow...
Members of Rahbeh church travelled over 3 hours to attend each session of the course as they had the vision of starting a farming project in their community to bring employment and support for low-income families there. Over the next few years, we, Thimar and Rahbeh church worked in partnership as their vision took root and began to flourish:
When the project first began, the farm’s dairy herd numbered just 9 cows and their milk was sold to help fund the rest of the farm. But Rahbeh church community soon realised that turning the milk into cheese and other dairy products would be a better use of the resource – creating more employment opportunities and increasing profitability.
They began producing cheese in the church kitchen. Its success meant that by the end of 2024 the team were looking for a place they could turn into a full-time dairy so they could expand the enterprise and their range of products.
In August 2025, part-funded by Embrace, they moved their 23 cows to a new, larger location in a neighbouring village, which had a disused but purpose-built dairy, ready for renovation. Today the herd has grown to 36 and produces around 500 litres of milk per day – necesitating the purchase of a second milking machine to cope with the increase!
As the dairy production expanded, so too did the employment opportunities. The team ran a dairy production vocational training course for local women and at the end of the course were able to offer permanent positions in their newly expanded dairy for 3 of them.
On the 18 October 2025, the new, fully refurbished Rahbeh Farm Dairy Factory was opened, marking a major milestone.
Today the team produce a wide range of products, including cheese and yoghurt, providing affordable, high-quality food for the local community.
Your Generosity Changes Lives
Every person who has purchased our Legend-Dairy Alternative Gift has directly contributed to the success of the Rahbeh Farm Dairy Factory - just imagine how much more this project could grow!
Life continues in Lebanon
amidst the chaos of war
A donation to our Keeping Hope Alive appeal allows our trusted partners across the Middle East to respond quickly and effectively where the need is greatest.