In this long-read, Embrace’s Rev Su McClellan shares a vivid personal account of her recent trip to Lebanon. She describes the lasting impact of the recent Israel-Hezbollah war, and how the local Christians that Embrace supports are rebuilding and continuing to serve their communities with love and compassion.

Our partner Tahaddi run an education centre in an informal settlement on the edge of Beirut. Since the start of the war, life for the children and the staff has been turned upside down. But despite the challenges, lessons are continuing…

Our partner MERATH has already been supporting families displaced by the Israel-Hezbollah conflict for many months. Claudette, one of their volunteers, told us what they’d been doing and how the escalation in the violence has made what was an already extremely difficult situation, a critical one.

"Most Lebanese did not sleep last night, their rest shattered by the relentless roar of jets and the deafening..." Staff from our partner Thimar/LSESD sent us this update following the IDF's strikes on Beirut.

Thousands of people in Lebanon have been displaced by the escalating Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Many have had to leave without time to pack essentials and are seeking shelter wherever they can. Staff at our partner Thimar tells us what they are doing to respond to this crisis and of some of the harrowing personal stories they are hearing.

Embrace has had the privilege of partnering with the Al-Kafaàt Foundation since its foundation in the 1960s. Serving through many years of civil war and, more recently, economic and political crisis, theirs is an incredible story of dedication, vision and faith.

In difficult times, we face difficult questions. Written by staff at Embrace’s partner MERATH, this blog discusses what it’s like to live with the threat of war in Lebanon and wrestles with why God is allowing the bloodshed and destruction to persist. It also gives some specific prayer points so that you can join in interceding for the region.

Against the backdrop of a crippling economic crisis and a gaping political vacuum, tensions are growing in Lebanon between Syrian refugees and host communities. With a marked rise in intolerance and even violence, one church in the Beqaa Valley in eastern Lebanon is going against the grain. As part of a network of local churches supported by Embrace’s partner, MERATH, this particular church is choosing to walk in the paths of love.

Since the outbreak of hostilities between Hamas and Israel, there have also been regular exchanges of fire across the Israel/Lebanon border, between Hezbollah and the IDF. Families on both sides have had to flee their homes. Will the fighting escalate and how are Lebanese Christians responding to the crisis?