Lebanon (MNN) — The fallout from multilayered crises continues in Lebanon.
People are leaving the country in droves, Lebanese experts warn, taking their resources and job skills with them. The departure doesn’t automatically lead to disaster; remittances make up 38 percent of Lebanon’s GDP.
However, according to a new World Bank report, Lebanese ex-pats send less money back to their homeland than in previous years.
For those in Lebanon, surviving today’s devastation often takes priority over investing in future gains.
“We’re trying as much as possible to keep people educated. And this is hard because the kids are not motivated,” Nuna of Triumphant Mercy Lebanon says.
“When they see what’s happening around them, they don’t plan for anything in the future, so they’re not motivated to learn.”
A steep economic crisis and currency collapse has pushed nearly 80 percent of Lebanon’s population into poverty. Refugees suffer even more, and there’s no end in sight to despair.
(Photo courtesy of TM Lebanon)
“We are in a long-term crisis. I know people get tired [of giving], and they say, ‘Okay, it’s been years we’ve been helping with refugees.’ But the reality is that it’s getting even worse,” Nuna says.
And yet, hope remains. People find Jesus when they reach the end of themselves. Read one example here.
“When they are with us, we try to share the hope of Christ. People are very, very open [to the Gospel] because of the help, because of our smile, and our love for them,” Nuna says.
“I’m so happy to report many baptisms have happened in the last couple of months.”
Help Triumphant Mercy Lebanon share the Good News of Jesus through education.
Header and story images courtesy of Triumphant Mercy Lebanon.
