Syria (MNN) — World Refugee Day often highlights the hardships of life in exile. But what happens when the journey of refuge comes to an end?
Nuna from Triumphant Mercy Lebanon has witnessed a gradual shift in both the lives of Syrian refugees and their place in the country. “Inside Lebanon, within the Ministry of Interior, they have made a plan for the repatriation of four hundred thousand Syrian refugees,” she says. Many are returning by choice — driven by a desire to rebuild Syria and escape the growing instability in Lebanon.
Lebanon remains gripped by crisis, with conflict ongoing and international aid dwindling. The ceasefire isn’t truly holding. Hezbollah refuses to disarm, and while the Lebanese army is slowly taking over some weapons warehouses, many remain under Hezbollah’s control. Israel has targeted some of these sites to prevent drone production inside Lebanon.
A Middle Eastern woman standing with luggage (representative photo courtesy of Mostafa Meraji via Unsplash)
In contrast, Syria is beginning to stabilize. “So there is more money flooding into Syria,” explains Nuna. “Their sanctions have lifted. People are looking with hope towards the future of the rebuilding.” That hope is calling many Syrians back.
Nuna has seen the effects firsthand: her refugee school in Lebanon is losing its students and teachers. They are packing up to return — some by choice, others under pressure. The shift has brought this chapter of ministry to an end.
“And I had to close the school, the school for refugees that we had, because there’s no reason for it to exist anymore. Most of the people will be gone,” says Nuna.
Now, the team is helping students finish strong. “This week, we’re sending all the kids who are in 9th grade to do the exams inside Syria and get their official papers. Then they can continue their high school education there.”
As this ministry ends, Nuna holds onto hope that the Gospel work will continue. Click on Triumphant Mercy Lebanon to learn more about their work!
“Every seed that we have planted in any one of those teachers during all these years of ministry, and the seed that we planted in every one of those children, we expect that God will just be the One watering it,” says Nuna.
But not everyone is leaving. Some refugees fear for their lives if they return. “They have become believers. So now, if they go back to their hometown, which is a radical place, they’re fearing for their lives,” says Nuna.
Pray that as Syrians return home, they will hold fast to the Gospel they’ve received. Ask God to give them courage amid challenges and to guard the seeds of faith planted in exile.
Header photo courtesy of Jonathan Ramalho via Unsplash.
