- DATE: March 17, 2007
- PLACE: Aalma el Shaab, South Lebanon
- TYPE OF PROJECT: Distribution of rechargeable lamps
- QUANTITY: 40
- RECIPIENTS: Families from the Presbyterian church
- PARTNERSHIP: Volunteers from MBC and COG |(Ashrafieh)youth group
DESCRIPTION
Heart for Lebanon visited Aalma el Shaab on one of its trips to the south. It is a quiet village overlooking Israel at its south and the beautiful sea on the east- 2 miles from the coast.
We met the pastor of the National Evangelical Presbyterian Church (founded in the 19th century in Aalma) who told us of the hardships the church and its families went through during the war.
In spite of the misery felt by the villagers, we were encouraged to see a hopeful pastor with plans to revive the village and most importantly, the ministry of the church. He has put together a choir as well as an acting group. Last Christmas, the church invited all the villagers, from all Christian denominations, to a Christmas play- it had a big impact! Currently, his team is preparing an Easter play that will take place on the 10th of April.
The most urgent need expressed by the pastor was the shortage of electricity. Since the generators used when the governmental electricity is cut, take a long time to start, he requested Heart For Lebanon to provide rechargeable lamps for the church families.
On the 17th of March we headed South to Aalma with the youth group of Church of God Ashrafieh. We went door to door and offered the families rechargeable lamps. We attached a verse on each lamp which read: “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16)