2026 09 Nexus Mission Newsletter
From Syria to Lebanon, and Back Again
A Mother’s Story: When Fear Gave Way to Hope
Fear had become part of my four-year-old daughter Rawan’s childhood.
As my marriage was falling apart, our home became a place of conflict and abuse. Both Rawan and I were deeply affected. It broke my heart to see her endure what no child should have to experience.
Then Rawan came to Nexus School.
She carried wounds that could not be seen. So did I. Looking back, I believe God knew exactly what we needed. At Nexus, we were welcomed, prayed for, and loved.
For Rawan, healing began not with lessons, but with experiencing the love of Jesus through the people around her. The teachers listened, prayed, and walked alongside us. Slowly, Rawan began to trust again. She felt safe, loved, and free to simply be a child.
Eventually, I found the courage to leave the abusive situation, and Rawan could no longer attend Nexus. We left the school, but the Nexus teachers did not leave us.
Through conversations and video calls, they stayed connected with Rawan. I remember telling them:
“The biggest smile I see on Rawan’s face is when she talks to her teachers.”
They continued praying for me and encouraging me through God’s Word. Over time, God continued to work in our lives. Rawan’s father and I reconciled, and our family came back together.
Today, we are living together in Syria, and Rawan is happily attending first grade. She is growing, learning, and enjoying being a child again.
Nexus became more than a school to us. It became a place of refuge, where Rawan experienced the love of Jesus and I was reminded that God had not forgotten our family.
Our story began with pain, but pain did not have the final word.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Psalm 147:3
Re-Fam – Where Families Are Restored?
Since the political changes in Syria in December 2024,
Syrian refugee families in Lebanon have faced difficult choices about whether to stay or return home. For some, returning has offered a new beginning. For others, rebuilding life in Syria remains difficult.
Behind every journey is a family, and behind every family is a story.
Rawan and Ahmed represent two different experiences. Rawan’s family returned to Syria and began rebuilding their life together. Ahmed’s family also returned, hoping to start again, but found life there too difficult. Eventually, they made the journey back to Lebanon.
When Ahmed returned, there was one place he especially hoped to see again: Nexus School.
Ahmed’s Story
Syria → Lebanon → Nexus → Syria → Lebanon → Nexus Again
My name is Ahmed. I am from Syria.
I first came to Nexus Center in 2021 when I was eight years old. For the next three years, Nexus became a special place for me. I learned to read and write, made friends, and was surrounded by people who cared for me.
Sometimes we received a warm meal. I often saved part of mine for my sister, who has a disability and could not come to Nexus. I wanted to share with her.
In December 2024, my family returned to Syria, hoping to begin again. But life there was very difficult, and after about a year, we returned to Lebanon.
One of the first things I asked was:
“Can I go back to Nexus?”
Today, I am 13 years old. I work in the morning, and after work, I come to Nexus for the last few hours of school because I want to keep learning.
I have traveled from Syria to Lebanon, back to Syria, and then to Lebanon again. God brought me back to Nexus.
I know God has not forgotten me.
My story is not finished.
God is still writing it.
Myanmar: Update from Xiao Tai and Xiao Ling
God Made a Way – Released After Five Days
Greetings, and praise the Lord for His protection!
I am deeply thankful to share that I have been released from detention in Myanmar.
I was told that I could face up to three months of detention for what the authorities described as “illegal contact with religious persons.” Yet, by God’s grace, I was released after only five days.
During those difficult days, we knew that many brothers and sisters were praying for us. Thank you for every prayer, message, and expression of love and support. Your prayers strengthened us and reminded us that we were not alone.
We thank God for bringing me safely through this experience and making a way for my release.
Praise the Lord for His mercy and faithfulness!
Xiao Tai