“He who shows kindness to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done.” (Proverbs 19:17)

When we lend, if we know for sure the borrower is going to pay it back, we’ll be very happy to lend to our friend. God is a true, faithful “Borrower”!  For the sake of the poor, He “borrows” from us whenever we help those in need. God is “The Faithful One”! He doesn’t need to pay us back in cash; He may repay us by changing lives! “The LORD will repay” — He never leaves any “debt” of His unpaid — and He has the ability to repay fully and on time! There is no one who helps people in obedience to His command who will become poor as a result! Dear ones, let us lend to the Lord by helping others!

In mid-August, serious violence broke out against more than fifteen churches which were attacked and burned, and believers’ lives were threatened. A violent mob of about 100 formed very quickly and then mushroomed into 4,000 people. After the various incidents, Giles and Johnson each arrived at scenes of the attacks. “We didn’t understand why this thing happened, but we are joining our voices with Nexus to send out the appeal, “Please help the poor — lend to the Lord!”

Friendship Country’s Christians comprise 1.6% of the population and are viewed as second-class citizens. Locked into low-level, dirty jobs, they have largely  been marginalized in society. Cases of abduction, abuse, and assault of Christian girls are common.

Overcome the Enemy With Love — Friendship Country.

“Thank you for the food you sent! I don’t know what to say … Thank you for your help! We’ve lost everything. And all around us … we don’t know how many people are suffering like this. I never thought anybody would come looking for us, but you’ve come this long distance to bring us food. Thank you!”

Sharing our food with them is a blessing to us! Some believers who were lukewarm Christians before open their hearts to receive God’s Word. The Gospel has not been hindered by all the trouble!

Olive City — The House of Hope — A Strange Scene

This girl’s name is Marwa. She has one brother. They were living a normal, safe life with their parents, until … ISIS came to Syria. They shot and killed her father, right in front of the family. At that moment their life took a traumatic turn for the worse, and their situation quickly worsened and they had to flee from their home. They ended up staying in Jaramana, about 20 kilometers from Damascus.

Their mother was now the family’s sole provider, having to pay rent, electricity, school fees, food, household expenses, etc, all from her meager wages in a sewing factory.

Once when the House of Hope was distributing aid from the container giving out shoes to the students, Marwa made a big scene, immediately starting to hug and kiss the shoes she received!! … What’s going on here?? … her teacher asked. 10-year-old Marwa replied, “Life is amazing! Yes, I wanted a pair of shoes so badly! I’m probably acting funny … because I love these shoes so much! I was so tired of my old shoes — they weren’t just old — they hurt my feet a lot because they were too small. So I told my mother that I needed new shoes. She said, ‘Let’s pray.’

Well, I already knew we didn’t have enough money to buy me new shoes because sometimes my brother and I only get to eat one meal a day … but Mother still had hope. We closed our eyes, we prayed … and we prayed. And today I have new shoes!! Thank you very much; I am very thankful! My mom will be so happy!”

We could see that Marwa’s hadn’t been getting the nutrition she needed — in fact she was anemic — far too skinny!

What children in most countries consider normal seems to be a miracle for children in Syria!

God is good. We pray He will use us more to help the ones who need it … bit by bit, little by little; and when all those little things are added up, it makes a miracle that brings renewal and change!

Tree City — Nexus Center — A Dream of a Hamburger

Brother Jacob took three girls to eat lunch at a restaurant — and he thought all he was doing was having lunch! But to the girls it meant much more, he found out. Lina explained, “Ever since I saw a picture of this hamburger, my dream has been to eat one someday!”

Nexus Center Provides Lunch Twice a Week

My Dad Hasn’t Had Anything To Eat For Two Days!

We provide lunch twice a week for about 120 children. One time we made a kind of sandwich they like — a wrap with meat and salad in it. When Wafaa, the teacher, noticed one boy about 10 years old not eating his sandwich, she asked him why. He replied: “Please forgive me for not eating my sandwich! I want to give it to my dad, who’s at the camp. He hasn’t eaten for two days!” Every time I hear this kind of hard-to-imagine thing, it brings tears to my eyes.

Dear Ones, Our earnest request is, Please cooperate with us and “Help the Poor — Lend to the Lord”!

The LORD will repay — He owes no man anything! Mercy and love can overcome hatred and evil!

Family members in Friendship Country have suddenly lost everything there, many more “Marwas” are dreaming of hugging and kissing a pair of shoes, young students just want to taste a bite of a hamburger, and mothers and fathers are even going hungry every day to make sure their children can eat their fill first … and there so many more such things!

Continue to Overcome the Enemy of Hunger With Love!

“Thank you for coming so far to bring food to us… Thank you!”

“He who shows kindness to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done.” (Prov 19:17)

Sincerely, Candy, Olivia, Johnny, and the Nexus Team

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