Middle East and North Africa: Feeling Pain and Hope

Pain, fullness, and hope.  

When three Arabic letters are “rearranged”, they can make these three different words. It was this emotive blend that infused content for around 200 students at a recent regional conference in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. 

Amid war, violence, political instability, economic insecurity, and persecution, the students from nine different countries had much to lament. But they were also encouraged that the fullness of Christ brings hope and healing. 

These candid comments give a sense of their experiences:   

“I was a very committed member of another faith. So, when a pastor I met gave me a Bible, I only read it to prove it all wrong. But Jesus opened my eyes. Now I’ve become his follower, and my goal is to bring to Jesus the many people around me who are also searching and dissatisfied. Even though it’s very dangerous, I’m constantly seeing people put their trust in Jesus.”  (Hassan from B city) 

“In one of the talks, we were encouraged as a Christian minority not to leave our country so that the Christian presence doesn’t further decrease. I agree with that. But it seems impossible – as an English teacher working two jobs, I don’t even earn enough to make ends meet.” (Malika from Cairo) 

“I love Jesus more than anything and want to be a witness for him in my community. But the suffering I experienced as a child in my family, a terrible explosion in my city, and recent months of bombing – all this has left its mark on me. I suffer from panic attacks and anxiety disorders. Can Jesus heal me?” (Rabiaa from Lebanon) 

“I was allowed to come here with some other female students. All men under 40 were denied visas. For most of us, this is our first trip outside the country. It’s the first time we’ve seen the sea or touched sand, even though it’s not that far from our hometown. Our lives are really complicated, and our presence as Christians in the West Bank is made very difficult. How long can we endure? Which of our brothers and sisters outside our region are interested in us?” (Selima from Palestine – pictured above) 

“With two fellow believers, I made the dangerous journey from our country. We drove through the desert for 33 hours so that we could leave without attracting attention. And what a special experience it has been to praise God together with so many Christians, to listen to his Word, to share with one another. Please pray for us, for our safety as Christians, and for our witness to Jesus to bear fruit.” (Karim from a country on the Arabian Peninsula) 

(Names changed to protect identities)