Christians Helping in Aleppo
Ruined buildings in Antakya, Turkey. [Image courtesy of VOA]
Two of TWR’s Arabic ministry staff are visiting our team in Syria. One of them is helping the local church in Aleppo, Syria for a few days as well. Their task is twofold: to help in the relief efforts and to encourage the production of relevant content that relates to the current crisis. We sent the first financial support through a local church in Aleppo, and we plan to continue developing this partnership as more funds come in.
People are sleeping on the streets in Aleppo. The BBC reported that hospitals don’t have room for new patients and aren’t even able to discharge patients because there’s nowhere for them to go. The complexity of the political situation often hinders emergency assistance.
We’re encouraged to hear that our Syrian team along with other Christians in Aleppo are helping anyone in need, both Christians and Muslims. Any help offered is received with thankfulness.
The city of Jindayris, a place where most of the residents already needed humanitarian aid before the disaster, represents a quarter of the region’s deaths according to the BBC. Sadly, many children are now orphaned after losing both parents. TWR’s team in Syria is diligently praying for restoration, not only for the nation’s infrastructure, but also for the many hurting people and broken families.
Big news just came in from Türkiye: broadcasts are up and running again in Antakya. The building has been damaged but the equipment stayed untacked. They were able to move the equipment to another location and set it up so that the signal can go out again.
Currently, Shema Media Group is airing music, Bible verses and news. Very soon, they plan to address trauma and emotional healing. The team wants to quickly adapt when it comes to their media content, to meet people where they are. Radio and video will be the focus at Shema. A recent video release got over 5,000 views just in matter of few days, so people are watching online.
A local union of churches in Türkiye state that 90 percent of buildings in Antakya are damaged and 80 percent have collapsed. Only one percent of dead bodies are thought to have been recovered. Even in the cold weather, human remains are starting to smell.
Churches are setting up tents with heaters that people can live in. This helps people feel better physically and psychologically. The churches have ordered 50 tents with smoke vents. Meanwhile, Christians from other countries are on the way to Türkiye to help build wooden houses.
Prayer Points:
- Colleagues from TWR’s Arabic ministries are visiting the team in Syria this month. Pray for safety and guidance as they help train the team to use new digital tools for the ministry and support the team emotionally.
- Poverty, abuse and homelessness are rampant in Lebanon, Egypt and Syria. Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as the follow-up team for TWR’s Arabic ministries respond to listeners.
- Praise God that the radio station in Antakya, Türkiye, is up and running again.
- Shema’s team in Antakya are safe, although heavily traumatized due to the loss of homes and family members and friends. Please pray for them.
- The Christians in disaster areas of Türkiye and Syria need supernatural strength as they cope with trauma that is ongoing. Please pray for them as they want to share hope in a seemingly hopeless situation.
- Please pray for many people are suffering physically, mentally and spiritually in the disaster areas. They need God’s comfort amid the chaos and pain.
We are continuing to raise awareness and funds for the people affected by the earthquake. Our prayer and goal is to not only provide them with physical aid, but also use media to bring them to the giver of hope, Jesus Christ. If you would like to join these efforts, you can take action here.
