The recent resumption of fighting in the Middle East has reignited fear and trauma. The Chemin Neuf Community, with a presence in Lebanon and Israel, has not been spared. A brother in Israel and a sister in Lebanon share their news, their concerns and their sources of hope with us. To read the news from Israel, click here.
Opposite: a screenshot of a heart-warming bond between brothers and sisters from the Holy Land and Lebanon
By Nathalie Moussa, Community Member in Lebanon
Two weeks have passed since the crisis began and the situation remains tense. Many displaced people have settled in various locations, some in state schools, others in rather makeshift tents in public squares, battered by the bad weather. Faced with threats from the Israeli army and Hezbollah, which has no intention of giving up, the situation remains worrying. Moreover, the attacks have not ceased. Some feel a quiet anger rising within them… Anger at stubbornness… Anger, frustration and exhaustion in the face of this suffering and this Sisyphean situation that is crippling the country. Opinions are divided between compassion and pity for the plight of the displaced, the anger of those who can no longer accept the tyranny of a political party, and the indifference of those who do not wish to become emotionally entangled in this conflict and prefer to carry on with their lives as best they can.
A testimony from Rita, leader of the 14-18 group:
“I’m proud to live in Lebanon. I live in Jbeil, so I’m safe from direct bombardment, but the current situation wears me down and makes me angry. Sometimes I’m just fed up and my only dream is peace. As the leader of the 14-18 mission, I was sad to have to cancel our weekend at the last minute. Despite the exhaustion, my faith remains my strength. I am certain that the Lord is watching over us. My hope and inner peace are priceless, and what keeps me going is remaining faithful to my mission and my calling.”
The testimony of Jihad and Claudine
“We are Jihad and Claudine, active members of the community. We live near the southern suburbs of Beirut, which are currently under bombardment. From the very first days of the war, we left our home and are now being hosted by brothers from the community in a safer area.
It’s not easy to leave your home! … Although we are better off than many other fellow citizens who were unable to take anything with them. But this house is our home; we built it; it is our life! And today, our life is in a suitcase! We are living through a constant heart-wrenching struggle, a perpetual dilemma between the urgency of leaving everything behind and the fear of leaving everything behind…. Between the fear of losing everything and the hope that the Lord gives us… Between the “judgement” of the other who provoked this war we did not choose, and the mercy we must show towards the other who is different from us…
I am a teacher and private schools have resumed lessons. Work is a respite from the war, a place where everything stands still for a morning. Sometimes, teachers arrive exhausted, having not slept a wink all night because of the bombings. We look at one another, we understand one another, and we carry on… Where does this strength come from? Is it really strength? Must we live like this? Is it normal? Is it fair? Jihad is a barrister; the courts are closed. Cases are piling up. To conclude a case, to finish a file, is impossible… Is it normal? Is it fair? »
The Community’s commitment to refugees
Despite the tragic and painful situation we are going through, we are continuing our commitment as far as possible. Thus, the Community’s Esperanza service supports certain centres that are taking in displaced people. We provide clothing that we receive, food, hygiene products and basic necessities. We are currently in contact with the Red Cross and with the Capuchin Friars who are hosting families in two centres. We will certainly go on to help 35 Christian families being hosted by the Greek Catholic Patriarchate – 110 people in total, including 40 children – who have lost everything…
Fraternity as a resource
We are also continuing our weekly fraternal gatherings, precious moments of revitalising sharing that strengthen our fraternity. Prayer groups are held every Tuesday. Through prayer, through our brothers and through Christ who unites us, we taste the true peace of the Lord. We know that even in the midst of darkness, the star of Hope shines because Christ acts in the heart of the impossible.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23.