Story
Ferial, a 61-year-old Palestinian-Syrian woman, has faced many trials since fleeing to Lebanon before the Syrian war. A widow living alone and without children, her daily life has been marked by hardship. After an accident caused by complications of diabetes, where she fell into a hole and broke her shoulder, Ferial’s health and mobility worsened. Her right foot needed surgery too, but with no money for the operation, she could only wear a brace. Financially vulnerable, she relies on the help of her married sisters and kind neighbors for meals and basic needs. Living alone in a rented house near Ghazieh, she longed for community and support.
A Compassionate Neighbor Introduces Faith
One of Ferial’s neighbors is Rasha, a missional leadership trained leader in the 3-year Discipleship Growth Program run by the Hope Evangelical Church and Heart for Lebanon. Over time, Ferial had noticed Rasha going to church and became curious. When Ferial finally asked about it, Rasha eagerly shared her faith. “I explained to her about why I attend church, about who Jesus is, Christian life, faith in Christ, and baptism,” Rasha said.
Recognizing Ferial’s interest, Rasha asked if she would join a small house Bible study group. This discipleship growth program trains leaders like Rasha to guide neighbors through Scripture and spiritual conversations. Grateful for the invitation, Ferial agreed, and Rasha began holding bi-monthly Bible study sessions in Ferial’s living room. These sessions brought the hope of Christ into Ferial’s daily life for the first time.
Growing in Faith Through Bible Studies
Over the past year, Ferial faithfully attended each study session. In these intimate gatherings, she learned about Jesus’s love, forgiveness, and the joy of Christian community. “Ferial is a spiritually thirsty woman,” Rasha observed. “She has a simple heart, and the Word entered her heart as soon as she heard it. She’s very teachable and is always asking questions.”
Through these discussions, Ferial’s faith deepened. She declared Jesus as her Savior and expressed a heartfelt desire to be baptized as soon as possible. She said, “I love reading the Bible, especially when I have someone to discuss it with. One time we studied forgiveness and love from the Bible and it really touched my heart.” Encouraged by these studies, she asked Rasha for her own Bible. When the discipleship program team provided her a new Bible and other materials, Ferial was overjoyed. “Until a baptism ceremony is available, I want to know Christ more,” she told Rasha.
Overcoming Challenges to Join the Church Family
Rasha also invited Ferial to join the Hope Evangelical Church community, but Ferial’s frail health and lack of transportation made regular attendance difficult. Despite these barriers, Ferial made it to church a few times and always came away encouraged by the worship and preaching.
One particularly meaningful experience was a women’s ministry meeting at the church. “When I brought her to the Hope Evangelical Church women’s meeting, she was deeply touched,” Rasha recalled. During the session, Ferial even shared her thoughts and left in tears, moved by the love and prayers of the sisters around her.
Practical Support and Community Care
The Heart for Lebanon team recognized her difficult situation and ensured she received much-needed help. Recently, upon inspections, Heart for Lebanon’s Family Care Team registered Ferial in the assistance program and began delivering vital supplies to her home. Ferial now benefit from:
- Monthly food packages to ease her hunger and health needs.
- Household essentials (like detergents and personal care items) to improve her living conditions.
- Spiritual learning materials so she can continue growing in faith each day.
These practical gifts have made a noticeable difference. Ferial shared her gratitude with Rasha, saying, “Heart for Lebanon’s team were all good with me and they treat me very well.” She even added a heartfelt blessing for those who helped her: “I pray that God will make you happy and grant you success in your work.” With both spiritual guidance and tangible support, Ferial’s life is steadily changing.
A New Beginning in Faith and Community
Today, Ferial’s heart is full of hope. No longer isolated, she has a caring small group led by Rasha and a church family lifting her in prayer. Her journey reflects the goals of the Discipleship Growth Plan: to bring people of all backgrounds into a living relationship with Christ and one another. Through this program, Ferial has moved from loneliness to community, from uncertainty to faith, and from hardship to help.
As she looks forward to her baptism and deeper walks in faith, Ferial embodies the transformation that is possible when God’s love is shared through people. Discipleship and community support can change lives. With continued support, Heart for Lebanon and the Hope Evangelical Church aim to see hundreds more like Ferial embrace hope and purpose through Christ.
