On the Green Line

Last night in downtown Beirut we parked on the old Green Line, the frontline in the 1975-90 War. Posters of more recently murdered politicians - e.g. Rafiq Hariri, murdered in 2005 - hang from buildings. Now in a more peaceful time - here in the Middle East at least - despite armed soldiers and check points the Lebanese enjoy sitting outside smoking their water & tobacco narguileh pipes or eating together. Western style dress mixes with Muslim hijabs on the streets & an Arab in a full shadour walks past on his mobile & then soldiers with guns at hand walk by. Cultures and religions mix in Beirut once again, but it is not 'the Western playground' of the 1960s. Beirutis always went out to eat even when the bombs came down...now there is some peace and they always hope.

Neville

ipadio: The latest news from Aid to the Church in Need - 1st phonecast

Beirut faith

Meeting with Iraqi refugees. Now fearful of more fleeing Syria...where they have already fled to. Some now going back from Syria to villages in northern Iraq. Yet encouragement
from great faith of Jacques Kalassi at Tele Lumiere witnessing to Christ throughout the Arab world. Faith & fortitude...all with hope. Great ACN support - really appreciated. In prayer from Beirut - Neville

Tyre - but don't tire of prayer

Just passed UN post on way from Tyre to Sidon...Sour to Saida...after Bishop Hajj had appealed to ACN to help "the villages and home of Christianity". He asked for solidarity & prayer in this part of the Holy Land where Christ & his Mother came. "One bullet could ignite a renewed conflict. " He and others are  involved in dialogue between Christians, Muslims & Druze. Today a new centre for dialogue sponsored by the Sultan of Oman opened in Beirut. Talk fine - but where is the action? Neville

Lebanon
10.05.11

Sidon

Dialogue & inter-religious meetings take place in Sidon (Saida) + two bishops speak of good relations with Sunni, Shia and Druze. Worries about possible Syrian refugees - perhaps 300,000 Melkites amongst 2 million Christians. How do we at ACN help sustain Christianity here? Archbishop Nassar of Sidon pleaded - "Help us to witness to Christ where Christ & His blessed mother came."
Just arriving in Tyre (Sour)...after passing UN armoured vehicles.
Neville
10.05.11

Beirut & Middle East

In Lebanon today there seems to be a mixture of fear and also relief. Fear at the unknown consequences of what Patriarch Rai calls 'a political and social earthquake in the Middle East' and the critical situation nearby in Syria + Egypt. Yet, also relief...that- for all the political in-fighting - that there is no actual conflict taking place in Lebanon. There are deep anxieties amongst Christian communities about what is happening to their brothers & sisters throughout the Middle East + a real worry about a possible flood of refugees. Yet the Lebanese live on hope...& trust in God + look to charities like ACN to help them. Neville K-S, Beirut, 09.05.11

Lebanon

En route to Beirut for Aid to the Church in Need. It will be interesting to see how the religious & political landscape is being impacted upon by Middle East upheavals. Challenging for
Christian communities and others.Will speak to those caring for Iraqi refugees and orphans, new Patriarch & different communities.
Neville
08/05/11