Lebanon Christians testify to faith and hope five years after the explosion in Beirut

Five years after the tragic explosion in the port of Beirut (Lebanon) that left More than 200 deadmore than 7,000 wounded and 300,000 homeless people, Lebanese Christians continue to fight against the aftermath of disaster, but clinging to their faith.

“When I returned, I found the collapsed house. There was only one window, nothing more. I was simply no longer there,” He related to the needy church (ACN) Affifeh Bachir, a 73 -year -old woman who was not at home, destroyed by the explosion of August 4, 2020.

Since then, his life changed radically. “I used to buy everything I wanted. Now I must think twice before buying fruit. Everything is expensive and I find it hard to get my medications,” he says.

“I used to walk and feel safe. Now, I feel that nothing is safe, not as it was before the explosion,” he adds.

For the young Maroun the Khawand, who was 16 at that time, the experience also marked his life: “Fortunately, we did not suffer physical damage, it was a miracle, since we had gone through the area only one hour before,” said ACN.

The next day, when he returned to the place, he was hit: “The entire neighborhood in front of the port was destroyed, as if it had been razed. There were no windows and even the walls had collapsed.”

Now with 21 years, Marou will leave to France to continue his studies, but has not resigned from his country. “Sometimes you have to leave to be able to return with more energy. I think I have a future in Lebanon, I had never thought about emigrating before.”

Mons. Jules Bourtos, Syro-Catholic Bishop of the Patriarchy of Antioch, also shared with ACN his testimony: “It was the most difficult thing I have experienced in the last five years. It was a shock; people could not believe what had happened in just a moment.”

Despite the pain, Mons. Bourtos believe that the Lebanese people have a mission: “We are going through a dark night, and that is where we are called to shine. The light we carry is the light of Jesus Christ (…) is not our light, our politics, our culture … is the wisdom of the cross and the light of the resurrection.”

Marielle Bourtos, responsible for ACN projects in Lebanon, emphasizes looking at the future with hope, but also being realistic: “Hope is definitely on the horizon and that is something beautiful and worth highlighting. But it is still distant and people are exhausted.”

“Families have the right to justice. And although people talk about weakening Hezbollah, their weapons and political influence remain,” the official denounced the Pontifical Foundation. In addition, it emphasizes that “the risk of war is real” due to the constant threats of Israel.

The economic crisis aggravates the situation: “Government subsidies for medicines or hospitalization are limited. People still have difficulty satisfying basic needs,” he explained.

Although she decided to stay, she recognizes that many will not return: “The majority of those who emigrate do not return. The system pushes them to stay abroad.”

From the first moment, ACN was present by offering emergency help, food support, and reconstruction financing. Today, five years later, he continues to accompany the local church.