Mafraq, Jordan

Like me, you’ve probably never heard of Mafraq, Jordan before.  Mafraq is in the far northern part of Jordan, only a 30 minute drive to the border of Syria. Because of that proximity, over the last three years it has become a place of refuge for 100,000 Syrians fleeing from hostilities in their home country.  That is slightly less than the population of Clearwater, Florida, my hometown.  Mafraq already had 90,000 citizens so their population has essentially doubled in the past three years.  Most of these refugees live in the Zaatari refugee camp but many also live in dismal apartments and rented rooms in this city that is bursting at the seams.  There is also a new refugee community in Amman as Iraqi Christians from Mosul have fled the horror of ISIS, most with only the clothes on their back, many being traumatized by people who used to be their neighbors.  The Shepherd Society, the charitable arm of BBC, sent two serving teams to Jordan and I was part of the one to Mafraq.

The Alliance Church in Mafraq

The Alliance Church in Mafraq has jumped into action to respond to the crisis on their doorstep. They meet the most immediate needs of refugees by providing clothing, food, baby supplies and diapers.  They have started a small school in their church for first and second graders. Abby, a volunteer from the US, runs the school and the children are thriving under her care and tutelage. They adore her and are so happy to have a safe and carefree place to go.   The Church is completing construction on a community center that will open in January and provide a bigger space for the school as well as English language and skills training classes for the refugees. The Church also has a home visit ministry through which they develop relationships with refugee families.

Abby, her student, and his family

Our team had the opportunity to break into small group and participate in home visits.  In four days, I visited ten Syrian families.  I can hardly find the right words to describe these visits, but let me try a few….helpless, sorrowful, disheartened, humbled, gracious, encouraged, grateful. The stories of these families share a few common elements – most have lost husbands and sons.   Most have family still in Syria as well as Lebanon and Turkey and other countries.  Four of the ten families I met have children with various disabilities, some severe and life threatening.  Three of these four families each had two children with disabilities; each child was precious and so loved by their families.

Two brothers with special needs

All these families are in a state of limbo, waiting for some change to the situation so that they might return home.  Each family served us tea, lots and lots of tea, along with sweets or nuts or even popcorn in one home.  One family made us a sweet and a savory bread pastry. I have always known that Arab culture is one of great hospitality so I was not surprised by any of this, but was instead filled with humble gratitude at their generosity in the midst of poverty. Hospitality is second nature in this part of the world, regardless of your circumstances.

All of the families were met we either from Daraa, near the border, or Homs, a large city that was devastated in the first year of hostilities and which I visited with Peachtree in 2004.  I know (or knew) a family in Homs and worshiped at the Evangelical Church.  The Church was severely damaged by a falling shell and the family I knew has left, but at least I had this small connection to share.  I had visited their city back when it was beautiful and whole.  One mother told us the people of this church were the only ones who had offered them any support.  Another woman who lost her husband and her son told us she’d been crying all night but had her spirits lifted by our visit and felt God had sent us to minister just to her. 

Mother who lost a husband and son

All the families we met were Muslim.  All were so grateful for our presence with them, for our encouragement in the midst of their suffering, and especially for our prayers.  One mother even asked us to pray for her family because God answers the prayers of the Christians.

One thing I know for certain – I have no experience with true suffering, none whatsoever, especially to the degree that the Syrian and Iraqi people in Jordan face.  What do I say that can mean anything to them?  I cannot relate to such suffering.  I can only say I am sorry and I will pray for them, which I did then and will continue to do.  I invite you to pray with me for these refugees, and for a peaceful end to the chaos in Syria and Iraq.  If you would like to support the Shepherd Society’s ministry to refugees in Jordan, click here. 

Our team and church members

Extended family with 12 children