The volunteers of the Seeds of Hope project in Syria are providing continuous support for a family that has lived and is still living in great economic hardship, and has had to deal with health problems and serious bereavement.
The story of George’s family in Syria is not an easy story to tell. He, his wife and two children were living in a cramped rented room, with no furniture and without the necessities of daily life. Yet George’s family was grateful to the Lord for what they had, and for the support they received from the Seeds of Hope project through which AMU in Syria provides primary care.
The project’s two volunteers, Suleiman and Fairuz, knew the plight of George’s family well: “We could not stand by and do nothing in the face of these people’s difficulties, so we provided them with clothes and blankets, but each time we were amazed by the strength of their faith and how they always thanked the Lord for everything they received”. This serenity was a gift for the volunteers: “Their attitude gave us more strength than we gave them.”
Unfortunately, however, their difficulties got worse and the family suffered two major bereavements. Their eldest son who was enlisted in the army, contracted hepatitis. George was also affected by the same disease. Both died. The wife was unable to cope with so much suffering and suffered a severe nervous breakdown. The second son was forced to abandon his studies even though he wanted to continue. He and his mother moved into a room in the Doealaa area of Damascus: an unhealthy lodging, without windows, with only an iron door that allowed a change of air if left open. They have no furniture. They have no refrigerator to store food, nor a washing machine. The “Seeds of Hope” project continues to accompany and support them. Volunteers often visit them, check on their health, bring them help and comfort to try to lighten the load that life has placed on this family’s shoulders as much as possible.