Responding to Lebanon’s Humanitarian Emergency with May-Lee Melki

A humanitarian crisis is unfolding right now in Lebanon, and for hundreds of thousands of families, survival has become a daily question. As conflict intensifies once again, the impact on families—especially women and children—is overwhelming.  In today’s conversation on Faith and Finance, May-Lee Melki of Heart for Lebanon shared what is happening on the ground, how their team is responding, and how believers can help bring both urgent relief and lasting hope. A Nation in Crisis Once Again For many in Lebanon, this is not the first season of displacement and fear. The nation has endured years of instability, economic collapse, and refugee pressures. Now, renewed conflict has forced countless families from their homes yet again. More than one million people have been internally displaced in just a matter of weeks—roughly 20% of the country’s population. Entire regions have become uninhabitable, leaving families to seek shelter wherever they can: schools, unfinished buildings, sidewalks, parks, and vehicles. This crisis is especially severe because it comes after years of economic hardship. Since the financial collapse of 2019, many families have already lost savings, jobs, and financial stability. For those already living on the edge, another wave of displacement is devastating. What the Need Looks Like on the Ground Behind every statistic is a family trying to survive. Heart for Lebanon reported that official shelters are nearly full, while many informal shelters lack basic necessities such as clean water, sanitation, and heat. Families often arrive with little more than the clothes they are wearing. Children are missing school. Parents are searching for food, safety, and a place to sleep. During one field update, Bachir, a Hope Center Director in the Bekaa Valley, described visiting a school where displaced families were staying. Their team distributed blankets, mattresses, and food packages while praying that these acts of care would reflect the love and hope of Christ. Meeting Urgent Needs—and Sharing Lasting Hope What makes the ministry of Heart for Lebanon so compelling is that they are not only meeting physical needs. They are also offering relational care and pointing families to the unshakable hope found in Jesus Christ. Their team has been on the ground since the beginning of the conflict, delivering food, bedding, hygiene supplies, and emergency assistance. But beyond that, they are building relationships, praying with families, and sharing the gospel in some of life’s most vulnerable moments. As May-Lee explained, when everything else has been stripped away, people are often more open to hearing about a hope that extends beyond present suffering. That reflects the heart of 1 John 3:18: “Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” One of Heart for Lebanon's unique strengths is that it is led and staffed by local believers. Many team members are enduring the same hardships as the families they serve. Some have been displaced themselves. Because they live in the communities they serve, they can respond quickly, build trust deeply, and remain faithfully present long after headlines fade. Their ministry is not temporary relief—it is long-term, relational care rooted in the love of Christ. How You Can Respond In moments like this, the Church has an opportunity to be the Church. A gift of $90 can provide a newly displaced family with a month of support, including food, mattresses, blankets, hygiene supplies, and compassionate Christ-centered care. When crisis strikes, it can be easy to feel helpless. But Scripture reminds us that God is “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). And often, He chooses to express that help through His people. As followers of Christ, we may not be able to solve every global crisis—but we can respond faithfully where God gives us opportunity. Sometimes the most powerful witness is a blanket, a meal, a prayer, or a reminder that no family is forgotten. You have an opportunity right now to make a real difference in the lives of families who have lost nearly everything. A gift of $90 can help care for a displaced family by providing food, bedding, hygiene supplies, and compassionate Christ-centered support. To give, text FAITH to 98656 to receive a secure link and phone number, or visit FaithFi.com/Lebanon.  Thank you for being a part of bringing help and hope in the name of Christ. On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: Our church received money from the sale of a house. A planner recommended a moderate-risk investment, but that feels aggressive for church funds. How much risk should we take, or should we stick with safer options like CDs? I’m 64 with a large amount in IRA CDs. If I withdraw funds gradually for liquidity, is there any way to reduce the taxes on those withdrawals? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Heart for Lebanon Church Cash Reserves - How Much Is Enough? By Dan Busby and Michael Martin (Article by ECFA) Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. 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