One year after a devastating earthquake, and thanks to your gifts and prayers, Syrian Christians are seeing the hope of Jesus.
At 4:30 am on February 6, 2023, a massive earthquake hit southeastern Türkiye and northwestern Syria. Buildings collapsed, more than 55,000 people died, and millions were displaced from their homes.
Two of these displaced people were Samih and Maria from Aleppo, Syria.
When the earthquake struck, the couple was in their apartment building. They ran down the stairs—or tried to, as Maria was still recovering after a C-section delivery of Ralph, their second child. The family made their way from their home, shocked at the horror of the moment. “It was an awful night. In 13 years of war, we never had anything resembling the horror we felt, condensed into that minute and a half,” Maria says.
Maria’s description of the “awful night’ is shared by almost everyone in Aleppo. They lived through 13 years of shelling, mortars, explosions, sanctions, threats from Islamic extremists and financial difficulties—but nothing comes near to the horrifying feeling they experienced that night.
Now, a year later, the couple looks back at that night—and all that’s happened since then. The family of four shares a one-bedroom apartment; Samih usually sleeps on a couch because the small bed they have can’t accommodate four people, even if two of them are toddlers.
As Maria recalls the days following the earthquake, she remembers fear: “In the first moments after the earthquake, I felt that Jesus was with me, that He gave me strength,” she says. “But, after the second earthquake that day, I started doubting: Why didn’t God stop this?”
But she also remembers seeing how God can turn bad things into good.
“For the next six months, we didn’t have to pay for any more diapers for Ralph.”
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28, Maria's favourite verse
Your support at work!
Thanks to your gifts and prayers, the couple’s local church was able to help them—and many families who were struggling. Even before the earthquake, many Christian families like Maria’s were struggling under the poverty line, working two or three jobs just to survive.
Open Doors’ local partner in Syria used your donations to help restore the houses of people impacted by the earthquake. More than 7,000 people in Aleppo alone left their homes that night and went to stay in churches and monasteries. As the year unfolded, our partner helped these families return to their homes after restoring them and making them safe again. In Aleppo, 1,540 houses were repaired over the last year, and many grateful families have returned. In Latakia, another 464 houses were restored.
Kamal was one of those who was helped with home repairs. “We received help and we could renovate and repair the damage that was caused by the earthquake,” he says. “We’re very thankful, very grateful, to all people who shared our suffering and helped us continue and stand. Thank you, thank you, we’re very grateful.”
Maria and Samih were fortunate their house wasn’t damaged. But, of course, they were still left devastated by the earthquake. Your gifts were also put to work for families like them—they, along with 5,038 other families, were supported with one-time cash vouchers, , all distributed by Open Doors’ local partner.
Additionally, your support helped provide food parcels, rent support, and winter aid that families have received on a regular basis in the year since the disaster.
In a way, the earthquake changed the equation for many Syrians. In 90 seconds of tremors, many people emerged with the solution for some of their problems. All over the world, people felt their pain and started to donate and pray—Syrian Christians knew they weren’t alone or forgotten!
Please Pray
Syria continues to have massive problems, and Christians continue to live under risk. Many Syrian Christians have already fled the country—and many more want to leave. The future of the Syrian church is at risk, But Open Doors and our partners remain committed to strengthening God’s people to serve as salt and light in Syria.
- Please pray that God may help Syrian believers see His hand at work, that they will feel the love pouring from their brothers and sisters around the world.
- Pray for Samih’s and Maria’s family, as they struggle to see a future in Syria. Pray that God will give them wisdom and strength to continue trusting Him as they seek to live for Jesus.
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