Abd al-Hadi grew up in a strict Muslim family in a village north of Afrin, Syria, where the majority of the population is Kurdish. Ever since he was a child, his parents were determined that he would learn to live more and more according to the Quran.
He went through the traditional rites of passage and was a devout Muslim who spent time in prayer, purification rituals, caring for the needy and pilgrimages. All that changed the moment terrorist groups raided his village and the nearby town of Afrin.
Along with thousands of others, after Turkey's bombardment of the Afrin canton in northwestern Syria in early 2018, he became a refugee overnight and ended up in a refugee camp southeast of Afrin. It was here in the camp that the relief teams we support met Abd al-Hadi for the first time.
Brave Syrian Christians helped
Abd al-Hadi felt desperate, unsure where his next meal would come from. The aid workers, with the support of Danish European Mission donors, offered him a food package.
"Why are you helping us?" Abd al-Hadi asked the Christian relief workers
Then he asked: "Why are you helping us?" The emergency workers answered him: "This food package is an expression of our love for you. We love you and have a message for you from God to help you".
He replied: "Let's have a cup of coffee together!" and invited them to his tent. While drinking coffee, they began a conversation with Abd al-Hadi and told him about God's love for him.
He became curious and wanted to know more, so the next day the relief workers took him to church. Within a week, he surrendered to Jesus and now attends church regularly. The food parcels give people like Abd al-Hadi a tangible glimpse of Jesus' love and care for those who are hungry. Jesus is truly the Good Shepherd, and the aid that is distributed is a source of comfort to those who are suffering.
How powerful it is to see the persecuted but brave Syrian Christians reaching out to people in need. The Christians themselves live in a dictatorship and a civil war-torn, impoverished country. But the love of God drives the Christians to stay and help the vulnerable. In the darkness of war, Christians are a shining light, pointing with their acts of love to the hope found in the Bible.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the relief efforts in Syria.
