Most of the children were either orphans or internally displaced children who had undergone all kinds of trauma. It had been quite some time since these children had access to such a nice, warm and healthy meal. One thing that really stood out from the first event was the very evident joy on the faces of all ages, regardless of the tragedies they had endured.
A number of Christmas for Refugees events were held in Jordan this year. At one of the Christmas parties, every single one of the children present was from Iraq. In Qaraqosh the party lasted almost four hours, with different types of entertainment and of course all pointing to the real reason for Christmas, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Christian population in Bethlehem is no longer self-sustaining. It is with that understanding that Christmas for Refugees agreed to hold a Christmas party for 800 Christian children still living in the Bethlehem and Beit Sahour area, to bring some joy to the shrinking Christian population. Read more about our journey to the Holy Land.
First Christmas parties held for Syrian refugee children in Lebanon / Three major Christmas parties for displaced children on the Nineveh Plain / Orthodox Church (Western Order) helps with Christmas parties in Iraq / Diaper distribution in Iraq continues during Christmas for Refugees events
The first Christmas for Refugees Christmas party was held on December 14 in Qaraqosh and had 546 children in attendance. In all, more than 1,500 children attended the three events held this year in Iraq. Every event was centered on Jesus, from coloring contests to puppet shows.
The Christmas program for 2018 will serve nearly 10,000 children. There were four Christmas events for children the first week of December. Of those four, two were held by brand new churches founded by Syrian refugees. Christmas programs are directed differently in Lebanon because of the sheer number of events and the distances between them.
Christmas for Refugees almost, but not fully funded for 2018 / In Syria, Christmas events for children in four locations including Jaramana! / Diapers for Refugees to purchase another 500,000 diapers in December / Other programs: Fuel for Camp Odrana paid for until December / Over $300,000 already paid out for Christmas for Refugees programs
This year, about 1,000 children will have a full Christmas program in Syria including a hot meal and gifts. The children are not officially refugees but are what is referred to as “displaced persons,” a person who is still in their native country but has been forced out of their home by war.
Christmas in the Middle East! Over $100,00 wired to Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq in October and $200,000 more in November to provide Christmas events for Christian children. A special program doubles all gifts to the Christmas for Refugees program made in November. More children can be provided a Christmas!
Jeff Bezos, the world’s richest man, funnels money to this radical Islamist group that wants to establish Sharia law in the UK through his Amazon Smile program. At the same time he blocks funds to a Christian organization aiding Christian refugees