As the Federal government announces its intention to send a ship to Tyre to evacuate Australians, Christian missionaries decide to dig in and serve a devastated populace.
Motor Mission reporter Julian Price says friends who have been witnessing in Beirut for decades believe Lebanon is more in need of the Gospel than ever before.
"These guys have been in the Middle East long enough to see things like this before," Mr Price says.
"They’ve had their house bombed, their father kidnapped by Hezbollah militants, and seen their colleagues killed," he recounts, reflecting on the crises they have already endured for Christ.
"I didn’t think they’d be up and leaving in a hurry."
The couple, who cannot be named for security reasons, say they will treat this as another opportunity to serve.
"Most foreigners have left, but we know that our place is here," the husband says.
The couple now watch rockets rain down on southern Lebanon from their living-room window and consider how God's hand may be at work in even the most withering barrages.
"We are a little bit away form the areas, that are being targeted but we still hear and see the bombings," they say.
"We do pray for the people of this country, we pray there would be a turning to God and finally revival.
"We do know that the Lord is sitting on His throne and is in control."
Missiles bring Gospel moments
The bombardment which has forced thousands to flee their homes has delivered rare opportunities to witness.
Children previously closeted in tight-knit Muslim communities have fled into the arms of Christian communities.
"Many of the refugees are now in different schools, often Christian Schools," the husband says.
"And there is just that wonderful opportunity to minister. We've gone to a [religious] school, doing crafts with the kids, singing, listening to the hurts," he says, describing the acts of service to devastated families.
Asked for their prayer points, the couple express little concern for themselves.
"Pray for Lebanon and the people here," the husband says.
"God encourages us daily through His mighty, powerful Word. We hold on to His promises."
Motor mission now connected to mass suffering
Motor mission member Julian Price says Muslims who happily opened their doors to him have lost the homes they shared with others.
It has taken him days to get through to one family from the harried city of Tyre.
"They have escaped from their home in Tyre and are sheltering with friends in Beirut," Mr Price says.
"They haven’t had any news from their town, they don’t even know if their house is still there."
The destruction of roads and civil infrastructure is likely to drive this particular family into the depths of poverty.
"The father drives trucks for a living but as many of the main roads have been bombed he cannot work," Mr Price explains.
"They don’t have much money left to survive."
But as Israel and Hezbollah trade attacks and counter-attacks, their real concern is the time it is taking the international community to intervene.
"They can’t understand why no-one is coming to help them fight Israel," Mr Price says, recounting the family's desperate words over a crackling mobile.
"They say, "Can’t they see Israel want to wipe us out?!'"
Rather than shatter Hezbollah's power-base, Mr Price believes Israel's tactics will only strengthen grass roots support.
"They are Shiite Muslims and they believe they must fully support the fight for Hezbollah to keep Israel from taking their country."
Click here to read the Motor Mission's insights into the roots of the current conflict, Why does Lebanon love Hezbollah?
Photos courtesy Arabist
EDITOR’S WARNING: This photo-stream contains graphic content deemed to be extremely disturbing
