Who are the Syrian refugees?

With all the publicity given to the thousands if not millions of refugees in the Middle East, the question is, "Who are they?"

photo by:  Souleima Chreim

The refugees are not just numbers.  Each one has a name and story to be told, often stories of great suffering yet of courage, endurance, and love.  Despite broken hearts, the loss of beloved family members, each refugee I met cared deeply.  In the midst of confusion and turmoil, each person, man, woman and child, loved and even managed to smile at times.  What a joy to be with them as they gave me more than I was ever able to give them.

THE MAN AND HIS LOVE:

I just met a man in Lebanon and spent time with him.  Each day, he walks along the streets of the poor areas of Beirut, just meeting with people, no matter what their religion or background, giving, sharing, talking.  He loves them greatly.  There is so much in the media about the plight of Syrian refugees but little about the people who love them.  The man often says, "Sorry, I don't know if I can pay your hospital bills or provide rent money, but I will try to get you some food for the children... the best I can."  And he does, person by person, child by child.  A man of love on the streets.

Library Link:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl7OKekCSuEW97DSTaLi8rDsD9bCEC4Rx

THE HIPPO HAS MADE IT TO THE MIDDLE EAST!    The book is out of print, but now the hippo stories (10 of them) are on YouTube.  See the "Library Link" above.  With all the turmoil, rage, fear, violence, and unforgiveness in the region, the Middle Eastern people are also people of great love, sacrifice, hospitality and kindness.  The hippo loves them a lot!  

So, enjoy the YouTube and send links to your friends if you feel led to do so!

Blessings,

Dr. Hippo