'Ministry in war-torn Lebanon is tough. But the good news of Jesus shines in the darkness'

Rouba Yammine, a church leader in Beirut, Lebanon, shares her experiences of life and ministry in a war zone, and asks Christians everywhere to pray for peace

It has been just over a year since we last saw clear skies; a year since we last felt any sense of stability. The senseless war we were dragged into has so far, cost Lebanon 3,002 lives and injured 13,492 people (official figures as of 5 November 2024).

The psychological toll has been even more devastating. Sonic booms, constant threats and swirling rumors plague us. Schools are suspended and our lives feel as though they are, too - trapped in a limbo between living and merely surviving. The simple sound of a car engine can trigger panic attacks for some, while others have grown numb to the pain, the fear and the worry.