So Little, So Lonely, So Far From Home

In the refugee camp where his family lives, Noradeen walks alone. The other kids don’t want to play with him because he was born with a deformity of his tongue, and has trouble speaking.

“He came home crying all the time,” his Mother told us.  “The other children laughed at him.  Even the adults teased him. He hated the whole world, and that made me cry, too.”

Noradeen’s mother told us that after escaping the bombings of the civil war in Syria, their family came to the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon with next to nothing.

“The Lebanese government keeps us from moving,” she said.  “We can’t find good jobs, but still have to pay rent. We never lived like this. And we could never save enough money to help Noradeen”

Then Heart for Lebanon, which is supported by CBN, went to Noradeen’s camp and met his family. When we found out about the problem with his tongue, CBN paid for the surgery  Noradeen needed.

“I was so excited,” exclaimed Noradeen.  “After the surgery, I could speak normally. The other kids noticed right away and that made me really happy.”

Noradeen now goes to school at the Heart for Lebanon Hope Center where he’s excelling at math, Arabic, and English.

“I love coming to school because I get to learn about new things and the teachers take good care of us,” the boy said with a smile.  “I also get to play with all my friends.”

“When I heard Noradeen speaking better after the surgery, I thanked God,” said his mother.  “He is so happy now.  Seeing him  going to this fantastic school is amazing. Because of the war, my children missed so much school, but now they are learning again and doing great.”

The kids at the Hope Center also get to watch Superbook in Arabic.

“I really like hearing new Bible stories,” Noradeen said.  “I go home and tell them to my family, and talkand about how Jesus loves us. Every day I thank God for taking care of us and for sending his son to take away my sins.”

CBN and Heart for Lebanon give food each month to Noradeen’s family and thousands of other refugees.

“I can’t imagine what we would do without Heart for Lebanon and CBN,” said his Mom.  “I really love them. I get excited knowing there are people out there who care about us.”

“Thank you for helping me and my family,” said Noradeen.  “I love you.”