By Shadi Saad, ChangeMaker in Lebanon
Because knowledge and improvement are the rights of each woman, and because we’re trying, as a ministry, to reach every lady, we pushed the “place” boundaries and left the only place we have served for over 16 years. Full of experience and passion, we go out and spread our mission to every woman across our country — to take care of women in everything they may need.
We begin by helping them understand their own value through vocational training and education and by encouraging them to play a positive role in their own lives. We provided courses in many fields so ladies can run a business with what they have learned or simply have a new professional hobby. Like in the beauty field, for example, we provided courses in makeup, nail care, skin care, etc. In other areas, like manual skills, we offered art courses such as crafting, painting, candle making, soap making, cooking and much more.
This past year, IAW ministries launched our new project and began reaching many Lebanese regions. The goal of this project is to give our experiences in both beauty and art fields to as many women as possible in the different regions of our country.
Another goal is to help local churches reach a great number of ladies nearby and build deep relationships with them. So as a team, we asked a local church to welcome us and the ladies so we can give them three courses per day for over six weeks. Of course, our courses are free of charge, so ladies do not have to worry about payments, and we give to each lady all the necessary materials she needs for the course. In each meeting, we have a little break time in which we teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our vision is God’s vision — to be an instrument through which God can communicate to Arabic women, showing them divine love and mercy so they can spread it in their families and societies.
Currently our team of four ladies has visited seven different regions in Lebanon, reaching almost 300 ladies. All these ladies did not just learn something new, but also knew the gospel of Christ and the importance of having God in their lives.
They were also given a Bible. The ladies we reached came from different backgrounds, so not only Christian ladies were involved, but also Druze, Muslims and other religions.
Each lady we met became a member in our family, so we’re always in contact with them on social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp. Some ladies have begun to run their own businesses with what they learned and ended up with great success. As for the women who were unfamiliar with the churches, they became engaged in the churches’ activities.
We hope that, in the near future, we’ll be able to reach more and more women in different Lebanese regions so we can make a change in their lives. We also hope to make this project available in other countries as well because each woman deserves support. We believe our role is to give the two loaves and the five fish, and let the Lord use it for the glory of His name.
