FORNEY, Texas (ABP) — A Texas mission team, trapped in war-torn Lebanon when Israel invaded July 13, says prayer, patience and the love of a Baptist congregation in Beirut helped them through the ordeal.
The 10-member team originally set out for an eight-day mission trip to Beirut to work with Muslims in the city and pass out Arabic New Testaments. Four days later, plans changed dramatically when Israel began bombing Lebanon in response to a Hezbollah attack.
“It was just surreal,” said Jimmy Pritchard, the pastor of First Baptist Church of Forney.
As violence engulfed southern Lebanon, the group booked an earlier flight out of the country. But the group was stranded when the airport was rendered unusable.
Fearing for their safety, the team members moved to a hotel in the mountainous region of east Beirut. From there, they witnessed the bombing of the city's southern section.
When the hotel filled with refugees, the team moved to the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary. There they were welcomed “with open arms” by the Lebanese Baptists, Pritchard said.
Despite the ongoing attacks, the Texas team remained calm, even attending a service at the largest Baptist church in Beirut. As they stepped into the church, they heard the organist practicing the hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Pritchard later spoke from Proverbs 18:10, which says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
Missiles intermittently struck the city throughout the service. But the chaos outside didn't interfere with the people's experience with God, team members said. The service was one of the truest worship experiences they had ever witnessed, they said.
“There was no pretension — they were there to worship,” Pritchard said. “And it was the most authentic, intense time. They were there to get a word from the Lord.”
Even the ride to the church was harrowing. But team member Amy Byrd said that, from the moment she arrived at the church, she felt “a peace and a sincere knowledge that God was in control….”
“God can bring peace when it feels like there is no reality of that,” Byrd said.
Another member, James Walker, said he had not seen love like that of the Lebanese Christians. He recalled watching an elderly man lay his head in prayer on the shoulder of one of the team members.
“Here these people are coming out of their homes, coming so close to destruction, [in order] to worship,” he said. “I think it's truly a comforting feeling to know that you are in the middle of God's will, to be able to rest in his sovereignty.”
Lebanese Baptists' passion for worship carried over into caring for the Texas team as well. They protected the volunteer missionaries to the best of their abilities, Pritchard said.
The day the Texas team left, they worked through Lebanese military checkpoints and boarded the USS Nashville for an overnight trip to Cyprus, Greece, and an airplane home.
The team arrived safely back in Texas July 20, greeted by the loving arms of friends and family.
“Our team was incredibly strong,” Pritchard said. “If anybody had any fear, it was not evident. The Lord protected us and gave us a sense of peace.”
It is peace from a trip the team members will not soon forget.
“This was absolutely the greatest adventure of my life,” Byrd said. “And the Lord willing, I'm going back.”
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