MEDAIR LENT DEVOTIONAL

MEDAIR.ORG | LENT DEVOTIONAL | WEEK 1

WEEK ONE“I feel safe here. I can move around, I am happier, I have friends now. I know I am not alone.”

Along with hundreds of thousands of other Rohingya people, Amina (pictured) had to flee

violent conflict in her home country of Myanmar, travelling across the border to Bangladesh to find safety. She now lives in a makeshift shelter in Kutupalong refugee camp with her parents, two brothers and one sister. This is her story:

“Deciding to leave your home, your village and your friends is the most difficult decision you could take in life.

“When we arrived in Cox’s Bazar we had nothing. People helped us; they gave us wood and bamboo to build a temporary shelter. And, even more important, they comforted us during these difficult moments when the memories of our life in Myanmar were still so present, and our new life here so uncertain.

“I now work as a Community Nutrition Volunteer for Medair. I am proud to help people, explaining to women and men the importance of hygiene and the right way to feed their babies. I promote the services available at our clinic, encouraging pregnant women and families with children under five to access the nutrition programme. I’ve seen mothers and children getting stronger, and this makes me happy—makes me feel useful.”

READ:

“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”

Isaiah 30:18

REFLECT:Our God is the king of justice and mercy, he is moved by compassion. Even in the middle of injustice, he is moving to free those who suffer. The people of Bangladesh showed Amina and her family compassion when they needed it most, bringing comfort in a time when they had lost everything . Amina received their compassion, and, even in the midst of her own suffering, was inspired to show compassion herself. Are you inspired to act compassionately to someone who needs it?

PRAY:God of compassion, we pray for those who have been victims of injustice. May you give them strength to overcome, and bless them with your eternal love. We pray especially for women and children who are the most vulnerable in humanitarian crises, will you comfort their cries and bring emotional healing. Lord, help us to be compassionate, to share what we have, and to comfort our brothers and sisters in times of fear and uncertainty.

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MEDAIR.ORG | LENT DEVOTIONAL | WEEK 2

WEEK TWO“The women built a bond together and shared their challenges and solutions.”

Sayeeda* leads a care group in Kandahar, Afghanistan, educating women on good

health and nutrition practices. This is her story:

“In preparation for the winter and rains, houses of mud need to be made waterproof. People use a local method of mixing mud with straw and putting it on the roof to make it waterproof. Normally this is a man’s job in Kandahar.

“When I came to the house of one of the care group volunteers I was surprised to see all the mothers of the group standing feet deep in the mud, working together to make the roof of the house waterproof. The woman who is living in this house is alone. She called her brother, but his phone was off. The other volunteer group mothers came, and saw the problem, and in two days’ time they had fixed the roof and the house was ready for winter.

“When I first saw them, I said that I will come back next week to give the session, but the women said ‘No, no, we want the session. We can finish the work later.’ So, we went inside, even though they were muddy from all the work, and I did the session. After, they went back and continued working. These women are very brave.”

READ:

“Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

Hebrews 13:16

REFLECT:We live in the truth that God brings help to those in desperate situations. The Afghan women were willing to step up and do work that women wouldn’t usually do in their culture, to make sure it got done, and to help a friend in need. They brought dignity and gave the gift of hope in a seemingly helpless situation. Is their somebody in your local community that you can bring dignity and hope to this week?

PRAY:Loving Father, we pray for safety and warmth for families who do not have adequate shelter during the wet and cold winter months. We pray for those in seemingly helpless situations to be treated with dignity, and to receive the love and care they need. God, please reveal how we can reach out to our local community and help a neighbour, family member or friend.

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MEDAIR LENT DEVOTIONAL

We believe that each person has been made in God’s image, and we respect the dignity and independence of the people we serve.

*Name has been changed

MEDAIR.ORG | LENT DEVOTIONAL | WEEK 3

WEEK THREE“Hope is on the horizon. We are committed to serving those in greatest need—we will respond. This is what we do best.”

Each day, several thousand refugees are crossing the border from Tigray, Ethiopia to seek refuge

in Sudan. Some come on foot, others in the back of tractors, or on boats across the river. Families often arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs. Zedwie and Letay* (pictured) were brought to Um Rakuba camp after entering Sudan. They have left some of their family behind. This is their story:

“When the bombs were dropped on our city, so many people were dead. We had to flee into the desert very suddenly, so there was only so much that we could take. We walked for three days.”

Medair is responding to this emergency. We are working in Um Rakuba refugee camp, providing access to safe drinking water and health and nutrition support for newly arriving refugees like Zedwie and Letay. We are committed to serving those in the greatest need, and to support the many thousands of people who have become refugees as a result of conflict. Our mission is to bring hope in times of crisis. This Easter, we are putting hope into action. Please partner with us as we walk with refugees like Zedwie and Letay. Visit medair.org.

MEDAIR LENT DEVOTIONAL

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READ:

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

REFLECT:Despite the current challenges in Sudan, there is hope on the horizon. This country has welcomed thousands of refugees, and given hope to those who have had to flee the conflict. We see the real difference that hope in action makes to the lives of the most vulnerable. A welcome and practical help, restores the hope that has been lost. Using our God given skills and expertise, He renews the strength of those who have lost their homes, livelihoods and left loved ones behind, and gives them hope for a better future. Is there a way that you can use your God given skills and expertise to give hope to someone who needs it this week?

PRAY:Heavenly Father, we pray for refugees who have been displaced or fled their homes as a result of conflict and violence. We ask that Medair will be able to provide emergency care to meet their most basic and practical needs, as they adapt to their new environments. God of peace, will you bring justice and give hope to those that need it most, so they can look forward to a better future.

*Names have been changed

MEDAIR.ORG | LENT DEVOTIONAL | WEEK 4

WEEK FOUR“Work satisfaction is going the extra mile to save lives.”

Medair aid worker Moise (pictured) weathered nine days of travelling, including a dangerous

walk into the wild forest, carrying essential medicines and supplies to reach people suffering from cholera in DR Congo. This is his story:

“I admit I was hesitant to go, however, the idea of helping fellow Congolese won me over. In my mind, Medair goes to some of the most remote places to help people in great need. This is what I am here for. We were pressed for time, I was not prepared to go, but we could not afford not to leave, knowing that people were dying with no medicines available at the health facility in the village.

“We needed to walk in a dangerous wild forest all day with torches to lead the way. Each person carried an average of 30 kilos on their backs, wearing plastic rain boots. We had sore feet from walking in the rain and scorching sun. We just took a break to eat, drink water and rest for the night. But everyone had a common goal—to arrive in the village on time, hoping that we would be able to save as many villagers as possible from dying. We left the village knowing that people affected with cholera will recover soon. It was a tough mission, but it was worth it.”

MEDAIR LENT DEVOTIONAL

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READ:

“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.”

Proverbs 4: 25–26

REFLECT:Moise did not let fear, or let the challenge of his difficult journey overcome his loyalty to his people and the goal to reach them. In times of challenge, we can fix our eyes on the Lord, and trust in him to give us perseverance to complete our mission. There is no situation that God cannot overcome. As his beloved children, he calls us to walk with him in complete confidence and trust. Are you facing any difficult situations that you need God’s help to persevere in?

PRAY:To the God who heals, we pray for people who are facing life-threatening health problems and diseases. We lift up communities that are at risk from COVID-19, Ebola and cholera and ask you to protect the most vulnerable. We pray that Medair will be able to reach those in the most remote and dangerous places with life-saving medicines and treatment. Lord, help us to be steadfast in all your ways, to persevere in the challenges we face, and to go the extra mile to bring hope to those in need.

MEDAIR.ORG | LENT DEVOTIONAL | WEEK 5

WEEK FIVE“Once you have the desire to be a midwife, it becomes very much part of who you are. I go where there is a need for me to go.”

Jacinta is a midwife in Aweil, South Sudan. This is her story:

“In a country like South Sudan, getting access to quality reproductive healthcare is very challenging. For a lot of women, there is no way to get to a hospital or afford transport to travel long distances. For pregnant women, if something goes wrong at home, for example during labour, it will sadly often be too late to do anything about it.

“Recently, we opened a 24-hour delivery centre, so women could give birth safely and be cared for after delivery. In doing so, we can be there for them during a very critical time. By providing healthcare, we also want to build a relationship with the people and let them know that we really care. 

“My decision to become a midwife comes from my faith in God and the desire that he has put on my heart. There is such a strong pull to work here, to use my skills and passion to make a difference in women’s and their babies’ lives. I have been a midwife for 17 years, but every time I help a mother deliver her child, I still find it one of most amazing things I can think of.”

MEDAIR LENT DEVOTIONAL

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READ:

“But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.”

1 Samuel 12:24

REFLECT:Jacinta’s faith and desire to fulfil her calling leads her to serve the people of South Sudan with compassion and love. God knows each of his children by name—we are not forgotten. This is something that our beneficiaries need to know, that their lives matter. God uses those who follow him to bring meaning, value and purpose to those in need. Is there someone who needs you to remind them that they are loved and are valued this week?

PRAY:Lord of all, we pray for the Medair staff and volunteers serving our brothers and sisters around the world as they come alongside those who are suffering. As they spend time listening to their stories, help them to express your love, care and value so that they may know they are not alone and have not been forgotten. Lord, help us to follow your voice and come alongside those who need to know that they are loved, cared for and not forgotten.

We are motivated to care for those who suffer because we follow Jesus Christ, who taught us to love God and to care for those in need.

MEDAIR LENT DEVOTIONAL

MEDAIR.ORG | LENT DEVOTIONAL | WEEK 6

WEEK SIX—HE IS RISEN “We will meet today’s problems with joy and strength, and take the actions that we can do now.”

Anna is Medair’s Country Director in Lebanon. This is her story:

“I look out over the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon, across to the Syrian mountains. From my window, I can see clusters of tents housing Syrian refugees. These clusters are called ‘informal settlements’—there are more than 6,000 settlements that are home to over 300,000 people. A big part of our work is mapping the informal settlements so vulnerable people can receive help. We are humanitarians and our mission and purpose is to relieve suffering and to save lives. There’s a sense of purpose that we’ve all felt; we know that God has called us here, and that this is where we need to be. We try to be a truth-based anchor for our staff and our communities.

“I’ve been aware of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:34: ‘Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.’ I used to think that was a really depressing verse, but actually, it frees us from worrying about problems that aren’t here yet. We will meet today’s problems with joy and strength, and take the actions that we can do now; everything else is for God to take care of; it’s his problem and not ours!”

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READ:

“Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Mark 9:23

REFLECT:The Lord provides for the needs of his people, and stirs the hearts of others into action. For our beneficiaries who face the challenges of accessing clean water, the threat of preventable diseases without adequate healthcare and living in substandard shelters, the worries of today and tomorrow can be overwhelming. With God, everything is possible. He is with those whom we serve in the middle of the crises, and he takes care of their needs. Is there somebody you know who is feeling overwhelmed, that needs your support and reassurance?

PRAY:Father God, we thank you that you sent Jesus to bring hope into the world. We pray that you will help us to bring hope to the most vulnerable. This Easter, we put our hope in Jesus Christ and thank you for the promise of eternal life and everlasting love that comes from His ultimate sacrifice. May we allow that truth to sustain us, so that we are not overwhelmed by the challenges we face every day.

Visit medair.org to help us put hope into action this Easter.

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