Hope Changes Everything…

“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”Psalm 31:24 (NIV)

LEBANON, New Horizons Care CenterNew Horizons Care Center is located in the town of Zahrani in southern Lebanon. The families we work with are from poor Gypsy and Bedouin communities, and most live in tents constructed of plastic, iron, and wood. With only limited access to basics, they often have no water or electricity. Very few have had any formal education, which means illiteracy is common. At New Horizons, we work with 25 children ages 5-12, many of whom have never attended school. Kids Alive offers them a basic education – primarily Arabic, English, and math – as well as a nutritious snack, sports, and devotions. Some of our graduates have the opportunity to work with one of our partner NGOs, learning to make and sell jewelry. This gives them both income and independence, and they serve as a great example to the younger children as they begin their education. But our highest priority is always sharing the love of Christ with each child and their families. This year we enrolled 10 new students in our literacy program, and we have witnessed spiritual growth in kids who have accepted Jesus as their Savior. Our goals for the coming year include addressing more medical needs of the children, increasing the capacity of our literacy program to allow for more children, creating an advanced curriculum for gifted students, and working with partners to develop more opportunities for adolescents. We believe that every lesson taught and every need met shows these precious kids the love of Jesus and offers them hope for a brighter future. Our work would not be possible without your generous gifts, and we thank God for each partner in our work.

AT NEW HORIZONS CARE CENTER!

We get to see firsthand how hope can rescue a child from darkness, offering the light of the Gospel. Sisters Najwa* and Amar* are from a poor Gypsy family with nine daughters and had never been to school before we met them. Their father didn’t value education, instead forcing his girls to beg on the streets for money to support the family. Through this pitiful existence, their older sisters became prostitutes, and Najwa and Amar seemed destined to follow the same tragic path. Poverty-stricken and living in a culture that doesn’t value girls, life seemed hopeless. But once the girls came to New Horizons Care Center, they began our literacy program. Eventually they were able to complete our basic education program while also building valuable life skills. Most importantly, they learned about how much Jesus loves them, and they both put their faith in Him. Now 16 and 17, Najwa and Amar tell others about how much the center has changed their lives. Instead of being trapped in hopeless exploitation, they have rewarding jobs that utilize their skills and abilities, and they are both growing spiritually. Your gifts have a personal impact on vulnerable children, and we trust that the impact will extend for generations to come!

*names changed to protect privacy

BERGE CREATIVE GROUP ❘ 206 .780 .1308 ❘ j be rge@bergec rea t i ve. com 8.5” x 11” , 4CP / 4CP JB F INAL

Kids Alive® International · 2507 Cumberland Drive · Valparaiso IN 46383(800) KIDS-330 · kidsalive@kidsalive.org · www.kidsalive.org

What’s happening…IN LEBANON?

Partner with us in prayer…

Lebanon continues to be a place of instability, uncertainty, and great need. Over the past few years, more than a million refugees from Syria have fled from their homes and across the Lebanese border to escape the civil war. One in four children in Lebanon is a Syrian refugee, and many of them have suffered great emotional and physical trauma. Though we had hoped that 2018 would see an easing of the refugee crisis in Lebanon, tensions in Syria are still escalating, which means that repatriation of refugees is dangerous and nearly impossible. Hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugee children have no access to education in Lebanon, due to outright denial, lack of funds, harsh regulations, and overcrowded schools. And Syrians in Lebanon often fear for their safety, as calls for violence in a politically unstable environment are a constant reality.

Kids Alive is currently working toward adding 70 students to our education program for the 2018-2019 school year. This will also allow us to provide support and a Christian witness to their struggling families. Our goal is to care for each child’s physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs, offering hope and help where most needed. Despite the incredible obstacles we face in this country, we know without a doubt that God is at work. In addition to offering children shelter, nutritious food, and education, we have seen growth in many areas of our ministry this year. Adding skills-based classes, seeing graduates of our programs go on to university, and witnessing spiritual growth in our students are all ways we see hope transforming lives in Lebanon.

God is working at New Horizons! Please pray for:l New teachers for our literacy programl Spiritual growth in those who have shown potential

for leadership and influencel Favor with community members, especially in

the Islamic community

BERGE CREATIVE GROUP ❘ 206 .780 .1308 ❘ j be rge@bergec rea t i ve. com 8.5” x 11” , 4CP / 4CP JB F INAL