On 23 September, 2024, a series of airstrikes sent missiles into Lebanon as part of the ongoing Israel–Hezbollah conflict. The city of Beirut rocked with huge explosions which shook the homes of disciples. They watched as clouds of smoke billowed up and filled the sky over their city. They wept even as they rolled up their sleeves, left their homes and went directly into the devastated areas to help those affected. Since then, ongoing attacks have killed over 800 people, injured more than 5000, and displaced hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians.

This is just one of the stories we carry with us into the beginning of this new year. The advent of 2025 has now been welcomed and celebrated around the world with parties and fireworks displays of all kinds. We greet this new beginning as an opportunity for fresh hopes and dreams and renewed faith, even ask we understand that while some of us have had jubilant, refreshing holiday breaks, some of us have been faced with holiday tragedies, deaths of family members, dear friends and year-end disappointments. We have sung the refrain, “Peace on Earth” and read it likely many times in cards and on screens of all sizes in recent weeks.

As we enter into a new beginning once again together in a very complicated world, may the Spirit of God in our sister Abigail from Lebanon be a comfort and inspiration to you in this podcast.

“When you hear the level of faith and wisdom and strength this young woman has,” comments the podcaster, “it drives that level of conviction and inspiration even further home…” -- when you realize you’re listening to a 19-year-old.

Holy Heartbreak Podcast: The Peace of God Amidst War with Abigail Tohme

Abigail Tohme is in her second year of university studying social work, leads in the youth ministry of the Beirut church and actively volunteers for HOPE Worldwide Lebanon.  

Happy New Year, everyone.