A 15-Year-Old’s Story of Fleeing War
Elias is fifteen years old, one of nine children from Debel, a small historic Christian village in southern Lebanon, just five kilometers from the border. Life there had been close-knit and peaceful… until the war erupted in 2024.
The First Fear
When the war began in 2024, my other eight family members and I were terrified. Missiles were falling, and we had never experienced anything like this before. Schools closed during the first month, and we were forced to study online. Most of my friends fled to shelter schools and convents in Beirut, but my family stayed behind in Debel, where only a few people remained.
After the first month of war, we realized we had to leave for the safety of my younger siblings.
We arrived in Beirut and stayed in a small, desolate, and messy apartment in Burj Hammoud. There were only three beds, so we took turns sleeping on the floor until a relative gave us mattresses. School continued online, but we had no internet. Thankfully, our elderly neighbor let us borrow his Wi-Fi.
At first, I had no friends. My friends from Debel were scattered, and I spent most of my time at home. But during Christmas that year, with the ceasefire in place, we were able to visit for a week. We had a wonderful time together, holding onto little moments of joy.
Life in a City That Wasn’t Home
Since then, we have been living in Beirut, unable to go back to the South. Adapting to city life was not easy. It is very different from village life. I didn’t even know how to cross the road at first, and simple things felt impossible. Eventually, I grew used to the city, but my heart still longs for Debel, for my home, and for the people I love.
Now, with the current 2026 war, things have become even more unstable there. Medicines are scarce, and my dad’s cousin was almost shot while trying to reach Rmeish (a nearby town) for medication. People cannot always leave their homes, even to buy bread or medicine. Communication is difficult because the phone lines are weak. Most of my dad’s business is in the village, and it has been deeply affected. There were times when my brothers and I worked to help our dad earn a living.
Finding Hope at YFC
In 2025, my family enrolled me in the Nazarene Evangelical School in Beirut. I met new friends there who introduced me to YFC. One friend invited me to a YFC-related camp, and I had so much fun. I connected with inspiring youth leaders and joined the YFC School Ministry discipleship groups. Now, I have been part of the YFC community for four months.
Even though my heart breaks for Debel and I fear for the loved ones still there, I find comfort in praying with my friends at YFC. These moments of prayer bring inner peace and a sense of safety, even when my village is unsafe. Together, we ask God to stop the war so that life can return to normal.
An Unlikely Visit And A Prayer
I am hopeful that Debel will stand strong through all the wars it has endured. Someday, I will return when it is safe. After praying with my YFC friends, I was able to visit Debel briefly. I went into a small church and prayed, and I saw several of my village people. They were tied to their land, unable to leave, yet still praying for hope.
Please pray for the people of Debel. Many remain there, holding on to their homes and waiting for peace to come.
Though Debel remains under threat, and though displacement has scattered his friends and family, God has been drawing Elias to Himself. We are thankful that He could find a community of peers and mentors at YFC who are showing him Christ.
*With this fast-changing situation, some things may have shifted since this story was written. If you would like to stay updated and join our weekly prayer email, please contact us at office@yfclebanon.org.