Page 11 - PT Winter 2021-2022

Watching a crisis unfold ‘I am overwhelmed at what God has done. He has given
Samara’s heart burnt with compassion when she saw the me a heart for the people of Syria; I know he loves them
graphic newsreels and reports of a rejected people on the so much. I hope we can continue to show them his love,
margins of society who had fled from ISIS. They lived through practical means, for many years to come.’
under canvas amid freezing temperatures and gun fire and
many children wore flip flops in the snow. FREE COPIES OF SAMARA’S BOOKS
‘I was heartbroken, thinking of my own children and
how traumatic it would feel not being able to keep them
warm.’ She continued: ‘In August 2014 I was watching the BOOK 1
crisis in northern Iraq unfolding with millions losing their Samara’s autobiography
homes. I was deeply shocked to see a photo of a baby that Rebuilding the Ruins:
had been beheaded by ISIS.’ Following God’s Call to Serve
Tearful, sleepless, and aching, Samara got down on her Syria unveils the story of
knees to pray, asking how she could help. miraculous protection and
‘I wondered what I could do as a stay-at-home mum provision and features the
with young children, with little to give, but I mounted a lives of those she has met
collection, in obedience to God’s instructions, by asking during her visits. It tells
mums in my son’s class for clothes, blankets and shoes.’ how communities are trying
‘We can do nothing by ourselves,’ says Samara who desperately to pick up the
recalls stretching her faith to fill one of the largest lorries pieces and live side by side
available. Realising the response was insufficient she says: despite the atrocities done
‘I begged God’s mercy to meet the gaping shortfall, to fill to each other. The Plain
the vehicle’s 90 cubic metre capacity that would cost £6,500 Truth has four FREE copies of this title to give away
to transport to our first destination in Iraq.’ to the first two email requests and the first two postal
Within a fortnight the community responded with requests received.
church support and a school minibus arrived with stacks of
boxes. ‘I had asked God: if he could feed the 5,000 would BOOK 2
he also multiply the giving. The result was so generous that Samara’s second book Up from
my “nets” were breaking!’ the Ashes: A Syrian Christian
Those small beginnings rallied the nation as more Doctor’s Story of Sacrifice,
collections flooded in and 109 more lorries and containers Endurance and Hope tells of a
have been sent overseas as the explosive mission developed. penniless Syrian boy who beat
By 2018, barely four years after that initial despatch, more the odds to earn a scholarship
than 500,000 people in the Middle East had been recipients for medical school, becoming
of the love parcels from the people of the UK. a doctor who later refused
to leave his homeland at the
A daunting challenge outset of war to help care
God’s strong arm of delivery continues for the challenges, for his people. He describes
dangers, and lessons that unfold. But responsibility as growing up in Syria as a
founder and overseer of the charity is daunting. Samara Christian and what he and his family faced over the
explained that four years ago, ISIS attacked and took years because of their faith and accounts of the war.
control of the area where their first field hospital was Says Samara: ‘Guided by prayer, Dr A offers
situated and where their frontline team on the ground were medical care and humanitarian help to people in need,
working. It was a desperate situation, and their lives were regardless of creed or what side of the war they are on.
in peril as, with ISIS, execution and imprisonment are all I felt compelled to write the book because I knew his
too prevalent, but fasting and prayer to seek God for his was a story people needed to hear.’
wisdom secured their safe immediate exit just before the The Plain Truth also has two FREE copies of Up from
area fell to full ISIS control. the Ashes: A Syrian Christian Doctor’s Story of Sacrifice,
‘I have learnt that Syria is one of the most complex and Endurance and Hope by Samara Levy to give away to the
dangerous countries in the world with the highest number first email request and the first postal request received.
of kidnappings, and killings of aid workers and attacks For a chance to win a FREE book, please email us at:
on health care. There are also fuel, electricity and supply editor@plaintruth.co.uk stating which book you would
shortages and many things must be imported so there are like (Book 1 or Book 2).
continual challenges to see projects completed. Postal entries – please send to: Book Offer, The Plain
‘At the moment, even importing is challenging. Syria is Truth, 15 Meadowlands, Burwell, Cambridge CB25 0HG,
in crisis and 90% of children need humanitarian help, with stating which book you would like (Book 1 or Book 2).
more than half a million suffering stunting and permanent
physical and cognitive changes resulting from chronic Both of Samara’s books are published by Hodder and
malnutrition. ‘The team and I have had to depend on the Stoughton and are available from major book retailers
Lord to clearly see his regular breakthroughs, but it is and www.samarasaidappeal.org/rebuilding-the-ruins.
important to be immersed in prayer.

Find us online at www.plain-truth.org.uk Winter 2021-2022 The Plain Truth 11