PrayerPoint is a bimonthly prayer digest of Samaritan's Purse that was created so you can join us in this essential aspect of the ministry. A subscription to PrayerPoint is free with your gift of any amount.

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Majid understands the misery and heartbreak of fleeing one’s homeland. His family has had to leave Iraq twice—first to Jordan to escape the oppression of Sadaam Hussein’s regime, and later to Syria to escape the violence of street gangs.

Majid came to know Jesus Christ during his family’s sojourn in Jordan through a local evangelical church that offered assistance to refugees. Majid, his wife, and their three children began attending worship services at the church and were later baptized.

The family returned to Baghdad in 2006, eager to start anew. But within weeks, Mijad was kidnapped by a gang of armed men. For days his wife received no word of his whereabouts.

His captives finally let him go after his employer paid the ransom. He was warned to leave Iraq immediately. Majid and his family sought refuge in Syria.

Life is hard in the new country. There are no jobs, and substandard housing is all they can afford. But Majid and his wife have found joy by leading teams of Christians that visit and minister to the neediest Iraqi refugees in Damascus.

His ministry was strengthened when he had the opportunity to distribute gift-filled shoe boxes from Operation Christmas Child.

This is the first year that shoe box gifts have been delivered in Syria. In April, Majid helped give boxes and Gospel booklets to refugee families. He prayed with them and shared the Good News of the eternal refuge they can experience in Jesus Christ.

Seeing the smiles on the faces of the children as they opened their gifts encouraged Majid’s heart too.

“When families know that the church takes care of children, they want to come,” he said. “We are seeing the church grow because of the joy these boxes bring.”

“But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; and may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You” (Psalm 5:11, NASB).