First Christmas party for isolated Christian children in Bethlehem / First Christmas events for displaced Christian children in Syria / Most events ever for Christmas for Refugees in Jordan – Both Iraqi and Syrian / First Diaper distributions in Jordan for the Diapers for Refugees program

Most of the children were either orphans or internally displaced children who had undergone all kinds of trauma. It had been quite some time since these children had access to such a nice, warm and healthy meal. One thing that really stood out from the first event was the very evident joy on the faces of all ages, regardless of the tragedies they had endured.

First Christmas parties held for Syrian refugee children in Lebanon / Three major Christmas parties for displaced children on the Nineveh Plain / Orthodox Church (Western Order) helps with Christmas parties in Iraq / Diaper distribution in Iraq continues during Christmas for Refugees events

Christmas for Refugees almost, but not fully funded for 2018 / In Syria, Christmas events for children in four locations including Jaramana! / Diapers for Refugees to purchase another 500,000 diapers in December / Other programs: Fuel for Camp Odrana paid for until December / Over $300,000 already paid out for Christmas for Refugees programs

This year, about 1,000 children will have a full Christmas program in Syria including a hot meal and gifts. The children are not officially refugees but are what is referred to as “displaced persons,” a person who is still in their native country but has been forced out of their home by war.

In this issue of the newsletter / Helping Syrian Christians rebuild, beginning with a Christmas celebration / Two million diapers will be distributed to Christian refugee families this year / Christmas planning moves forward, first funds sent for preparations / Washington: Letter to Trump from 20 groups on persecution in Nigeria

Nearly 900,000 Syrians are expected to return to Syria in the next few months. The Christians are moving back to destroyed and looted homes and churches, just as they have in Iraq’s Nineveh Plain. 1,000 displaced Syrian Christians will have a real Christmas this year if we can raise the needed funds.  

In this issue of the newsletter / Landmark events held in Washington for religious freedom / We participate The State Department and religious freedom – A new beginning? / Diapers for Refugees program continues in Iraq.  What about Syria? /  Christmas for Refugees program begins planning in Lebanon and Iraq

A meeting with John X: In October the William Murray of the Religious Freedom Coalition met John X, the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East. John X has served the Orthodox Church of Antioch for most of his life. He was born in Latakia, His brother, Bishop Boulos Yazigi was kidnapped in 2013 along with Bishop Yohanna Ibrahim, by Sunni Muslim jihadists probably supported by Saudi Arabia.

Exclusive: William Murray notes how Assad government better protects minority rights, originally posted on WND Christians in the Middle East are voting with their feet for the government of President Assad in Syria. With all that American government officials and the news media have said to condemn the secular government of Syria, surely no one

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