My name is Elia, and I was born into a Muslim family in a small village in the Bekaa region of Lebanon. After high school, I dreamed of becoming a doctor and enrolled at a university to pursue that goal. However, Lebanon’s revolution brought widespread chaos and economic instability, forcing me to abandon my education.
Seeking new opportunities, I moved to Baghdad, Iraq, where I enrolled in an online vocational school to study hotel management. I worked in a restaurant for a year and a half while continuing my studies. Life in Baghdad was difficult, but I remained determined to succeed. Eventually, I returned to Lebanon to take my official exams, with plans to return to Iraq. However, upon my return, I learned that the restaurant where I worked had closed, and a series of unforeseen events led me to stay in Lebanon.
New Beginnings & Divine Connections
Back in Lebanon, I began searching for work and applied to McDonald’s and a Lebanese restaurant. At McDonald’s, they required official papers that were difficult to obtain due to the political situation. In the meantime, I started training at a Lebanese restaurant. On my first day, I contacted McDonald’s again, asking if I could use my passport as a substitute for the missing documents. Once approved, I began working there.
During this time, I reconnected with my cousins, who also worked at McDonald’s. Through their friends, I met members of GoChurch Beirut and began to develop friendships with them. Eventually, I was invited to attend a Big Sunday event at the church and later joined an Alpha course. Although my cousins stopped attending, I continued because of the deep friendships I had formed. I remained quiet during the sessions, avoiding conflicts over our differing beliefs, but I felt immense love and acceptance from everyone.
An Encounter with God’s Healing Power
In March 2023, during a Big Sunday service, I experienced intense nerve pain in my hand. At the end of the service, I was encouraged to ask for prayer. As I prayed, I felt the pain leave my hand and travel through my body before completely disappearing. At that moment, I also heard a voice prompting me to give everything in my pocket to the church. Though I did not fully understand what was happening, I obeyed and gave what I had.
A Life-Changing Decision
Two weeks later, during an Alpha Holy Spirit weekend, I was unsure whether to share my experience. I prayed for guidance and soon after watched a video where someone said, “If something happened to you, share it with others.” Immediately after, I was called on to share my story. Surprised by the timing, I spoke up despite being known for my quietness. That day, I prayed the prayer of salvation and embraced my new faith.
Soon after my decision, I faced conflicts at work that prevented me from attending grow groups regularly. This led to my decision to leave McDonald’s. However, God provided me with a new job with better hours and, eventually, an even higher-paying position. At the end of my probationary period, I was blessed with the opportunity to work for the church. Today, I am grateful to God and those who have guided me on this incredible transformation journey.
