Milad

As I mentioned previously, Max and I were hosted here in Lebanon by two wonderful Syrians in their 20’s. I wrote about Fadi yesterday and now I share Milad’s story.

At 26, Milad’s entire time as a university student has been colored by the Syrian War. A top scoring high school student, he immediately entered medial school in order to become a pediatrician. But no matter how well you do in your studies, finding a pediatric residency is not easy in Damascus as most areas of the city are not safe. How can you complete all your requirements when hospitals are under siege? The combination of ongoing violence and unrest as well as few professional prospects led him to cross the border six months ago and he is now a refugee. 

Milad in his clinic next to one of the refugee camps

Milad didn’t want his newly developed skills and knowledge to go to dormant so he serves as a volunteer doctor for other refugees. His makeshift clinic is in a converted shipping container perched beside one of the many refugee camps here. When he came, the container was an empty shell. He transformed it into a healing space, fully equipped as an examination room with a limited pharmacy. 

You may recall from an earlier post that Syrian refugees are prohibited from working. Even if Milad was granted an exception to work, the prohibitive $200,000 “license” fee would make it impossible. So he makes due with a small monthly stipend paid by an NGO that covers his basic expenses. 

Milad's clinic is open four days a week and he is the only staff. He sees both adults and children. The most common problems are respiratory challenges, gastrointestinal issues, and arthritis. Many of the children have open sores and other skin conditions. With open sewage and contaminated water in most of the camps, it is not surprising that people struggle to stay healthy. He regularly follows up on many of the babies we saw in the camps. He is kind, patient, generous – fruits of the spirit that every physician should possess.

While we were there, Milad got the good news that every refugee wants. He got permission to migrate, in this case, to Germany. As with all refuges, the amount of paperwork that he amassed for this endeavor was staggering. All the while, he had to learn and master German before his application could be considered. Imagine practicing medicine in a language you have rarely spoken. The challenges ahead are daunting on so many levels!

Milad and Max with new computers for the school

Milad’s losses are many. He leaves his mother behind in Damascus, an uneasy decision for the only son in the family. He also leaves behind a strong church community, a wonderful group of friends, and a culture that he knows and where he thrives. 

But Milad has a model for facing difficult circumstances with faith and courage. When he was just a young boy, his father was killed when a camel rammed his car in Saudi Arabia. His mother then moved back to Syria to teach grade school to support her family of two young children. Milad’s mother’s example is what inspires him to make this move to Germany. And leaving his mother is what makes this decision so painful.

My time with Milad was short but that didn’t stop us from having the most amazing and thoughtful conversations about faith and science. An ardent student of theology, he took a certificate from the Near East School of Theology in Beirut. Were his circumstances different, he likely would have pursed a divinity degree. This week at trauma camp, he winsomely engaged the kids and young adult leaders. Even though he has only been here in Lebanon 6 months, he is leaving behind his mark. 

When Max and I said goodbye to Milad, we took some time to pray together. None of us could stop the tears from flowing. With a future filled with uncertain hope and a departure that is riddled with unimaginable grief, it was difficult to know what or how to pray. I too am facing similar but not nearly as intimidating circumstances. So the prayer I've been praying became my prayer for Milad - that God would be the one constant he could count on when everything seems overwhelmingly new and foreign.

I am so deeply grateful to have met Milad. His courage, his faith, his Christ-like spirit inspire me. I consider him a dear brother in Christ.