Returning with Courage: One Woman’s Journey from Refugee to Witness
In a small Syrian town scarred by war, a woman has begun again—this time not as a refugee, but as a transformed disciple of Jesus Christ. Her story, shared through a heartfelt message to her former mentors in northern Jordan, is a powerful testimony of courage, faith, and the lasting impact of holistic discipleship.
Seeds Planted in Jordan
Several years ago, Compel International began partnering with a local team in northern Jordan to serve displaced Syrian women. Many carried deep trauma and uncertainty, but through English classes, health education, cooking and crocheting lessons, and Bible discovery groups, something deeper than survival began to take root: hope.
One focus of this outreach was preparing women for the possibility of returning home—not just physically, but spiritually prepared. The journey back to Syria after years of war would be difficult, especially for those who had come to follow Jesus. But these lessons helped them imagine how to rebuild, how to face family rejection, and how to carry light into dark places.
One woman, whom we’ll call Salma, took these lessons to heart.
“I never knew I was strong, nor that I could do so much.”
From Refugee to Restorer
Months ago, Salma and her family made the decision to return to Syria. In a message sent back to her mentors, she shared:
“Whenever I feel that I have accomplished something or feel proud of myself, I don’t know why I remember you. I feel that you were my starting point in life, or for things I couldn’t see before. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the words you used to say to me, as if those words planted a seed in my heart that grew stronger with time—praise be to God.”
Today, she and her husband have renovated a modest home on family land. With no windows or doors yet—only blankets for covering—she still sees it as “a palace” because they can live there together as a family. She has started cultivating vegetables on nearby land and sells the produce locally, despite social pressure against women working in her community. Her next goal is to begin a crochet business this winter.
But more than economic resilience, what stands out is Salma’s spiritual courage. Her message was full of praise to God and gratitude for the truths that had been planted in her life.
“I challenged everyone and all the discouraging talk, and praise be to God, I now have an income.”
The Work Moves Forward
The local team in northern Jordan continues to wrestle with how to serve families returning to Syria. Some new ministry opportunities are emerging among displaced minorities and vulnerable girls, but the original vision remains clear: make disciples who live and multiply the gospel wherever they go—even back into hardship.
Stories like Salma’s remind us: holistic discipleship doesn’t end when someone crosses a border. It grows, multiplies, and takes root in places where only God can bring life out of loss.