When we think about justice in the Middle East, it’s easy to picture complex politics and distant conflicts. But for Stephanie, it meant seeing the overlooked, caring for the vulnerable, and bringing hope.
“Stephanie’s years of service were not just about teaching English or distributing resources—they were about restoring dignity and showing Christ’s love in practical ways.”
Her journey began with language learning and teaching but soon expanded into other ministries. Stephanie began serving with MECO (Middle East Christian Outreach) in 1995. She initially spent a few years in Syria learning Arabic and teaching English. After this she moved on to Lebanon where she spent the rest of her time overseas.
“I was teaching English but also involved with the migrant worker communities. Some of the things I did include distributing the Jesus film all over Lebanon. I’m not sure how many I distributed, but well over 100,000 over the years I was there,” comments Stephanie, “I also had audio players made in Malaysia. They had the Bible on them as well as worship songs in the different languages of the migrant workers. I distributed these to workers who never went out and were always working.”
Later, Stephanie saw a need for childcare among the migrant workers she was interacting with.
“I used to have women staying with me who were pregnant. Some of them adopted their children out, while others kept their babies but couldn’t find a decent childcare centre to put them in,” says Stephanie, “so my friend and I decided to start a daycare centre. It’s still going today, caring for 75 children across two branches and employs a number of staff. A lot of Lebanese people want their children there; however, it caters for the more vulnerable communities. And it’s run by locals now.”
Stephanie also gave out New Testaments to Iranian tourists who were coming into Lebanon on holiday. More than 50,000 were given out during her time in Lebanon.
“But the most important thing I did was to visit migrant workers who were in the women’s prison,” reflects Stephanie. More often than not, they had been sent to prison wrongfully. Stephanie assisted in seeing them released and sent home. Even today, she has contact with some of these migrant workers and continues to support them from afar.
Stephanie was still in Lebanon when the MECO merged with SIM. She returned to New Zealand three years later.
Stephanie’s years of service were not just about teaching English or distributing resources—they were about restoring dignity and showing Christ’s love in practical ways. From migrant workers and prisoners to children in need of care, her ministry impacted many lives and continues through local hands today. Though she has returned to New Zealand, her heart for justice remains.
