Each year the meeting of the European Jesuits in formation (EJIF) takes place. This year's theme was Islam and the refugees so Lebanon (where more than half of the population is Muslim and where something around 2 million refugees were welcomed) was the perfect place for such a meeting. Twenty-five Jesuits from all over Europe and one from Vietnam and another from Tanzania took part.

I am one of the lucky ones and I have no merit for that. If I was born 350 kilometres to the south or 300 kilometres to the west everything would have been different. I come from Malta and grew up in loving family where I got the chance to be raised up in a healthy lifestyle and to be educated. Later in life I got a degree from the University and also got the chance to travel a lot before joining the Society of Jesus. Since I've become a Jesuit, I also took a vow of poverty. Looking at the lives of many of the poor people I have met during these past few days make me really question what kind of poverty I am living when I have everything I need and more.

I have spent the last few days in Beirut, Lebanon. I was complaining of the heat, if the A/C wasn't working, or if was getting too cold that I had to wake up during the night to switch it off. I was complaining if there was traffic coming back from a day off or if the food wasn't very good.

I went around the Syrian and Palestinian camps and it is by far the biggest poverty I have seen in my life. I have heard stories of two or three refugee families (that is more that fifteen persons) living in a single room because they can't afford the rent. I met a guy in the Palestinian camp who is now around 50 years old who was born here in Lebanon and is still living as a refugee. He told us of his dream of opening his own shop to sell everyday goods. I have heard stories of thousands of young children who don't have the opportunity to go to school or who have to leave school in order to gain some money to help their families.

Whilst visiting a particular refugee camp we met a young Muslim woman who has benefited from the small grant project run by a local NGO. Answering to comment on the size of the shop, which was relatively quite big for being in a camp, her response left me speechless: "God is even greater!". She's living in terrible conditions and yet is able to give such an answer.

I have seen a lot during these days in Lebanon. I have heard a lot from expert people who tried to explain to us Europeans the complex situation of the Middle East.

I have seen a lot of suffering, a lot of poverty but I have also seen strong and courageous men and women fighting each day of their lives and hoping for a better future, if not for themselves, at least for their children. I have met a lot of Muslim people whose faith in a God who will never leave them on their own have made me question my own Catholic faith.

I came here thinking to understand the situation and to find answers. What I know for sure is that now I have more questions than answers, but I think that's something positive. Refugees aren't just numbers and statistics anymore. Now they have a face and a name and they have every right to be as lucky as I am.

Read also Moritz Kuhlmann's overview article Young Jesuits meeting refugees in Lebanon -
The kind of peace that fills you up with hope (Giuseppe La Mela - Italy, EUM)
Face-to-face with the refugee crisis (Peter O'Sullivan - BRI) - 
I am one of the lucky ones (Arnold Mugliett - Malta, EUM)