Bashar Ashkar

Bashar Hassan
Ashkar was raised to walk in newness of life with Jesus Christ on Thursday, December 26, 2013.
Bashar was born to Hassan Ashkar-Adi and Souad Lababidi on September 18, 1946 in Homs, Syria and grew up as the oldest of ten children. He was like a second father to his younger brothers and sister.
Bashar was always a hard worker and helped his father with the family business of importing American cars to Syria (the first business of its kind in their country). The year Bashar enrolled in the American University of Beirut to study engineering, the Syrian government nationalized the family business; therefore, taking away the family's source of income. Soon after, Bashar's grandfather sent him to study with his uncles in the United States.
Bashar enrolled at The University of Texas at El Paso and graduated in less than three years while working nights at a bank and serving as a teaching assistant. Throughout his time as an undergraduate, Bashar continued to care for the needs of his family in Syria. After graduating from UT El Paso, one of his professors sponsored him for American citizenship and he moved to Austin to work for the Texas Highway Department, as well as pursue his Master's in Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. After completing his Master's he moved to Houston.
In 1978, Bashar married Shari Harmon and started his own structural engineering business, Ashkar Engineering Corporation, and in 1983 he became the proud father to twin daughters, Nora and Lauren.
Nora and Lauren fervently prayed their whole lives that God would do whatever it took to bring their dad into a relationship with Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. So, when tragedy struck in the summer of 2005 during an outpatient medical procedure, the twins found comfort in the hope that God was surely in the process of answering their prayers.
"So the sisters sent word to Jesus, 'Lord, the one you love is sick.' When He heard this, Jesus said, 'This sickness will not end in death. No it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." John 11:3-4
From 2005 through 2013, Bashar lived in a nursing home as a quadriplegic bound to a bed and unable to walk, talk, or eat on his own. Times were hard, but sweet, as Bashar's relationship with his daughters grew deeper. He enjoyed their visits, which always began with him wanting his teeth brushed and ended with them praying over him.
Although Bashar's physical body was handicapped, his mind was sharp and his personality showed through as he communicated by the use of a simplified alphabet chart, which he had memorized. His family would slowly recite the letters and simultaneously watch for Bashar to nod his head, signaling what letter he wanted. The very first phrase he spelled out to his wife and twin daughters was "I love you".
Bashar was present at both of his daughters' wedding ceremonies and continued to care for them by always spelling "How was your day? … Do you need anything? … I am proud of you… You look like a million bucks!", and much more during their visits.
Even through Bashar's suffering, Jesus pursued him. Showing Bashar His love for him through the faithfulness of his wife and the desperate love of his daughters. They clearly and compassionately communicated Christ's love to Bashar regularly through their words and actions. Then, after over a decade of prayer, Jesus answered. On Sunday, March 23, 2013, Bashar signaled "Yes!" to place his faith in Jesus Christ.
In the remaining months of his life, Bashar grew ever eager to learn more about his Savior, asking the girls to read to him on nearly every visit from the Gospel of John. He wanted them to pray with him and tell him what he could pray for as well.
Before being made whole in Jesus Christ, Bashar was comforted in his last moment on earth with the words of Revelation 21:1-5: "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."
The family will receive guests Sunday, December 29, 4 - 6 PM at the Syrian American Club (5729 Winsome Lane, Houston, TX 77057). In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the American Red Cross benefitting Syrian refugees.