From the Frontlines

Caring for Children Amidst Chaos

One of our staff members has been doing a wonderful job ministering to children since the war started. In our staff own words, she says she is “I’m blessed to be able to spend time with children in my community and congregation who need a warm and welcoming place to talk about their fears and questions.”

Every week, the staff has an art class which, now functions as therapy (even for them) during these troubled times. Our staff member again comments: “today, a bunch of little girls made bracelets and, for a while, were able to escape their troubles. Please pray for these dear children, and all Israel’s children, to be protected and safe physically, emotionally, and spiritually.”

The Body of Jesus, the Messiah, Works Together

Today, volunteers were invited to pack 1,000 boxes of non-perishable food supplies (twenty food items) for Israelis who evacuated their homes in the north and south as well as those who are struggling with food insecurity. Some of Chosen People Ministries’ Tel Aviv staff and children worked for hours along with two dozen other volunteers. We played worship music, laughed, and sweated as the day turned to night and slowly, but surely, all the food was packed.

It was wonderful to see different congregations, ministries, and families respond to the call for help! The organization and purchase of the food was through other ministries and will be given to a vast number of groups who will personally deliver the boxes to people so we can pray and care for them. The body of Messiah in Israel is working very closely together =—we serve with each other so we can reach out to others with the message of salvation. It is remarkable.

Live Testimony of Love and Service

Our staff has been serving in Ashkelon since the attacks started on October 7^th, Ashkelon is

the most shelled city in this war. Our work there has primarily been focused on helping and nurturing seniors who either have mental or physical disabilities. Yesterday, we had the joy to have friends visiting from the US, who brought their pet with them, and provided comfort through music, worship, and Hadassah’s—the dog—affection. The older adults we serve and the staff at the nursing home were very thankful and many asked questions about who we are and what we believe. Pray for those seeds to sprout love for Jesus, the Messiah!

Our staff in Israel recounts the day yesterday: “today, we received a call from the municipality—they asked who we are, thanked us, and asked us to prepare more lunches. We had the opportunity to explain who we were, and they were very impressed.” Tomorrow, the team will prepare more food for the Sabbath, which will be distributed to the needy in Ashkelon and to lonely Holocaust survivors in Jerusalem. We will also celebrate the Sabbath with more than thirty refugees from the South.

We continue to serve our soldiers with whom we have been in contact since the first days of the war. We have adopted two bases in the north and south. Today, a special force unit from the south asked us to buy small sleeping bags to take on a mission. Our staff ordered twenty-five pieces, which will arrive tomorrow morning and be provided to them soon after. Whenever we bring supplies, soldiers who follow Jesus—whom we worked directly with—get to answer many questions from their peers about who Jesus is as our Comforter and Protector. Again, please pray those seeds grow into faith as these young soldiers need much hope!