Newsletter Fall 2009

Shalom,

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

Keeping up with frequent flyer airline policies can be more frustrating than the days when I had to match my six children’s socks. Thus was the experience I had when checking into Delta for my Feast of Tabernacles journey on September 28th. It began a little frustrating, but was overcome with the favor of God and man.

Over the last few years as my  “status” as a frequent flyer improved, I was granted up to 70 pounds in two suitcases and paid $100 for the third and fourth suitcases that I “schlepped” to the land. Then things changed for a trip or two and I was allowed three checked bags (up to 70 pounds) for no additional charge. I was hoping things were still the same as I schlepped my three, nearly 70 pound suitcases, as well as my carry-on bags to the ticket counter. It was at that moment I was met with a “new policy”. My third bag was going to cost $200. YIKES, not exactly neither what I planned, nor good use of ministry finances, but I was willing to pay to get the needed items to Israel. I told the ticket agent that I bring charitable and medical items to help people in Israel. I told her I had travelled earlier this year and all three bags were accepted for no charge. She then called the supervisor who began to check the “rules”.  God’s grace and favor met me. The supervisor looked diligently to see if there was an exception to the new policy concerning medical supplies and “charity” to Israel. There was none. She then did an over-ride and charged me $50 for the third bag.

I am happy to report that the favor of God and man continued throughout the journey to Israel, my 22nd trip in ten years. Since I am posting this on the Internet, as well as sending out postal mail, I’ll keep this somewhat brief.

After arriving to our hotel in Jerusalem, Israel one of the first things I did was open the suitcase to begin to separate the items for distribution. There are so many places that would appreciate the items and finances that are sent with me. It is often hard to make these decisions. My roommate, Kay, always marvels how I schlep so much to Israel. As we prayed and bagged up the items, we felt each item was going to be placed in the right location. As we finished we were at peace that they were going to the right places and we would begin delivery the next day.

Some of the personal care items  were set aside for Vision for Israel’s Joseph Storehouse along with a suitcase filled with medical supplies from the Charlotte storehouse. I delivered Vision for Israel’s items before the Succoth holiday. This also was the day I had to see a dentist. Thank goodness for Batya’s dentist who amazingly had one appointment open to check out the extreme tooth and gum pain I was having.

A few days later I went to Ein Karem to St. Vincent’s Children's’ Home. Practical items of toothbrushes and toothpaste, towels and washcloths and some children’s pajamas were given.

Sister Katarina has served the facility for 11+ years and said every item that we gave was needed. After we visited the children, Sister and I sat on the porch having a wonderful conversation that opened up my understanding of the life of the nuns and volunteers who serve at this facility.  Her life of service to the totally disabled children makes my life seem so insignificant, but she said if it wasn’t for people like you and I giving practical and financial donations her job would be harder. The Israeli government provides resources for basic needs to care for the 60 children, but it isn’t enough for every need. One thing burning in my heart is the wheelchair issue. Every child in this facility needs to have their own. The Israeli government provides each child a new one every three or four years, but the children grow and often are in need of a larger wheelchair before one is provided.

Please pray for this need, I believe somewhere in the world God has an organization that will help with the chairs. The chair (third from the right) is for a child who has outgrown it and Sister said it will be a year before it will be replaced.

S’derot was big on my heart. (S’derot is the community that is close to Gaza and has received well over 7000 katyusha rockets over the last seven years.) Those who reside in S’derot have challenges emotionally. Many of the residents are on tranquillizers just to get through the day, including a large number of children. They never know when another rocket is headed their way. Financial difficulties to purchase simple, day-to-day personal items are common. Many families are not employed.

The items for S’derot were divided to go two different piles.

I have a one-minute video that tells the story of how an artisan in the S’derot region is taking the katusha (also known as qassam) rockets and making roses out of them. I gave the guy raising funds for the roses from Sderot project crayons and markers for children, bath towels and three special little girl’s sweaters that a friend to this ministry found as she was asking the Lord how to help Israel. I am sure that there is a story in heaven awaiting the outcome how sweaters that were made in Israel returned to Israel via North Carolina.

I gave a large bag of hotel size toiletries, towels and other misc items to my friend Yishi who has relocated his ministry called “Hands of Mercy” to the front lines of S’derot. They are providing practical, day-to-day needed items through their ministry and have recently opened up a dental clinic where residents of S’derot can receive needed dental care from dentists who are giving one day a month to provide free dental care.

The bears and toys were marked for children at Assaf Harofeh Medical Center. I planned to meet Hadas’ mother. (Hadas is my son John’s girlfriend) who heads up the department for autistic children. It was nearly my last day before my schedule would allow for me to get to meet Dr. Ditza Zachor. She is a wonderful doctor and the director of the Assaf Harofeh Medical Center’s Children’s Center for Autism. The center provides education for 20 children to attend school 5 1/2 days a week in a two-year program. The children are given one-on-one attention to build their skills, especially in communication. It is Dr. Zachor’s dream to have their own building with updated classrooms and enough room for the 200+ autistic children who live in the region.

May the Lord bless and Keep you all for your prayers, love and support. Please pray about joining me in Israel in 2010 so you can physically see where your seeds of love have, and are, being planted in the land.