November 2004

Restoration Trip Number Four - Hurting People - Healing Power
The L-rd builds up Jerusalem ; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel . He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:2-3

Healing the Brokenhearted
We begin this newsletter by thanking every person that had a part in this fourth work trip - you who supported us with prayer and encouragement, you who supported us with much needed finances and a special thanks to each person who traveled to Israel to do the work.

Each trip is different. The families we help have different hurts and needs and each work team is gifted in different ways. But each time G-d puts the experience together in His own way as He desires. But I do admit this trip was a time of testing us to our limits. Our first day of work began with the paint we needed for that day arriving 6 hours late, equipment and parts being either the wrong size or totally not available and our driver arriving late.

As we arrived at the first apartment to work, it was heart rendering to see how the family lived in such fear - keeping their doors and windows closed and locked at all times. We found out we were the first people allowed in their home in the last two years - other than one social worker. It was easy to understand their nervousness at having 11 American Christians working in their home. Because of this we were not able to take pictures.

Six children lived in that home, the two youngest were little boys ages 3 and 5. Three years ago the mother, R., six months pregnant at the time, was at home with the television on as she worked. Suddenly, on TV she saw her husband, A., being carried away to the hospital in an ambulance. He had been shot three times by a terrorist. She raced to the hospital only to find out he was critical and the doctors didn't expect him to live. She went into labor and delivered a tiny premature baby. The doctors did not expect him to live either. Even in her fear and pain she cried out to G-d. She decided she should name the baby boy Avihai, meaning “my father lives” as an expression of her faith that her husband would live. So even today, when she says his name she remembers G-d's love to her.

Thanks to contributions donated toward this trip we were able to buy a trunnel bed for the two boys to sleep on and a chest of drawers for their clothes. We took blankets and sheets so they will be prepared for the cold Jerusalem winter.

As we worked we discovered there were no toys in the apartment and it was the five year old's birthday. At the end of the day we gave the boys a few simple toys. They immediately began playing and laughing - all their timidness gone. It was touching to watch how small children can easily forget fear of strangers and pain of the past. Even the older teens and parents found joy in watching the small boys playing and laughing.

Lives Out of Control
The next family we met was a single Mother with four teen-age daughters. The eldest daughter was injured in a physically and emotionally. The Mother, L. is a very simple woman but with a family totally out of control. Her tiny apartment was filthy, with clogged drains, broken windows and light fixtures, tiles gone in the bathroom and dirty, black walls. It seemed symbolic of her spiritual life.

I was moved to see our group go in and begin to clean the filth in each room as if they were cleaning a palace - with not one word of complaint. As the day continued a spiritual light began to be felt in the apartment. Neighbors came to visit and were shocked to see the transformation. As the home became transformed the daughters also began to change their behavior. We continue to pray for G-d's touch on this family.

A Family with Broken Dreams
The last family we helped was M. and T.. Their 12 year old son, was injured in a terrorist attack while riding a bus. He was an excellent soccer player before sustaining serious head injuries in the attack. Now he no longer plays soccer, does not attend school, has outbursts of anger and does not want to see people because of his appearance. He has huge scars on the right side of his head from his injuries. The doctor says he needs several more operations to remove shrapnel from his head. His parents are kind gentle people who are at a loss on how to deal with their son's emotional problems.

Both parents were home the day we were there. They continually thanked us for our work, fed us sweets and coffee all day and were humbled that we came all that way to help them. The parents had sectioned off part of the living room for their bedroom- just enough room to put a double bed. We were able to buy a door and hang it so they could have more privacy. Tsila said as we painted light was flooding their apartment. We believe it was the Light of G-d she felt.

The fourth family, N. and Z., whose daughter was murdered by terrorist one year ago, panicked at the last minute, at having “Christians” in their home and declined our help. It brought home to us how much repair work we as Christians still have ahead of us - to heal the hurts from past history that still threatens Jewish Christian relationships today. We pray that G-d will arrange a time for us to meet and help this family in the future.

Even with all the frustrations and changing plans on this trip we are deeply grateful G-d has given us the opportunity to meet these heroic families and bless His people and help Restore the people of Zion .

We plan to return to Israel May 28-June 9, 2005 to work in the homes of other victims of terror. If you would like to go with us or contribute toward a scholarship for someone else to go please contact us. Our expenses for the October trip were greater than any previous trip. More intensive repairs were done and as a result more supplies were needed for the work projects. We ask you to pray about what you can do to help build up Jerusalem and heal the brokenhearted.

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