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Thankful Hearts and Blessing Hands

August 1, 2013

Recently members of our Israel team decided to join an Israeli initiative to cease all complaining, choosing instead pray and bless others, during the 40 days leading up to the 9th of Av. Initiator Zeb Stub says, “Why these 40 days? This is the period that tradition associates with the biblical sin of the spies.” Because the people believed a bad report and murmured against God’s plan, they spent 40 years wandering in the desert. Stub challenged: “Instead of focusing on the negative, try praying for the good. Instead of hating the government, ask God every day that they be given wisdom and guidance to lead us properly.” What a wonderful idea and I was glad to participate. The Bible tells us that we should concentrate on the positive (Phil.4:8). There are many things I am thankful for; let me share a few of them.

I am so thankful that we live in a time when we see the hand of God working with imperfect people to accomplish His purposes. To see Bible prophecy being fulfilled literally in our lifetimes is an incredible blessing. I am so blessed and amazed that He has invited us, His children, to participate with Him as He works in Israel and with the Jewish people.

I am thankful that God continues to bless Bridges for Peace with favor in Israel. For example, recently we had dinner with a school principal in Jerusalem, and as she thanked us for the help we are giving her school, she said that she is telling others about these new Christian friends who are standing with her school. The news is spreading throughout Israel that there are Christians who love this Land and the Jewish people. It is a privilege to see this change happening and to know that, in part, it is because of our actions and your support.

I am thankful that God has given us the ability to bless people in 52 Israeli communities with 70 tons of food each month. I am thankful that we help 350 children in nine schools with hot meals every day, computer labs, new backpacks, birthday gifts, and summer camp. I am thankful for a great team whose members reach out in countless ways with love to the people of Israel.

Making Dreams Come True for School Children

Summer is ending and now our thoughts turn to the new school year. Our Feed a Child team is working with the nine schools we assist to get a new photograph of each child and to update their biographical information. We are in the midst of the summer camp program, sponsored by Bridges for Peace, with 350 children participating—six hours a day, five days a week, for three weeks. I am so blessed that we can provide this vital assistance to underprivileged children. They are having fun, enjoying organized outdoor activities, learning about the arts, doing crafts, but this camp is about far more than just having fun. Every day begins with a snack followed by classes that fortify their education. This makes a tremendous difference in their preparation for the upcoming school year, which in turn can make a difference in their future. Highly qualified instructors teach math, science, language, and classes on the Torah. They also receive a hot meal, which might be the only one some of the children will have each day.

I love the Feed a Child Program because we are impacting the lives of these children. We are making it possible for their dreams to come true! The following story from a school principal recounts one way Bridges for Peace is blessing children and schools.

The Special Language of Music

“Playing an instrument to create music is a special language that is not spoken by everyone. The few who speak this language do it better than anyone else. This is the story of the music program that started three years ago when a group of volunteers from Bridges for Peace in Australia came and blessed our school, faculty, parents, and children. This group of volunteers came to help beautify our school by painting, helping in our Ethiopian Organic Garden, and tutoring children in English classes. One of the volunteers, a musician, asked if there were any musical instruments in the school. Our answer was “no,” but we proudly said that we have a choir and know how to sing!

“At the farewell party given to celebrate and honor the group of volunteers, our children in the school choir performed (they were great). To our surprise, the volunteers presented the school with a nice gift to start the first steps of music classes. In addition, Keren Shemesh (Beit Shemesh Foundation) donated six saxophones and six clarinets. That was the start of our music classes. Following three years of committed, hard work in learning and practicing, we now have a Wind Orchestra of nine children, of which two are Ethiopian. We have been invited to perform on different stages in Beit Shemesh and around the country.

“Today, thanks to the support of Bridges for Peace, we have 42 children studying music in school. Among them, four children continue to take musical lessons in Beit Shemesh Musical Conservatory.”

I am so thankful that we have been part of bringing music into the lives of children!

Children Say Thanks

We often get letters of thanks from the children we help. Elran Azoulai is a twelve-year-old on our program. He is looking forward to his bar mitzvah in October. This special coming of age time is very important in the Jewish community. He writes, “This is a very special year for me. My mother is planning a special celebration for my bar mitzvah. My grandparents and my great-grandparents will be there to celebrate this special day with me and my mother. My great-grandmother is very special to me; she is a Holocaust survivor. I was very sad when I heard about what was done to the Jewish people many years ago. I am happy she is living in Israel now and I can visit her.” Elran also has a thankful heart for our help. “I am very happy to be part of the Bridges for Peace program. I enjoy the good food I eat for lunch and all the special gifts I received from my sponsors of Bridges for Peace.”

I am thankful that we are a part of Elran’s story and are helping his dreams come true.

Big Dreams

We were invited to the graduation ceremony at a girl’s high school that we help. I watched these beautiful girls as they spoke of their love for their school and teachers and their hopes for the future. My heart was full as I realized that we had a part in making their education a success.

I also have a dream of expanding the Feed a Child program to other schools and communities. I love the fact that God is using this program to give children hope for a good future. I love the fact that we can help change the face of Jewish–Christian relations. Members of the next generation of Israelis are growing up with the knowledge that Christians cared enough to make an investment in their lives. Now that is something to be thankful for!

Let’s Make More Thankful Children!

Please consider sponsoring a child in the Feed a Child Program. You will receive their picture and biographical information. Your monthly gift (12-month commitment) will provide a hot meal each school day, school books, supplies, a new backpack and participation in all school outings. You can make their dreams come true. As you think about the blessings in your life, please consider blessing some of the children of Israel.

One-time gifts will enable us to assist the schools with computer labs, playground equipment, sound systems, and more.

A thankful heart and blessing hands are good partners. Join us today to become part of the blessing. You will be thankful you reached out in love to those in need.
Blessings from Israel,

Rebecca J. Brimmer
International President and CEO