Blessing Israel

BFP in Action: Why Feed Israel’s Needy?

You might ask, “Why should I send money to Israel to feed the needy, when there are so many problems all around me?” Many of our faithful supporters are from countries facing disasters. In Japan, a 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami and nuclear threat have devastated the country. (We have yet to hear from many of our Chai leaders there, who lead groups in prayer for Israel.) Floods have also devastated Australia and South Africa, and New Zealand is still having aftershocks from recent earthquakes.

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High unemployment in the UK and the USA is causing concern, and many college-educated Japanese young people are unable to find work. The world is rife with truly worthy causes. If you look at the global situation with natural eyes, you might not think to send a donation to Israel. But, if you are seeing the world through God's eyes, with your spirit man, then you most likely are already writing a check.

BFP in Action: God’s Economy

I have traveled extensively in Canada, the US and the UK in the past couple of months, sharing the message of God’s love for Israel with Christians and sharing the message of Christian support for Israel with the Jewish community…

BFP in Action: Give an Israeli Child a Future

Many of Israel’s population have never climbed out of the pit of poverty. They came as new immigrants with nothing. Many who arrived in the early days of the State lived in maabarot (tent cities), sometimes for years, before moving into sub-standard walk-up apartments. We meet families who are now in the third and fourth generations of poverty. These families have little or no hope for a better future for their children. The costs of providing an education for their children is simply out of reach for those who don’t know how they are going to fill their stomachs. How can a parent think about buying school books or paying for tutors when they can’t even provide the basics of life? This is the condition of the families we assist through the Feed a Child Program.

A Nation Held Hostage

{image_1} 1,552, 1,553, 1,554…the days keep counting forward, and Gilad Shalit’s captivity continues with them.

BFP in Action: God Is with Us

The most frequent question I am asked is “How is Bridges for Peace doing in the current financial crisis?” Although many ministries and charities are in crisis mode, Bridges for Peace experienced only a minor 3% drop in income from 2008 (our best year ever) to 2009. Prudently, we had budgeted for a decrease in 2009 but exceeded that budget by 2%. We can only say that God has been with us and continues to bless the work that He called us to do.

Bridges for Peace IN ACTION: Practical Gifts for Practical Needs

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MAKING ALIYAH—THE DREAM of a Jewish family to return to Israel, the land of their forefathers—is an exciting event in the lives of new immigrants coming to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Tiberias, Haifa, Beersheva, and countless other communities across Israel. But such a drastic move also involves plenty of practical considerations. There’s only so much you can pack in your suitcase, after all, and though you might like to take the kitchen sink, airline baggage regulations limit how much you can put in your luggage!

Adopting Towns Builds Relationships

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AUSTRALIAN AND ISRAELI FLAGS were flying in the breeze as joyful Hebrew music played and hundreds of school-age children clapped along. The elementary school in Beit Shemesh was humming with excitement as we walked in with the Australian ambassador to Israel. The town was rolling out the red carpet for his visit. At the same time, BFP volunteers from Australia were working at the school: cleaning, painting, creating playground decorations, and tutoring students in English. The ambassador heard of this activity and came to see the Australian — Israeli cooperative venture for himself.

A Light to the Nations

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God said that the Jewish people would be a blessing to the world (Genesis 12:3). We see that happening repeatedly as Israel is quick to respond to emergency situations around the world.

This Little Light of Mine

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Growing up, I attended Sunday School, and I often remember singing a little song which said, “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.” Perhaps you remember this simple song as well. I believe it is based on the words of Yeshua (Jesus) when He said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14−16).

Summer Time Blessings

{image_1} Israel is in the midst of another long hot summer. It is a land of perpetual sunshine from March till November. There is no need to check the weather forecast because every day is the same—hot and sunny. It simply does not rain. When school lets out at the end of June, the sound of children’s voices fill the air. In Jerusalem, most homes are not air-conditioned, so we hear their voices clearly through our open windows.