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This Little Light of Mine

December 1, 2009

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).

One of the interesting things about light is that it is most visible in darkness.

The darkest hour of Jewish history was during the Holocaust when six million Jews were killed by the Nazis and millions more traumatized by the pain they experienced. In that dark time, there were a few brightly shining lives as righteous Gentiles⎯such as Corrie Ten Boom and her family⎯risked everything, including their lives, to save Jewish people. Many of the Holocaust survivors that I meet are alive today because someone allowed their light to shine in the darkness.

Today, Israel exists in a world with many dark threats: Iran threatens to wipe Israel off the map; the Goldstone report and its acceptance by the United Nations threatens to marginalize Israel amongst the nations; and the press castigates Israel for legitimate attempts to provide security for her citizens. In this darkening climate, it is vital for Bible-believing Christians to stand firm for Israel as God re-establishes the Jewish people on their Land, given as an everlasting inheritance, in fulfillment of the prophetic Word of God.

Committed to Shine

We are committed to standing with the Lord and His purposes for Israel by letting our lights shine in Israel and around the world. May others see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven. We tell our staff to SHINE! Shine everywhere you go, no matter how difficult the circumstance, SHINE!

We shine as we repair homes for needy Israelis, many living in unhealthy damp, unheated apartments. We shine as we deliver 63 tons of food in 49 communities each month. We shine as we feed 250 children in Beit Shemesh and Karmiel through the Feed a Child Program. We shine as we welcome new immigrants with blankets, Tenachs (Old Testaments), school kits, and kitchen gifts. We shine as we sponsor families and individuals on our Adoption Program, helping immigrant families and students to become established in Israel. We shine as we work with the mayors of 18 towns to assist the needy in their communities. We shine as we take teams of volunteers into towns all over Israel: painting bomb shelters, cleaning up public areas, harvesting crops, gardening, and more. We shine as we provide assistance to those who are victimized by war. We shine as we provide meals to elderly Holocaust survivors in the former Soviet Union. We shine as we help Jewish people immigrate to Israel. We shine as we meet with Israeli leaders in government, military, and business. Everywhere we go and with all our hearts, we are shining forth the love of the Lord to the people of Israel.

I must tell you that our good works are making a difference. After years of distributing food in Mazkeret Batya, we were invited to dinner at the mayor’s home. The head of social welfare was also there. Mayor Meir Dahan greeted us by saying “We love you. Your volunteers are always so joyful, helpful, and kind. Thank you so much.” In the past week, we have talked with principals at four of the schools where we help children through the Feed a Child Program. As they talk of our program and the difference it is making in their schools, their faces glow. They see our good works and thank God.

Your support makes it possible for the people of Israel to see the light of Christian love in the midst of a world that seems increasingly against them.  Thank you for being a vital part of our light. At this time when the economy is difficult, many in Israel feel darkness in their personal circumstances. We want to bring hope to them. Please pray about how you can help this month. Your gift to the project of your choice will make a difference. Others will see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven!

Shalom from Jerusalem,

Rebecca J. Brimmer
International President and CEO