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Raising the Poor Out of the Dust

April 30, 2018

We are celebrating the 70th year since Israel became a nation. Around the world Christians and Jews are praising God for Israel. The Hallel (praise) Psalms (113–118) are read as part of this praise to God. In Psalm 113 God is praised in part for how He cares for the needy. “Who is like the LORD our God, who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth? He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap” (Ps. 113:5–7).

In the midst of the celebrations, there are many in Israel burdened with needs. Holocaust survivors, immigrants, children from broken homes, lone soldiers (here without family support), elderly and mourners all have something in common. They need our loving care.

Miriam is a new immigrant who receives food from Bridges for Peace. She wrote to us:

Dear Bridges for Peace,

I came to Israel with my two sons and it was like moving to another planet. We did not have any relatives or acquaintances in Israel. It was frightening to realize we knew very little about the country we moved to.

But all glory to God, almost immediately you came into our lives, people who were ready to help us and to support us. And thanks to you we very soon felt at home! You gave us huge assistance for me with my two sons.

My difficult factory job left me feeling disconnected from my kids and I felt like I was wasting my time and strength. For a very long time I worked on jobs I did not like just to provide for my family and it did not leave me time nor strength to realize my dreams.

I am now improving my Hebrew and making my first steps in a new profession, sewing beautiful clothes for my friends and for myself. It is such happiness to bring people beauty and joy!

Telling the truth, I would not have the courage to make this step if I was not sure that there are people helping me. Thank you very much and I wish you a lot of strength in such a noble job!

With love, Miriam

We love to minister God’s love to Holocaust survivors in their waning years. Ari is always thankful to receive his parcel, but this particular time we had a small surprise for him. He had just had his 94th birthday, so in addition to his regular food parcel, we had a birthday cheer basket for him. Ari’s face lit up and he had a huge smile on his face! Our Bridges for Peace staff member, Jey, said:

“When I helped him down the steps with his cart, Ari couldn’t thank us enough for what we do for him, and that brought me such joy. Our parcels for Holocaust survivors are so much more than a simple package of food. When we deliver food parcels, we are also delivering someone who cares about them; someone who listens to what has happened to them during the week. Those who have lived through unimaginable horrors deserve our utmost respect, and being a listening ear and providing them with a package of food does more for them than we can know. I’m so appreciative to be part of Bridges for Peace, and to have the great blessing of seeing so many Holocaust survivors get help from Christians around the world who care about them.”

22,140 Eat at the Bridges Table

Ari, Miriam and 22,140 Israelis in similar situations receive food from Bridges for Peace every month. We don’t just provide for them at holidays, because poverty is year-round. They reside in Israeli communities from the north to the south. They speak Russian, Spanish, French, English, Arabic, Persian, Portuguese, Hebrew and Amharic (and probably more). They have come from the four corners of the earth, as God is reestablishing the nation of Israel.

Many thousands more are asking for our assistance. I know God’s heart is turned towards them in their need. I want to be part of helping them rise out of the depths and experience the plan of God in their lives. What a blessing to be an organization that God is using to show His care to the needy, to lift them from the ash heap and to raise them out of the dust.

We couldn’t do it without your help. Please pray about giving a generous gift to our Food Program this month, to enable us to extend the table to even more in need. Thank you for showing your faith through your actions.

“Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18 NASB).

Blessings from Israel,

Rebecca J. Brimmer, International President and CEO

Photo Credit: Hannah Taylor/bridgesforpeace.com