"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength" (Isaiah 40:31)
Team David’s Shield has truly had a full month of blessings, refreshing and mutual encouragement! One of our first visits was to the North of Israel to deliver a variety of items to a large artillery unit that we have assisted in the past. One of the hardest things to locate these days is boots, and these guys are especially in need as they are high in the mountains and in the cold, rain and yes, even snow! We have a special relationship with the Supply Sergeant of this unit and on this visit he presented a certificate of thanks to us, a very cool unit flag and a small gift for our Team. What an honour!
How to Pray? For wisdom in each and every relationship. Some have become friendships as appropriate and we thank God for this.
Another God-connection happened when we heard about a unit in need from a close friend. CFI was able to bless a Combat Rescue Unit in need of waterproof winter jackets. This special unit which is made up of doctors, nurses, combat medics and fighters has been working non-stop since the war began. They go into very dangerous places in Gaza and treat and evacuate the wounded. What a job! It takes a toll emotionally, physically and spiritually. I met two of the fighters as they came to our home office! What a privilege it was to invite them into our space and to bless them with words of support and encouragement. They were really touched when they heard about Project David’s Shield and all the believers around the world praying for Israel and especially for the IDF.
Please pray for mental and emotional healing for all that these men have gone and continue to go though. It is very hard on them to not be able to save a life.
"The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18)
I even shared with them the story of our van…the van that we literally purchased and picked up amidst rockets falling the first week of the war… the van that has been filled to the brim with supplies for soldiers. The van that has been North to South and as close as 500 meters from both borders… the van that has transported both CFI personnel, family (mine!) and friends, and other ministry workers from the Land… taking us to help harvest tomatoes and mandarin oranges, taking us to bless displaced citizens and to bless soldiers with much needed supplies and more. I told them that the van came as a gift from believers from Papua New Guinea, one of the poorest countries in the world…. They were very amazed and touched. Please pray for their hearts to be receptive to God’s truth in their lives.
The next unit we had contact with was due to another non-profit located in Tel Aviv, whom I had the opportunity to visit last month (another God connection & such sweet people!) This particular Jewish non-profit is doing amazing things and supplying many needed items to soldiers. They started at the beginning of the war and consist completely of local Jewish volunteers; however, they do not supply one needed item of personal protective gear that CFI was able to acquire. As a result, we joined hands in helping them and Team David’s Shield was able to procure the very essential items. We drove South and met with two courageous soldiers, stationed very close to Gaza. Their unit has been in Gaza and they were heading back in shortly. They told us that the hardest thing was having friends die in Gaza but that it made their commitment that much stronger. They were determined to finish the job and to honour the memory of their fallen comrades.
Please pray for more such connections/collaborations/friendships like the Jewish non-profit! Please pray for strength, protection and safety for these brave young men.
We were NOT able to meet all the needs of this unit with regards to this particular item. Please pray for funds to come in to do just that. Through another contact who was also working with the same Jewish non-profit from Tel Aviv, we heard of another unit down South also in dire need of personal protective gear. This unit is a small unit of Paratroopers.
This was also the last day that my family would join me on Team David’s Shield missions as they would go back home the following morning! We almost didn’t go that day as we all had so very much to do, but at the same time we all felt led to do this one last mission as a family. We are so glad we did! We rode close to Nahal Oz, one of the most devastated towns next to Gaza and met with the unit. They were on duty and arrived in a tank from the 1967 war! Surprise beyond surprise, they invited us to join them for a tank ride to the border. I won’t tell any details but the trip was beyond what any of us had ever experienced… Even for me, an experienced army officer, it was quite a novel experience! God really
blessed my family with this very special treat. We will never forget it, nor will we forget the seriousness of the situation. That although for us it was a thrill of sorts, these young men have dedicated their very lives for the protection of their families, friends, and country. We prayed for the items of personal protection as a family and in like manner prayed for the helmet of Salvation of cover for each precious head. Please pray God’s Spirit over them. May He lead them, guide them, speak to them and make Himself known to them
in ways they have never before known!
"The LORD is my strength and my song and He has become my salvation" (Exodus 15:2)
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him" (Romans 15:13)
Neomi Gorin, Project Supervisor