“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV)
Finally!
Now after two months here in the Land and with CFI, I feel like I am finally starting to make some progress with this ministry, Hope for the Future!
During the past month I was able to visit two schools with significant Ethiopian populations, one in Ashkelon and one in Netivot, each approximately 15-16 kilometers (9-10 miles) from the Gaza border, and also to bring a work team to repaint the interior of the Ethiopian Youth Center in B’nei Brak (near Tel Aviv).
The first school was a partnership with our Wall of Prayer Ministry, as well as with another organization outside of CFI. We were able to bless the school with a gift of musical instruments and sporting equipment, something they had requested due to their limited budget. Upon meeting with the principal, she shared that the students are often very frightened because of the frequent sound of bombing nearby, and they live in a constant state of anxiety. However, on this day we were also accompanied by a musical group who performed for the students and this seemed to have the effect of really lifting their spirits! In addition to singing and playing, this group also encouraged the students to try out their new musical instruments, which they did, including drums, maracas, xylophones, and triangles (guitars were also given but not utilized on that day). And though the students did not have musical training, they seemed very happy to be able to make a joyful noise!
At the second school, time was spent observing a classroom that utilizes a unique teaching method from Switzerland. Speaking with the teacher afterwards, she shared that this was actually a “makeshift” school of children from a nearby kibbutz, who had been displaced due to the war. Unfortunately, not all of the students from the original school were kept together, but rather the school had split into two groups, and so in addition to all the other changes these students are currently experiencing, many of them are also missing friends they would normally have in class with them.
Upon leaving the school we were then able to visit the grounds of the Nova Festival, and this was a particularly somber, sobering occasion. There were individual signs with pictures of each person who had been killed or taken on October 7th, along with candles and other memorial items surrounding the signs. There were also numerous displays showing the entire group that was effected that day. One of the most moving sites for me was walking over to the nearby bomb shelter and seeing all the candles inside for the various victims, and realizing just how small the shelter was, and how hopeless things must have seemed for those seeking refuge inside--the bomb shelter had no door-- it was never meant to stop terrorists, only bombs…
On another occasion I had the opportunity to go out with David’s Shield, our ministry to soldiers, and on this day we delivered cold drinks to an IDF unit fighting in Gaza, as that is what they requested. After making the delivery and spending time talking with one of the soldiers, we then travelled on to Kibbutz Zikim, located approximately 5k (3 miles) from Gaza city. Miraculously, this Kibbutz was not overtaken on October 7th, despite its proximity to the border. It seems that in addition to them being protected by the hand of Our Creator, the attackers were also prevented by the military training base between the border and the kibbutz. While there we spoke with a father of 3 children who shared that half of the kibbutzniks have left, and he doubts that many of them will return. However, he and his family are determined to stay.
And most recently I was able to host a meeting with several Ethiopian pastors, along with 2 other gentlemen who would like to help bless the Ethiopian community, and this meeting was very fruitful. I have now made some meaningful contacts, and it helped me to have first-hand insights as to some of the issues these pastors are seeing within their communities. Now with prayer and working together, we should be able to begin developing a plan to move forward.
Your prayers are always appreciated!
Shalom!
Monica Ruby, Project Supervisor