Our project Open Gates is alive and well! We are ready and very willing to greet every new immigrant that enters our welcome room at the CFI Distribution Centre. Many times we see how the words of encouragement and the practical gifts really touch their hearts in a deep way.
Thank God we have received enough donations to keep going. We have been able to purchase different household items and electrical appliances for the precious people who come to us.
Some of the vendors with whom we work have, over time, become like friends. Quite often they will give us a discount or if we need something specific, they order it immediately. They are so willing to help and assist us in a variety of ways. I pray that our vendors will see and understand that this is God’s project and that we are His representatives showing love for the new immigrants of Israel.
A young girl named Tamar from Argentina came to our Distribution Centre. She was very interested in our organization and we had a long talk telling her all about Christian Friends of Israel and the different projects we have. We shared with her about all the Christians from around the world who are helping and praying for Israel and standing in solidarity with the Jewish people. She was very touched and deeply grateful and was particularly impressed with the way we are assisting the Israeli army. She went away with some much needed appliances for her new home which will really help her to start her life here in Israel. We love these opportunities to bless new olim and also to share with them about the wider Christian love for Israel.
People from Russia also continue to come to us to receive help as they begin their new lives here in the Land. A man named Roman was very grateful and happy for the different
items we gave him. He is settling into his new life in Israel with his wife and two children and it was wonderful to support them in this transition. We were able to bless them with an electric stove, a dryer and bed sheets. At one point during his visit he noticed many small scented soaps that olim can take home and he almost jumped for joy telling us that they remind him of his mother who used to love to collect them! We never know the small things that can be of great meaning to others.
We love supporting and practically assisting these wonderful people as they take the step of leaving their home countries and following their hearts to Israel, their ancestral homeland. God is calling His people home and we are here for them, each step of the way.
Thank you for your participation and love, dear friends! We do all of this together!
Tiina Danilevski, Project Supervisor