As the crisis in Israel and Gaza has been unfolding, The Alliance Canada has been monitoring this complex situation and partnering with ministries in the area to aid those in need. We wanted to provide an update for those who are praying for peace in the region, or who have donated to the Global Emergency Relief Fund: Middle East Conflict. Below are some excerpts from one of our partners’ newsletter and ways you can pray for the ministry happening in the region. Thank you for supporting the Global Emergency Response Fund:
Because of the generous support of our partners across the world, we have been able to help many individuals during these 60 days of war. Our records show that the following has taken place:
· 200 food parcels/coupons distributed in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Ramallah
· 500 clothing and hygiene kits were distributed in Ramallah to Gazan workers stuck in West Bank
· 50 Gazan cancer patients in Jerusalem have receipted financial support
· 12 school fees were paid in Jerusalem
· 11 cases of special support in Gaza and Bethlehem
· Medical help for a Gazan boy with a brain tumor
· Assistance with medicine in Jerusalem
So far, more than 770 beneficiaries have been directly impacted by the relief and aid efforts that the church has undertaken.
The largest operation took place in Ramallah, where we found more than 500 Gazan workers living in extreme harsh conditions. Many of these workers have not been deported back to the Gaza Strip, and they have been stuck here since day one of the war; they do not have any extra clothes or underwear, and are out of cash. Our amazing team of volunteers was able to carry out this uneasy mission, mapping out all the sizes of the men, and then heading out to buy a winter sports suit, a hygiene kit which also included socks and underwear. The joy we witnessed in the eyes of these men was beyond comprehension.
The most emotional story comes from Gaza, where a father of a boy with brain tumour contacted us on Facebook. He has been following our virtual church broadcast for some months now, and
he approached us with a great need; his 10-year-old boy used to receive treatment at Jerusalem in the Augusta Victoria Hospital, but sadly because of the war he was not able to resume his hormonal medical treatment which was provided freely by the hospital. We contacted the hospital, and they confirmed that this is the actual case, and that the boy has not received medicine since September. We managed to cover the cost for three months of medicine for this young precious soul.
Among our targeted groups who received food packages or coupons were many widows and elderly men. Our door-to-door visits makes it possible for us to interact and encourage people psychologically and spiritually. People are asking a lot of questions in these difficult times, and they look up to us for answers. Though the demand is huge, we feel that we are greatly contributing and making a difference in peoples’ lives!
How To Pray:
· Pray for an end to this war and pray that no more people will die.
· Pray that God reveals himself to the leaders of this country, on both sides, that they understand the need for a long-term peace solution.
· Pray for repentance for both people, especially that there is so much dehumanization happening on many levels in the community.
· Pray for protection over our ministry teams, especially as they travel to different parts of the West Bank.
· Pray for everyone who has received help through the church, that they turn closer to God and abide in His will.