Sally and Hiba's Mother (shevet.org/hiba)
My experience at Shevet Achim – an Inspiration and Blessing
Why use these two attributes when describing my week in May 2010 at Shevet Achim, Jerusalem, volunteering alongside the team that make this amazing work possible?
The reason is that every single member of the team, whether temporary or long-term volunteer staff, has a unique gift to bring with which to bless the others. It reminds me of the verses from Romans 12:4-5 “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
The verse from Psalm 133 underpins all the work Shevet Achim is doing: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! ..... For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” It is true. Without unity, there can be no blessing. But, blessing flourishes and touches all the children and families who are hosted at Shevet Achim in Jerusalem. It is evident for all to see.
This is not to say the work is easy, and that there are not obstacles that need to be overcome. During my time there last May, a dear little boy, Ahmed, sadly lost his fight to live. The emotion was raw – from his mother, who loved her son so very much and devoted her life to him, from the staff, who had spent many weeks showing love and support to the both of them, and also from the other mothers and children, who surrounded Ahmed’s devastated mother with an incredible depth of love. It was also very touching for me, personally, to see firsthand the sadness of the doctors and nurses who had fought so valiantly to correct Ahmed’s critical heart problem. Their compassion was a testimony to their dedication to both patient and family.
The mothers and children staying at Shevet Achim Jerusalem also touched my life immensely, with their unconditional love and appreciation. I shall always treasure the warmth of the affection shown to me by these precious mothers, from welcoming me to join them for a lunch they had prepared, to giving me a goodbye embrace. The tears that flowed were real – mine and theirs. The children are also so special – smiling and laughing despite being far from home, and having to undergo some often very uncomfortable procedures.
At the end of my week of volunteering, I felt I had been changed by a wave of love and blessing, and the dedication and teamwork amongst all parties – patients, mothers, volunteers and medical staff – was a true inspiration. I was motivated a few years ago by the work at Shevet Achim to help set up Shevet Achim UK to raise awareness of this unique channel of blessing. I came back from my week of volunteering inspired and more determined than ever to help to promote this unique work in The Middle East whenever and wherever I am able.
Sally Morton
UK Co-ordinator
Shevet Achim UK
24 February 2011