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O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34
Dear brothers and sisters—how do we read God’s Word? More than I like to admit, I often ask: how does this affect me? What does this mean for me? How does this change my heart? We often miss the main point: to see God’s very own heart.
Is this not the most wonderful privilege? We are presented with stories of His faithfulness, His righteousness, His holiness, and most of all His love. Over this past week at Shevet, I have seen the big and little blessings from the Lord— and my heart is overwhelmed with love as I taste and see how good He really is!
It’s true in the life of five-year-old Anas, who came to Sheba Medical Center last week for a major open-heart surgery. |
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| The operation which should have only lasted five hours, went on for almost 15 hours. Ever since, this precious child has been in critical condition. He has been intubated, on dialysis, with an open chest for over a week. His kidneys have failed, his liver has failed, and his hands and feet have turned a deep blue color because of an extreme lack of circulation. He is teetering on the edge of life and death.
To many, this situation might seem hopeless. His parents are certainly shaken and worried as we see them pace the hospital hallways day after day. But, from the stories in the Bible, we know God’s character and we know what He is capable of. In the earthly sense, things are not looking good for Anas. But, we cannot forget to give praise for the little blessings in Anas’ story which the Lord is pouring out day after day.
We praise God that Anas is still alive and fighting. We praise God that Anas’ heart function is good. We praise God that the doctors are working hard day and night for Anas. We praise God for Anas’ parents who stay faithfully with him. |
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| The coming days remain a critical time for Anas. We must surround him, and his fearful parents with prayer as the Lord continues to work.
I also rejoice to share a big blessing from the Lord. On Thursday, Anas’ chest was closed as doctors discerned he was finally stable enough for this to be done. It was completed in the hope that Anas will continue to improve little by little. We thank the Lord for the work He is doing, and blessings He has poured out.
Sweet Montaser came from his home in Bethlehem this week for an interventional catheterization, leading up to heart surgery next week. Everything went very smoothly, and he is doing well overall. |
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| During his time in the hospital, we have enjoyed getting to visit with his parents who are just as sweet as their precious son. It is a blessing from the Lord to be able to reach out to families like Montaser’s in times of trial. Lord willing, Montaser will be discharged when his oxygen levels stabilize, and will return next week for his surgery. Please be praying that Montaser has strength, and his parents have peace.
Nihal, a 15-year-old girl from Hebron, came to the hospital for a CT scan this week, to discern what further medical care she needs. This may mean surgery, but we don’t know for sure yet. |
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| During this most recent visit, the Lord orchestrated a beautiful moment when an Israeli man was able to serve as a language bridge. A nurse, asking questions in Hebrew, only received confused looks from Nihal’s Arabic-speaking mother. Seeing this, the Israeli man who was awaiting his own treatment quickly came to their aid. Moments like these are genuinely some of the most remarkable occurrences–to see the healing of the Abrahamic family is a blessing beyond words. In fact, this healing was promised when God first made a covenant with Abraham.
And I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.
In the hospital, right before my eyes, I witnessed a piece of Israel blessing its neighbors with love and care. It is a joy to share it with the readers of this letter, and I pray it encourages the hearts of all.
Nihal went in for her CT, after enduring an IV which she greatly disliked. |
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| But soon all was over and Nihal said in Arabic halas as she wiped her hands together, implying that she was done. Join us in prayer for the doctors to have wisdom as they study the CT and decide what’s next for Nihal. She is a precious daughter of the Lord and we are eager to see her well!
Another joyful interaction this week, that was filled with goodness from the Lord, was when five year old Majd came to the hospital to receive an echo and EKG. Little did coworker Hannah and I know what was to come with the arrival of this little fireball. |
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| As Hannah later wrote, Majd was on the move! He was practically bouncing off the walls the entire visit. Praise God, he calmed down during the 10 or so minutes his scans took, and then he was back at it as he ran around the echo clinic of the hospital. The Lord has given this child not only healing, but an overflowing of energy and health. As of right now, Majd will not need further care besides receiving an echo every six months. We praise God for the way He has restored health to the heart of Majd!
Outside of the hospital, the blessings still did not come to an end. On Monday, our community had the opportunity to make some visits to families in the West Bank. The first stop was in Bethlehem where we were warmly welcomed into the home of Naim— a Gazan boy now living in the West Bank with his mother. |
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| Our community has known this little family for some years, and it is a joy to meet with them and see how well Naim is doing well. Naim’s mother made a delicious meal for us— what an amazing cook she is! May the Lord bless her hands, and continue to give health to Naim.
Making our way further into the West Bank we made a stop at the Dead Sea, and then went a little ways north to Jericho, where it was a pure delight to be reunited with young Bairam and his family (and our longtime and beloved coworker Petra!). |
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| We came to know Bairam and his mother especially well during his hospitalization for surgery a few weeks ago, and it was a joy to see him improve in the hospital as we played countless games of Uno every visit. Seeing him at his home this week, it is clear that he is thriving and continuing to heal from his operation. He is vibrant, and we praise God for this!
Their family also served us a delectable dinner and afterwards we enjoyed sitting on their back porch talking, playing games, and playing with their fleet of kittens. |
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| They are such a precious family, and we pray God’s blessing on them.
God’s faithful hand continues to be upon our Lod community; during the past six weeks, we were beyond blessed to have coworker Hannah with us. She served with an eager heart and ready hands as she led worship, cooked skillfully, and loved the families who came to us during that time. Her presence will greatly be missed as she headed back to work in America on Wednesday morning. |
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| We thank the Lord for blessing our community with her for a time!
Even in times where the community is so small, meaning two whole people, the Lord has never failed to provide. Just as Hannah departed, we were blessed to welcome back coworker Caroline from New Zealand. |
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| She has graciously agreed to spend the next three weeks serving. Thank you, Lord, for this blessing!
Then on Thursday morning Jonathan and Michelle also departed for America where they will be caring for their families for a time. Please join us in covering them with prayer as they travel, and as they spend precious moments with their loved ones. |
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