Living and working with children who are congenital heart patients while living in community can leave a deep impression. Below, a few volunteers reflect on what it meant to them.
When I got to Jerusalem in 2010, recovering from my broken neck and on the point of dropping out of seminary, I didn’t know what I believed. Everything I thought I held firmly was just crumbling to ashes in my hands…By the time I left Jerusalem in 2013, I was saying to myself “You know, I am a Christian.” (Click here to watch Ryan’s message)
I, too, arrived in Jerusalem with an unhealthy heart: one lacking in love, patience, and courage. However, just as the Lord carefully repaired the hearts of the children, He began to repair my heart. (Click here for the rest of Elena’s story).
After His bodily ascension, Messiah continues his work in the world through his redeemed. I knew this in my head before I came, but I don’t believe I truly understood it until I saw it in action while at Shevet Achim…Workers were from all over the world, male and female, young and young at heart. All of us though were united as one in Messiah Jesus, which made our working relationships all the sweeter. My time was too short, so I consider it just a preview for not only a future visit, but a preview of the Kingdom to come–where all God’s people will dwell in unity. (Click here for the rest of Kristie’s story).
My two weeks in 2008 with Shevet Achim was life changing. I was only able to help with small things as I was there for such a short time. But accompanying mothers and children from Jerusalem to Holon was a wonderful experience, in spite of the sad reason for making such a trip. We bonded without a mutual language, but with a language of spirit and soul – love, compassion and in some cases humour. (Click here for the rest of Jane’s story).