Updates on Israel
Dear Friends and Supporters,
We recently returned from a week-long trip to Israel, where we focused on strengthening existing relationships with soldiers and villages throughout northern and central Israel. This included spending several days on a small kibbutz with just a few hundred residents along the confrontation lines. The security situation in this village is often dire, and IMSI has been able to provide essential support by donating a community-wide security camera system. We also had the privilege of purchasing playground equipment for the many small children to enjoy at the kibbutz elementary school. These Israeli families graciously hosted us in a small, furnished apartment and provided us with more food than we could hope to eat in a month! During our stay, we were able to evaluate the pressing needs in this community and reinforce the bond of friendship between us.
Next, we traveled to northern Israel to host a barbecue for a unit of IDF soldiers that had recently returned from combat. They were headed back to their combat positions as soon as the barbecue was over. We’ve known most of these men for over a year now as they have fought on multiple fronts in this war. We count it a privilege to know such men and pray for their protection often.
We were also finally able to visit the site of the October 7th attack, specifically the Nova Festival and Kfar Aza. On previous trips, these areas had always been a closed military zone, with rockets hitting daily. Our guide was a man whose son was killed by terrorists in Kfar Aza on that fateful day. It was heartbreaking to walk through those houses, blackened by fire and pockmarked with bullet holes. Some homes even had entire walls blown out where Israeli tanks had fired into them to eliminate the terrorists. It was a grim reminder of the suffering that the children of Israel have been continuously subjected to throughout history.
Lastly, you may remember that we previously asked for prayer for a young Israeli widow whose husband was killed in combat in Gaza. We met her husband just a few weeks before his death and were able to keep in contact with him during that short time. After his tragic death, we were able to form a bond with his young wife and family. In June 2024, we learned that she was moving across the country with her two small children to a new home to be closer to her family. We longed to do something meaningful for this young family to help them during this difficult time of transition. Through the generous support of our donors around the world, we were able to set up a $100,000 financial assistance plan through our bank to assist with the mortgage payments on their new house for the next three years. During this trip, we were able to explain to her what IMSI’s donors, thousands of miles away, had done for her. She was absolutely blown away. But what we didn’t expect was that news of this gift would soon reach the ears of the soldiers that had served with her husband. We received so many heartfelt thanks and words of genuine gratitude from these warriors. Our desire in giving this gift was to show our love for this family and make a positive impact in the darkest moment of their lives, but we never realized that so many more hearts would be affected. We now hope and pray that God allows us tocontinue to shine as bright lights in their lives.
Thank you so much for your faithful and generous support that makes all of this possible.