A lot of Christians pray faithfully for Israel year in, year out, and many also do what they can to support Jewish and Arab believers in the Middle East. However, many have stepped up their prayers and support in a special way over the last couple of years, and it’s bearing fruit. We just wanted to say a big thank you, and encourage you that your prayers, generosity, and kindness are not in vain!
Thank you for praying for the hostages
Although there are still 79 hostages still in captivity, we want to praise God that we’ve seen almost half (137) have been liberated, 97 of whom were alive. It’s been amazing to see freed hostages finally embracing their families. Daniela Gilboa spoke out for the first time since her release from captivity in Gaza:
“What a surreal year this has been—I don’t even know where to begin. But I do know where to start: with gratitude. Thank you for waiting for me. Thank you for refusing to believe the terrible rumors.
Thank you for praying for me, day after day, throughout this unimaginable time. That was my last request before I was taken—that people would keep praying.
In those darkest moments, I refused to give up. I refused to say goodbye. Instead, I chose to believe—with all my heart—that my story would not end there, in that migunit, the small reinforced shelter meant to protect from rockets but never built to hold hope captive. I prayed for every girl with me, for half an hour, because at that moment, it was the only thing I could do. The only thing that truly mattered.
I knew that faith was our only lifeline. And yesterday morning, standing in the synagogue with Karina, Naama, Liri, and Agam, we recited Birkat HaGomel, the Jewish blessing of gratitude said after surviving a life-threatening ordeal.
Since the day I survived October 7th, I have been waiting for this moment—the moment I could stand and say: Thank You. Thank You, HaShem—the name we use for G-d—to whom I prayed, who carried us through the worst, against all odds.”
Thank you for sharing what you have to help victims of October 7
ONE FOR ISRAEL has been well placed to be a channel of resources to those in need, including those made homeless, the injured, and soldiers serving for months on end. Here is some of the fruit we’ve seen.
Much like her husband Eitan, Orit Kashtan took it upon herself to go and find out what was needed when displaced people from villages near Gaza arrived at guesthouses nearby. The first person she met was an 80-year-old woman from Zikim who had broken her leg, and desperately needed a wheelchair. Thanks to people like you, we were able to provide her with exactly what she needed very quickly, and we got to know her together with her whole family.
It wasn’t long before we were connected with many other displaced people.
“We’re used to giving help, not receiving help,” they told Orit. Many of those from the communities near Gaza are fondly referred to as “peaceniks” who love to serve. Now they needed help.
After a long time in temporary accommodation the situation became increasingly difficult. With a lot of coordination, our team helped a group of 25 families to get resettled in a new town. They needed help with moving and through God’s grace, all the logistics, all the pieces fell into place, including cranes that were required for some complicated furniture removal.
Many of those we are serving have lost everything, including loved ones, and are deeply traumatized. “When you work with post-trauma people you need to give them a sense of control,” says Orit. Having trained to work with those with PTSD, Orit was perfectly placed to coordinate aid, and many have come to see ONE FOR ISRAEL as a blessing, a connection.
“God really used us,” Orit confirms. That includes all of you who have been partnering with us in prayer and practical means.
After noticing that many shops are stocking huge cups which seemed to be very popular, ONE FOR ISRAEL organized a special cup for our soldiers with the simple message in Hebrew: תודה – todah, which means “Thank you!” We had 800 made and have distributed 600 so far.
“It’s unbelievable how much it made them happy,” says Orit. “It shows that we’re thankful, we haven’t forgotten them.”
This war has been going on for so long, everyone is just getting on with their lives now, but these cups remind them that we haven’t forgotten them, that we appreciate them. “For me it’s the main thing. It’s not just about giving them coats, raincoats and fleeces to keep them warm, which are doing this week. That is also important. But it’s saying that we’re thankful,” says Orit.
As we have been given resources from the kindness of supporters all over the world, Orit has been God’s agent in helping us find the best ways to distribute the help to where it’s most needed. With three children in high ranks in the army, they were able to make good connections with many units that really needed help. There was one unit which seemed to be particularly highlighted to Orit, and it was only later we discovered there were eleven believers in the unit! We have been able to bring hundreds of soldiers lots of help and encouragement.
Thank you for praying for Israel
As Israel continues to deal with terrorists on every side, the truth of just how close we were to total destruction is becoming clearer. The amount of weapons and tunnels discovered in Lebanon has astounded us, along with increasing evidence that Israel narrowly avoided a far worse disaster on October 7, 2023. If Hezbollah had attacked at the same time as Hamas, as they were planning to do, we would have been completely overwhelmed. It hardly bears thinking about what might have happened.
While it is being called a “miraculous escape”, we remember well the millions of Christians praying for Israel for five weeks earlier in the year for the Isaiah 62 prayer initiative. If you took part, we want to say a huge THANK YOU! Can you see the fruit?!
For a while it seemed only disaster followed that prayer time, but now we know more and humbly thank God for His mercy and protection.
Thank you for all your prayers. Be encouraged: they are having a powerful effect.
