As we continue to pray for peace in our region and a respite from the violence of war, we feel an unmistakable ache in our hearts, knowing that we’re that much further from welcoming project teams back to Jericho. Despite that, Seeds of Hope is still as busy as ever.
While countless activities, trips, and gatherings have been canceled because of the uncertainty and economic impact of the unrest around us, God has also used it as an opportunity to open new doors.
One of those doors has been a fruitful new partnership with Healing Hands International (HHI), based in Nashville, Tennessee, in the United States.
In the wake of the war breaking out last October, HHI was eager to find a way to get involved and provide reliable aid to civilians in Gaza. When friends connected them with Seeds of Hope, it was a perfect match. Our food distribution efforts were already in progress and were exactly what they were looking to fund.
After a successful first project, HHI funded two more distribution projects—one in December and one that we’re gearing up for now. These three projects, combined with the outpouring of generosity and support from so many of you, have contributed to our largest collective season of humanitarian aid distribution in Seeds of Hope history.
PHOTOS: Clean water, food supplies, and fuel are readied for distribution.
“Every time God opens a new door, it reminds me that He is always available and shows up at the right time and location,” shared Khader Ghanim, Seeds of Hope CEO. “Getting to know our new friends at HHI is a Godly arrangement. I am so grateful for their generosity in allowing Seeds of Hope with Emmanuel Church to show the love of Christ to the needy people in this current situation!”
As we’ve shared in the past, our partnership with Emmanuel Church in Bethlehem has made so much of this aid possible. By working through trusted families and relationships, we can reliably get funds and supplies to hundreds of Christians in Gaza who have been run out of their homes and are fighting to survive.
While most supplies are shelf-stable items like flour, rice, and canned goods, we’ve occasionally been able to get fresh foods into some of the encampments. We were recently able to send fresh fruits and vegetables to some groups, which lifted their spirits in remarkable ways. One man shared that it had been six months since he’d seen or tasted a tomato!
We can’t imagine what these men, women, and children are going through as they live on the run and fight for the survival of their families, but we’re so grateful for our partners like you and HHI, who enable us to do what little we can to help.
