Dear Friends,
As the war continues to escalate, life in Jericho has come to a near standstill. Seeds of Hope is now navigating one of the most challenging seasons we’ve ever faced. I wanted to reach out to our global family with an update on what we’re experiencing and a call for prayer. While we always try to remain hopeful and positive, I feel called to honestly convey the severity of the situation.
The truth is we are human beings and we have limited energy and ability. It can only be by God’s grace that we can carry on like this. In the past 5 years, we had two years of COVID, and now two years of horrific war. We praise God for all he provides, but sometimes we feel we are crawling out of a hole over and over again—constantly forced to respond and rebuild.
The truth is, we are one nation here—deeply connected. No matter which “side” bears the greatest pain at any given moment, we all suffer. Whether the destruction and agony unfold nearby or far from us, or on one side or the other, the impact ripples through every heart and home. In times like these, no one remains untouched by the effects of war.
Right now, Jericho is essentially shut down. Cities across the region are closed. The streets are eerily quiet, with most families staying indoors. Supplies are running low, and there’s no fuel available for transportation—people are resorting to using cooking oil just to meet essential travel needs. Fear hangs heavy. No one knows what the next day will bring, or how to ensure the safety of their loved ones.
Even our own family-owned restaurants have been closed for the past week, with no clear end in sight. This sudden loss of income has left even more families struggling to afford basic necessities, adding yet another layer of hardship to an already devastating situation. The airspace is shut down, and we don’t know when it will reopen or when people will be able to travel again.
With wave after wave of unknown danger at our doorstep, it feels like we’re constantly bracing for the next impact. We keep hoping for calm—a break that would allow some sense of normalcy to return—but the crisis continues to grow. The pressure is unrelenting, and what we thought might be a season of relief has only become more overwhelming.
We’re thankful that schools are currently on summer break, allowing families to stay together and lie low during this uncertain time. But the reality is that everyone here is hurting. The trauma, fear, and psychological toll are immense. We know this will have lasting effects, and that reality keeps us steadfast in the importance of our work in this community.
As believers, we know God has a reason for everything happening, and we trust in that, which gives us the strength to continue. Please continue to pray. This nation is suffering deeply, and the road ahead looks incredibly difficult.
Thank you to all of you who are always standing with us. Your prayers and faithful support give us hope. Pray with us for peace. Pray for rest. While fear dominates Jericho, we believe in a God who ultimately defeated fear, and we know He can again.
Khader Ghanim
Seeds of Hope CEO
