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In 2006 CCM began donating items of clothing for the Jewish immigrants the former Soviet Union and other lands of oppression, their problem is, that when they arrive, they have little or no possessions at all. |
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Christian Friends of Israel operate a distribution centre in Jerusalem and we are just a little cog in part of the big wheel. Like any piece of machinery, without the little cogs things don’t work properly.
The last shipment of clothing left Felixstowe on 14th December 2007 and arrived at Port Ashdod on 28th December 2007. The clothing then made its way to the Distribution Centre ready to be made available to those in need.
Why have we used the picture on the right? We believe from contacts that the pink coat was part of a larger delivery from our charity. Why is that important? Well, for one thing it is very encouraging for us and it comes with a wonderful story.
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A very happy little girl!
A worthy benefactor of Doors of Hope. |
What an awesome God we serve...
I consider the Distribution Centre a very special place. It is a place where God gives us the opportunity to help His people. Many different types of people to us; terror attack survivors, new immigrants as well as people born in the country who struggle. All of them do not only come to receive some kind of assistance but to feel the peace of God, this special feeling helps them to see their lives from a different perspective. Many of them say they sense His divine presence in the DC building. Even before we engage in a conversation the Holy Spirit has already touched their hearts.
In Doors of Hope we receive up to six families per day who usually represent many different cultures and ethnic backgrounds! We spend approximately half an hour with every family picking out clothing and establishing a personal relationship with them. In some cases we also provide financial assistance.
One day, Alexander came in to see us with his 6 year old girl, Michelle. Together with his family he immigrated to Israel from the former Soviet Union. After arriving in the land, his wife decided that she didn’t want to live an “ordinary dull life, and left her husband as well as her young daughter. According to the judge’s verdict, Alexander was declared the only guardian for his daughter.
Yet he barely could make ends meet since he didn’t have a permanent job. Additionally, he had to take care of his daughter during the holiday seasons when her kindergarten was closed. A social worker referred him to us, stating the extent of Alexander’s difficulties and worries. Alexander was shy about asking for help and expressed gratitude for anything we could do for him and his child.
With her short hair and not wearing a particularly “girlish” outfit we offered clothing to Alexander’s ‘son’ who turned out to be Michelle, his little girl. Petra one of our staff went through the baskets of clothes and found many skirts, dresses and pretty things for Michelle. On another visit for clothing, we were able to offer Michelle a beautiful winter coat-pink with a white fur trimmed hood! Her eyes lit up and she was so excited.
On their last visit Michelle and Alexander found “Pancake Bear” the teddy bear that sits on the couch and greets our guests. Petra had dressed up the bear with a little jacket and a pair of glasses. Just for fun, Alexander tried on the glasses only to find that they were bifocal with exactly his prescription.
He couldn’t afford to buy glasses like these from the optometrist. Being concerned for her father, little Michelle carried the glasses to Petra and asked if her daddy could please keep these…?
What an awesome God we serve, who knows and supplies our every need in ways that boggle the mind. Since then, we have put another pair of glasses on the teddy bear and pray that God would bless someone else with these!
Thank you for participating with us to touch the people with His love.
Ranil Yenikeyev, Doors of Hope, Israel
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