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Encouraging the Workers on the Ground
- Your People My People
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 14 hours ago
One of our trustees, David Adeola, recently travelled to Israel to meet with the ministries and organisations YPMP supports and to find out how they are doing, serving God during a time of war.
Despite various difficulties - flights being cancelled and the logistical complications of travelling around a nation at war, David valiantly pushed through to meet and encourage the brothers and sisters in faith we support. His first stop was with Luke Gasiorowski of Helping Hand Coalition (HHC). YPMP supports HHC’s Shalom House gatherings where Holocaust Survivors come to receive a good meal, joyful entertainment and connection with other Holocaust Survivors to prevent loneliness and isolation.
“It was a delight to meet with Luke who gave an update of how they continue to help the Holocaust Survivors and the operations of the house with the weekly gatherings,” shared David.
HHC also continues to visit Holocaust Survivors around the country bringing them vital supplies. Geniah, one of their regular contacts had to be air lifted from her home during the October 7th attack when armed Hamas terrorists entered her street. Today, she continues to struggle from age-related issues and also the lingering trauma from October 7th, now being unable to sleep well. Despite all this, she remains deeply grateful for the care she receives from HHC.
“Luke also briefed me on the challenges that the nation is facing due to the war which has taken its toll on families, as sons and fathers are called up for national service,” reported David.
“The outcome of this is a significant increase in the suicide rate due to PTSD for the soldiers and trauma for family members. Luke asked for prayers and is hoping to start a support group to help those going through PTSD and trauma due to the war. I had the privilege of talking to a number of these guys who have served and are still serving. The toll that this has taken on their families as they have to switch from being a father, to a husband and then a soldier at different times is immense.
“I prayed with Luke and he prayed for me as well and thanked YPMP for the help and support for the Holocaust Survivors which they find to be a real blessing.”
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In Jerusalem, David met with Tal, the Director of Dor Haba, a ministry to the younger generations, training up children, youth and young adults in worship and intercession. This includes bringing Israeli Arab, Jewish and Palestinian young people together in amazingly powerful Spirit-filled gatherings during the summer. Every year beautiful stories of healing and bridge-building between the different communities come out of these youth & children’s camps.
“I met with Tal from Dor Haba and her parents, Rick and Patti Ridings, who run Succat Hallel House of Prayer in Jerusalem,” shared David “She gave me a report of the impact of our support and lives that are being transformed. She was thankful to God that all the permits for the Palestinian children were granted to come to Israel and they were able to attend the worship camp.
“They are preparing for the next camp and look forward to seeing the youth turn up, especially the Palestinian kids who they have to get a permit for.
“On a personal note, Tal’s family suffered a traumatic tragedy where their apartment was destroyed by fire and the landlord was not forthcoming in repairing the damage. They had to move, which was a challenge with a large family, but through it all God has been faithful.
Tal also shared a testimony with David, of a young girl who was severely affected by the October 7th massacre, having suicidal thoughts as she knew close to 200 people that were murdered that day. A friend invited her to the camp to volunteer in the kitchen, and in the process she got hold of a Bible that was left ‘lying around’. She read Matthew Chapter 1 that first day and picked the Bible up again the second day, while everyone pretended not to notice. In the end, she read the entire New Testament. She talked to the person who invited her and she gave her life to Christ and is being discipled at the moment. All the suicidal thoughts have vanished and she is now serving the Lord.
Through it all, God has been changing the lives of these young people one at a time. Tal is deeply grateful for the support that has allowed her to continue to witness what God is doing, changing lives.
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David also met up with Shmuel Salway, who leads Lech L’cha, a 3 month residential discipleship course. David had known Shmuel, from previous visits, when
Shmuel was working for a different ministry.
“It was such a joy to see Shmuel in a totally different role, changing lives and making a huge impact in the hearts of young Israelis, and especially those that have suffered the trauma of the war, some of them rescued and restored back from suicidal thoughts and now flourishing in Christ. Some of them also come back to volunteer at Lech L’cha.
“I met with them as they were preparing to take some 30 young adults on a ‘Sea to Sea’ hike (Sea of Galilee to the Mediterranean Sea) and received his report after they came back: “Thank you for all your prayers. We had an amazing Sea to Sea hike with over 30 young adults. Amazing views and fellowship. It was also a good time of healing for many after a long reserve duty in the army and others, especially during this intensive ongoing conflict in Israel. Please keep Israel in your prayers.”
“We prayed together for the work and the staff were really grateful for the support from YPMP and expressed their love and appreciation for it.”
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David went to the City of Tel Aviv to meet with Avi Mizrachi of Dugit Ministries. Dugit has been preaching the Gospel for decades - showing the love of God and the revelation of Yeshua the Messiah through their outreach cafe, food distribution centre and a Hebrew speaking Congregation that celebrates the Jewish roots of our faith and embraces the rich cultural heritage they have inherited through their Hebrew ancestors. More recent partnerships with an online TV station and other projects, have opened new ways to broadcast the Gospel to a new generation.
“I was received by the team along with Avi and Nati, his son in law who is the resident Pastor of Adonai Roi Congregation, but while Nati had served over 500 days in the war Avi had stood in for him. They are currently renovating a new facility (their previous landlord had cancelled their tenancy because of their faith in Yeshua (Jesus)). I was shown around and heard the testimony of how God worked on their behalf in order for them to get this office space in a very strategic location of Tel Aviv. I also went to the Outreach Cafe which is used as an evangelism hub and for distribution of food for the poor. It was such a joy to be with Avi again after such a long time since my last visit. We prayed together for the work and for what God has in store for them.”
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David was also in contact with Rania Sayegh of House of Prayer and Exploits (HOPE) in Nazareth who was organising the ‘Arab Deborah’ women’s conference that was to begin the following week. They had 178 women sign up to attend, which was a new record and incredible due to all the logistical difficulties at this time. They were delighted to be welcoming visiting speakers from Switzerland and Sweden who specialised in healing and freedom in the power of the Holy Spirit - something that the women are very much in need of at this time.
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Perhaps the biggest take away from David’s visit was how thankful these organisations are for your support. They see their nation in mourning and trauma - the pain and hurting of the people around them is profoundly evident every day and they desperately want to reach them with the love and healing of the Lord. The support we send them empowers them to be Messiah’s hands and feet in the midst of the people!
Thank you!
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