Today we delivered the gifts to the maternity ward in Be'er Sheva, the most productive maternity ward in Israel (at least 45 babies a day!!!). If you know me, then you will understand that this excursion was equivalent to a day at an amusement park. Before we even began the nurses stopped us to explain how encouraging our efforts were. They were blown away that we had that much love for Israel.
Every visit was unique, most greatly accepted the gifts, but some refused to let us in the room. Each time we were let in we shared that we were Christians standing for Israel, the reactions were beautiful. Here are some of my favorite moments:
In one of the first rooms we chatted with the new mom while the dad beamed with his little girl in his arms. The father's love for the girl was so genuine I started to tear up. Both kept saying "thank you so much, thank you, thank you!"
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| he loved his little girl <3 |
Right next to them were two Christians from India. They have lived in Israel for 4 years and understood the importance of Christian support. The mom was asleep bc she gave birth 3 hrs earlier, so the father did all the talking. He was so excited to hear about all we were doing in Israel.
In another room we talked w/ a new mom & her mother. The new grandmother kept smiling at me so my mom & I stayed back to talk w/ them. She said we didn't need to say anything, just our eyes explained the true love and compassion we have for Israel & its people. She was so encouraged by our efforts and gave us lots of hugs and blessings. We asked if there was anything thing to pray about and she said, "that one day he won't have to be a soldier." That broke my heart. Even with the excitement of new life the sad truth that one day he will have to fight for his country worries the grandmother (military service is mandatory @ age 18 for both boys & girls). That caused even more crying and hugging.
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| pray for this sweet little boy |
After visiting w/ one family I started to talk to the father. I told him we came to serve Israel bc we love it and he told me, "I know, it is hard to come here, I can tell you all really care." He was so grateful for all that we were doing & and said that we would be blessed more than what we were blessing others.
We had so many sincere encounters just from gift bags that my supporters & many others provided. Your financial blessings didn't just reach a newborn. They touched the lives of moms, dads, grandmas, and everyone else they choose to share with.
And that was only the first half of the day! I'll post about the rest tomorrow :)
-Mads
Praise- we had an abundance of blessings and special moments today
Prayer- if you've been watching the news you know that things are a little sketchy in a neighboring country ...please don't stop praying for our protection & the rest of Israel
