Update From Sderot 10/16/10

A couple of weeks have passed since the last time I sent out an update, so I will try to get you all caught up. We have been busy of late making some changes in the food distribution area of the ministry here. A year ago, when I first came to Sderot the ministry was helping feed 140 families each week. We are now feeding 275 families every week. Baruch Ha’Shem. It is such a blessing for us to be able to bless almost twice as many needy families every week. With all those additional bags of food to pack each week, and the resulting increase in the number of home deliveries we now make, we found it necessary to add an additional packing and distribution day to our week. It does make for a longer week, but more importantly it affords us the freedom to slow down a bit on distribution days and spend a few additional moments with our families. The ministry isn’t about the 275 bags of food we hand out each week, but rather the 275 families to which Ha’Shem allows us the privilege of being conduits of His love and comfort.

The Save The Children (“war boxes”) project is moving forward. The 40 ft. shipping container has now left the States and is scheduled for arrival here sometime in November. The container contains tons of food items like nutritional soup mix and dried fruit which will be packed into the “war boxes”. It is also bringing building supplies that we will use in assembling a conveyor system which will be used to assemble the “war boxes”. The first few groups of volunteers are being organized and will soon come and help pack the boxes. There is still much we are trusting Ha’Shem to do on our behalf such as the dealings with the Port Authorities, and the Rabbi’s Kosher stamp which is required on all imports of food items. The items already have an approval stamp from a stateside Rabbi, but will also require one from here. As we continue to step forward in what Ha’shem has put in our hearts to do, we do so in faith and with the knowledge that all those details of which we have no control are His responsibility.

Recently, I was asked if I would take on the responsibilities of a volunteer coordinator for Hope For Sderot. I am working on a volunteer information page that can be linked to from the Hope For Sderot website. It will contain general information on how to volunteer as well as what to expect. It will also include an overview of our ongoing weekly ministries and special projects that volunteers can serve in. There are opportunities to serve whether one comes by themselves or with a group. Please keep me in prayer as I take on this new project. Shalom.