By: ICEJ Staff

It is still early morning. Birds are singing, and the sun has just greeted a new day as Corrie van Maanen and a colleague from ICEJ Homecare begin their rounds. They start early to avoid Jerusalem’s busy morning rush-hour traffic. Once a month, ICEJ Homecare heads south to Arad and Beersheba, in the Negev desert, to visit, strengthen and comfort different Jewish immigrant families in need. Homecare is a work of building relationships with those we care for and responding to their needs, and sometimes it takes years to develop that rapport.

About 18 months ago, Ada lost her husband after many years of illness, suffering and multiple hospital visits. Ada took care of him with love, perseverance and what little strength she had, since she also had serious health issues. But she forgot about her own needs and put her emotions aside. Yet when her beloved husband passed, she fell into a deep depression.

The years of only giving had taken its toll. The curtains of her small apartment stayed closed. The television became her companion. She feared everything outside her home and did not want to leave.

Because of her relationship with ICEJ Homecare, built so carefully over the years, we continued our monthly visits. Emotionally, she did not have the strength to talk with us. Our monthly visits stopped at the front door and were very short. Just trying to encourage Ada and show her love, we did not give up hope but continued visiting, month after month, and praying for the complicated situation. We knew with the right help from a doctor and her children, things could turn around.

After one and a half years, she finally opened the door for us again and a little ray of hope sparked her depressed heart. We could come in, listen to her heart, and hear her say: “I do want to get better, to be able again to reach out and help other people.”

Several times, she expressed her thankfulness that we never forgot or gave up on her. We saw that our visits, even though short and just to the front door, had meant a lot to Ada. Finally welcomed into her home, we left with our hearts filled with joy and hope. Yes, there is still more healing ahead, but Ada has hope again.

We moved on to see a single mother, whose youngest son knew we were coming and was jumping with excitement. He greeted us with big hugs. For this mom, however, life is filled with challenges. She has three young children and they live on the third floor of an apartment building with no elevator. We stand at her side, listening to her stories.

Since the war broke out in Ukraine, she worries greatly for her parents, and her brother and his family, who are all close to the fighting. They cannot leave, and when she hears their reports of agony and distress due to the war, it only adds to this young mother’s worries.

Not long ago, she called us in panic, as her washing machine had stopped working and could not be repaired. With her small income, she could not afford the unexpected costs of a new washer. But she could not live without one, either – not even a week. So, Homecare quickly responded to her need. We went back that same week to Beersheba, took her to an appliance store, and – thanks to generous Christian donors – were able to buy her a new washing machine.

“This machine is quieter than a windmill”, her little son said as he looked the new washer over at home.

Meanwhile, his mother was in tears with thankfulness.

These are two stories from the visits which ICEJ Homecare undertakes to needy Jewish immigrants in the south of Israel. There are many more families we would like to share about, but we also want to say thank you to our faithful supporters. With your help, we are able do this precious work the Lord has given into our hands together.