Ibrahim grew up and lives on the Mount of Olives. He claims his family's has lived there for hundreds of years as community leaders on the Mount of Olives. Ibrahim tries to walk in the footsteps of his father's before him, offering hospitality to travelers, working closely with people of all faiths, and lending a hand to any who are in need. Ibrahim devotedly works for peace and reconciliation among all of the people groups of Israel. "When Israel was started, I was five years old. I don't remember much. My father was working with the Jews in the Jewish cemetery, because he was cutting stones from the mountain to build the graveyard. They were very, very friendly to us and this was a great gift from my parents that I learned about. Many of my old family worked for the Jews, and for the Christian churches all over the country. As a boy, the job of my father was working as a guard for the Russian church, and always the Christians, the Muslims and the Jews were welcome into our home. We had a guest home, without making a business from it. That's the way I keep my home today, it is still as a guest home, like my parents. It continues as my job. There are many beautiful things that I carry over from my parents...
Bradley with Ibrahim and son loading up for Bedouins aid distribution
Ibrahim came to us in order to collect and deliver a truckload of aid including blankets, clothing and furniture to needy Bedouins who are suffering through the cold Jerusalem winter. The Jahalin Bedouin have inhabited the Negev Region for centuries. Their culture often has been romanticized in both movies and literature. The term Bedouin has historically described nomadic tribes of the Middle East. These people have traditionally nomadically raised livestock such as sheep, goats and camels. Over the last few decades, their semi-nomadic way of life and societal structure have undergone immense and rapid changes, as they have moved to a more modern way of living. Approximately 155,000 Bedouins live in the Negev Desert in Israel, with an estimated 80,000 of them living in 45 villages that are unrecognized by the Israeli government.
Ibrahim distributing Aid from FZS
Ibrahim also told us that some of the aid would also go to needy Arab families living in the West Bank, to places we would not be able to visit ourselves for security reasons. We can only rejoice at how the Lord is able to bless so many people with His love and provision… 
We also recently had the privilege to work side by side with a local Jewish organization called, YESH L'CHA CHAVER - You Have a Friend… Our contact began when founding Director Malcolm Babbin came to us seeking financial assistance and friendship. After spending an afternoon together, I was able to personally confirm that YHAF has both organizational integrity and genuine compassion for the poor and needy in Jerusalem, this is why we thought we should also introduce their outreach to you…
Malcolm preparing aid with volunteers
YHAF is a small, grass roots Jerusalem based amuta (non-profit organization) that gives weekly food parcels to severely underprivileged families, all of whom have been carefully selected by social workers. Our organization was founded in December, 2004 when a few generous-hearted individuals banded together to see what could be done to help some of the many underprivileged people in Jerusalem where twenty-five percent of families are living below the poverty line and many of whose children arrive at school hungry on a regular basis. Several of the volunteers had already gained experience with other food distribution organizations and soon YHAF was delivering weekly food parcels to families in one of Jerusalem 's most impoverished neighborhood. All the recipient families are referred to us by the Municipality of Jerusalem 's Welfare Department. The weekly food parcels consist of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as tinned and packaged goods and presently, are being delivered to forty families, i.e. 150 recipients, in the challenged Katamonim neighborhood of Jerusalem, at a weekly cost of $200. To coincide with the Jewish festivals, food vouchers are also given so that families can make their own selection of food stuffs. Those families with children also receive vouchers for the purchase of school supplies at the beginning of the school year. Every shekel received in donations is spent on these necessities, there are absolutely no overheads, the volunteers absorbing their own expenses. All the packing of the supplies is done in the ladies' gallery of our synagogue...
YHAF helping the needy
As is to be expected in the current financial climate, donations to this worthy charity have dropped over the last year, a great tragedy in view of the fact that there are more and more impoverished families living in Jerusalem who are in desperate need of help to feed themselves. Thank you, Malcolm Babbin
If you have any questions or would like to support YESH L'CHA CHAVER- please contact Malcolm Babbin: youhaveafriend2@hotmail.com For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place… Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14) We would also like to share with you the story of a needy mother we recently visited. Tanya Klesck is in the process of having to leave her abusive husband after enduring repeated physical attacks by him. The police have finally recommended a separation from him or he will be arrested. Because of this trauma, Tanya’s life was literally falling apart and after we heard of her struggle through a social worker, we immediately placed her on our food coupon program. We also remain in continual contact with her and sometimes provide extra help such as this delivery of pampers and other baby needs. It is often during these “home visits” that we are able to share the love of Yeshua! Tanya has one son who is two years old and she just gave birth to her second. Please pray for Tanya and her 2 children for the Lord’s strength and protection! Pray also for her husband to receive healing and Salvation!
Lena on a home visit with Tanya
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