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| The new salon in the women's home |
Traveling Light loves to be there when new ideas are being born, when projects are getting launched and when old dreams are being revived. It is at such moments that we have an opportunity to encourage, bless and inspire and often give a financial gift. In doing so we sow seeds in fertile ground and in due time we will see the fruit! Never forget that your gifts are so much more than money; they help to change lives, to build the Kingdom of God and to write history.
So it was with the women's home in Arad, Israel. Director of Teen Challenge Israel, Polly Sigulim, walked around with the dream for a women's home for years, but it took a long time before it came to pass. About three years ago she visited us in our home in Southern California and she shared her dream with us. When we heard her story we knew it would become a reality, one day. This past weekend we looked back at our meeting then, and realized... a lot has happened since she shared her dream with us.
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| Back porch with playground for kids |
About a year ago the Ark in the Negev officially opened. A beautiful home where women (and their children) with life controlling problems are welcome to stay. Not for a few days, but for twelve months. The first year has been difficult for Polly and her staff and volunteers. Several women came and went, but they couldn't make the commitment to stick to the program. Some women even left the program after several months, to go back to their street life. Why? No one knows. But we DO know that God will send the right people at the right time and that the door at the Ark is open.
A gift from the USA made it possible to open up a real beauty salon at the Ark where the women can learn to become a hair dresser. Volunteer Barbara is a certified teacher.
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| New lounge set & bird cage! |
Last year we were able to donate 1,500 euro for the purchase of a lounge set and the repair of the porch cover. No earth shaking gift, maybe not even worth mentioning; but we can say that the money has been used wisely and reaches much further than we can ever imagine. Last weekend we were seated on the new chairs, in the shade, and met with the pastor of a Messianic congregation and a group of Christian Arabs from Nazareth. Together with Polly they are working on a project to improve education among Bedouin tribes in the Negev area. We will share more about this in the near future. When we heard them talk and when we prayed together, we just knew it... something new is being born here. The Holy Spirit is moving and gathering His workers from among all peoples and nations to begin a work that will make history. Dear friends, this is so exciting! This is exactly what we love to be a part of, and through your gifts and prayers you can be part of it too.
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| Practical help & spiritual encouragement go hand in hand |
Jan did several small repairs around the house and on the cars. In the meantime I brainstormed with Polly about some creative ideas that could bring in some money for the Ark. No doubt we will be able to take on a project or two for the Ark. So, keep an eye on this blog.