Project restart multifunctional building Issacar, Rivoli, Italy

Four years ago, we wrote about the new construction project of the Christian Evangelical Community Issacar, just outside Turin in Northern Italy (read those reports HERE).

Pastor Filippo and Emma Felice founded the congregation in 2003. The church has been providing shelter and assistance to the homeless and displaced for years.

Various rooms in the church are used for preparing and distributing meals as well as for emergency shelter. We (Jan and Marja) visited in November 2022.

Because the current church space (which they rent) became too small for all the activities, construction began of a multi-purpose center two streets away. The building will have a strong social function; more rooms and facilities for sheltering distressed people, and also a nursery center to enable mothers to have some free time and rest.

Two years ago, we received news that the roof of the future multi-purpose center had collapsed during the pouring of the concrete. Miraculously, no one was injured.

For two years, the church had to patiently wait for a positive court ruling, the authorities' recognition that they had done everything according to law and building instructions, and for the site's release. Meanwhile, fundraising continued.

And now, finally, construction can resume. First, a great deal of rubble needs to be cleared. A new architect and contractor have been hired. In the photo is Pastor Filippo (right) with Gabriele, who is in charge of the scaffolding, now that work has resumed.

Patience is a virtue, as the saying goes, and in this case, it was a matter of great patience. Above all, it was about not giving up and, despite all the setbacks, continuing to believe that this project was placed on their hearts by God.

It is estimated that only 1% of the population in predominantly (culturally) Catholic Italy is Evangelical Christian. That could make one feel lonely, but fortunately, it doesn't have to be so. Traveling Light would like to send a generous donation as a token of support and encouragement!

If you would like to help, please send a donation to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and make sure to mention Issacar.

You can also give by card or donate directly via our website!

Follow-up project Issacar Rivoli, Italy

In October 2021 we posted a message about the construction project of Christian Evangelical Community Issacar (just outside Torino in Northern Italy) on our blog.

This church has been providing shelter and assistance to the homeless and displaced for quite some years. Various rooms in the church are being used for preparing meals, food distribution, and for emergency shelter.

Last November we were at a conference in Northern Italy, which was a great opportunity to visit Pastor Filippo Felice as well as the construction site, so we could see the work in progress.

The current church is located in a rented industrial building. The municipality of Rivoli has donated a piece of land where, with the help of volunteers and donations, a beautiful facility of their own is being built.

Construction is progressing steadily. Every time funds come in, materials can be purchased (which, by the way, are getting more and more expensive, just like everywhere else).

In addition to a meeting hall, there will be small apartments for the homeless, a community kitchen, a room for childcare, vegetable gardens, and rooms for various activities and creative projects. Truly, it will be a multi-functional building!

Traveling Light would like to support this practical project. We have seen and heard how hard many in Northern Italy have been hit financially, economically, and physically and applaud Issacar's outreach to the lost, lonely, and homeless.

The great thing is that they also have the support of a number of other churches in the area.

If you want to help,

• Send a donation to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and mention ISSACAR, or
• 💳 Give by card

Israel, Twinkeltje, and Christmas packages

At the beginning of November we (Jan and Marja) were in Israel for a vacation. We took the opportunity to meet with Ilya and Janet Bantseev. They are the directors of Teen Challenge Siberia and recently moved to Israel.

They lived and worked in Russia for twenty-nine years and set up a wonderful work there, including drug and alcohol rehab centers, churches, children's work, etc. A few months ago, as a result of the war, they had to leave everything behind.

In Israel, they are now trying to find their way. There are a lot of Russians and Ukrainians who need help and are also open to the gospel. We had fellowship, prayed together, and visited a church service at King of kings in Jerusalem. An active international church that has embraced the Bantseev family. We were able to encourage each other, and that's what it's all about!

Of course, we also visited Brian Slater's food bank in Netanya. With his organization Abundant Bread of Salvation, he is busier than ever, especially with the new wave of refugees coming in.

Together with a few other volunteers we prepared and distributed food packages and we were also able to pray with various people. When all the work was done, we enjoyed a delicious meal and had time to catch up on current happenings.

The project for the month of December in Twinkeltje in de Schor is therefore the work of Brian Slater. All proceeds will go there. If you don't have the opportunity to visit our shop/coffee house, you can also make an specified donation if you want to support his work.

We saw a nice video come by on FB which Brian made the day we were there!

👉 Oh yeah, the Christmas packages projects 🎄 Donations are currently coming in, thanks for that. If you haven't considered it yet, don't hesitate any longer and make someone else happy today!

If you would like to make a donation, you can do so in different ways, please take note:

• Send a donation to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U and don't forget to mention project or country
• 💳 Give by card

Project Issacar in Rivoli (TO) Italy

Last month we visited the Italian translator of Marja's books. The congregation of which she is an active member, the Christian Evangelical Community Issacar just outside Torino in Northern Italy, has been providing shelter to the homeless and displaced for many years. Pastor Filippo & Emma Felice founded the church in 2003.

In 2009 they set up the non-profit organization Città delle Palme as a base for the practical and humanitarian aid they offer on a daily basis. Various rooms in the church are being used for preparing and distributing meals and shelter.

Besides beds and meals, pastoral help and support are being offered. At the moment the church houses around twenty people. Some of them have come to faith and have recently been baptized because of the love and practical help they received.

Because the current space became too small and impractical (and the number of people in need is increasing), they decided to build a separate facility next to the church. The land for this project was donated by the municipality of Rivoli!

With the help of volunteers and donations, a beautiful building is being built. Everything has been paid for so far, there are no debts. That in itself is commendable.

However, as a result of the current crisis, construction has been halted somewhat. Many people lost their jobs and income and no longer have the necessary finances available to complete this project. The church is now diligently looking for sponsors, because it would be nice if the roof could be in place before the winter!

In addition to the homeless, Città delle Palme also offers accommodation to students from Africa who often have no money to rent a room in Torino. Many of them study at one of the city's universities and because they are taken care of in the church, they become involved in everything that happens there.

Traveling Light would like to support this practical project. We have seen and heard how hard many in Northern Italy have been hit financially, economically, and physically and applaud Issacar's outreach to the lost, lonely, and homeless. The great thing is that they also have the support of a number of other churches in the area.

If you want to help,

• Send a donation to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U
• 💳 Give by card

The video below shows the construction project, so far.

Project church kitchen Navazi, Georgia

Temuri & Mziya and their youngest son

We have received your generous gifts for project garlic farm in Georgia, we are able to donate 4,000 euro. Thank you! We will keep you informed about the developments.

We will stay in Georgia for the next project as well.

In January we also visited Temuri & Mziya Muzashvili. We were welcomed in their home with much love and hospitality. Years ago this couple started meeting with a small group of believers in their house. Their fellowship was given the name Evangelical Faith Church.

Soon, the house became too small for the growing group of people. So, on a plot of land next to their house Temuri started the construction of a church. That building project lasted three years and in 2016 the doors were opened. Now, even more villagers can come and hear the good news.

Visit to the church building

It was obvious to us that this couple has a great vision for their region. The building has an upper floor where a Bible school is located. Every other week about 30 students gather for Bible study.

These lessons are provided by the Evangelical Alliance in Georgia and pastors / teachers who come from far away are welcome to stay the night. There are two nice guest rooms next to the classroom (we were kindly invited to come and give lessons).

Evangelical Faith Church

Every month the church prepares and distributes food parcels for 15 poor families in the Navazi village. It is obvious that this is much more than just a 'church', they also provide humanitarian aid. Temuri, full of enthusiasm, shared the plans to expand the church building with a communal kitchen. A kitchen where they could cook meals, eat together, organize events etc. It would be a great outreach tool to the community.

We just love such practical ideas. To distribute not only spiritual food, but also natural food. Temuri and Mziya furthermore have plans to facilitate an Alpha Course, so the kitchen will be useful for this purpose as well.

Handing out Russian editions of Grace of Giving

The intention is to start construction this spring. Traveling Light would like to help them get started by sending a donation which will be used to buy the first building materials and possibly also some kitchen equipment. Temuri is a real doer, so you understand that he is eager to start :)

We find it very encouraging that in the remotest corners of Europe, people hear and obey God's call to share His love with a world in need. Be doers of the Word, not hearers only!

You can (indirectly) let your light shine in that region by sending a gift to IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U St. Traveling Light in Papendrecht. Make sure to mention KITCHEN.

Project work of Brian Slater in Israel

Brian Slater

Those who have been following our blogs for a while, know that we visit Brian Slater in Netanya, Israel almost every year. He is the founder of Abundant Bread of Salvation, an organization that offers help to Holocaust survivors, the poor and the elderly and also to new immigrants and single mothers.

Brian runs a food bank, clothing distribution and soup kitchen in Netanya and whenever we are in Israel, we enjoy volunteering with him. It is always a great opportunity to chat with the people who come for help (in German, English, Hebrews and Yiddish with many gestures of course). Volunteers come from all over the world.

Brian with Nachum (in the middle)

He is currently in the USA for a series of speaking engagements and presentations. The special thing about this trip is that he is traveling together with Nachum Kerpilevich, leader of the Association of Concentration Camps and Ghetto Survivors of Israel, Netanya Branch. This man is 84 years old and it is his first trip to America.

Brian had asked us some time ago if we wanted to help cover the costs for this trip. There is a lot of things to organize and take care of when traveling for two weeks in the USA. Meanwhile, the work in Netanya continues.

Location of food bank / soup kitchen in Netanya

If you want to know more about Brian's work in Netanya, it is really worth checking out his blog or Facebook page!

Of course we want to support Brian, his work in Israel and the trip in the USA. The proceeds of our 2nd hand shop Twinkeltje over September will all go towards this project. During our special Israel night on September 30th, we will also project pictures of Brian's work in Netanya.

If you want to help us with this, please send your gift to IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U St. Traveling Light in Papendrecht. Make sure to mention ISRAEL.

PS: For our current project Teen Challenge Armenia we have already received over 3,000 euro! Gifts are still welcome.

Hungary update

Michel plays his guitar for the young refugees

We are currently raising funds for the work of Michel & Janet van Boxtel of non-profit organization Embrace who have swapped the luxury of a life in the Netherlands for working among the poorest in Hungary.

They had no idea that, so soon after their move to Hungary, they would come face to face with the 'refugee situation' if we may call it so for now. Fortunately, they are able to offer a helping hand and shine their light!

Michel & Janet write:

"The refugee issue is immense and yet we can be of significance in this. We personally help at the tent sites in collaboration with the Baptist Aid.

At the Hungarian border

This help consists of assisting nurses, helping parents with their children, handing out appropriate clothing etc. But also chatting with the people, playing a game of soccer and of course Michel plays his guitar and we sing! The camp residents are, as always, attracted to the music and that opens the door to communicate!

From the Baptist Aid the question came to us if we could help to collect relief supplies. After a lot of hassle, many emails and calls a truck load arrived from the Netherlands. The largest part was collected and loaded by the Reformed Church in Sliedrecht (part of their cargo is also destined for eastern Hungary and the Ukraine) and Blankenburgh. They provided also sixty mattresses.

At one of the food distribution sites (Maglódi Ut) the desire rose to establish a church for all these homeless people. The team leader of this location has asked us if we could please come to help. Of course we will do so! "

Well, offering a helping hand wherever you are! That is simple and effective. Donations for the work of Michel & Janet are very welcome! Please send your gift to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U. Make sure to mention EMBRACE HUNGARY.

THANKS!

Project heart for Hungary

The VanBoxtel family

We were able to give a nice donation towards the summer activities among the Roma children in Macedonia and the required amount for the barn in Berdychiv in Ukraine has almost come in, we're still a few hundred euro's short. So, we feel free to present a new project.

Let's introduce Michel & Janet van Boxtel with their children Jonathan and Elisa. Michel & Janet are the founders of the non-profit organization Embrace. Their mission is to help the poorest people of Hungary. They work from a Christian perspective and the conviction that every human being should feel loved and accepted.

Michel attracts young audiences with his guitar

We have been in contact with them for a while through email and last year Michel & Janet came to visit us to share their plans. We saw passion in this young couple and a desire to share God's love to people who live in the poorest areas of Europe. We promised to help them, first with encouragement, later with finances.

Embrace center

After several visits to this eastern European country during previous years, the family decided this past July to leave the luxury and comfort of a life in the Netherlands behind and to live in Hungary. They are thankful to have their home church in Goes standing behind them. Michel & Janet now rent a house, which will also serve as a multi-functional center.

They will open a distribution point for clothing and supplies, a guest room, a classroom for English lessons and Bible study, a soup kitchen / coffee house and much more :)

It is obvious that funds are needed in order to realize these plans. We have seen a passion in Michel & Janet to be active and creative for God and a willingness to reach people who would otherwise remain in a desperate situation. They are not afraid to take on the adventure with God... and such people make us happy :)

Funds are needed for furnishing and decorating the home, for kitchen equipment, for rent, for study materials etc. etc. Michel & Janet have a heart for Hungary. We hope that you have a heart for people like them and that you want to help us in giving them a good start.

Please, send your donation  to St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U. Make sure to mention EMBRACE HUNGARY

Offering practical help in Israel

Volunteering in the soup kitchen

Offering practical help, financial support and spiritual encouragement to ministries in need within Europe & the Mediterranean area... That's what it says on the website and weblogs of Traveling Light. let's call it threefold help :)

(Click on the photo's for an enlargement)

Brian & Jan in orange :)

This past few weeks we were in Israel (also to take some vacation) and we were able to offer a helping hand in the soup kitchen of the Beit Asaph congregation in Netanya. It is always a joy to serve there.

Lunch with all the volunteers

You can check out the weblog of initiator Brian Slater if you want to keep an eye on what's going on there from week tot week. Each Monday it is a special time for the elderly and single mothers in Netanya as they gather for a good meal and clothes distribution. Brian is always looking for volunteers, especially on a long term basis.

Celebrating Polly's birthday

On Tuesdays there is dry food distribution in Netanya which is also being managed by Brian Slater. Again, volunteers show up each week to help bag the foods, hand it out to the recipients and pray for people when requested. Very rewarding work!

We also visited the women's shelter Ark in the Negev in Arad. There is always some technical work to do for Jan and we furthermore were able to encourage some people through prayer. We also celebrated the birthday of director Polly Sigulim together.

The situation in Israel is growing more and more vicious, so please keep praying that God's plan will be revealed!

Video clip of the soup kitchen!

PS: The donations thermometer for our current project Bertine House in Ukraine has risen above 4,000 euro and we believe much more can (and needs to) come in for the women and children who had the flee the war in Donetsk.

Project soup kitchen, Israel

Brian shares food and tender loving care

For our next project we will go again to the soup kitchen in Netanya, Israel. Do you remember Brian Slater? He works for Chosen People Ministries and every Tuesday he opens up a soup kitchen in Netanya. About 150 people gather there each week to receive a good home cooked meal, prayer and free clothing. Of course Brian makes sure they will hear about the love of Yeshua too! Each week this crowd is waiting for the doors of the soup kitchen to open.

New food bank in the center of Netanya

Last year Traveling Light donated 3,000 euro for a new to open foodbank in the center of Netanya. This is not a place where meals are being served, but a place where packages of dry food are being distributed to the poor and needy. As you can see at the picture we took last October the brand new shelves were waiting to be filled!

We have contact with Brian on a regular basis because we translate his news letters into Dutch and distribute them among his supporters in Holland. Besides that we like to think and brainstorm with Brian about  ideas that will generate some income for the soup kitchen and food bank. He is always trying to come up with creative ways to fundraise. It is one of his ideas he shared with us lately, that we would like to take on as our next project: the designing and printing of t-shirts that can be purchased as a souvenir by volunteers.

The t-shirts will carry a slogan about the soup kitchen. Traveling Light wants to donate 1,000 euro for the purchase of these t-shirts. We expect that Brian would be able to buy about 200 shirts (made in Israel) for this amount. He will then sell them at the soup kitchen for about 15 or 20 euro a piece, where hundreds of volunteers from all over the world come each year to help. This should bring in a few thousand euro's. Money that will be used again to buy supplies for his work. Simple idea, great result!

Project soup kitchen is more than just financing the t-shirts. We would also like to donate 500 euro to sponsor a dinner for Holocaust survivors. Brian has done this recently, he invites about 10 elderly Holocaust survivors for a nice dinner. These are people who have escaped the horrors of WWII and have often lost many family members. The purpose of the dinners is to offer them a special meal, to listen to their stories and to share the love of Yeshua with them. We can make that love practical by sharing a meal.

We need 1,500 euro in total to bless the people in Israel. We are planning to go to Israel in October and we will certainly help in the soup kitchen again. Hopefully we will be able to attend this special dinner as well and have a chance to let our light shine in the lives of these people who are often way up in age and do not know God. If you want to join in blessing Israel, do not hesitate and send your gift to;

Rabobank number 1185 82 275, St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht, the Netherlands
IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275
BIC: RABONL2U

More information about Brian's work in Israel can be found by clicking on the label Netanya in the sidebar at the right or by visiting Brian's blog Yeshua's Fresh Bread.

How can you let your light shine?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter, when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn...

[Jesaja 58:7]

Documentary soup kitchen Netanya

Remember Brian Slater? We visited him last October and helped him in the soup kitchen in Netanya. Traveling Light was able to donate 3,000 euro for his new to open food bank in the center of Netanya.

For the past several years we have translated Brian's newsletters into Dutch and distributed them among his supporters in Holland. That's a great way for us to offer practical help :) If you would like to receive his newsletters, they only come out a few times a year, please email Brian at returnuntome1@yahoo.com and he will add you to the list. If you're interested you can also visit his blog Yeshua's fresh bread in Israel. Here's a great documentary about his work in Netanya, enjoy!

Visit Netanya, Israel

During our stay in Israel we not only visited the women's home in Arad, but the new food pantry in Netanya as well. We also volunteered at the existing soup kitchen in Netanya, which takes place every Monday at Beit-Asaph Congregation. When they open their doors many people (some elderly, some single moms, some low income) can come in for a free hot meal, groceries and clothes. Below are some pics we took:

Collecting donated food for the soup kitchen

Lunch with Brian Slater and the volunteers of that day

Sorting, folding and displaying 2-hand clothes

New, to be opened, food pantry in Netanya

Presenting the cheque from Traveling Light

Many thanks, also from Brian Slater, for giving generously for this project. Oh yes, there is another cool photo we want to share with you... in the soup kitchen and food pantry there is always a book table with bibles and other mateial. Since it is forbidden in Israel to evangelize to Jewish/Muslim people, there is a sign at the book table that says 'free to take'. In that way material is not being hand out, but people take it home by choice and that is okay! We found some beautiful bibles there, like this one:

Old and New Testament in Hebrew and Arabic!

While Jan served the people their meal, I had the opportunity to pray with several older people for physical ailments. So much joy was released that two elderly ladies started to shout and sing. It was awesome, God is so good!

Project Netanya, Israel

Now that we have raised the 10,000 euro's (!) for Ukraine we will be introducing our next project. This doesn't mean the Onyfrievka project is a closed chapter, by no means! They are working out the official details and everything that comes with buying a house in Ukraine, so we will wait for the signal to transfer the money. Then, the real work can begin: renovation of the house. We'll keep you updated.

The next two projects we would like to support are a soup kitchen in Netanya and a home for abused women in Arad, both in Israel. We believe it is important for all Christians, as well as for Christian churches and organisations, to support Israel. God told Abraham (one of the patriarchs of Israel) that He would bless those who would bless Israel. Well, we all want to be blessed, right?! So, two projects in Israel it will be. Let's start by introducing the man behind the soup kitchen in Netanya: Brian Slater.

We met Brian a few years ago at a mission night in Jubilee Church in Camarillo, California. He presented a slide show and told the audience about his work in Israel. We felt an immediate connection with him and his work and we have been in contact ever since. Brian was born and raised in a Jewish family in Southern California and later moved to Israel where he met his wife Racheli. They have three children and Brian works through Chosen People Ministries (an American organisation). He manages soup kitchens and clothes distribution centers in Tel Aviv and Netanya, where he feeds hundreds of homeless, poor and lonely people (including Holocaust survivors) every week. He works with a team of volunteers who faithfully help him. We have been supporting him, not just financially, but also practically by translating his newsletters into the Dutch language and distributing them among his support group in Holland. We have visited him in 2008 and a year later, in 2009, Jan went to volunteer in his soup kitchen for a few days.

It is not allowed in Israel to evangelize in public, but behind the doors of the soup kitchen people can be prayed for or take books, bibles or flyers home. They also play worship music and show movies during the meals. In Israel it is as hard for Arabs as for Jewish people to live out their faith in the Messiah. They often experience persecution, criticism and sometimes exclusion from their families. Yet, the number of people confessing their faith in the Messiah (Jesus) is growing every day. Jan witnessed the reconciliation between Arab and Jew in person when he visited Netanya. Jesus is the only one who can bring real peace in people's hearts!

Brian just signed the papers for the rental of a store front building in the center of Netanya where they will open up a soup kitchen. we have asked him for a list of immediate necessities so we can purposefully start fundraising for this project. They are in need of tables, chairs, benches, curtains, coffee makers, banners and a wheel barrow as well as many other things. The most needed items can be purchased for about 3,000 euro's. So we will start all over again and try to come up with the needed funds as soon as possible. That way we will be able to bless the people in Israel and who knows we will be able to do much more in the near future. YES!

We are planning to visit Israel in October and we will certainly go and see Brian and hand him a helping hand in the new soup kitchen. You can click on the following link to see a slide show of the happenings in the soup kitchen in tel Aviv: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp0Ta4ljAIU


For those in the USA who would like to give, please click on the below secure link to give a TAX DEDUCTIBLE gift and don't forget to designate your gift in the special designation box to: The Slater Family in Israel.
https://www.chosenpeople.com/main/index.php?option=com_dtdonate&task=authorizenetonce
OR
By Pay Pal
https://www.chosenpeople.com/main/index.php/donate/index.php?option=com_dtdonate&task=pre_paypal&Itemid=261