This week, Pastor Greg and I went to the hospital to visit someone very precious to us — the mother of our dear brother Fawzi. Many of you know that Fawzi and his family have also been receiving support through our humanitarian aid center in Haifa. Over time, they have become more than people we serve. They are family.
His mother, Rania, has suffered greatly in her life. She has endured fifteen strokes, and today she is partially paralyzed. Normally, she is unable to speak clearly. Her body is weak, and daily life is not easy. Yet inside her heart, there was a deep desire.
She wanted to be baptized.
When we heard this, Pastor Greg and I knew we had to honor her wish. We brought water from the Jordan River and carried it into that hospital room. There, beside her bed, in a quiet and simple way, we baptized her.
It was a holy moment.
Something happened that we will not forget. During the baptism, Rania — who normally cannot speak — began speaking clearly. For a while, her words flowed. She prayed. She spoke. She received the Lord and prayed the prayer of salvation with understanding and faith. She continued praying until the baptism was complete.
Tears were streaming down her face. Not tears of pain, but tears of joy.
In that hospital room, we were reminded that the power of God is not limited by weakness. The same Lord who walked along the Jordan River still moves today. The same Spirit who raised the Messiah from the dead is still touching lives in Nazareth, in Haifa, in hospital rooms, and in quiet places no one else sees.
This is why what we do matters.
We serve food. We distribute clothing. We prepare hot meals. But behind every practical act of love is a relationship. Behind every food basket is a family. And sometimes, behind that relationship is a holy moment prepared by God — a moment of salvation, of healing, of eternity touching earth.
When Pastor Greg stood there with us, a shepherd from Tennessee standing beside local believers in Israel, it was another beautiful picture of the Body of Messiah united. The nations standing with Israel. Jewish and Arab believers serving together. Light shining gently but clearly.
Revival is not noise. It is hearts turning to the Lord — sometimes in a hospital bed.
We thank God for Pastor Greg and for the friends from the nations who come to stand with us. And we thank you, our faithful partners. Because of your prayers and support, we are able to walk into hospital rooms, into homes, into difficult situations — not empty-handed, but carrying hope.
If the Lord stirs your heart, we invite you to come and serve with us. Come pray in hospital rooms. Come distribute food. Come stand in the land and be part of what God is doing here. You never know which quiet moment may become an eternal one.
Please continue to pray for Rania and for Fawzi’s family. The Lord has begun a beautiful work, and we trust Him to continue it.
Blessings,
Pastor Saleem
