These days, our new humanitarian aid center in Haifa has become more than a location. It has become a refuge.
This past week was especially busy. From early morning until the final distribution, more and more people came through our doors — elderly men and women, new immigrants still adjusting to life in Israel, single mothers, and those living on the streets. Some arrived quietly. Some came with visible exhaustion. Many carried stories of economic strain, loneliness, and uncertainty.
As you can see in the photos and videos included in this newsletter, the need is growing.
We are serving hot meals prepared with care and dignity. We are distributing food packages designed especially for those who cannot carry heavy boxes or cook complex meals. Each bag is thoughtfully packed with items that are practical and nourishing. We provide clothing, shoes, and small essentials that restore comfort and dignity to daily life.
But behind every bag and every meal is a person. There is the elderly Holocaust survivor who lives alone and counts every shekel before coming to collect food. There is the young mother trying to stretch her monthly budget while caring for children. There are Jewish and Arab neighbors standing in the same line, facing similar struggles. Hunger does not discriminate, and neither does compassion.
The practical impact of this center is clear. Families leave with food for the week. The homeless leave with warm clothing and something nourishing in their hands. Elderly recipients leave knowing they are not forgotten. The burden of survival is lightened, even if only for a time.
Yet the spiritual impact is just as significant.
When someone walks into our center, they are not treated as a number. They are greeted with respect. They are listened to. Often, conversations open naturally. Questions are asked. Stories are shared. In those moments, the love of Yeshua is not theoretical. It is embodied.
In the Gospels, we see that Yeshua never separated compassion from proclamation. He fed the hungry, healed the sick, and then revealed the heart of the Father. Practical mercy prepared the ground for spiritual truth. We seek to follow that same pattern. We serve first. We love first. We honor dignity first. And as trust grows, so does openness to hear about the One who is the true Bread of Life.
In a city like Haifa — beautifully diverse, yet often divided — this work carries additional meaning. Jewish and Arab recipients stand side by side. Volunteers from different backgrounds serve together. The Kingdom of God is quietly demonstrated through unity expressed in action.
This past week reminded us that the need is increasing. More people are coming. More families are asking for help. And we believe the Lord has positioned this center as a lighthouse — steady, compassionate, and faithful in the midst of complex times.
Dear friends, thank you for standing with us. Your prayers and support are part of every meal served and every life touched. But as the need grows, we must also expand our capacity to meet it.
We invite you to stand with us in three practical ways:
Pray
for strength for our team, for wisdom in every interaction, and for protection over those we serve.
Share
tell others about what God is doing in Haifa so that more hearts can join this mission.
Give
your financial support enables us to purchase food, prepare hot meals, and keep the doors open week after week.
Together, we can ensure that no one who walks through our doors leaves unseen or unloved.
May the Lord bless you for your faithfulness. We are deeply grateful that you walk this journey with us, helping us serve the people of Haifa — practically, compassionately, and spiritually.
With love and gratitude,
Pastor Saleem