Recently, these verses have taken on a very special meaning. On April 30th, Israel’s Memorial Day, and May 1st, Israeli Independence Day, massive brushfires raged on the western outskirts of Jerusalem, destroying 2,471 acres of land. It took one hundred fire units and over twenty hours to bring the fire under control. The fire was fierce in the Latrun area (the location of the Gardens of Life) causing our gardener, Albert, to flee before it was too late to evacuate. In prayer, I was reminded that even if the fire had consumed the trees planted in memory of unborn babies, the restoration of grieving hearts and the freedom from guilt had been accomplished and could never be burnt. Planting in the Gardens has brought healing to thousands of people since its dedication in 2010 with over two thousand trees planted to honor the unborn children. Miraculously, the forested Garden was untouched by the fire. We give God all the glory for protecting this place of memorial from the flames.

May the God who protected the Gardens of Life continue to cover and protect you. I am deeply grateful for your prayers and support.

FUN PILATES LESSON FOR JERUSALEM MOMS

The Jerusalem moms were treated to a Pilates lesson which was down to earth, beginner level and taught in a way that was very practical to help them with any incontinence problems now and in the future. They were motivated to do sports, which would help them with mood and general well-being.

COOPERATION WITH JERUSALEM MUNICIPALITY

Be’ad Chaim continues to work in cooperation with the Jerusalem municipality to supply monthly gift cards to a hundred new mothers who are either new immigrants or are still living as evacuees in the hotels due to the war. This is a letter from one of the new mothers who was encouraged by our support:

Dear Lilach Center [the name of our pregnancy center], We don’t have the words to thank you for the huge help that you give us every month. Your hands of generosity are privileged. We deeply value you. With much love!

FROM LAUREL: AN INCREDIBLE STORY

Our counselor, Laurel, asked me to help Ronit connect with the government adoption services. During the next few weeks, this incredible story transpired:

Thanks so much for making the connection with Tel Aviv adoption services for Ronit. She has an appointment Thursday morning. She also wants to have a Caesarean delivery, to keep her emotions separate from the child. She doesn't want to know anything about him or her. It's not that she hates the child, but she thinks she's too young to raise a child alone and feels that whoever loves and raises the child will be the true parents.

Ronit comes from a Haredi (ultraorthodox) background. Before her pregnancy, she wanted to separate herself from that culture, and she didn’t plan to return to it. We talked about faith in God, rather than the worship of traditions. She says she really believes in God, but she doesn't read the Bible, as she equates that with Haredi religion. We will continue to be in touch, and I hope to gently encourage her to read the Bible to know who God really is.

Ronit said she was very confused when she first contacted us nine weeks ago. She said that the fact that I kept in touch with her and was always willing to talk with her helped her to make the right choice. She felt I cared about her, and that she's not alone. She said she will continue to update me at each step, with the adoption process and with the OB-GYN. She will take at least a month, maybe two, off from work to recover physically and emotionally. I haven't closed her file yet, because who knows if she might change her mind and have the courage to raise the child herself?

This incredible story has a TWIST!… Many are the plans of man, but God determines the steps. Ronit went to visit her mother who is quite ill with cancer. She had strong cramps and finally told her mother that she is pregnant. Her mother was very HAPPY. They called an ambulance but before it reached them, the healthy baby boy was out. He’s very cute, she says, and she already loves him. Her mother is very happy! I don’t think that we’re talking about adoption any more. Ronit is so happy. Glory to God!

OUR FORMER GRIEF COUNSELOR, ANNIE, SHARED A NOTE OF JOY THAT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES

A few days ago, I received a message from one of my past clients. She wanted to let me know that after so many miscarriages, she has given birth to a beautiful baby girl. I wanted to share this with you. She named the baby Amalia which means “the work of God,” saying “because after so much hard work, I have received this gift from God.”

Racheli & Baby Girl Hallel Emuna

Racheli is a special woman who has become dear to our counselors. Perhaps because of her suffering, she has touched our hearts. Racheli lives in Jerusalem with her mother and sister. She had been living on the streets just a few years ago. Thirteen years ago, she was married to a man from Jordan, and they had a son. He became very violent towards her, and he ended up in jail. Her son was taken to a state boarding school, and she can only visit him once every two weeks. Four years ago, she became pregnant from a short-lived relationship. When she contacted us for help, we supported her emotionally and practically through our Operation Moses Project providing everything that she needed for her new baby girl Sarah. Through generous donors, we also provided her with a much-needed washing machine and made a loving visit to her home. When Racheli became pregnant again last year, she waited to make contact, perhaps out of embarrassment, but our care for her didn’t falter. On hearing her situation, we were happy to support her. She has struggled with alcohol and substance abuse, stopped drinking during her pregnancy, but needs continued prayers to be strong against her addictions. Racheli says that our help has been a source of hope and encouragement to her. A year ago, she gave birth to baby girl Hallel Emuna meaning “Praise Faith.” Racheli still has debts and there is a lien on her bank account which means that she can only work if she can find a place that will pay her cash. She is trying to manage as best as she can and is very grateful for all the practical help we have given her over the past year. It has been a lifeline for her and has given her security, allowing her to know that every month she would receive her gift card and be able to cover the cost of diapers, formula and all the other essentials. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases—may Racheli find the Anchor of Hope.

Frannie & Baby Girl Arsema

Frannie, a refugee from Eritrea, is thirty-one years old. She suffered terribly when she and her husband made the trek to Israel via Egypt. They had to remain in Egypt for two months, having left two of their children behind in Eritrea, and they don’t know what has happened to them! They have no way to contact them.

Frannie works as a house cleaner in Bnei Brak, an ultraorthodox community. When she became pregnant with their second child in Israel, only one year after their first baby, she didn’t know how they would manage without her wages. She was at the end of her pregnancy when her sister, who had received our help in Jerusalem, told us about her and suggested that we might be willing to help her.

Now it has been a year since Frannie gave birth to baby Arsema, which means “patience” in her language Tigrinya. Through Bead Chaim, God’s hands of compassion were extended to a woman in her crisis. We provided Frannie with all the furniture she needed for her baby plus a year’s worth of monthly vouchers. Baby Arsema and her sister Sara celebrated their birthdays together. Arsema turned one and Sara turned two. They enjoy going to daycare together, enabling Frannie to return to work in housekeeping. With both Frannie and her husband working, their financial situation has become easier. Frannie is still emotionally traumatized and worried about her other children, so she deeply appreciated the love and support she received from us. She always came to meet our counselor with a big smile on her face and was so full of gratitude for the help we gave her. She would often bring a gift of delicious Ethiopian injera as a gift. When she came to receive her final gift card it was an emotional moment because she said that we were like family to her, caring about her and supporting her.

Betty & Twin Girls Eve & Ann

Betty, twenty-six years old, lives near Tel Aviv. Her family background is extremely difficult. Her father is an alcoholic and mentally unbalanced. She has seven brothers, but she lives with her mother (who is now divorced), her brother and his girlfriend. She herself has been diagnosed with severe anxiety and panic attacks. Betty discovered that she was pregnant with twins by a man with whom she now has no contact. She couldn’t imagine how she would manage. Sitting down with her Bead Chaim counselor, Betty received love and sincere care which gave her the courage to admit that she had LIFE growing inside of her—TWO LIVES, TWO CHILDREN. She very bravely chose life for her babies. It was not a question of “Would I like to become pregnant?” rather “Will I cherish and protect these two children who are growing inside my womb?”

In late April, baby girls Eve and Ann were born. Our Operation Moses Project provided her with two baby beds, sheets, a bathtub and a twin stroller. She is also receiving monthly vouchers for a whole year to buy diapers, formula, pacifiers and other essential baby products.

Our counselor spends time with Betty. She provides her with beautiful baby clothes and, most importantly, words of encouragement, support and friendship.

RENOVATIONS OF THE HEART

In Be’er Sheva, mothers gathered in the new office building where renovations are still underway. Our guest speaker, Priscilla, reflecting on the work being done in the new center, shared that our hearts often feel as though a bomb has shattered and needs to be renovated. Priscilla encouraged the mothers that God is in the business of repairing broken hearts and yearns to have a relationship with His children. Mothers were very happy to be personally blessed and hugged. One mother said: “What an emotional meeting! Thanks so much especially for the warm hugs.”

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