Update On Gaza: 163 Days In.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
We pray this email finds you well amidst the challenges and uncertainties of our world. Indeed, we live in a fallen world, as acknowledged in John 14:30, “I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me,” where the forces of darkness seem to prevail in places like Gaza. We continue to seek the lord on behalf of people who are tormented in Gaza on many different levels and do not have words to be fair to express what is going on right now. May the Lord's grace and strength sustain us all inside and outside Gaza during one of the most difficult times in our lives. If it wasn't for His grace and Mercy, I am not sure where I would be. Our hearts are heavy as we witness the ongoing turmoil, with thousands of innocent lives lost, families torn apart, and children experiencing unimaginable suffering.
Amid this darkness, we cling to our faith in a good God who sees and knows all. We may not understand the reasons behind such suffering, but we trust in His grace and mercy to sustain us through these difficult times. We stand together, lifting our prayers for the people of Gaza, asking for God's peace to prevail and for the emergence of peacemakers on both sides of the conflict.
Thanks to your generous support, we continue to extend practical help and spiritual comfort to our brothers and sisters in Gaza. We have been providing hot meals to those seeking refuge in churches. About a week ago, our partners and leaders were able to purchase 4 sheep, 2 for each church, which is a huge blessing to them.
We are continuing to be able to distribute bread to communities across Gaza, especially those in the middle region of Gaza. We have also been able to help with money for some Christian families in Rafah. Your contributions have made a tangible difference in the lives of those facing immense hardship.
Yet, the need remains great, and we urge you to continue standing with us in prayer and support. Your partnership enables us to be the hands and feet of Jesus in one of the most challenging places on earth. We are deeply grateful for your unwavering commitment to this ministry and the love you demonstrate to those in desperate need.
Allow me to share a testimony from one of the sisters in Gaza, Ann (*name has been changed to protect their privacy), who eloquently expresses the daily struggles and hopes of her people. Her words serve as a poignant reminder of the reality faced by many in Gaza and the importance of our continued efforts to bring relief and hope.
Good morning,
My name is Ann* I graduated with a master's degree from the Bible College in Bethlehem. I do not want to share much personal information to protect my safety and the safety of my family. I am a displaced person in the Latin Church in Gaza, and every day new families join us. We are approximately 570 people, and in a neighboring church, there are more than 300. We are located in the northern half of the Gaza Strip.
I want to share with you that our hearts are broken and we are full of fear and sadness. We are peaceful Christians and reject violence from both sides. Love, as Christ taught us, is an effective weapon for peace.
There are many people we love who have died. Our family members have died. My cousin and her children died. My best friend died. My daughter’s best friend died. Amid sadness, pain, and heartbreak we look at the face of Jesus Christ.
I would like to share with you the humanitarian situation here. It is catastrophic on the psychological, physical, and spiritual levels. There is very little food, and soon we will not be able to find food or water which will cause us to starve. As a mother of two children, I am afraid for the future. My children’s psychological state is very bad, especially with the lack of food. My heart is bleeding and wounded. I don’t expect to be able to recover.
There are many people whose voices aren’t heard, and we don’t know if the media is reporting any of this. We are not numbers. Each of us has a dream. But I’m afraid that our dreams will end and the nightmare never will. We see death everywhere. We smell death everywhere. The people of Jesus are heartbroken and waiting for healing and peace. We want to live. I cry while I write this because my people, people who have nothing to do with politics or violence, are burned, broken, and heartbroken. All I can think to do is write and hope that people will listen. Please don’t forget us. Please pray for us.
As we read Ann’s words, let us be moved with compassion and determination to make a difference. Together, we can be beacons of light amid darkness, offering hope and tangible assistance to those who need it most.
Thank you for your ongoing support, prayers, and love. May God bless you abundantly as we labor together for His kingdom and the well-being of our brothers and sisters in Gaza. Please pray for an end to this horrible conflict and that the lord can raise peace markers on both sides. Pray that the Lord continues to help us to help our brothers and sisters in Gaza and the wider community who are in desperate need of food.
Please pray for me as I am currently in Jordan overseeing the ministry, but unfortunately, I've been under the weather.
I'm thankful that the Lord has brought us together during this time to reflect His love and provide assistance in one of the most challenging places in the world. It's clear that without your prayers and support, we wouldn't have been able to accomplish what we have. It's alarming to think of the harm we could cause each other if left to our own devices, but when we surrender to the love of God through Jesus, we're empowered to do so much good for one another and the world at large.
We would like to share that the matching challenge that started at the end of January for $110,000 through generous donors has been met. We are very grateful for the lord and every one of you who has been able to support the ministry financially and through prayers. The need is still very great to help the people of Gaza and also the rest of the ministry and we pray you continue to support our ministry and the work we do. For those who may not be familiar with the rest of our ministry, I invite you to visit the “Our Work” page on our website to learn more.
Thank you for your unwavering support and trust in me and the CMG board as we work together to expand His kingdom. I always cherish hearing from you and am grateful for the years we've spent ministering together in Christ's love.
Blessings,
Pastor Hanna Massad
Founder & President
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