Jerusalem & Friends
-Dov and the Children
Now Think On This
Steve Martin
"The coastlands are putting their hope in me, with the ‘Tarshish’ ships in the lead, to bring your children from far away, and with them their silver and gold, for the sake of Adonai your God,
the Holy One of Isra’el, who glorifies you. Foreigners will rebuild your walls, their kings will be at your service; (Isaiah 60:9-10, Complete Jewish Bible)
Brad made aliyah to Israel years ago from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the USA. Then he became Dov Ben Zion. It is quite common for names to be changed once Jews return. Their new identity on the outside speaks of the glorious desire within, to build afresh in their Promised Land.
When my son Ben and I went to Jerusalem in October of 2010, Dov was very kind to allow us to stay in his Jerusalem office, a converted apartment in Israel's capital city’s southeastern neighborhood of Talpiot. In 1922 Zionist pioneers had established this area (Hebrew meaning “magnificently built”).
Now, situated just off Hevron (Hebron) Road on the way towards Bet Lehem (Bethlehem), this particular residential area, was well, not so much magnificent. These apartment buildings were built by the Israeli government to house the immense flow of new immigrants coming home to the Land decades ago. But by the early 2000s, they had lost their luster, deteriorated a bit, and now housed many of the lower income segment of the expanding city’s population. Many Jews from Ethiopia and other such nations occupied the 3-4 rows of buildings, each one having three stories.
Once inside this home for a week, I, being the father, took the mattress laid out in the “private” back room floor for my bed. Ben got the main room’s couch, almost long enough to fully stretch out his legs at night. But hey, when we go to Jerusalem, we always enjoy staying with friends, and we don’t make a big deal over the accommodations. (Other places have full-size beds and more!)
Dov’s work was primarily among these, the poorer members of the population, who didn’t have much at all. But at least they had come home. Many of the school kids who lived here, along with their teachers. Many also received some sort of assistance through his work among them.
Having barely enough means to basically just cover the monthly rent and buy food, even if only for supper, they appreciated the extra help he was able to give them. Dov’s funds came from abroad, from Christians who supported Israel.
Visiting the nearby early childhood schools one day, which we too had helped support through Love For His People, was a real joy. By sending prior money to buy essentials not covered by the funds given them from government and private means, blessing these kids and their teachers helped make our debt to Israel decrease. (After all, it was the Jewish people from whom the Bible, prophets, and Messiah have come through to us. We owe a lot to them!) With so much having to be spent on defending their borders, the government’s supply line was limited for education at this level. We were glad to help.
Though we couldn’t speak Hebrew, Ben and I sat with these on the playground and colored with them, even with our white skin. They accepted us. It didn’t matter to them where we were from. They just enjoyed having “big friends” who came and gave them this time to be with them, and a smile too to go with it.
Meetings the teachers, those who also give so much of themselves, even by their own means, as do many loving educators, enlarged our hearts for future gifts for their work. We know we have been called to lift up their hands, and encourage others to do the same.
I end this message with the words of our Lord, “Yeshua called the children to him and said, “Let the children come to me, and stop hindering them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Yes! I tell you that whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it at all!” (Luke 18:16-17, Complete Jewish Bible)
Bless the children Lord, and may we also be Your hands and feet to do just that.
Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.
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Now Think On This - in the Year of our Lord 11.10.17 - #330 – “Jerusalem & Friends – Dov and the Children” Friday, 11:30 am
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