Shevet Achim

On Thursday, we had a gentleman from an Israeli ministry named Shevet Achim come to speak at JUC.  Shevet Achim began about 14 years ago with the purpose of reconciling Jews and Arabs through the power and person of Jesus Christ.  Most of the people affected by this ministry are young children, between the ages of 2 and 12 with chronic heart defects.  Their medical situation is easily altered by a simple procedure, but it is impossible for those affected to find doctors who will give the surgery for a price the family could afford.  If the children were not to receive this medical procedure, they would die of heart failure in their late teens to early twenties. 

The reconciliatory work of Shevet Achim is specifically played out through the ministry’s leadership and volunteers who arrange passage for Muslims in Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, and Syria to enter the Israeli boarders.  Shevet then raises the necessary support for the children to receive the procedure they require at a fraction of what it would normally cost.  In the mean time, they house their accompanying family members and share the gospel message with them as occasion presents itself until the child has recovered and is able to return to their homeland.  Last year, Shevet Achim was able to perform 36 surgeries, this year they are on track to give 55.  If you would like to visit their website, you can do so at www.shevet.org.  

On Friday, I was able to walk over to the New City to visit the ministry’s facilities with Liz, Matt, and Peter.  There were four children, Hevi from Iraq, Kaly from Kyrgyzstan, Sara from Kyrgyzstan, and a little boy nicknamed Meme also from Iraq.  Please keep Sara and Kaly in your prayers… both of them are going into surgery today and tomorrow.  Meme’s parents are Iraqi Christians that had to leave the country due to all the death threats they were receiving.  The small family has finally found peace, security, protection, and safety within the walls of Shevet Achim.   

Little Sara had to be one of the most precious little children I have ever met.  She was very quiet and rather shy, but as soon as she was brave enough to hold onto my hand, she wouldn’t let go!  Her mother, who is with her in Israel to see her through the surgery, threw her arms around me and planted several large kisses on my cheeks as her way of expressing gratitude and thanksgiving… very contrary to normal interactions of Muslim Arabs with outsiders.