The Blessing Initiative: A Call to Care

God asked Ezekiel, “Son of man, can these bones live?” The prophet confessed both his ignorance and his trust, answering, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” These days I feel a bit like Ezekiel when it comes to the violence and suffering in the Holy Land. When will it all end? Only God knows. Yet I trust God and know He is not absent from the distress we are witnessing.

As I write this, the Holy Land continues to face heartbreaking turmoil. Thousands of individuals and families have been displaced and are at this moment struggling with loss, hunger and more even as the conflict appears to be expanding with no end in sight. Amid all the distress, what is our calling as followers of Jesus? Because there is so much darkness, whatever our response, we must be compelled by love --the same love that rescued and changed our own lives!

Years ago when I finally gave my whole heart to Jesus, I am rather embarrassed to confess that the last thing stood in my way was my own deep-seated hatred of Jews and Palestinians. When I ultimately repented of my hate, a miraculous thing happened. God gave me a new heart overflowing with His love for both people groups as well as all Muslims of the world. To this day I cannot ignore this gift! It is a love that makes no sense to my Middle Eastern roots but makes perfect sense to my citizenship in Heaven. To be completely transparent, the ongoing war tears my heart to shreds. How can I be a witness to the Savior and hold one ounce of hatred? How can my witness stop short of sharing a cup of cold water to the thirsty or giving the shirt off my back to the naked because someone's ethnic heritage is different from mine? Regardless of ethnicity or background or faith or status, the love of God drives our care response for others.

But what kind of needs are we seeing? Many lack safe shelter, drinking water, enough food for families, clothing, even simple medicines. There are so many needs. What an we do, being such a small organization compared to so much need. We must, however, do our part to shine the light!

This is why I am making this humble appeal to you, our faithful partners in ministry. I feel strongly that "now is the time" to lean in and help in tangible ways. The goal before us is to provide CARE KITS with items that can bring even a small help. We know this is only temporary relief but would come at the most critical time. Each CARE KIT will cost $100 and be filled with food, personal hygiene items and more, based upon the needs of each family.

Crescent Project has vetted and is working with trusted Christian partner organizations on the ground right now. These friends are ministering to families in Lebanon, Gaza, Israel, and Jordan -- all in the name of Christ. All funds we receive will be sent immediately to help in this time of war. Not one dime will assist any political cause or effort in any way.

This is the BLESSING INITIATIVE.God asked Ezekiel, “Son of man, can these bones live?” The prophet confessed both his ignorance and his trust, answering, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”

These days I feel a bit like Ezekiel when it comes to the violence and suffering in the Holy Land. When will it all end? Only God knows. Yet I trust God and know He is not absent from the distress we are witnessing.

As I write this, the Holy Land continues to face heartbreaking turmoil. Thousands of individuals and families have been displaced and are at this moment struggling as the conflict appears to be expanding with no end in sight. Amid all the distress, what is our calling as followers of Jesus? Because there is so much darkness, whatever our response, we must be compelled by love --the same love that rescued and changed our own lives!

Before I gave my whole heart to Jesus, the last thing that stood in my way was my own deep-seated hatred of Jews and Palestinians. I am rather embarrassed to confess this, but it's true. Having experienced the deep trauma of war in Lebanon, which included violence from both people groups, I had become consumed by hate.

When I ultimately repented of my hate, a miraculous thing happened. God gave me a new heart overflowing with His love for both people groups as well as all Muslims of the world. To this day I cannot ignore this gift! It is a love that makes no sense to my Middle Eastern roots but makes perfect sense to my citizenship in Heaven.

To be completely transparent, the ongoing war tears my heart to shreds. How can I be a witness to the Savior and hold one ounce of hatred? How can my witness stop short of sharing a cup of cold water to the thirsty or giving the shirt off my back to the naked because someone's ethnic heritage is different from mine? Regardless of ethnicity or background or faith or status, the love of God drives our care response for others.

But what kind of needs are we seeing? Many lack safe shelter, drinking water, enough food for families, clothing, even simple medicines. There are so many needs. What can we do, being such a small organization compared to so much need? We must, however, do our part to shine the light!

This is why I am making this humble appeal to you, our faithful partners in ministry. I feel strongly that now is the time to lean in and help in tangible ways. The goal before us is to provide CARE KITS with items that can bring even a small help. We know this is only temporary relief but would come at the most critical time. Each CARE KIT will cost $100 and be filled with food, personal hygiene items and more, based upon the needs of each family.

Crescent Project has vetted and is working with trusted Christian partner organizations on the ground right now. These friends are ministering to families in Lebanon, Gaza, Israel, and Jordan --all in the name of Christ. All funds we receive will be sent immediately to help in this time of war. Not one dime will assist any political cause or effort in any way.

This is the BLESSING INITIATIVE.

Would you consider helping one family? For some, you may have the capacity to help 10 or 100 families. Every gift helps, large and small. Pray and see what God would have you do, then please give whatever you can today!