“Massay Yahdav – the Work of His Hands, Inc. was birthed from the nudging of our Lord to serve those living in Israel, by giving our resources and helping in ways that make a difference, sharing words of encouragement and showering those in need with love and prayer.”
These were the first words on the document that my new friends handed to me from across the table during our luncheon last week. I met them at a Missions Fair at my church and immediately fell in love with these women’s hearts and passion for Israel. I read over the document they gave me, and the longer my eyes rested on the multiple pages, the more astounded I became with the scope of their work in Israel. They go to that country twice a year on a 15-day journey of humanitarian work, compelled by only one reason: Love. Unbiased love.
Their journey takes them to five major medical centers throughout the country, visiting critically ill children and giving attention to their hurting parents and hospital staff. They volunteer at a home for the aging in Haifa. They clean apartments and assist in preparing food to the needy in soup kitchens. They volunteer for painting, cleaning or whatever else the children’s homes need. They serve at a humanitarian farm in Rehovot, picking up fruit, digging onions and potatoes from the soil. And as if that is not enough, they pick up trash in Tiberias, Galilee and Jerusalem.
The list goes on and on, and I certainly do not have enough space in this column to write about everything these sweet women do for the people of Israel. It’s quite overwhelming.
I watched their faces as they shared their passion. Their eyes often filled with tears as they spoke. I skimmed their countenance, and the longer I listened, the stronger my urge to share their story became. You see, these are not women in their 20’s or 30’s, filled with energy and strength. These are grandmothers who choose to spend this season of their lives serving others. They could certainly be doing anything else: tea at the country club, shopping with girlfriends, cruises with their husbands. They are at that time of life when people’s main objective is to “enjoy life” by resting, traveling and having fun. Instead, they have heard God’s calling to bless Israel and they have accepted it without hesitation.
Their mission trips are unique. Their hands and feet preach louder than many sermons of the gospel they believe. They enter homes with Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, sharing the same unprejudiced love for each person they meet. Their mission is to bless God’s Promised Land and the people who live there, regardless of who they are.
These sweet women have found the purpose of their lives. And the world is a better place because of that. They inspire me. As I read their stories and hear about their countless projects, I can’t help but wonder what our world would be like if each retired person who is healthy and able would lift a hand to help those in need. I wonder what our orphanages, homes for the elderly and hospitals would be like if every able person would dedicate a few hours of their week to serve.
“The Works of His Hands.” What a fitting name for their ministry! If their story inspires you to become his hands and feet in Israel, maasayyahdav.org is a beautiful place to start. You can help them with their amazing projects, if not by going then by giving, thus becoming a vessel through which the world can see the Work of his Hands.
Patricia Holbrook is a Christian author and national conference speaker. You can now pre-buy her first book, “12 Inches - Bridging the Gap Between What You Know and How You Feel About God” at Barnes & Nobles online and at amazon.com. Release date is July 7. Visit her blog to read her devotionals at www.soaringwithhim.com or email her at pholbrook@soaringwithhim.com.
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