October 9, 2008
An Update from the People of Gush Katif
Dear Friend of Israel,
I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love for the Gush Katif refugees. When I sent out the email letting people know of the immediate need for $22,750 that had to be raised in less than a week, I must admit that I didn’t have much faith. I should have known that my God is bigger than an economic crisis, or lack of time. You heard the need and responded in a huge way. Thank you so much for your wonderful generosity.
The people of Gush Katif have felt abandoned by so many for the past three years. And this year, you reached out a hand to help them, as you and so many Christians like you did for the past three years. You gave them a sense of belonging that comes with being family, and that is what we are -- a family. A family of Christians who stands with our brothers and sisters, the Jews of Biblical Israel.
I received this letter from Dror Vanunu, International Coordinator of the Gush Katif Committee and I wanted to share it with you:
Dear Christian Friends,
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the incredibly generous support that you gave to us through CFOIC Heartland. This assistance enabled us to distribute food vouchers to hundreds of families who have suffered and who are weak, giving them what they needed to celebrate the Rosh Hashana holiday and the Feast of Tabernacles. Your immediate response strengthened our feeling that the people of Gush Katif in particular and the people of Israel as a whole have dear friends who are concerned for our welfare and our wellbeing.
As we begin our New Year, I would like to thank you and Sondra Baras for ongoing cooperation and the sincere concern for the Gush Katif refugees. In standing with us, you have helped us withstand the many challenges that we have had to face in the past three years.
May G-d bless you during this New Year,
Dror Vanunu
Since August 17, 2005, the people from Gush Katif have been struck by the winds of calamity. Their own government would rather sweep them under some dark rug and forget all about the destruction, wrought by the government, to the beautiful and flourishing sands of Gush Katif. The needs of the Gush Katif refugees have been ongoing, and Christians from around the world have been so generous over the past three years. The past few days have not been the exception, but rather the rule.
Thanks to you we have been able to meet their immediate need, with some to spare to support additional projects that they so desperately need help with. I keep thinking of the verse from Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." You gave and God blessed and multiplied your gifts until they were running over!
Thank you so much for helping us bring hope and help to the people of Gush Katif.
If you would like to give future donations to the people of Gush Katif, their needs are many and every gift, whether small or large will be greatly appreciated. All donations earmarked for Gush Katif go directly to help their most pressing need. Thank you for being a blessing to those who lost so much when Gush Katif was destroyed.
Shalom,
Kimberly
Kimberly Troup
Director, US Office
CFOIC Heartland
September 17, 2008
CFOIC Heartland Brings you an Urgent Message from the People of Gush Katif
Today, I received an urgent call for help from the people of Gush Katif. There are 70 families who do not have the funds they need to buy the most basic needs. We have been asked to raise funds to provide them with food and clothing vouchers. As an added blessing, the vouchers will all be used in stores owned by Gush Katif refugees, giving their new businesses a much-needed boost. We need to raise $325 for each family and we must have the money within the next 2 weeks, before the Jewish holidays begin on September 30th. The total amount needed is $22,750.
As you are aware, I started a campaign in August to help the Gush Katif refugees and you have been so generous. The funds raised until now have gone to pay for social workers, who are doing amazing work helping the families stay together and deal with the challenges they face on a daily basis. However, we need to be able respond immediately with a donation of $22,750. Your gift of $325 or any other amount, will not only help feed and clothe poor Gush Katif refugees, but will support new businesses employing other Gush Katif refugees.
The August campaign set a goal of $36,000. That is still my goal. Any funds raised above $22,750 will be used to pay for the social workers, an ongoing need that CFOIC has pledged to fund. With G-d’s help, we can reach that goal. If just 1,000 people give a gift of only $36, we will be able to provide the Gush Katif refugees with the help they so desperately need.
The High Holy Days are fast approaching, this is the time of year when poverty and hardship are felt the most. With the US dollar falling and prices skyrocketing worldwide, the need is even greater this year.
Please join me today! We are so grateful to each and every donor, who has responded and given for the Gush Katif needs. But we still need your help. If you have already given your donation, will you forward this letter to 10 of your friends asking them to consider making a small donation to help those less fortunate than them? Tell them that you have already given and this is their chance to make a big difference in the lives of those who have experienced an ongoing nightmare for the past 3 years.
The need is great and time is short. If you are willing to make this donation, but can’t send in the money today, please send us your pledge for the amount you want to donate. The people of Gush Katif are thankful for your generous support, prayers and visits over the past 3 years. They are so grateful that they have friends like you that they can count on and turn to once again.
Thank you for joining me in this endeavor to bless Israel.
Shalom,
Kimberly
Kimberly Troup
Director, US Office
CFOIC
August 17, 2008
CFOIC Brings you a Personal Message from Gush Katif
Dear Friend of Israel,
I can hardly believe that it is August 2008. Has it really been 3 years since the Gush Katif expulsion? Christians from around the world responded in a big way to help meet the immediate needs of the Gush Katif Refugees in the days, months, and years following the expulsion. Today they still need our help.
Today, three years after their beautiful homes were destroyed on the sandy Mediterranean beaches of Gush Katif, only a scant handful of permanent homes have started the construction process. Not one family has been able to settle into a permanent home.
I am looking for 1,000 people who will make a $36 gift to help the people of Gush Katif. 1,000 people symbolizes 1 person for each day the people of Gush Katif have been without a home, and $36 represents $1 for each month that they have lived as refugees. Your gift of any amount will show them that we have not forgotten them, that we still care about them, your gift of any amount will go to help the people of Gush Katif. If you are able to give more, what a blessing that will be!
Thank you for joining me in this endeavor to Bless Israel.
Shalom,
Kimberly
Kimberly Troup
Director, US Office
CFOIC Heartland
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