Bus Campaign

March was an exciting month during which we saw lots of new activity at Be’ad Chaim. We began a bus campaign with a full-size ad on either the back or side of 28 buses in the Tel Aviv region, Tiberias and Ashkelon. The signs on the buses read: The heart first beats at 22 days of pregnancy! It’s your right to know. It’s your right to choose. You’re not alone! At the bottom of the sign is our website and hotline number. Our prayer is that those who see the buses will realize that the baby in the womb is a PERSON with a beating heart.

Special gifts and cooperation

Through the generosity of loving donors, we were able to give very special Passover gifts to needy mothers in the cities of Lod, Beer Sheva and Jerusalem. Three hundred families (one hundred in each city) received supermarket gift cards valued at $60 each to purchase food for the holiday. It was a blessing to work together with the Social Welfare departments to show these families love during the Passover season. In addition, donors enabled us to give beautiful food packages to 50 Jerusalem families who finished our program last year but gratefully accepted the needed additional help for the holidays. We give thanks for our caring donors who support us and “lift up our arms” as Hur and Aaron lifted the arms of Moses.

Heal Our Land – A Call to Prayer

On March 3rd, nearly 400 people from around the globe joined us for a special time of live on-line prayer for LIFE. The event was mutually sponsored by Be’ad Chaim, Tree of Life Ministries and the Mt. Carmel Congregation. I received many heartwarming responses letting me know that people were brought to tears, had visions, and were reminded of important past events regarding abortion. Here is a small portion of a powerful vision that was shared with me:

“As I was joining in the worship and all that was being said, I saw Yeshua come and kneel down at the altar. I saw His white robe covered in blood. I came and knelt beside Him and wept, too. He took me in His arms and we wept together. Abba Father is moving through the power of His Spirit.”

Another woman shared a memory of a meeting in 1979, attended by over 2000 people, where many women came forward to receive healing from the pain of abortion. I am sharing her letter with you in an attachment because I believe that it’s time for the churches to speak about abortion without shame. For too long, pastors have said that ‘they don’t want to upset people’ by talking about the subject. The reality is that many sit in our congregations who are hurting and are ashamed. God wants to bring freedom, forgiveness and light into the lives of all those who suffer after abortion. I have spoken to groups from many nations and have seen hundreds of women set free from unnecessary guilt after bringing their abortion into the light and receiving healing. At Be’ad Chaim, we offer counseling to all those who have suffered the loss of a baby. We also welcome all to plant a tree in the Gardens of Life, a memorial garden for babies who were aborted, miscarried or stillborn. “Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” (Psalm 126:6)

Our prayer hostess, Laurel, welcomes you to visit the Gardens or to ask her to plant a tree in your stead. She writes: “All of our trees are planted in solemn prayer, often with tears, always with gratitude to our good God, Who never makes mistakes.”

During this Passover season, we gratefully remember the freedom that God wrought for the people of Israel as He delivered them from slavery in Egypt. With thanks, we remember that our Messiah, through His resurrection, has brought us new life and freedom from all condemnation and shame.

As you celebrate the holidays, may you know His grace and liberty,

Sandy

Simcha and baby girl Milela

Simcha is 27 years old, married and has three children. She lives in Beer Sheva and rents a small apartment. Prior to her most recent pregnancy, her husband was rarely home. He would spend much of his time with the children from his first marriage. When Simcha found out that she was pregnant, she had hoped that her husband’s attitude would change, but she was very wrong. In fact, he told her to have an abortion, saying that he did not want any more children. He took an aggressive attitude and threatened to leave her for good if she continued the pregnancy. She felt intimidated by him but did not want to have an abortion. Our very experienced counselor Ala in Beer Sheva, comforted encouraged and supported Simcha enabling her to courageously choose life despite her apprehensions. Her precious daughter, Milela was born in December. Since the birth, her husband has only seen them once, and Simcha has been left to care for the children on her own. He is still very angry with her that she did not abort. Simcha said: “I think it offended his ego that a woman didn't listen and obey him. He is very domineering, and now he has to deal with the fact that I chose life for our baby against his wishes.” The emotional and practical support that Simcha received through Be’ad Chaim has been vital to her during this difficult time, especially because she couldn’t return to work due to the COVID restrictions.

Jomana and baby boy Salam

Jomana was in a serious relationship with a man whom she loved. He treated her well and his family liked her a lot. She hoped that one day they would get married. When she discovered that she was pregnant, she expected her boyfriend to be happy and pleased, but she was very disappointed by his response. He did not want anything to do with the baby and was not prepared to support her in any way. In fact, he told her to have an abortion. Jomana was devastated. She felt scared and alone. Thankfully, a friend urged her to call Stella, our counselor in Eilat. Stella recalled that Jomana’s voice sounded terrified during their first conversation.

Quickly, counselor and new mom became friends and Jomana found kindness and acceptance. Because Jomana spoke Arabic better than Hebrew, Stella asked our Arabic speaking counselor, Annie, to phone Jomana for extra emotional support. During the first ultrasound scan, Jomana heard her baby’s heartbeat and knew she would not be able to make the decision to stop a beating heart. She fully realized that she had a life growing inside her. Her son, Salam, which means ‘peace’ in Arabic, was born in May.

She sent this thank you note:

"A huge thank you to God, to the Eilat counselor Stella and the Arabic speaking counselor Annie for your faithful support and care. A big thanks to all of the staff of Be’ad Chaim. You are special people – like the sun, you give strength, energy and love. May you be strong and may there be many other people like you. With deep thanks for your help. Thanks for every moment that you stood by me and others. GIGANTIC THANKS! With much respect,

Jomana, mother of Salam."

Tigist and baby boy Joel

Tigist is married and has three children, ages four, seven and her new son Joel who was born on January 1st – a New Year’s gift! When Tigist shared with her husband that she was pregnant with Joel, he was furious. He studies all day in a yeshiva (an institute for Torah study) and works during the evening as a cleaner in an Orthodox school. He didn’t want to work and blamed his wife for not allowing him to concentrate on his studies. She felt helpless and afraid of his temper. Tigist had been working full time before she got pregnant. We are thankful that she turned to us for help in her distress. Her counselor offered her compassion, genuine care and allowed her to share the burdens of her heart. The Operation Moses project provided her with baby furniture plus monthly vouchers for a whole year to buy the other essential things she would need for her little one. Tigist is often in touch with her Be’ad Chaim counselor. She said that she feels blessed to receive so much help from people who don’t even know her. She said she doesn't feel so lonely now and prays for better days ahead. Please pray for God to heal their marriage and bring love and light into their lives.

Elena and baby girl Elian

Elena recently celebrated daughter Elian’s first birthday. She is an adorable one year old with a contagious laugh that brings smiles to all around her. Elena’s boyfriend was dead-set against the pregnancy and began to harass her when she chose life for her baby. As a result, throughout the pregnancy, Elena lived with a friend to keep herself and her baby safe from him. After Elian’s birth, her parents embraced her and welcomed her back home to live with them. She said: “My parents’ support is the most precious thing, and I’m so thankful for that. It keeps me on my feet!” Her pregnancy was high risk, and this meant that she had to spend a lot of time in the hospital, and eventually had to quit her job. Now she has her mother’s help and is looking for a new job. Elena shared her very deep gratitude for all the support she has received over this past year. She wrote:

“Dear donors, Your donations have blessed me and my princess for a year. Now that the year is over, I wanted to thank you for all the help. It meant a lot and thanks to you, Elian did not lack all the basic things she deserves. Thank you so very much for the support. You are angels in human form.”

Bina and baby boy Eli

Bina and her boyfriend had not planned on having a baby and had just moved in together. She is a kindergarten teacher. Her UltraOrthodox family was against the couple’s relationship, and had cut off all contact with her. Bina was afraid when she discovered the pregnancy, but her partner, a new immigrant from France, took full responsibility and asked her to marry him. Bina came to see our counselor with her boyfriend when she was already in an advanced stage of pregnancy. In January, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy whom they named Eli (my God). He was born in the 35th week of pregnancy and had some trouble feeding, but is now doing very well. Bina feels deeply blessed by Be’ad Chaim’s support, for her new and healthy son and for her precious partner.

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