“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.”

(Jeremiah 29: 11)

Dear friends and supporters,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, this new year 2024. We begin this year with the above verse from Jeremiah, which is one of hope. It is a promise by God that we are not forgotten, but that we are part of God’s plan for a good future – one of safety and prosperity. 

We know our lives and future are in God’s hands. We also know that our lives, and the lives of those we serve, have been made immeasurably better because of your prayers and support. We want to thank You most sincerely for the support you gave to the work of the Shepherd Society throughout the last year. 

We want to thank all of you who responded to the emergency appeal for Gaza. This is going to be of great value in easing the suffering of the people of Gaza. We had hoped to end this appeal by Christmas. However, as the conflict, destruction, and killing continue unabated, we have decided to continue with the appeal for relief in Gaza. 

As you all know, it is day 83 of the war on Gaza. Here is an update on the situation:

Gaza:

• End 2023 – according to UNWRA, there are 1.9 million internally displaced people (85% of the population of Gaza)
• Between 7^th October 2023 and 3^rd January 2024:
• 22,438 Palestinians have been killed (70% women and children)
• 57,614 have been injured

West Bank:

• Between 7^th October 2023 and 3^rd January 2024:
• 314 Palestinians killed (including 80 children)
• 4,061 Palestinians have been injured (including 543 children in the West Bank and East Jerusalem)
• During 2023 – the total killed is 507

It has been hard to reach out to Gaza. However, we were able to reach Gaza by connecting through different reliable channels. We were able to give to hospitals, fuel, food packages, medicine, diapers and milk, pocket money…etc. We are still reaching out to more organizations – churches – and to individuals to help with minimal needs. Please pray for us that the Lord gives us wisdom on how to connect and deal with the situation.

As we move into this new year, we place all into the hands of the Lord. We pray for a good and blessed year for you and your families.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

In prayer and peace,

Shireen Awwad Hilal

for the Shepherd Society team