"Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

(Nehemiah: 8:10)

Dear friends,

Greetings from Bethlehem.

As most of you know, the pain and genocide continue, and more people are killed, especially children. Recent statistics show that over 40,000 have been killed, mostly children and women. Unfortunately, foreign countries continue to send weapons to Israel, hiding behind the excuse of self-defense. It has taken us too long to realize that world leaders are complicit and silent. Where are we in all of this?

As believers in Jesus, we need to proclaim and speak the truth, affirming that we worship a just God who shows no favoritism and is a father to all.

Job Creation

We’re one week away from ending phase 3 of our “Job Creation program” which 47 people benefited from. What a blessing that we recently started phase 4 of our program where 32 Palestinians were employed. MENA (Middle East North African Alliance) funded both phases. We’re thankful to our partner who believed in Shepherd's Society's Ministry.

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Gaza Ministry

This month we continue to focus on providing medical needs for Gaza. Especially dental and spectacles. We’re also thankful for starting a small clinic in the Greek Orthodox premises where anyone who requires direct assistance can visit the premises. Both a doctor and a nurse were hired for the completion of this clinic. (Due to the circumstances we’re not able to run it daily. However, we have made it possible for it to run multiple days a week). 

Feed the Elderly Program

The Feed the elderly people program continues to be a great blessing and success. 35 people are continuing to be fed 3 times a week.

In addition to the financial crisis in the West Bank, The Arabic saying “لاقيني ولا تغدينى” (Laqini wa la tughadini) Transliterated from Arabic, is also an important spiritual emphasis which shows how although we’re living in tough circumstances full of instability. People today do not only need food but also show care for our brothers and sisters amid uncertainty. 



During this project, we remember the words of Matthew “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’” (Matthew 25: 35-36)

We give thanks for:

• Our job creation program so far
• The distribution of food, medical costs, and necessities to people in Gaza and the West Bank. In the months of August and September, The Shepherd Society will distribute 500 food packages (150 have been distributed so far).
• Rosa, daughter of the Shepherd Society, is now 9 years old and is ready to start school. She will be in second grade.
• UNCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) for supporting part of our food distribution program.

We ask your prayers for:

• The ongoing massacre in Gaza – for a ceasefire and just peace.
• The rising violence in the West Bank – for a just and sustainable peace.
• The people and activities of the Shepherd Society, as we, under God, face the great difficulties around us.
• For a divine intervention in every step we make in such critical circumstances.
• For our upcoming training project with Care 4 you called YARN. YARN is a psychosocial and spiritual trauma care program for Children (Especially in Gaza). 50 Palestinians have applied for the training and 24 will be accepted and join this journey. It is a 2-year training program.

If it is in your heart to give to the West Bank and Gaza, this is THE TIME!

With thanks and prayer,

Shireen Awwad Hilal

For the Shepherd Society