When we (Lura and I) get food money for the Holocaust Survivors, we purchase bulk and volume. I like to use banana boxes. Not bothering to remove the little price tags from each item. We steer away for junk food, although we will may throw in a treat or two. We try to stick to Russian brains products and foods they’re used to eating. The Russians like meat! Hint: If you happen to be in Israel and get a craving for a piece of pork, a tinny slice of bacon, ask a Russian.
We also include Bibles and books! Which we was warned is against the law! Also, I think we broke a law by putting dairy products and meats together in the same box.
I’m sure much money is collected for the Holocaust Survivors living in Israel. I estimate that 99.9% (more like 100%) of these moneys go to some organizations based in Jerusalem. I remember visiting the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. and putting money in their donation box.
What I’m getting at, money donated for the Holocaust Survivors for some reason or other never reached the 42 living in our little of Arad. Seems like the buck stops in Jerusalem.
Well, I got wind of an organization in Jerusalem called ‘Christian Friends of Israel’ (CFI) who has a Holocaust Survivors program!
After a few trips to Jerusalem and lots of patience we finally got our 42 into their system!
The time when Lura and I dispersed foods it was just that! “Here’s some food, Bibles and books, God Bless, Love yah, got to go!” CFI does things much differently.
They wanted to make an initial visit and give all 42 a food basket not exceeding 100 shekels (approx. $20.00) each. Well, I thought I could help because I could by things cheap from the Bedouins thus getting MORE for the money! Well this backfired on me big time.
You see, I was dealing with a team of ladies! They didn’t want to use banana boxes (too tacky looking). They wanted to make dainty little gift wrap thingies with a little pillow and bow on top, laced with sweats and goodies. They also wanted to remove all price labels. And follow the letter of the law … absolutely no Bibles and books.
Well, what backfired on me was that I got too much for the money! So much that it took away from the dainty look. In other words, they wanted to scratch the rice, noodles, and honey, asking if we could return them. Other items, they had us cancel the orders on.
Bedouins are Arabs who live in the desert. They have this pride/saving face thing. For us to return so many items could be perceived as an embarrassment or cause of shame. Lura and I decided to keep the items for the next food run, done our way. We cancel several pending orders Note: we had $70.00 earmarked for food for the survivors…we used that plus out-of-pocket expense to cover this cost!
Bottom-line, because I got too much for the money CFI spent much less than $20.00 per person. What it came down to was bulk or appearance, and appearance won.
Nevertheless, I am extremely excited! All this was much better than nothing! The 42 are now in the system! CFI will now visit each person maybe twice a year, spending 2 to 3 hrs per visit. They do huggy – kissy stuff and listen to their stories. They also will access each individual’s personal needs. If someone needs a wheelchair, eye glasses, a handicap ramp, heater, or fan…they may provide!
P.S. I could see that getting the 42 into the loop wasn’t going to be a cakewalk. Binding satan doesn’t seem to work for me over here. I now simply ask God for more love, strength, patience, wisdom, more of whatever I need to prevail.
Edwin Beckford
(Sept 11, 2003)
