Harvest of Asher
Akko, Israel

When the war in the Ukraine started, it was a shock to many of us. In a daze, we asked ourselves, “Why is this happening and what will the outcome be?”
Some thought it was the end time war, the “bear” coming down from the North, Gog and Magog. I prayed to the Lord, needing to know my role/our role in these current events. What could Harvest of Asher do, and the nation?
I would like to share the areas where God made it possible for us to help in the operations needed to assist people fleeing the war.
We received requests to provide buses to transport Ukrainians to the borders of Poland, Hungary, Romania and Moldova, in order to get them out of the war zone. This took place in the early part of the war, during the cold winter months. Believers from all over the world networked with contacts in local churches and people were waiting at the borders to assist the refugees. Donations were sent that enabled us to help local ministries buy food for distribution along those borders.
During all of this, Jeremiah 31:8, “Behold, I will bring them from the north country, And gather them from the ends of the earth...” (Aliyah); was continually before me and weighed heavily on my heart and in my spirit.
As things developed, I felt led to approach the Akko Municipality to speak about the possible influx of refugees to the area. As we spoke, I realized that they were unprepared and quickly found myself involved in the planning stages. I shared what I believed would be the initial basic needs of families coming to the area. As a result of these discussions, the municipality agreed to provide a small warehouse where second-hand as well as new items that people wanted to donate could be organized. This included clothing, bedding and other household items.
At one of the city meetings, which I attended, we asked where the refugees could be housed. The Israeli government subsidizes rent for new immigrants. This however does not include refugees who enter Israel under a different status. The government Aliyah policy is that when immigrants come they are either sent to cities in the north or south of Israel. This is due to the lower cost of living and apartment affordability. Tel Aviv and surrounding areas, are very expensive. (In fact, Tel Aviv is by some measures, the most expensive city in the world to live in.)
The next question was what would be needed in the apartments. Remember that those making Aliyah as well as refugees were often coming with only the clothes on their backs. Many families arrived in Israel not just from Ukraine but also from Belarus and Russia. The Ukrainian families were mostly women and children since men over the age of 18 are automatically drafted into the Ukrainian army.
We helped finance the renovation of three classrooms for Ulpan (Hebrew language school). In addition, we contributed funds to the renovation of a small apartment building on a local kibbutz that has welcomed roughly thirty families to their community.
Over the last six months, we have been distributing funds raised to meet people’s basic needs. The following is a list of some of the items and services we helped provide through the Akko, Nahariyah, Carmiel and Matte Asher municipalities.
• 150 of each of the following items were distributed: microwaves, electric kettles, water filter pitchers, electric hot plates
• 60 of each of the following items were distributed: washing machines, refrigerators and sofa beds
• 12 dryers
• mattresses (I lost count!)
The items in this list were part of a budget of up to 3,000 shekels given to each of the families to choose what they needed most. In addition, they were given coupons for the purchase of smaller household and personal items according to their needs.
To further help the families, a campaign was held this summer to raise finances for school supplies. One hundred and fifty children received $100 worth of school supplies each.
First of all we want to say “thank you.” These last few years, from Covid to the war in Ukraine, have been intense and so much of what has happened has been far out of our control. Yet in the midst the crisis and trauma, we have been able to be a light to our community. Without you, we could not have shown God’s love, compassion and provision to these families.
Currently the requests to help with both immigrant and refugee families are declining. The first wave is coming to an end. The families are getting settled and will shortly complete language school and go forward from there.
However, I believe this is not the end, rather a beginning. We can expect many challenging times ahead. Looking toward the future, I see that we are on the edge of yet another confrontation with enemies on our norther border in Lebanon. So hold tight and link your arms with us in prayer as the next chapter unfolds and we cry out, “Yeshua, come.”
Blessings to you and your household from Harvest of Asher for a happy and healthy Feast of Trumpets/Rosh Hashanah.