FOI Launches Adult-Volunteer Program in Israel
If you are 18 or older and would like to volunteer your time, effort, and resources to help the people of Israel, then you may want to join us in March as we go to the Promised Land on our first Hesed Project trip.
Headed by The Friends of Israel Executive Vice President James A. Showers, the Hesed Project is an exciting, new, Christian adult-volunteer program in Israel that gives Bible believers an opportunity to help the Jewish people in a practical way and make friendships that will last a lifetime.
The project’s name comes from the Old Testament Hebrew word hesed (pronounced heh’-said), which means “lovingkindness.” Unlike our biannual Up to Jerusalem trips, the Hesed Project is designed to provide extra hands to help Israelis tackle manual labor tasks, while giving believers an opportunity to perform acts of lovingkindness and live out God’s instruction in Genesis 12:3 to bless the Jewish people.
Hesed volunteers may be asked to garden, clean equipment or buildings, paint furniture or rooms, organize stor-age areas, wash dishes or floors, or do a host of other manual tasks. “We’ll work at the direction of the Israelis, doing whatever they assign,” said Showers.
Since a typical work week in Israel is Sunday through Thursday, that’s when Hesed Project volunteers will work. However, on Fridays and Saturdays they will attend worship services and do a little sightseeing.
The first Hesed Project will be a two-week stint at the Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot, a major regional medical complex serving people in the south of Israel. However, the project can accommodate participants who can only serve for one of the two weeks.
The hotel will provide breakfast and dinner. Lunch will be provided on site or can be acquired nearby. Transportation will be provided between the hotel and job site.
“This would be a great way for a parent and adult child, or grandparent and adult grandchild, to serve the Lord together,” Showers said. “There is nothing better than taking your beliefs and putting them into action as a family.”
Interested believers must fill out an application and medical reference form and provide a referral from a pastor or ministry leader. The Friends of Israel will notify all applicants as to whether they have been accepted.
Showers said the number of positions is extremely limited. “We will not be able to accommodate all who apply. Certainly, those who apply sooner have a better chance of being accepted.”
The Hesed Project’s first trip is scheduled for March 9 through 24. The cost of the trip is $3,650 per person. Since this is a ministry, participants may raise support that is tax-deductible to the donor to defray the cost.
For more information or to obtain an application, log on to www.foi.org/hesed. Or call The Friends of Israel at 800-257-7843 to request a Hesed Project brochure and application be mailed to you.
