This page is a running history of our work with the homeless, addicted and prostitutes. It is designed to keep you informed as to what is happening with regard to RESCUE Israel. The most current events are at the very top of this page, you need to read from the bottom up.
January 2010 Milestone
We have taken the steps necessary to establish our first men's shelter for which we are grateful to the God of Israel for opening these doors and allowing us to share His great love for each of us. People are finding hope and help. That is what the work of Rescue is all about.
One of the big needs we are seeing is the need to establish a women's shelter for the prostitutes that want out of their trade and want a better life for themselves. You will see under our goals for 2010 that this is an area we believe the God of Israel is leading us into. There is a lot of work that must be done in order to accomplish this task. We are trusting Almighty God to lead us and to provide the leadership and direction in this most important step - providing the Love of God and the hope and help needed for people to become godly productive citizens in the land of Israel.
2009
In the late spring of 2009 the leader of the group Gene is working with relapses back into his own alcohol addiction and leaves the men. A pastor working with the group asks Gene and Ohel Avraham if we can take over the responsibilities of help the men and keep them from becoming homeless again.
We work with an attorney and make sure there are no legal issues that we must deal with and to make sure we are in compliance with state of Israel laws and regulations.
We have also begun to work with a small church group, using their facility to serve a meal and share the Good News of the Gospel with the homeless and street people. God is bringing people into our midst who are hurting and have lost all hope of a better life.
Into this hurting and discourage group of people we are seeing those who are finding hope in Yeshua the Messiah and some are getting their lives back together.
2008
In August 2008 he receives training in working with addictive people. With the Word of God and his training, he is now ready to begin the process of setting up a men's shelter. Gene established himself with a group of men who are living together in a communal setting. The leader of the group invites Gene to work with the men, teaching them how to live better lives with God's help and learning of the Scriptures to deal with their life problems including living free from addiction.
March 2007 our second Milestone
Interviews are held and a director is hired for Ohel Avraham, the outreach arm of RESCUE Israel. I was never the intent of RESCUE Israel to go to Israel to do the work of Rescue, but to raise up indigenous leaders and organizations in the Land to do the work of Rescue.
Gene, our director is hired and from June to October 2007 he is brought to the U.S. where he receives training in the work of Rescue at various Rescue Missions and Union Gospel Missions around the U.S.
At the completion of his training he returns to Israel where he will then move the work forward, establishing a volunteer base and building up the street feeding program.
September 25, 2006 - a Milestone for RESCUE Israel Outreach Program
The first meal of RESCUE Israel outreach is served to the homeless and the hungry of Tel Aviv. The board has labored diligently to bring together volunteers and resources to begin a feeding ministry. We give God praise that September 25 was the beginning.
We believe God is blessing and will continue to bless as we give attention to homeless, the addicted and the needy in Israel.
June/July 2006: These months were spend finalizing our vision and mission and setting up for a soup kitchen.
In July we formed the official board of the RESCUE Israel Outreach regarding our non-profit status. Papers were finalized with the attorney and filed with the state of Israel. We are now an official non-profit organization and ready to do business helping the homeless, the addicted and the poor.
In September we will open a soup kitchen for those living on the streets of Tel Aviv.
On February 13, 2006 we meet with leaders from 12 congregations and from their interest and excitement formed a committee to establish our purpose, vision, mission, values statements and a statement of faith.
God has brought together Israeli's, Palestinians, Russians, Americans and others, working together to help bring His love to the homeless, the addicted and the poor.
We will accomplish this work through RESCUE Israel's Outreach program.
2005
June 2005: As George toured Israel, talking with leaders and workers concerned about the homeless and the addicted, it became obvious there is a great need for the work of Rescue and an emergency shelter
In this picture it is summer time; it is warm and not much rain. Thus, sleeping on the grass with the cool breezes coming off the Mediterranean Sea helps make for a pleasant day, except the ground can get hard and damp, the days long, food scarce and hope lost.
May 2005: No matter where you turn in Tel Aviv you find the homeless. This lady takes a nap in the breeze coming off the Mediterranean Sea.
The homeless situation in Israel has grown in great numbers over the past 10 years. With the large number of immigrants coming into the land, especially from the former Soviet Union, many find themselves without hope.
