Christian Friends of Israel Jerusalem's DAVID’s SHIELD Supporting Brave IDF Soldiers
Article by Steve Martin, CFI volunteer
shield@cfijerusalem.org
THE WINTER SEASON at any army base can be a bit more brutal
than elsewhere in a country.
Making do with government supplies and equipment just does not make one feel “warm and
cozy” at times, while in the realm of protecting one’s country.
Especially when the setting is out in the fields of the low country, with winds coming off the sea nearby. Though one does
not expect soldiers to have it all “as at home,” we do want
them to be alert, prepared, and ready for their active duty when
called upon. We want (need) them to have the resources that
one would expect them to have. But they always do not.
So,
it was with the IDF soldiers, whom the volunteers with Christian Friends of Israel came to connect with, befriend, and share
the love of Yeshua through practical means. We want them
to know, being mostly Jewish, that the Father has sent many
Christians to “bear them up” and bring some of His provision
from the people around the world.
Steve and Laurie Martin (USA) and Elisabeth Oelwein (Germany) did just that in the middle of December, when the sun
had set and the cold wind blew. They came to bring His love and
warmth. After the two-hour trip to collect the military clothing to
Askelon, meeting with our supplier, we drove further south to
meet with Avi, commander at a base just near Nahal Oz, the
one raided, partially destroyed, and saw the murder of 18 women soldiers monitoring the security system, by Hamas killers.
With his duties requiring him to be on mission that afternoon,
after a three hour wait, we drove to another base 45 minutes
away to meet with Noar, a 43-year-old volunteer commanding a
force of young soldiers. Noar was excited when he received the
warm blankets and supplies, calling them candy for the men.
Returning to the base, the two young soldiers who greeted us
there, David and his “brother-in-arms,” who had lost a brother
on Oct. 7, 2023, were filled with gratitude and acceptance when
we unloaded the van full of winter clothing and toiletries.
These
two were younger than some of our grandsons. A father’s heart
for them indeed welled up inside me. Just as His heart does
daily. Christians, helping Jews, in their Promised Land given to
them by the Living God of Israel. David’s Shield is helping to
fulfill the mandate given to Christians from the Lord, to lift their
arms as they return to, and fight to keep, their Land.
Steve Martin CFI Volunteer 12.17.25
Lyailya Telgarina, Outreach Coordinator
Project David’s Shield; shield@cfijerusalem.org
#DAVIDSHIELD #SupportingBraveIDFSoldiers #ChristianFriendsofIsrael #Jerusalem #SteveMartin #CFIJerusalem
