New Ambulances Help Save Lives In Israel
By Joel Rosenberg
At the end of 2009, with your financial help and faithful prayers, The Joshua Fund provided a significant grant to Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national emergency medical service, to purchase two brand new ambulances. Both were built, outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment, and delivered to an MDA station in Jerusalem in May 2010.
MDA, the Israeli version of the American Red Cross, immediately put “Jerusalem 43” and “Jerusalem 62” into service. In fact, the two ambulances responded to more than 1,400 work-related emergencies, violent crimes, fires, childbirths, routine traffic accidents, and other traumas in just the first two months of operation.
In August, several of our staff, with my wife and kids, had the chance to participate in a ceremony in Jerusalem formally dedicating the two ambulances. It was great to see them for ourselves, climb inside them, learn how they work, and see the inscriptions on the front doors of both vehicles, which read: “Presented to the people of Israel by The Joshua Fund and evangelical Christians in the U.S. and around the world, 2010”.
Even better was to meet the paramedics that use the two ambulances every day. It was fascinating to hear their stories about delivering babies in these ambulances and responding to all kinds of emergencies. The best part for me was the opportunity to pray for these men at the end of our visit. As I told them, “We know the followers of Iranian President Ahmadinejad and Hezbollah leader Sheikh Nasrallah hate you and want to kill you. But we want you to know that the followers of Jesus Christ love you and want to bless you.” They were very grateful and touched that evangelical Christians would help them accomplish their life-saving mission. Please continue to keep them and their colleagues in your prayers.
