ISRAEL at WAR: Trauma Counseling for Kids
The evil acts committed by the terrorists on October 7th were shocking. It truly was—and has been—Israel’s darkest hour.
The fear, pain, and heartache of that day still mark the people of the Epicenter.
In the podcast above, I share about my family’s experience when we first moved to Israel in 2014.
It was a challenging time, especially for our teenage sons.
But we knew God had called us to make Aliyah, that he had a plan for us, and would – through His guidance and grace – use us and The Joshua Fund to bless the people of Israel and Her Neighbors.
The challenges we now face in this time of war are, in many ways, daunting.
And the future is uncertain.
Even so, I am encouraged.
Not because of what any government is doing or what popular opinion may be at the moment.
But because I am witnessing the Church in action.
Believers in the region are pouring themselves out to serve their hurting communities.
And through the generosity of thousands—people just like you who have a heart to bless Israel and Her Neighbors in the name of Jesus—the Bride of Christ throughout the world is coming alongside them to shine a light in the darkness.
Sergei* and Elena*, a married couple and Joshua Fund partners, are using their gifts—like so many others—to show the love of Jesus to those in need during this time.
Professionally trained counselors, their ministry is bringing comfort and hope to believers—and unbelievers—traumatized by the terror and attacks on Israel.
Soon after the war began, Sergei & Elena started providing trauma counseling to help parents with young children navigate the unrelenting fear and anxiety as rockets and sirens became familiar sounds.
In addition to meeting with people one-on-one, they recorded video sessions to send out to larger groups and provide help and guidance to as many people as possible.
Sergei and Elena are now working with another Joshua Fund partner to produce a weekly podcast that allows them to reach even more people throughout the region.
They are using this new platform to talk through real issues that families are facing and offer much-needed counseling to parents.
New podcast episodes are released on Thursday evenings before Shabbat (Jewish Sabbath) and are available in Hebrew, Russian, and English.
This is such a blessing to the believing community in Israel right now.
Even before the war began, Sergei and Elena had been using their talents to strengthen the local church in the land.
They’ve done this through leading couples retreats and providing marriage counseling from a biblical perspective.
One couple told our team that they didn’t think they would “still be married” after everything that’s happened in the last 6 months if they hadn’t attended the retreat led by Sergei and Elena.
Your giving sows into the practical and life-changing ministry of partners like Sergei and Elena.
In this time of war, you can bring comfort and hope to families facing devastating circumstances and an uncertain future.
Give a gift today and bless families in the Epicenter.
I wish I could give a crystal-clear picture of the next six months, but only the Lord knows that.
What I do know is that the needs of the people in the land will continue to grow.
More counseling will need to be provided.
More food will need to be distributed.
More pastors and ministry leaders will need to be encouraged and supported.
I also know that our team and partners will continue—through God’s grace and provision—to meet those needs and be Jesus' hands and feet to the people of the Epicenter.
Please take a moment right now to pray for families dealing with trauma from the conflict and unrest in the region.
Thank you for continuing to bless Israel and Her Neighbors through your prayers and support.
It’s making a difference in Israel and throughout the region.
