Help Bring Christmas to Bethlehem-Covid Relief!
Bethlehem, Palestine- where Jesus was born. Behind a huge cement wall separating them from Israel. 100% dependent on tourism for livelihood . Unfortunately, this has meant a complete lockdown since March for them. Did you know that there isn’t one organization in Bethlehem that offers food? With the local Christian population at less than 2%, they’re getting pushed out and it’s been more difficult for them to survive. It’s been difficult for everyone there to just have enough money for food. The government hasn’t offered any help. As usual in the West Bank, they’re left to wait and pray and hope that their leaders don’t abandon them again. But they have.
As you may know, I’ve spent a lot of time in the last several years in Bethlehem. For those of you that don't know me, my name is Becky Brown of Killeen, Texas. I own the travel company LDS Travel Club LLC LDS Travel Club and I have done many tours in the Holy Land over the years. I have a humanitarian aspect to my tours and have vetted the orphange and the families I'm trying to provide for. I have also lived in Bethlehem for several months and got to know the locals deeply. I have served at a local orphanage Home of Peace, run by sweet Polish nuns. They desperately needs help fixing their gas and HVAC systems. Recent temps have been 45°C! Unbearable for the 42 children who are living there and getting schooling. I am hoping to gather enough funds by Christmas to help them fix these systems so they can cook on their stoves again and heat and cool the building year-round.
But the most important are the emergency needs for some local families I know that are desperate for help buying food and paying utilities. They are very faithful people; I know both Christian and Muslim families who are vetted, that live in Bethlehem and need immediate help. The region is now starting another full lockdown. I know of families going without food for days on end fasting, because they have no other choice. My wonderful local tour guide and good friend, Odeh Marcous and his family (he is a single dad of 3 kids), will be the first recipient.The second recipient will be my local driver and friend, Samir Albadan and his family. George and Tony Mitri will also be recipients. Saliba and Dema Hanania and their two children will also be recipients. I have a list of others to provide for, but these are the ones that need immediate assistance because they are currently unemployed since March due to Covid. I intend to withdraw the funds and send it through Western Union so they can receive the funds immediately after they move to my account.
My goal is to raise enough money to support 6-10 families from now until Christmas, as well as fix the mechanical issues at the orphanage. Then slowly start organizing a permanent food pantry in town. But I need your help!!
Please consider giving to these families and the orphanage in Bethlehem. I will also be collecting Christmas cards from whomever would like to send them to me, and I’ll have them delivered to our friends in Bethlehem by Christmas. Any encouraging words of hope and faith are what they need to hear. They need to know that they’re not forgotten in the world right now. They need to know that their lives matter; that they have a purpose.
Also, if you have an online accessible business And would like to train and pay someone in Bethlehem to work, even if it’s just a few hours a week, I know many English speakers that are desperate to work and provide for their families.
Thank you and God Bless,
I am a believer in miracles!
Becky