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Have you ever passed by the homeless on the street and assumed that what brought them to that place was a series of poor decisions? Or have you ever thought that a single mother was single because she wanted her freedom and wasn’t willing to make things work with the man she married? Perhaps what comes to mind when you meet a house cleaner is that they have no education or motivation to progress in life?

Unfortunately, too many times we assume we know the story just by what we see. But the truth is, not everyone’s story is according to our assumptions. Take the nation of Israel for example. This country is made up of people groups from around the world. Immigrants from Ethiopia, Ukraine, the Americas and the like all come to Israel in search of a home. But these immigrants face incredible challenges, one of which is learning the Hebrew language. Parents who make Aliyah with their children come with very little and need to find work immediately or they will not be able to eat or rent an apartment. Many of these immigrants make Aliyah with skills, knowledge and degrees from their homelands. But without the ability to communicate in Israel’s national language, their degrees and skill-sets are entirely unusable. They must choose to either learn the language and face a mound of debt, or to work jobs such as house cleaning in order to feed themselves and their families. 

*Cynthia, like many other single mothers, shared this exact predicament with the staff of CBN Israel. She had made Aliyah nearly two decades ago, but being abandoned by her husband, she had no choice but to find menial jobs to cover hers and her children’s basic needs. With determination, Cynthia managed to teach herself the Hebrew language over time and even began helping others who were struggling in their Hebrew courses. She dreamed of the day that she too could take courses in Hebrew, specifically the study for tour guiding. It was no longer the Hebrew that was holding her back, but the finances. The expense for such a course was well beyond her small, monthly income. 

When the staff saw the obstacle that was keeping Cynthia in this holding pattern of poverty, they worked on gathering the funds needed to pay her way through her studies. The funds came through and Cynthia was told the great news. “Thank you so much!”, she enthusiastically exclaimed. Presently, Cynthia is enrolled in her studies towards her dream come true. 

*Name altered for privacy.

It is because of those who give to CBN Israel that immigrants, both new and old, are finding help and hope in their times of need. Would you consider partnering with CBN Israel and helping us make a very real impact on the lives of real people? On behalf of our staff and the many lives we have touched through your support we say, “Thank you!”

The goal was to give a group of single mothers in Jerusalem a much needed break from their daily grind and to show them how much they are loved and cared for. The staff of CBN Israel prepared a two day weekend funded by generous donors where the women could enjoy time with their kids, each other and the Lord. The weekend began with several hours of fun in the sun at a swimming pool located in a beautiful forest in central Israel. The mothers talked, the children played and everyone enjoyed some light snacks and refreshing popsicles!

Later Friday evening, the group was checked into a hotel and then treated to a sit down dinner. As one single mother picked up a plate before dishing up her meal she gasped, “Ah! I didn’t have to make this food myself! This is so wonderful!”

After the women and children were physically fed, it was time for some spiritual food. The evening meeting began with songs of praise to God and then an elderly woman took her place at the front to speak. “You may think the worst things only happen to you”, she said. “But remember, God is with you and He WILL bring you through this”. The words held weight coming from this widowed, single mother who held this status for many-many years. She identified with the women in the room but had learned to overcome the struggles they shared in common. Like a group of young soldiers listening intently to an experienced general, every mother present seemed to glean something from the buffet of wisdom before then that night. After the message was over, many of the moms approached the “general” to have a personal exchange of conversation and to share their appreciation.

The next morning was Shabbat. The group was well rested and rather ecstatic about being in a hotel. For these women who work hard to pay rent and feed their little ones, the thought of dining out or enjoying a vacation is often nothing more than a wish or a dream. For the staff of CBN Israel, seeing the ecstasy of these often exhausted mothers only added to their joy in giving.

The shabbat schedule was full of more times of worship, anointed messages and enjoyable experiences for both the women and their children. In order for the moms to be able to spend some time alone with the Lord and to share more personally with one other, the staff of CBN Israel treated all the children to an innocent movie in a near by theater followed by a meal at McDonald’s.

In the evening meeting, the ladies were encouraged to do something out of the ordinary. Each mother and child were given one helium balloon per family and a card to tie to the end of it. They were encouraged to write down what they felt the Lord wanted to set them free from in their lives. For some, it could be unforgiveness towards the man that left them. For others, it could be fear of the future. When the women were ready, they released the balloons into the air and watched as they vanished out of sight along with the burdens they wrote down.There was a time of prayer that followed and more worship to the Lord.

The sun set over the hills around Jerusalem, displaying colors of red and pink in the evening sky. It was time for the women and children to head back to their homes. Endless exchanges of ‘thank-yous’ and appreciation were expressed by the mothers who had been so refreshed by all that took place that weekend. One woman shared, “this group has become a real place of community for us single mothers and we are reminded every time that we are not alone”.

We may never know the extent of the impact these meetings for single mothers have not only those who attend, but on the generation that comes after. And this impact could not have been possible without the help of people like you who generously support the work of CBN Israel. If you desire to see real lives changed in Israel by the tangible love of God, partner with us today!

She knew it was a risk…and a dangerous one too, but to leave her home and country by foot offered more hope for her future than to suffer abuse even one day more. Hagara was only a teenager when she left everything she knew in search of a better life. But little did she know that her dream for a better life was still many years and miles away.

Arriving in Israel as a refugee, Hagara met and married her husband who also became abusive and for many years, they were unable to have children. But God in His mercy gave Hagara the desire of her heart and she became pregnant with her son, Nachum. During that time, she met Yeshua and she found the life she had been searching for.

Because of Hagara’s new faith in Yeshua, her husband left his family to fend for themselves as a single mother and a father-less son in Israel.  

Though Hagara’s circumstances were difficult, she never gave up her faith in the One who had given her life. She prayed and trusted God for all her needs to be met by Him. She and her son moved into a small apartment where they had acquired just enough furniture to fill one bedroom and living area.

Through word of mouth, Hagara learned of the work of CBN Israel and began attending the holiday gatherings for single mothers in her area. As the relationship between the staff and Hagara grew, the needs of the family were brought to the light. Nachum lacked a bed of his own to sleep on and a dresser to store his clothing. Hagara was ill and unable to work so the two often wondered if they would have enough food to eat each month.

Thanks to those who give generously to CBN Israel, the staff could make a difference. A bed and dresser were purchased for Nachum, as well as a desk, chair and laptop to aid him with his homework. The family was also provided with food vouchers each month and a large portion of Hagara’s accrued debt from medical expenses was paid.

“I no longer worry about whether I will have enough money to buy food for my son and I”, said Hagara. “And I no longer face life and my problems alone. I know that there is someone who has my back and it’s the staff of CBN Israel. You are a gift from God to me”.

Hundreds of single mothers like Hagara and fatherless children like Nachum have received love, care and hope thanks to those who give generously to CBN Israel. We are grateful for every amount we receive which aids us in accomplishing this important work. Now, when you become a monthly partner, you can receive CBN’s three documentaries free of charge! Find out more about it here. 

At the time when *David met the staff of CBN Israel, he was a high school dropout living without a sense of vision or value. In one of the most vulnerable times of his life, his father left, leaving him and his mother to fend for themselves. At that point, David’s only comfort was with the kind of “friends” that every godly mother prays would never hold influence on her child’s life.

Through the on-going meetings for single mothers and their children, the staff became acquainted with David and gained his trust. He was offered the opportunity to move closer to the CBN office rent free while they worked together on building up both him and his future. David agreed to the idea and soon moved into an apartment with another young man in mentorship. After counseling with the staff, David found work that suited his skill sets. He also received helped in being re-instated in the school system and has been diligently working towards completing his highschool education.

David began attending Christian camps where he gained new friendships with believers his age. As he is now preparing himself for the mandatory service in the Israeli army, he reflects on all that has changed in his life because of the staff who made an effort to invest in him.

To the staff of CBN Israel, he wrote, “You saved me from deterioration and enabled me to leave the evil society I was in and stay away from it. I learned to develop healthy relationships and get close to the Lord. I worked and learned to be independent and to take care of my needs. You enabled me to study and finish 12 years of learning and do most of my matriculation exams, which opens another door for me in life. As I enlist this summer in the Israeli Defense Force, I come from a place full of motivation to rise and succeed”.

David’s mother has also seen a turn-around in her son’s life. She too expressed her gratitude as she wrote, “You saved me from the fear of failure with my child. You came just in time and gathered my son up into your arms and gave him what I as a mother could not. I don’t have enough words to say, ‘thank you’ and I thank our God also”.

Because of those who give generously to the work of CBN Israel, children of single mothers, like David are given opportunity for mentor-ship and godly, male leadership in their lives through positive interaction with the staff. Help us make a difference in the lives of these children by partnering with us today!

*Name altered for privacy