By Nativia Samuelsen

The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem recently hosted yet another group of Christian volunteers for a Hands-on Serving Tour to Israel during war-time, with participants from around the world engaging together in practical aid projects to show their love and care for the embattled Jewish state.

Today, as antisemitism rises and Israel remains in a tense conflict with Hamas and other adversaries, many Christians feel an urgent call to come and serve here. Jules Verne captured the sentiment in Around the World in 80 Days when he wrote, “The world is large, and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark.” Much like the urgency of Phileas Fogg’s journey, many Christians sense that the window to visit Israel freely may not always remain open. Political shifts, security concerns, and global attitudes toward Israel are ever-changing. But for those who do come at this time, the experience is transformative.

On day one, the volunteers awoke at dawn, shook off the jet lag, and travelled with much excitement to the first stop on our mission – a new agricultural high school in Sde Nitzan, near the Gaza border. Here, the ICEJ is building a greenhouse classroom for the Israeli students, and our Christian visitors were eager to get to work helping however they could.

Asaf, the driving force behind the school, welcomed the group and shared how he has adapted since the massacres of October 7, a day that deeply affected him and his community. He explained that the agricultural school has become his way of healing. His goal is to bring life and hope back to the South by connecting young Israelis to the land, offering them both practical skills and a sense of responsibility.

That day, we rolled up our sleeves and joined the teenagers in preparing mango trees for harvest. As we worked alongside them, Asaf’s words echoed in our minds: “The best response to what happened is to work and find your mission. From crisis to mission.”

As the tour continued, the phrase “from crisis to mission” also served as our guiding force. We saw this motto unfold in so many meaningful ways, like our visit to an elderly daycare center in the Eshkol region, also bordering Gaza. Their stories of resilience and survival on October 7 were incredibly powerful and inspiring. Having lived through the torrents of terror, they shared their memories of that day and displayed their artwork illustrating their experiences. It was a privilege to meet and embrace them, sense their pain, and admire their determination to keep going.

This included meeting Bella, a Holocaust survivor who lost her grandson Yotam – a hostage who escaped his captors but was tragically killed. “Our message is for you to tell our story wherever you go, especially to the younger generation in your country,” she shared. “Thank you so much for coming.”

We also spent time at the Leket logistics center, where we helped sort 3,400 kilos of clementines. This citrus fruit, which would have otherwise been wasted, was rescued by volunteers like us and distributed to families in need.

“Without your help, these clementines would have been thrown away. Thanks to you, we can deliver it to other organizations,” said Michelle, our Leket host.

On another day, we sorted food, clothing, and Purim donations for families impacted by the crisis. Our host thankfully stated: “You do not realise how many families you have helped today. These clothes, food items, and Purim gifts will go to those who cannot afford them.”

At Kibbutz Be’eri, we also picked 16,000 kilos of oranges together with staff from Bank Leumi.

We were able to see the tangible fruit of our labour everywhere we went, and with each act of service, our connection to Israel deepened. Each member began to understand more profoundly the significance of being here at this time – how every small effort contributed to a greater purpose.

One highlight of the tour was our meeting with Jürgen Bühler, President of the Christian Embassy. His dedication to the organisation’s mission was evident, and his words resonated deeply with our group.

“Your presence leaves behind a footprint in Israel. Bring a good report back to your home countries of what you experienced in Israel, just as the two spies Joshua and Caleb did.”

Reflecting on the encounter, Stephanie, a participant from France, responded, “It’s time we give back to the Jewish people what we have taken and share with our countries about Israel.”

Traveling to the northern border area, we met with some incredible young Arab students, full of life and laughter, who are part of a high-tech program sponsored by ICEJ. Maram, the CEO of the program, shared with us the organisation’s mission.

“We connect Arab students to the job market through mentorship, job searches, and company visits. After the events of October 7, the program’s focus expanded to provide additional support to rebuild trust between Arab and Jewish students during these difficult times,” he said.

We also heard firsthand from the students about the program’s impact on their lives.

“It helped me prepare for interviews and write a strong CV,” noted Ali, a mechanical engineer. “I’m working at ICL and am still in touch with my mentors.”

“It gave me the tools to enter the job market,” said Ibrahim, a recent graduate. “I’m now co-owner of a start-up in Tel Aviv.”

“We want peace and humanity, to meet with people and talk to them, and together to search for true peace,” he added.

As the trip concluded, the group reflected on the powerful moments they had experienced. Marla, from the USA, shared how much she appreciated the variety of projects, and the meaningful connections made along the way.

Stephan, from Germany, recalled the warm conversations with locals in Be’eri, while Shawn, a returning volunteer from the USA, summed it up with one word: “Rewarding!” He especially emphasized the joy of being a light to the people of Israel. Finally, Grace from Singapore encouraged everyone to seek the truth beyond the biased media and continue praying for Israel.

Everyone agreed that the most impactful part of the trip was the people they met – each leaving a lasting mark on their hearts. Many of the group members were even invited to stay longer in some of the locations as they connected so well with the people.

For those who want to come stand with Israel and volunteer alongside them when others turn away, the time is now! The ICEJ will soon open up another opportunity for you to join one of our Hands-On Serving Tours.

Meantime, please support our ongoing aid projects to help Israel recover and rebuild through our ‘Israel in Crisis’ fund. Donate today at:  help.icej.org/crisis

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