By Nativia Samuelsen

In early December, a group of Christians from across the world assembled in Israel to do volunteer service in a country burdened by unimaginable pain and loss over the past year. The wounds of the October 7 massacre some 14 months ago remain fresh, with communities still mourning lost loved ones, amid untouched signs of destruction and continuing threats. The nation is grappling with the aftermath of the deadliest attack in its modern history, when over a thousand lives were lost in one day, and families still have relatives held hostage in Gaza.

Amid this lingering crisis, the group of Christian volunteers came to stand alongside Israel, bringing hands ready to serve and hearts full of compassion.

“This is not the usual tourist tour; it is about connecting with the people of the Land,” one volunteer said.

The journey began in the South, at Kibbutz Nir Oz, the hardest hit of all the Gaza border communities, with over one-quarter of its residents either killed or taken hostage. Here, participants picked avocados and bore witness to the aftermath of October 7. They walked through the devastation of a farming village once full of life but now emptied of residents and deeply scarred by tragedy. The air still smells of destruction and many homes remain gutted by fire and the explosions of battle.

Yiftach, a guide and former resident of Nir Oz, toured us through the rubble and shared the story of his uncle, Gadi Moses, who still is held hostage in Gaza. The time with Yiftach underscored how important our solidarity is for those still affected by the disaster.

“You speak with real honesty from the heart,” responded Anthony, one of the Christian volunteers. “We hope to return under better circumstances.”

The next stop took the group to Jerusalem, where Nicole Yoder, ICEJ’s VP of Aid & Aliyah, shared the vision and impact of the ICEJ’s work in Israel.

The group later visited United Hatzalah’s Jerusalem headquarters, learning about the organisation’s remarkable growth into an 8,000-strong network of volunteer emergency medical responders. A highlight was meeting founder Eli Beer, who assured them, “it means so much that you are here to serve from nations across the world.” While there, the hands-on group assembled 300 medical kits for volunteers at United Hatzalah’s warehouse in Beit Shemesh, which was emptied of all equipment on October 7.

The next day, the group headed north to the Galilee and first pruned tomato plants in a vast greenhouse. The smell of fresh soil and ripe tomatoes filled the air as the team worked side-by-side with local farmers. One participant likened the pruning to building the deep connections that bind us to Israel and its people.

One farmers’ daughter, Almog, expressed her deep gratitude for the team’s help by preparing a hearty meal and gifting the team with fresh tomatoes. The farmer’s wife, Hannah, confided: “You answered our heart cry and came to help. We feel your love and dedication.”

Continuing their journey, the group met Rena Quint, a Holocaust survivor, who shared the importance of remembering and speaking up. “October 7 happened. The Holocaust happened. We must remember and act,” she insisted.

The next day, the team ventured back south to Tel Aviv, Israel’s bustling financial hub that also has been frequently targeted by rocket fire. Here, they prepared sandwiches for IDF soldiers stationed in Gaza.

“Soldiers often rely on canned food, so receiving homemade meals is a real morale booster,” shared Aliya, our host.

Later, the team visited Hostage Square to pray for the safe return of the captives, ending the day with a worship session at a piano that filled the square with songs of hope.

Following a restful Shabbat in Jerusalem, we ventured south again to an organic farm in Carmiya, where the team packed vegetables for supermarkets. During the day, Michal, a local volunteer, was moved to tears after hearing why the group was there, and even called her husband over to join them.

“You made my day,” she exclaimed. “I am crying; can I get a hug? This is so incredible! I am going to work with your group all day today.”

In the afternoon, the group spent time at an absorption center in Ashkelon, where participants met Ethiopian Jewish immigrants beginning to integrate into Israeli society. Witnessing their determination underscored the importance of Aliyah, a core pillar of the ICEJ’s work.

From Ashkelon, we travelled back up north to Haifa, where participants shared meaningful moments with residents of the ICEJ’s special Home for Holocaust Survivors and assisted with cleaning and organising there.

The hands-on tour then concluded in Nazareth, where the team embraced the Christmas spirit by packing holiday gifts with Christian Arab partners and wrapping up the day with Communion at the church of our host, Pastor Saleem Shalash.

On the final evening, tour leader Jannie Tolhoek of ICEJ Aid challenged the participants: “You are all eyewitnesses. What will you do with all you have seen and heard?”

Marja, a Dutch Christian, responded: “This trip has been such a blessing. I had no idea the extent of the trauma. I will be bolder in sharing the truth in Holland.”

The week-long journey was more than a Holy Land tour itinerary; it was a profound journey of faith, compassion, and solidarity. As participants departed, they carried with them not only memories but a renewed commitment to the people of Israel and the call to serve and speak up for Israel. Many still remembered Hannah’s words: “You answered our heart cry.”

Consider joining the next ICEJ Hands-On Tour to serve these Israeli communities firsthand. Your participation can make a tangible difference and deepen your connection with Israel and its people. Be on the lookout for details on the next hands-on tour by visiting our website at: icej.org

Meanwhile, please support our many relief aid projects through our Israel in Crisis fund. Donate today at:  help.icej.org/crisis

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