For a woman, the first image of a beating heart on an ultrasound is hard to describe – what a joy, what excitement. A healthy baby and the hope of so much for their future.
But for countless women, the news is not good. Their child is born, but later a heart defect is found, or the child isn’t thriving. They have no energy, get short of breath, fall dangerously ill. The news comes that they have heart disease or deformity.
In the Western world, there are many medical charities and foundations that assist children in this position. In the Arab world it is often very difficult to find help. In modern Iraq it is nigh impossible.
The reason I went to Israel in January was to volunteer with an amazing organisation called Shevet Achim. The name comes from one of David’s Psalms (Psalm 133), which speaks of “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity”. The charity is Christian, and they work with the Israeli (Jewish) hospitals to bring Arab Muslims to Israel for life changing heart surgery.
Shevet Achim raise funds so that the surgery and all the surrounding costs/accommodation and transportation are covered. Their staff support the carers and children from the minute they leave Iraq, to the minute they fly home.
This is news you DON’T hear on the international media. Jews helping and loving their “enemies” facilitated by Christians.
Please take five minutes and visit their site (www.shevet.org) and meet some of the children who are currently receiving surgery in Israel. Read their blogs, meet the staff, and if you can find it in your heart to bring hope to a child, give a few dollars online.
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