Though the circumstances and histories of their lives vary, the women that gathered together on Thursday night in Jerusalem share a unique bond. They are women raising children as single mothers in Israel, which at times can be both challenging and lonely. Thankfully, through the outreach of CBN Israel these women are finding comfort and healing in a community of women they can relate with as well as receiving a helping hand in times of need.
CBN Israel and the Jerusalem Center for Peace and Truth recently partnered together to host a special evening to bless these mothers, and to give them a break from their weekly routine. It was an evening where they didn’t have to think about meal preparations or homework or bed times, instead they got to come and sit down to a delicious meal at a beautiful place setting, all the while having a panorama overlook of the old city of Jerusalem. The evening was a welcomed treat for these women, some of which traveled a long distance to attend.
The evening featured a beautiful worship concert and a message from Pastor Sujatha Roy of India, who had a special word for these mothers about a famous single mother in the Bible- Hagar. Sujatha shared from Geneses 21, when Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away into the dessert. She illustrated how God protected Hagar and Ishmael and how God listened to the cries of the boy and answered (v.17). Earlier in Genesis 16:13, Hagar says of the Lord,
“You are the God who sees.”
As a single mother, Hagar experienced God as both the One who saw her needs and heard her cries. Sujatha encouraged the women, reminding them that God hears their prayers and the cries of their children and he will continue to protect them and promises them a future. The women were clearly moved by the story and nearly all went forward for individual prayer after the service where they were given a chance to share some of their unique struggles and receive comfort. It is amazing to see how something as simple as an evening out, a nice meal and a table full of understanding friends can give a woman the encouragement she needs to keep going. CBN Israel is privileged to walk alongside this group of women, providing them with resources they need to meet both their emotional and physical needs.
This article originally appeared on CBN Israel, July 24, 2017, and reposted with permission.