Keeping the Light Shining: Standing with the Artisans of Bethlehem

Today is Day 19 of the Counting of the Omer, two weeks and five days preparing my heart for Shavuot. Today I am counting my blessings. Though I may have huge bills to pay, I am inside, warm, dry, and fed. Most importantly there are no threats of bombs going off over my head. Please pray for the protection of our Brothers and Sisters who follow The Messiah in Yisrael.

In the quiet of a Bethlehem workshop, faith takes shape in olive wood even as the world outside remains uncertain.

Table of Contents

• Living Under Uncertainty
• The Current Situation

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Living Under Uncertainty

Can you imagine leaving home in the morning and not knowing if you will be able to get back home that night? For our brothers and sisters in Bethlehem, this isn't a "what if"—it is a daily reality.

When I came across these beautiful olive wood crosses hand-made by followers of Yeshua living in Bethlehem, it hit me like a tonne of bricks. With sudden road closures, checkpoints, and rising tensions, the simple act of going to work or the market is a leap of faith.

The Current Situation

While there are constant calls for a lasting ceasefire, the reality on the ground remains fragile. Even during periods of relative calm, the scars of conflict are everywhere.

• The Struggle for Shelter: Many families have faced the devastating loss of shelter due to ongoing conflict and administrative demolitions. For those who still have homes, the fear of losing them hangs heavy over every meal.
• The Cost of Food: The economic blockade and disrupted supply lines have caused the cost of food to skyrocket. Basic staples that we take for granted are now luxury items for many artisan families, making the income from their olive wood carvings more vital than ever.

By choosing these handmade gifts, you aren’t just buying wood; you are providing a "lifeline" to a family trying to keep their light shining in the Holy Land.

Please prayerfully consider purchasing some of these handmade olive wood crosses to give to friends as a reminder to pray for Our Brothers and Sisters in Yisrael.

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About the Author

Sister Su is a survivor through her Saviour and has been blessed to see many miracles in her life. Currently digging her way out from under a mountain of debt while battling chronic illness, she dreams of one day earning her doctorate in practical theology.

For more information, visit her Linktree- Sister_Su.