Hope at Our Tel Aviv Soup Kitchen
On Sunday, August 31, we returned to a park in Tel Aviv that carries many memories for us.
This week, that park was full of the same pain. Many people there spend their days smoking crack. The addiction has taken so much from them: their health, their relationships, their hope, and often even their desire to live differently. Yet as we walked through the park, we were reminded that the darkness does not have the final word. Jesus still comes close to the brokenhearted. He still sees people whom the world has stopped seeing.
We met Andrew again.
Only one month ago, we had taken him to Haifa, hoping he would find safety and another chance to rebuild his life. But now he is back on the street. When someone returns, it can be tempting to see only failure. But we know that the road out of addiction is rarely straight. Andrew plans to come to the soup kitchen, and we will speak with Eric to see whether he can be accepted back into the program. Please pray that this door opens for him once more.
Then there was Yaakov.
He is desperate for rehabilitation. He was almost ready to come with us, almost ready to leave the street behind. But when he heard that rehabilitation would mean no cigarettes, fear took hold and he changed his mind. For many people, even a small surrender can feel impossible when their whole life has become dependent on substances. Yaakov said he will come to the soup kitchen. We are praying that, when he does, he will find the courage to take the next step.
Albert also spoke of his desire to become sober. His need is deep, and so is his desperation. Please pray for Albert’s soul, that he would know the love of Jesus and find strength for a new beginning.
We saw Sania as well. He was once at Beit HaYeshua, but he is now back on the street.
This time, he did not even want us to pray for him. It is hard to watch someone become so lost that they cannot receive even a simple prayer. Still, we will keep lifting him before the Lord. God does not turn away from people simply because they have lost their way.
Two days later, on Tuesday, September 1, the soup kitchen opened its doors.
Anna was the first to come. She looked weak and exhausted. She told us that she wants to be free, but she is still not ready to go into rehabilitation.
She knows that choosing rehab means choosing life, yet that decision feels overwhelming to her. Addiction promises comfort while slowly stealing everything else. Please pray that Anna will not give up, and that she will be able to say yes to the life God has for her.
Another Anna, whom we have known for six months, came looking very thin and sick. Her condition touched our hearts deeply. She also said she is not ready for rehab. Please pray for healing in her body and for her heart to recognize her Redeemer. We believe Jesus sees her weakness and has not abandoned her.
Alex arrived happy to receive his care bag, but he was looking for more than food and supplies. He asked for rehabilitation.
Pastor Al and Yoel prayed with Alex. Then Elias took him to rehab. What began as a visit to the soup kitchen became a journey toward a different future. Please pray that Alex will remain there, receive the help he needs, and discover true freedom in Christ.
Muhamad also left for a rehabilitation centre in Raanana. After waiting so long, he is finally going. Please pray that he will stay, that his heart will remain open, and that this will be the beginning of a lasting transformation.
Not every act of love involves rehabilitation. Sometimes it means kneeling beside someone who is hurting.
Yoel cared for Victor’s infected legs, bringing practical help where it was urgently needed. We are very thankful to Petra for the medical kit that made this possible. Victoria shared how hard it is to become clean and free from bondage. Her words carry the weight of many people we meet. Please pray that she will know there is a way out, even when it feels impossible.
Olga came to look through the clothes, something she loves to do each week. For her, the clothing table is more than a collection of donated items. It is a place where she can choose something for herself, where she is welcomed, and where she is treated with dignity.
As the day came to an end, we were also thinking of Racheli, who is close to giving birth. Please pray that she will reach a hospital safely and will not have to bring her baby into the world alone on the street.
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers, Pastor Al, Angie, Yoel, Abigail, Tom, Marion, Matt, and Tim. Your loving hands and willing hearts brought comfort, dignity, and hope to every person who came through our doors. Every meal served, care bag shared, wound treated, prayer lifted, and moment spent listening was a reminder that they are seen, valued, and deeply loved.
The streets can call people back. Addiction can call people back. Fear can call people back. But Jesus is still calling too.
He calls people by name. He calls them out of darkness and into light. And until every person we meet knows they are seen, loved, and not forgotten, we will keep showing up.
Help Us Keep Showing Up
If you would like to help us continue bringing meals, care bags, medical support, prayer, and practical help to people on the streets of Tel Aviv, you can donate here:
Every gift, whatever its size, helps us keep the soup kitchen open and continue meeting people with the love and hope of Jesus.
