“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing…” Psalm 68:5&6

Shalom!

I want to tell you about something exciting! An opportunity is here to change the lives of the Holocaust Survivors I am visiting. Many of these precious people are lonely, never receiving any mail or personal items. Most of their families have either been killed, or lost contact, in WWII.

By adopting a Holocaust Survivor, it is a chance to make God’s love personal to them. This is such a wonderful, easy way to make a difference in the life of each one of the Holocaust Survivors. It can be done by a Sunday School class, Bible study, youth group, prayer partners, and family or as an individual.

Here is all it takes to adopt someone who survived the Holocaust:

1. Request a name of a Holocaust Survivor. Once we process your request, in addition to their name, you will receive their address, personal story (if available), date of their birthday, current situation information and personal needs.
2. Send them a card or letter a minimum of once a month, a birthday card, get-well card when they are ill or some form of encouragement. We will translate for them once they are received. (No Christian or evangelistic literature please! We do not evangelize.) Please understand this is a KINDNESS MINISTRY – showing God’s love. Each Holocaust Survivor is told what we believe when we introduced ourselves in order to be up front about who we are. Whenever questions arise (and they do!) we answer them. If they ask you questions, you can answer them too. But be sensitive with your reply.
3. Mail something extra occasionally such as sugar-free hard candy (many of them are diabetic). Some other ideas are: a neck scarf, pretty pillowcase, table runner, warm socks, warm hat or gloves, tea, etc – just something that would be exciting for them to receive.
4. Pray for “your” Holocaust Survivor. This is very important! Your prayer can make all the difference in their life. Your prayer can bring them healing, lift depression and bring belief in their own Messiah.
5. An occasional or monthly donation to the Survivor General Fund helps us provide essentials for each Survivor. We at Desert Hope International make sure 100% of those funds are used for their care. As a guideline, $18/month will provide 50 shekel coupons for the grocery store and postage to send them. (All donations are tax deductible.)

It is very expensive to live in Israel and the Holocaust Survivors are on a very small set income, living below the poverty line. You will receive a note letting you know when ‘your’ Holocaust Survivor has been visited. If they are ill, or experience a crisis, we will notify you so you can pray accordingly.

These five steps can change how each of the Holocaust Survivors view the love that God’s people has for them. If they see the love of His people, they will understand the love of God Himself.

If you would desire to adopt a Survivor, just contact the coordinator in your area from the listing below:

Adoption Coordinators:

Nancy Kurtz, Adoption Coordinator for Pennsylvania
coordpa@deserthopeinternational.org

Barbara Himelfarb, Adoption Coordinator for Texas
coordtx@deserthopeinternational.org

Wanda Heebner, Adoption Coordinator for International and all other States in America
coordintl@deserthopeinternational.org

Call 717-592-0859

or you can write to:
Desert Hope International
P.O. Box 3055
Shiremanstown, PA 17011 Attn. Nancy

We will send you the necessary form to begin the ‘adoption’ process. Once we receive that form you will be sent your Survivor’s name and story with instructions of how to begin blessing them!

Thank you for your interest, your compassion and your love for God's people!