Earlier this year, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shook everything that was normal and introduced a new reality. The uncertainty surrounding the 20th anniversary of Mother's Day Celebration grew bigger with every passing day approaching the day. After much prayer, we decided to cancel the event for this year; a decision that was extremely difficult to make. Soon after, limitations were being introduced starting with limiting the number of permitted congregants in a closed space, followed by flight cancellations, and, eventually, a strict two-month lockdown was introduced.
Overall there was a sense of defeat, loss and missed opportunity, but we have a God who is much bigger than COVID-19. By faith, we planning celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Mother's Day Celebration next year, 2021, and we trust that the Lord will be glorified through it was He was glorified throughout the 19 prior celebrations. Please, pray for the 20th anniversary of the Mother's Day Celebration. The following paragraphs and video have more information about the Mother's Day Celebration and its impact.
Every year, with the beginning of Spring, the annual Mother's Day Celebration takes place in Eilabun, northwest of the Sea of Galilee. This is a daylong celebration of women and motherhood through worship, teaching and fellowship. Last year over 900 women gathered to worship Jesus, pray to the Father, and fellowship with other Believers (as well as neighbors from other backgrounds who want to know more about these Christians).
Women from more than two dozen different churches have been coming to this event for years. It is patterned in the tradition of an elaborate Middle Eastern wedding, reminding all of where Christ chose to perform his first miracle and the freedom he brought to everyone. This message is particularly important in a culture where women are too often under-valued and over-controlled. Even in today's modern culture, this is still an issue in typical Arab communities, and this is a wonderful opportunity to teach about the honor and respect we are all called to have for our mothers, wives, and all women.
Each attending woman pays about $30, but this only covers about half of the full cost of the event. Friends and church families in the U.S. partner with the team to cover the rest of this ministry that uplifts the role of the women in a God-honoring and family strengthening way.
Would you help us with the cost that these ladies cannot afford to pay? Each gift of $30 will make it possible for the CHLF Team to welcome another mother or sister to this wonderful day of fellowship and celebration in the name of Christ. How many women will you help to participate in the 2019 Mother's Day Celebration? 1=$30 10=$300 100=$3000?
To help, click here, and select "Women's Ministries" as the designation for your gift.
Thank you for your prayers on behalf of the Galilee Team and the families of Israel.
P.S. Mother's Day in Israel is observed on the first day of spring each year.