A Year of Challenges and Blessings for Arab Israeli Bible Society.

The Arab Israeli Bible Society (AIBS) serve their community through trauma healing sessions.   

“We would like to thank the Lord of this year,” said Dina, Director of AIBS. “The Lord is always faithful to bless and transform lives through the ministry of Arab Israeli Bible Society. Although this year is considered one of the most difficult years we have faced because of the current war, however, we have reached through our activities, programs, distribution and Media around 6 million people. We have also distributed around 10,000 Bibles and biblical materials for families and children.”

Trauma Healing: A Critical Ministry in Times of War

As 2023 ended, AIBS received requests from churches and schools asking for their Trauma Healing programs and workshops. In November and December, they conducted 3 healing groups, 22 workshops (5 for a school in Haifa and 17 workshops for Students Ministry and a church).   

Towards the end of last year, Jonathan* was invited by his sister to a workshop with AIBS. The workshop was on humanity and pain in a season of war.  

For many years, Jonathan was far from the Church and did not have a close relationship with God. His family continuously challenged and encouraged him to believe in Christ; however, he did not respond positively. 

Yet on this occasion, Jonathan decided to come to the workshop because he was curious about how Christians see the current war. Throughout the session, he was touched by the teaching of the Bible and the interaction that took place. He was intrigued by the teaching and challenge from Isaiah 38:1-8 – to ‘go and face the wall as Hezekiah the king did’ – and was challenged to pray and lament before God for 15 minutes. Jonathan said, “These 15 minutes turned my life around; I encountered Christ”.  

He now understands the goodness of God, his mercy, and love. After this session, Jonathan volunteered to help with some chores at the AIBS storage, and that was a blessing. He asked for some literature that can help him to read more and mature. Jonathan participated also in AIBS’ Trauma Healing sessions for four weeks and he was a very active member, seeking to learn and mature. We have learned recently from his sister that he is participating more in the church and continues to follow Jesus actively.  

Finding Peace & Forgiveness Amidst War

Dina, Director of The Arab Israeli Bible Society says, “After months of struggle, the War between Gaza and Israel is still going on. Pain, loss and suffering are still affecting people. Many people are tired from War and are seeking and looking for Hope and Peace. As a result of that, the Arab Israeli Bible Society is receiving many requests from churches and different Christian organisations to conduct more of the Trauma Healing program. In the last three months, we have conducted five Healing groups, in addition to our work at schools and Bible Quiz.”   

The AIBS’ Trauma Healing session about forgiveness impacted Maha, the Director of Nazareth Village the most. She said, “I was happy to write the things that we needed to bring to the cross and then the burning of the papers with the pains, sins, and frustrations.” On the other hand, the fact that the group was asked to think about the people they need to forgive as Christ forgave us, touched her deeply. Maha, encouraged AIBS to take this responsibility to help the churches in this matter. She looks forward to encouraging other groups to participate in it.

* Name changed for privacy reasons.