Activities

At our first meeting, Eitan, a Makom Balev participant, said, "We'll sing 'Ki Ko Ahav' (For God so loved)." His mother asked, "Do you know who wrote that song?" and answered, "Sasha." Eitan replied, "Why does it matter? The main thing is it's a song about God." His words surprised me, showing a faith with deep understanding.

Eitan is very musical. His mother said he started singing before he could talk. I was impressed by his perfect memory for lyrics and inspired by his dedication and faith. Eitan stayed in the background until invited forward, this made me feel humbled in comparison.

From day one, Abbie, a fellow Makom Balev participant, brought English songbooks to our lessons. He chose the songs for me to play and sing, providing both sheet music and lyrics, which made a significant impression on me.

Avia, one of the participants, impressed me with his constant love. He always holds my hand, smiles, and is happy and optimistic at our meetings.

In conclusion, my work with Makom Balev highlights the immense importance of a Messianic organization dedicated to people with special needs.

Last year, I hesitantly agreed to start a new painting class for "Makom Balev" participants, uncertain about their interest, skill levels, and cooperation in my first experience teaching adults with special needs.

In our first class, everyone entered eagerly yet shyly, settling into their seats politely. We experimented with colored pencils, watercolors, and oil pastels to create a variety of shapes and drawings together.

Each participant showed distinct brush strokes: some stayed within the lines, others used bold colors and textures uniquely, with preferences ranging from circles to precise details an a diverse range of artistic expressions!

This year was meaningful for me as I saw participants at Yuval enter a private world to relax, enjoy, learn, and express themselves through painting. They taught me much, and I'm grateful alongside supportive counselors to be part of their journey. "Makom Balev" (A Place in Our Hearts) - found a place in my heart.

During our music sessions, I typically lead the singing with the participants. Over time, I've noticed a significant increase in their enthusiasm and willingness to join in. Within just three months, they have gained the confidence to fully engage in the activities we offer. At the start of each evening, we play simple opening games where participants either help each other or follow the leader's commands. During one of these games, I observed a participant express to another how happy he was to meet him, unprompted by any staff. It has been a blessing to work with the participants this semester.

This year has been incredibly exciting for Makom Balev! Through prayer, reflection, and unwavering dedication, we successfully launched our organization's activities. Despite the significant challenges our country is navigating and initial delays due to the war, we have been doubly blessed by God's grace in our efforts.

We began our activities with the "Yovel" School of Arts, where every Tuesday we accompanied our participants in the painting and poetry workshop. The light in their eyes cannot be described! The excitement to be creative, to paint, to express themselves, and to sing in honor of the Lord, all of these stood out from the very first moment.

I witnessed our participants change from feeling nervous and shy at first, to being very open and excited about our activities every day. Later in the year, we were fortunate to work with the "Revivi Israel" agricultural farm. We picked strawberries, gathered fresh eggs from chicken coops, and took care of the kibbutz's goats together.

The opportunity to go out and enjoy nature that God created, and to see the growth of different plants, taught us all so much. I am so thankful to the Lord for the privilege of serving and accompanying the participants of "Makom Balev." Each one of them is unique and special, precious in God's eyes, beloved and talented!

Volunteering with Makom Balev has been my first opportunity to help serve people with special needs. It has been a joy to interact with the participants, to see them interact with each other, and to build relationships with them. It is especially encouraging to see them praise the Lord through song together. Throughout my time volunteering, a couple of the participants seem to have become more confident in their participation in the time of praise. I was also blessed to hear that one of the participants, speaking to his family about his time at Makom Balev, spoke of me as his “friend.” Makom Balev provides an amazing opportunity to personally show the love of Christ to special needs adults in Israel, and it is an honor to be a part of it.