Blog – Page 11 – Blessing Israeli Believers

We would like to introduce to you a wonderful group that is ministering to the Israeli Defense Force soldiers ~ Ima's Goodies. "Ima" is the Hebrew word for "Mother". Who doesn't appreciate the treats a mother or grandmother would bake for her children or grandchildren!? Here's a bit of background:

On June 12th 2014 three teenage Jewish boys were kidnapped and murdered in the city of Hebron. During this time there were constant missile attacks on the residents of the South of Israel, and as a result of our IDF forces searching for these three young men, many underground tunnel systems were found leading from Gaza to within Israel's border. Our government and IDF forces went on full alert to try and stop the barrage of rockets. Over 75,000 reservists were called up for duty. It was during this time frame of "Operation Protective Edge" that Ima's Goodies was started as we wanted to do our part as well. We thought it was so important for the soldiers to know that believers living here in the land as well as Christians from around the world love and support them.

So I picked up my mixing bowl and my supplies and went to work.

Ima's Goodies was founded by Renee Shmuel. Its mission is to lift the soldier's spirits and meet the evolving needs of our Active Duty and Reserve soldiers. In July of 2014, she came up with the brilliant idea of bringing snacks to Israeli soldiers who were fighting around the clock to defend their nation. As you may realize, soldiers are not treated well in the food department. She took her own initiative and began baking cakes and other delicious sweets for IDF troops, to whom she personally delivered on a weekly basis. She appreciates all the support she can get: financial, emotional, physical and prayer. She started this organization with the goal of showing the Israel Defense Force that many people, including non-Israeli, non-Jewish people support the nation of Israel.

Our mission is to show the soldiers of the Israel Defense Force that we are true Christians and Jews that support, love and pray for them. We are a group made up of many different cultures, peoples of all races, ethnicities and ideals, but united in our love for Israel.

ARRIVAL: Sometimes I pull up to the base and once again I need to try and
explain who we are and what we doing here, sometimes it's in the middle of no-where. It's hard to believe that there could be places like this in our small country. I imagine the young man at the front gate on duty wonders how I managed to get there, but after I assure them that I came looking just for them, they are excited to see what kind of 'goodies" we have for them. They are always surprised that we would show up and pass off some 'lovin-from-the-oven' to them. Thank You for giving and helping us with this to support our soldiers.

BAKING: We bake all of our cakes in my little kitchen at my home, some days working from early morning to late at night trying to get as many as 60 cakes baked during one day. We then wrap them up with lots of love and eagerly I await to see who all I will meet in my next outing. In the wintertime the soldiers like when I bake the cakes in the little metal pans, so they can put them on top of their radiator heaters and warm them up before eating, You might ask what is their favorite cake? Banana Chocolate Chip Cake. I even have had a few wanting the recipe, maybe some day I'll post it. It's actually quite easy, just load it up with Chocolate, Banana's and LOVE.

RANK of COMMANDER...I have NO IDEA of all the ranks in this army. I never know if I am speaking to a foot soldier or a commander. One time this young man at the front gate, when I asked him to call the commander to ask permission to pass out goodies to the guys. He looked at me and then looked at his shoulder where his rank was posted.

I, of course, had no idea what was going on and completely missed the whole thing! I am so glad that I treat them all with the respect they deserve. Each soldier that I meet has put their life on hold to specifically answer the call oftheir nation of Israel at this time, whether it's for a few years or a bit longer. To know that I can sleep in my bed at night, free of thoughts or worry towards the enemy because THEY are on duty. Somehow in the midst of all that they go through they give new meaning to the words,

"AM YISRAEL CHAI~The NATION of ISRAEL LIVES"

Blessing Israel Believers recently participated with Ima's Goodies in providing for a BBQ for the soldiers:

We here at Ima's Goodies just want to say a BIG thank you to "Blessing Israeli Believers" for their love gift towards a BBQ that was held for our Israeli Defense Forces. A large Unit from the Magav- Border Patrol Police, were able to participate in a few days rest from the daily activity of helping to maintain order here in the land and Ima's Goodies was able to come alongside of them and give them a wonderful BBQ as a way to thank them for their service. Thank you for giving and blessing our soldiers, Renee Shmuel ~ Ima's Goodies