GOD HASN'T GONE QUIET IN THE CHAOS - NEITHER SHOULD WE.

- IN THIS ISSUE -

Holy Land phase 3 update & your ongoing giving makes a difference & welcome to Phoebe.

In the Anglican Missions office, we pause several times a week for prayers that are anchored in the rhythm of the New Zealand Prayer Book.

It’s a few calm minutes to breathe, reflect, and remember that our work is part of something much bigger. We pray for our world, our projects, and for one another. And over the past few years, I’ve found myself increasingly drawn to the Psalms, not just for their elegant poetry, but for their grit.

These ancient songs offer something deeply human: comfort, courage, and a connection to God. Some days, when we pray for places like Gaza or Ukraine or the countless other regions mired in conflict, but absent from our headlines. Praying for peace can feel pitifully inadequate.

How do we utter “comfort” when children’s dead bodies are lying on the street? What does “hope” look like when you’re a mother and that child is yours?

This can be precisely where the Psalms refuse to let us go numb.

Take a favourite of mine, Psalm 82 for example:

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed”

Or Psalm 12:

“You, Lord, will keep the needy safe… even when what is vile is honoured.”

While the verses don’t offer easy answers, they do remind us of God’s unwavering allegiance which is always to the vulnerable, the forgotten, the oppressed. They call us not to passive hope, but to active, stubborn faith.

It’s why we're celebrating that two informal land-less settlements in Fiji will later this year have safe, clean toilet and shower facilities for the very first time thanks to support from generous US Anglicans.

It's also why we continue to partner in delivering urgent medical support in Gaza and the West Bank and with other agencies advocating for a complete cessation to the bombing. You can read about some of the phase 3 preliminary outcomes in this edition.

If you're not already subscribed, let me give you a nudge: sign up for Pray the News! With more than 400 readers and growing, it’s a powerful way to navigate the news through the lens of faith. It won’t solve everything, but it might just keep your heart tender and your prayers grounded.

God hasn't gone quiet in the chaos, and neither should we.

Michael Hartfield

National Director

Hope for the Holy Land Phase 3 update.

The Al Ahli Hospital's field tent offers some respite to damaged hospital facilities.

The full Phase 3 report on our joint Gaza response will be out soon, but in the meantime, here’s an update on the joint Anglican response and the difference your support is making.

Gaza’s humanitarian crisis continues to deepen significantly:

As of 16 June, over 55,300 Palestinians have been killed and more than 103,100 injured.
Most are civilians and many are children. The health system is in ruins. 94% of Gaza’s health facilities are either damaged or destroyed. There have been 697 confirmed attacks on ambulances and clinics.
Disease is spreading fast, including a new polio outbreak, which is the first in 25 years. Right now, 9 out of 10 children are exposed to infectious disease, largely due to unsafe water, overcrowding, and the collapse of sanitation.
About 2 million people are also displaced, relying daily on humanitarian aid that barely makes it through.
Mental health needs are growing, with an estimated 1.2 million children now need trauma counselling.

However, your support is making a real difference.

At Al-Ahli Hospital, staff are still showing up every day, often in impossible conditions. A field tent is running as a makeshift emergency room. Damaged equipment has been patched up and put back to use. Because of that, they’re now able to:

Treat 400 to 500 outpatients a day
Care for around 90 overnight patients
Carry out 25 to 30 surgeries every 24 hours
Pray with patients, offer Bibles to those who want them, and keep showing love and care; to Muslims, Christians, and others alike.

Your donations help cover the cost of care; around $100 USD for each outpatient, and $500 USD for each inpatient.

Some of the ongoing needs The Diocese of Jerusalem has identified include:

Surgical supplies and trauma meds, especially to treat or perform daily operations for blast injuries.
Diesel fuel to keep generators running for ICUs and oxygen.
Child trauma counselling. One counsellor can support 20 children a day. Tragically, the need is overwhelming.
Staff salaries and hazard insurance, which helps retain health staff and look after their families.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Hope for the Holy Land. You can continue to support us by:

Praying for staff, patients, and for aid convoys trying to reach them
Advocating for the work we're doing through Hope for the Holy Land and the conflict in general
Considering a special offering around World Humanitarian Day on the 19th of August
Ongoing giving. Small, steady donations help us plan and respond. You can learn how to do that below.

Your ongoing financial support of Hope for the Holy Land is vital.

The Diocese of Jerusalem relies on ongoing funding to support the response in Gaza, West Bank and throughout the Province.

Why ongoing giving matters

The need in Gaza isn’t going away anytime soon, and neither is the work.

Right now, staff at Al-Ahli Hospital are treating hundreds of patients a day with limited supplies, fuel, and protection. The Diocese of Jerusalem relies on ongoing giving not just for the hospitals but for schools, food, power and much more.

One-off donations are deeply appreciated. But it’s ongoing giving, no matter how small, that help us plan ahead, respond quickly, and support our partners for the long haul.

If you haven’t already, consider becoming an ongoing donor. Your donations are tax deductible, and even a modest amount makes a real, practical difference.

Get in touch with us using the link below, and thank you for your support.

Email us to set up a recurring donation

Welcome to Phoebe McLean!

We’re excited to introduce Phoebe McLean, who has joined us as our new Projects Intern.

Phoebe is in her final year at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, where she’s studying International Relations and Marine Biology. Phoebe is passionate about humanitarian response and hopes to step more fully into this work after graduating.

When she’s not studying or in the office, you’ll probably find her running, swimming, tramping, or baking something excellent (the team can definitely vouch for that!)

She also volunteers her time at Everybody Eats and the Island Bay Marine Education Centre, so it’s fair to say she keeps busy!

We're so glad to have you on board Phoebe!