|
|
 |
| Heagy (R) adopted Helen. |
 |
| Raisa blamed God. |
Holocaust Survivors No Longer Deserted
by Kathleen Sturgeon
For more than 60 years, horrifying images of their parents, siblings and children being killed have played in their minds, day after day. Some remember being force-marched and losing fingers and toes to frostbite; still others still weep when they remember the orphanages. A spirit of sadness and abandonment surrounds them. They feel like no one remembers them, the survivors of the World War II Holocaust. Since January 2004, Sue Heagy of Desert Hope International, a San Antonio-based ministry, has reached out to Russian Holocaust survivors in Israel. Through the ministry, individuals, families or groups can "adopt" a Holocaust survivor and show love through prayers, a monthly card or letter, occasional packages, and if desired, donations for food or detergent."When I approached the Holocaust Survivor Association of Arad about the adoption program, they were particularly thrilled with the idea of Americans willing to write to their people," said Heagy. "[The director] was more interested in sharing information between families than anything else! He also said to be sure to send them a picture. Pictures are few among many of the Holocaust survivors and mean a lot."After finding families for the initial 38 adoptees, word spread about the Christians and more Holocaust survivors wanted to be adopted. Previously, many of them distrusted Christians since Adolf Hitler claimed to be one and had his picture displayed in churches.The love of Christ was eroding barriers that had been in place for decades.Picture of RaisaWhen Heagy met Raisa for the first time, the survivor sat in a dimly lit apartment, depression surrounding her like a shroud. She only shrugged at Heagy's conversational attempts.Raisa had no interest in God or Christ. She once said, "I do not believe in God. If there is a God, where was He during the Holocaust?"As a child, she and her father had been marched by Ukrainian police over the bodies of slaughtered Jews. As a teenager, Raisa had been sexually abused by three men, to the point where she could never bear children. Now as a widower, Raisa found herself in Israel, feeling alone once again. But through prayers, adoption, and visits by Desert Hope International, Raisa underwent a transformation.Raisa slowly began responding to Heagy and the Russian translator, Sasha. They gave her flowers; she gave them a smile. They continued visiting, and she began dressing up, applying makeup and even chatting and laughing.By March 2005, Raisa honored Heagy with an invitation to a family-only birthday party. It was there that Heagy was asked about her Christian faith, and she felt free to respond.A Kindness MinistryHeagy explained that when God called her to this ministry, He told her not to evangelize. "He said, "I want you to visit the Holocaust survivors. Love and kiss and hug them; I will do the rest."Walking in obedience, Heagy introduces herself as a Christian who believes that Yeshua (Jesus) is the Jewish Messiah and through Him she will go to heaven. Beyond that, though, she just prays and waits for God to work in that person."The Lord will take care of it," she said. "We simply have to love them. They didn't get love; they don't understand it. It's something new, for someone to care."Over time, through love and prayers, survivors have started asking questions about Jesus. They've surprised Heagy with, "So, what kind of Christian are you?" And, "Why did Jesus die on the cross?" The sick are being healed, depression is dissolving, and both Holocaust survivors and their descendants are coming to know Christ.Hope for the FutureApproximately 200,000 registered Holocaust survivors live in Israel. This does not include those who suffered during events such as the Leningrad siege or other World War II-related atrocities.As Holocaust associations see the positive results of Desert Hope International, they are giving Heagy more survivors to visit. She trusts that God will expand the ministry, allowing additional adoptions and changed lives.She envisions a Hospitality House where the needy can find food, clothing, job assistance and spiritual comfort. Those who are homeless, ministering in Israel or visiting adoptees could also find shelter.In addition, many survivors live in modest apartments on the highest floor. Climbing stairs is difficult at their advanced ages. Heagy hopes to build housing where survivors can live together.For more information, visit www.deserthopeinternational.org or contact Heagy at sueheagy2004@hotmail.comsueheagy2004@hotmail.com or (717) 542-8810. Heagy is currently in the U.S. and available to speak to churches or groups._____________________________________DO YOU KNOW? saworship.com is the leading online resource for finding a San Antonio church. Click here for our directory of San Antonio churches.
|
Kathleen Sturgeon
Contributing Writer
Kathleen Sturgeon caught the writing bug at age eight as a member of the Young Writer?s Workshop on Anderson Air Force Base, Guam. Since then, her muse has progressed from 1980s cartoon characters to the fascinating individuals who call Texas home. She?s interviewed everyone from 4-year-olds learning how to swim to a 91-year-old just entering retirement. She believes that all people have inherent worth in the Creator?s eyes and loves listening to them and recording their stories. A native of Colorado, Kathleen currently lives in San Antonio where she has close access to family and friends.
ksturgeon2@satx.rr.com
|
|
|
|
Did you enjoy this article?
Would you like to read more like this
one?
With a FREE subscription we send you notifications
on articles or news breaks that are of interest to you.
Find a San Antonio church.
saWorship.com is a Christian Online
Magazine serving the local San Antonio area. Find a church online.
San Antonio churches
have free
listings
on our directory and can be updated at their convenience. Search
by denomination or area of the city.
|
|
| |
|
|
Find a Church in San Antonio
find a san antonio church, san antonio churches, christian magazine, find a church in san antonio, san antonio catholic church, free christian magazine, san antonio nondenominational church, christian woman magazine, san antonio community bible church, christian online, church in san antonio, san antonio baptist church, christian community online, san antonio presbyterian church, christian business online, san antonio lutheran church, san antonio protestant church
|
