(Tiberias, Israel) -- The Lebanese government called him a traitor for working with Israel. The Hizballah considered Michel and thousands of others enemies. So when the Israeli army withdrew from south Lebanon on May 23, 2000, Michel, his wife and nine children fled to Israel. After living in a refugee camp for more than a year, the family moved into a home. However the generous but small allowance given to them by the Israeli government was hardly enough to cover Israel's high cost of living. Providing the basic necessities was hard. Expensive medical care was out of the question until Michel found Beverley Timgren and the Arazim Dental Clinic.

The Arazim Dental Clinic is located in centrally located Tiberias and serves all Lebanese who reside in northern Israel. Managed by Beverley Timgren and supported by International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, the clinic provides basic dental care which is not included in the Israel basic aid package. A paid staff of one Christian Arab Israeli dentist and one Lebanese assistant work hard to provide quality dental care for all their patients including Michel's children. In addition to acting as manager, Beverley volunteers as the receptionist during clinic hours.

Recently, the clinic ran into a snag. In order to be able to continue in treating the great number of patients, the suction system needed to be improved. Operation Blessing was able to step in and help supply the much needed dental equipment. "My staff dentist is very pleased and the equipment helps him to work more efficiently," expressed Beverley. "I would like to extend a special thanks to the supporters of Operation Blessing for your contribution to the Arazim Dental Clinic. The hundreds of people we care for will benefit."

Beverley began setting up dental clinics in the Middle East eighteen years ago. She herself fled south Lebanon in 2000 and immediately began lending a hand to thousands of Lebanese refugees crossing the Israeli boarders. Older men who had expected to retire from the South Lebanese Army left with their families without anything but physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual trauma. After a short time some former soldiers returned home only to be imprisoned. Approximately 2,500 refugees still remain in Israel cut off from their traditions and customs but still trying to rebuild their lives.

In addition to working in the dental clinic in Tiberias, Beverley travels between Jerusalem, Haifa and Nahariya purchasing dental supplies, picking up and distributing newborn supplies for families in need as well as delivering food to Lebanese students studying at the Hebrew University. In spite of frequenting places later visited by suicide bombers as well as having a rock smash her windshield, she carries on with her routine as usual.

Operation Blessing has worked with this amazing woman before. She shares, "I have many fond memories and am very grateful for OBI's involvement in the lives of the people south Lebanon."

Operation Blessing wishes to continue assisting humanitarian outreaches like the Arazim Dental Clinic all over the world. We need more faithful OBI partners like you to give generously today!

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.

 

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