Newsletter 2025 Articles
Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Program Steadfast Through the Storm
Families in Need Meeting Rising Challenges
Youth at Risk Nurturing Hope Amid Crisis
Dear Friends and Partners,
As we mark our 43rd year of service, I write to you from a place that has witnessed both remarkable trials and profound grace. The past year has tested our faith and resilience in ways we could not have imagined, yet through it all, we have experienced God’s faithfulness and your unwavering partnership.
On June 20, 2025, an Iranian missile struck a building just 100 meters from our compound. The blast shattered our windows, cracked our roof, and sent debris raining down. Our residents and staff sheltered together in the underground parking facility, praying and waiting. By God’s mercy, not a single soul was harmed.
This near-catastrophe reminded us powerfully of the words in Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” The physical repairs to our building continue, but the spiritual foundation remains unshaken. The war has brought unprecedented challenges to all our programs. Families we serve face economic devastation as breadwinners lose employment. Youth in our community witness violence and feel its pull. Former prisoners working toward rehabilitation navigate a society consumed by conflict. Yet in each challenge, we see opportunity for ministry and witness.
What strikes me most this year is how our work has become more interconnected than ever. When our rehabilitated residents prepare food packages for needy families, when youth volunteers serve alongside former prisoners, when Christian, Muslim, and Jewish families receive aid together from our distribution center—we see the kingdom of God breaking through in tangible ways.
The Scripture that has guided us this year comes from Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” In a region torn by hatred and vengeance, we choose daily to model forgiveness and reconciliation. It is not easy work. But it is holy work.
Thank you for standing with us through this difficult year. Your prayers sustain us. Your support enables us. Together, we are building something that will outlast the conflicts of our time—a community of grace that transforms lives and points toward the peace that only God can give.
In Christ’s service,
Jamal Shehade, Director
Our Friends Abroad
In Loving Memory: Martha Kellner (1941-2025)
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Martha Kellner, who went to be with the Lord in April 2025 after a long illness. Martha was the founder and heart of Förderverein Haus Gnade e.V. (Friends of House of Grace) in Germany, which she established in 2004 with her husband Kurt.
For over two decades, Martha dedicated herself to supporting our mission with tireless energy and deep faith. She organized countless events, mobilized supporters across Germany and Switzerland, and visited Haifa regularly to witness firsthand the lives being transformed. During one of these visits, Martha spent nearly a year volunteering at House of Grace, working closely with residents and staff—a testament to her deep commitment and love for this ministry. Her warm smile and encouraging words touched everyone she met at House of Grace—residents, staff, and families alike.
Martha embodied the words of Matthew 25:36: “I was in prison and you came to visit me.” She understood that our work was not simply charity but an expression of Christ’s love for the marginalized and forgotten. Her legacy lives on in every prisoner who finds hope, every family who receives aid, and every young person who discovers their potential through our programs.
We extend our deepest condolences to Kurt, who continues to faithfully lead Förderverein Haus Gnade, and to their entire family. Martha’s memory is a blessing, and her example continues to inspire all of us who carry forward the work she loved so dearly.
Celebrating 40 Years: Atelier Prairie des Canards
This year we also celebrate four decades of partnership with Atelier Prairie des Canards, a remarkable volunteer initiative that began in 1985 with just a few tools and a big dream. Over the years, this dedicated team has crafted beautiful wooden items—each piece made with care and purpose—and sold them to raise funds for House of Grace. Every member of Atelier Prairie des Canards serves as a volunteer, giving their time and talent to sustain our mission through countless challenges. Their creativity and commitment have turned simple wood into hope for hundreds of lives. We are deeply grateful for this enduring friendship and partnership in service.
