HONORING OUR VETERANS
Read Time: 3 Minutes 21 Seconds
Betty Kemp knows all about making sacrifices. In the 1990s, Kemp served three years in the United States Army and additional two years in the U.S. Army Reserves. She was honorably discharged from the service as a captain.
Since then, as a civilian, she has worked as a home health care provider, where sacrifice means thinking about and serving others is a daily way of life.
But then Kemp has never known anything different throughout her life. Through her Christian faith, it’s just the type of person she was raised to be.
And through every phase of her journey as a servant leader, it led to a big decision to help the people of Israel.
As a faithful follower of Chosen People Ministries and Moody Radio, among other broadcasts, she learned about Magen David Adom (MDA). Magen David Adom (mah-gain dah-veed ah-dome), meaning Red Shield or Red Star of David, is Israel’s national medical emergency, disaster, ambulance and blood service.
When she learned that MDA relied heavily on contributions, she made a one-time donation, which turned into a monthly commitment. Most recently, she named the organization as a beneficiary of part of her estate.
“I heard about that program, and I watched a few of their videos and was moved by their commitment to protecting and saving Israeli lives,” Kemp said. “And you know, they are set apart by God as His chosen people. Jesus was a Jew, and the Bible makes it very clear that those who bless Israel will be blessed. One way to love God is to love Israel (referring to Genesis 12:3).
“I give to other agencies, but I especially enjoy giving to Magen David Adom because it is one of the biggest life-saving ventures in Israel. I know their tasks and their duties lead them into dire situations because Israel often has to endure enemy attacks, and then the people at MDA go in afterward and save lives. They have some brave souls that do those things. They are like soldiers going out into the battle every day. I guess that’s what really drew me to them. And it’s also a way of getting an avenue for them to come to know the Messiah.”
Marilyn Stern Emas, director of estate and planned giving for American Friends of Magen David Adom, says Kemp’s compassion for Israel is overwhelming. The two now speak on a regular basis about God, MDA and life.
“I called to thank Betty for making her first gift and met an amazing woman,” Stern Emas said. “She loves Israel and loves Jesus. Her passion is so pure; she is an inspiration to me.”
“We are so grateful for Betty Kemp’s ardent support,” said Catherine Reed, chief executive officer of American Friends of Magen David Adom. “Because of faithful friends like her, Magen David Adom can respond quickly to tragedies and health care crises with the best medical care available. Legacy gifts such as these will save lives for generations to come.”
MDA has a staff of more than 30,000 EMTs and paramedics (27,000 of them volunteers), many with extensive experience responding to bombings, rocket attacks and other mass-casualty emergencies. They care for all Israelis, regardless of religion or ethnicity. MDA is also responsible for collecting, testing and processing more than 260,000 units of blood each year, and is responsible for 97% of the blood supply for Israel’s hospitals. With terror attacks on the rise in Israel this year, MDA’s services have unfortunately been in high demand.
The United States will honor all members of the armed forces on Friday when it celebrates Veteran’s Day. Kemp is looking forward to the activities that go along with it.
“Veterans Day is a celebration of people who have given their lives and their service and have fought for their country, and so yes, it means a lot to me,” Kemp says. “At least in the United States, we remember those individuals who were willing to lay down their lives for the safety others—family, friends and their country.
“As I grow older, I recognize that my service was not anything that I was able to do on my own, but by the grace of God,” Kemp says. “It all came from Him. And that’s part of why He expects us to give back. Faith without works is dead. So, that’s what I try to do, work for God. As I get older, instead of focusing on my own needs and my wants, I focus on others. I am using that energy to give back to others. That’s what God wants from us.” {eoa}
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Shawn A. Akers is the online editor at Charisma Media.
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