Comforting Those Who Mourn

Emotional, Physical, and Spiritual Needs

The terrorist attacks by Hamas have heavily affected one of our congregations. The grandson of one of the leaders of the Holocaust survivors’ club we partner with was wounded at the desert party where 260 people were killed, some of them were his close friends. We are mourning with him as several funerals happened yesterday.

We also have people in our congregation dealing with depression and anxiety but thankfully, other trained people in our community are stepping up to help. Blessed be the Lord (Baruch Hashem).

We are thankful to have the opportunity to buy 150 warm jackets for our soldiers on the Syrian border, we are hoping to deliver them soon.

Letting Your Light Shine

I spoke with Leah*, a new Jewish believer who I have been mentoring since the Spring. She has gone down South to be near her family and help at the local shelter, a youth hostel run by believers. Her sister’s husband is currently serving in a reserve unit, and so her sister decided to come with Leah to the shelter with her small children. She asked for prayer and the local believers were happy to step in! Leah’s sister said she is so encouraged by her sister’s faith during this time, it gives her strength.

Please continue to pray for the believers here in the Holy Land to shine with the love and peace that comes through knowing Messiah Yeshua, that many will turn to Him.

Serving and Ministering in the South 

Yesterday, on the 10th day of the war, we arrived with humanitarian aid in Moshav Sapir, which is located about 130 kilometers north of Eilat (the most southern tip of Israel). The government transported 2,500 people from areas bordering Gaza to this small settlement. We discovered they had a significant need for basic necessities and so we are helping with those needs as much as we can.

In addition to the physical work, we engaged with people who had been on the front lines and offered them support. Some of them asked for prayers (they all knew we were Messianic believers). We are very thankful for this opportunity!

One of the stories we heard was recounted by Tal* and her two sons. They are from the city of Sderot, which was affected by the attacks from Hamas. Tal showed me a video of terrorists heading toward her house. She said she still couldn’t fathom the horrors because she witnessed firsthand what occurred in her own neighborhood. Tal expressed feeling like Anne Frank (German diarist during WWII) as she hid in her home for hours, praying they would not be discovered and harmed. Her eldest son, who is nine years old, experienced such trauma he stopped talking. Her eyes welled with tears when I informed her many Christians worldwide are praying for and supporting Israel and Jewish people.

Please keep Tal and her children in your prayers for spiritual healing and salvation. Upon our return home, Tel Aviv was under heavy fire from Hamas. Continue to pray for us, so we can at least get some rest tonight and be prepared for a new day of service tomorrow.

*Name changed