Week of September 9, 2025

In Israel’s national reservoir, the Sea of Galilee, water levels rise and fall throughout the years, but they often fall to dangerous levels. When winter rains do not bring enough to replenish the Sea of Galilee after months of hot, rainless weather, then Israel’s national reservoir nears the ‘black line’—potentially causing harmful, often irreversible damage. The Sea of Galilee once served as Israel’s main source of drinking water; sitting below sea level, droughts could cause the fresh water to become contaminated. Currently, the water level is only about 8.5 inches above the lower red line. Israel currently has multiple desalination plants that provide enough fresh water to solve the water crisis.

For the first time globally, Israel’s Water Authority will start pumping desalinated seawater into the Sea of Galilee to begin restoring its levels. If successful, this model could serve as an example used worldwide to help the increasing problem of drought and water management.  Desalination plants in Ashdod, Hadera, and other coastal locations will pump up to 15,000 cubic meters of water an hour approximately sixty to ninety miles east to the Sea of Galilee to stabilize the lake. Pumping stations were upgraded in order to switch the natural water flow, and pump the water eastward. Firas Talhami, head of the Water Authority’s northern region, said, “This is a historic event that has never been done before anywhere in the world. We also considered the ecological impact, and the project will restore the Zalmon stream into a perennial waterway, reviving plant and animal life.”

Please pray for the success of this project that will benefit people, animals, and the land with abundant water.

On Sunday night, parts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East were able to view a total lunar eclipse. Israelis were able to see the rare ‘blood moon’ in the early evening, with the total eclipse lasting almost an hour and a half. A total eclipse only occurs when the sun, Earth, and moon perfectly line up. The red color happens when the Earth casts its shadow on the moon. The sunlight that reaches around the moon reflects and scatters throughout the Earth’s atmosphere, and the reflection of particles and dust becomes red. While total lunar eclipses are not as rare—the last ones were in March 2025 and one in 2022—the next total solar eclipse will be partially visible in 2026.

Praise God for His awesome creation that speaks of His glory!

Recently, the Houthis from Yemen launched three attack drones that entered Israel; two of them were destroyed and one was deemed not hostile. Alerts were activated in the southern towns bordering Egypt, but the third did not activate alerts. It went on to strike the passenger terminal of Ramon Airport near Eilat, which caused damage to the building, injured five people with shrapnel, and triggered panic attacks for three other people. For a few hours, the IDF closed the airspace around the airport.

Since March 18, the Iran-backed Houthis have launched more than 70 ballistic missiles and 23 drones towards Israel, most failing to reach Israeli land. This drone struck suddenly without alerts and thankfully did not cause more injury or death. Israel’s second airport opened in 2019 for domestic and international flights, handling around two million passengers each year with prospectives for up to four million passengers in the future.

Please pray for those injured or scared to heal quickly from their injuries, and for the airport damages to be handled efficiently. 

Last Friday marked 700 days since the atrocities of October 7—yet the madness of terror and hate march on. Rumors of looming Iranian attacks circulate, filling hearts with uncertainty after the devastation and death from the summer war. Meanwhile, missiles continue to regularly fly into Israel from Yemen, bringing fear and destruction in their wake, and Hamas remains active and relentless while carrying out daily attacks that claim the lives of both Israelis and Gazans. The suffering these terror regimes cause is heartbreaking. Thousands of our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and fathers are serving yet another tour of duty in Gaza and near the Lebanon or Jordan borders—including members of our staff. Israel ensures food, shelter, medical care, and other supplies reach Gazans—and the world calls her a genocidal aggressor. All the while, our hearts grieve for the forty-eight hostages still held captive for over 700 days in Gaza. We pray daily for their release and protection, and for God’s comfort over their loved ones. We pray for divine deliverance of Gaza and the West Bank from Hamas, of Yemen from the Houthis, of Iran from the Ayatollah, and of Israel from all of them. May God Himself work miracles where human solutions have failed!

From an earthly perspective, this situation is far from peaceful. Yet we see from the spiritual perspective how the Prince of Peace is working in lives to bring His shalom.

This week has been marked by meaningful connections, impactful ministry opportunities, deep relationships centered on faith, and secure spaces for spiritual growth and emotional recovery—despite ongoing challenges. Enjoy these stories from our ministry staff:

“[Due to so many bomb alerts], we spend a lot of time in the bomb shelter, which we share with seven other apartments. Most of the residents are young families. One day, my wife and I decided to surprise them. We baked a cake, bought some goodies, and set up a table in the yard near the shelter. The neighbors were pleasantly surprised, and we had a wonderful time together. Before the war, we hardly knew each other, but this gesture helped us bond and share who we are, what we believe [about Jesus], and what we do. This experience brought us closer together—and now, as we spend time in the bomb shelter, we discuss topics related to messianic revelations and the New Covenant. . . . Each day, amid tears and grief, we witness people opening their hearts and yearning to know Him.”—M

“I had the privilege of meeting twice this week with an ultra-Orthodox Jewish young woman who works with pro-life service and is familiar with the Christian faith. These meetings were deeply encouraging. Our conversations centered on God, His nature, and core principles of the faith. She expressed significant interest, showing openness and agreement with many biblical principles. Her curiosity and engagement suggest a genuine desire to explore faith further, and these interactions have laid a strong foundation for ongoing dialogue. I am prayerfully considering inviting her to future gatherings to continue these meaningful conversations.”—V

“[We had] a young man in his late 20s, named Dan,* who served as a reserve IDF army medic. He completed his medical training and, despite his youth, had already treated dozens of wounded Israeli soldiers and Arab civilians injured by Hamas attacks. In the process of helping others, he himself was deeply wounded in his soul by the trauma of war. But praise God. . . . Through the work of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and the love of Yeshua, hearts are being opened and hope, healing, and strength are being restored. . . .I can testify that today, more than at any time in the past two thousand years, Israelis are open to the gospel.”—D

“The school year has just begun here in Israel as of September 1. Through the years, many have asked us about the growth of the number of believers in Yeshua in the land of Israel. There are many ways to evaluate—some far more scholarly than my personal observations—yet I think it is interesting to share. When I came to Israel in 2005, believers who had grown up in the 80’s and 90’s would say that they were [either] the only believer in their class or usually the only one in the whole school. This school year (2025-26) with our three older boys learning in school, each has another believer in their very class! (Last year with our two oldest boys in public school, only one had a believer in his class.) This is a significant change and increase! In addition, a couple weeks ago a brand new lady joined our Hebrew Ladies Bible Study. As I got to know her, I discovered that she not only lives in my town and has a son the same age as one of our sons, but also, our sons are in the same class together! We thank the Lord that we can tangibly see how His kingdom is growing here in Israel!”—J

“These new [wartime] followers of Yeshua are really serious about their faith . . . not at all lukewarm. A very new believer, Yossi,* told me recently that he started meeting with his pastor to prepare for baptism, probably this month! I have been meeting with him twice a week for discipleship. Yossi, who is very driven, expressed that he now has a passion for God unlike anything he has ever experienced in his life. He has been studying the Bible on his own, attending Bible studies, and has been faithful in a local congregation. Please pray as he prepares for baptism and pray that he would continue to grow in his knowledge and faith in the Lord.”—J

“When we were discussing the upcoming three Jewish fall holidays, my hairdresser, Nadav,* laughingly noted that the dead Baba Sali forbade the use of the Hebrew slang term of endearment—‘Kappara alaich/aleicha’ (atonement on you)—now that kappara is passé. We’ve had many faith conversations. Nadav affirmed my observation that without the Temple’s sacrificial system we can no longer offer the required atoning sacrifices. ‘However,’ I added, ‘since I believe atonement has been provided once and for all in Yeshua, I don’t believe further atoning sacrifices are required.’ The two ladies present perked up. Intrigued, each began peppering me with questions. Eva* couldn’t understand where my Jewishness met Jesus. I explained that He fulfilled our Hebrew Scriptures’ messianic prophecies, such as Isaiah 53, noting the improbability of coincidentally fulfilling a handful of prophecies—let alone 300. The other lady, Mira,* suddenly exclaimed, ‘You’re right! I believe this!’ She had recently returned from India where she received two unexpected life-saving surgeries. While hospitalized, the Indian nurse explained these messianic prophecies and prayed for Mira! Please pray God gives Mira the ultimate life-saving heart surgery in Messiah. Meanwhile, Eva continued probing me with questions, unable to fathom my faith. ‘Your faith is pure, but you must retain doubt,’ she urged, ‘and question what you believe!’ She thought it misplaced, not well-examined. ‘Do you believe the chair you’re sitting on can bear your weight?’ I asked. She said, ‘I guess. I hadn’t given it much thought.’ I told her ‘Before we sit, we examine a chair’s sturdiness and reliability. Only then do we put our trust in it. I’ve examined and tested the truth of my faith and, having found it reliable and true, can fully rest in it. Read the Bible!’ I encouraged her. ‘Test it. That’s our task: seek the Truth.’ Pray Eva seeks the Truth and finds our Atonement: Jesus.”—A

Thank you for standing with us in prayer and support! Pray for our ongoing ministry to believers and not-yet-believers. Pray as we preach the message that changes everything: Yeshua saves. He is near to the brokenhearted. His light shines in the darkness. Continue to intercede—for Israelis, for the hostages, for Gazans, for Iranians, for others in the grip of terror, and even for terrorists themselves—for salvation to spread in the middle of sorrow and strife. The harvest is still plentiful, even in wartime.

*Names changed for privacy

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