Blessing Israeli Believers August 2021

Ezra & Shulamite, Golan Heights:

It is a blessing and encouraging to see how God is working in the lives of the women as they gather together for their weekly Bible Study. The Lord has raised up 4 women through this meeting to teach this or other meetings that are held during the week.

One of these is our Foundations meeting that is held in an apartment in the Senior Assisted Living Center. Please keep this meeting and the others in your prayers that people would come to faith and grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord. Join us as we praise the LORD as He continues to add to the body of Messiah in northern Israel.

Efraim & Jeannie, Northern Israel:

Shalom! — Blessings and peace to you during these summer days. These are certainly tumultuous and uncertain times. However, in Israel there are some things we can be sure of and that is the summer will be long and dry, the political climate will remain uncertain and that the Lord watches over Israel.

These are certainly times when we need to be engaged in prayer for repentance and renewal in Israel for all Jews, Arabs, and Druze people. I can understand how Yeshua must have felt as He looked over Jerusalem, I presume, from the Mount of Olives:

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (Matthew 23:37)

Jerusalem in Jesus’ times would have been predominately Jewish with Roman overseers and slaves from the vast Roman empire. Today’s Jerusalem is even more diverse and divided than it was in Jesus’ era. Looking upon Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives one sees the symbols of Islam and Christianity and the developed skyline of modern Israel, an imposing landscape. Beneath all of the symbols and history is a city that is teeming with people who need peace—a peace that will not be decreed from the White House, the halls of the United Nations, or the chambers of the Israeli Knesset. The true shalom that the people living in Israel need will only be found in the Messiah Yeshua. The good news is that the Messiah Yeshua is standing before all who live in Israel, offering His forgiveness and salvation. We proclaim this message to our Jewish people wherever we may be. Please pray for our co-workers in Israel as we share the message of Yeshua to our people. I take comfort that my co-workers are engaged and sharing the gospel especially during these troubled times.

Jeannie and I thank you for your unwavering support and concern. Your partnership encourages us daily as we strive to share the wonderful message of our Messiah Yeshua. We would like to hear from you, especially how we can be praying for you.

Yours in the Messiah Yeshua, Efraim & Jeannie

Shalom From Ima’s Goodies:

I wanted to write you a quick personal note to say how thankful we are for you and your faithful giving every month to this work among our Israeli soldiers.

We have had quite a few openings and possibilities to go out to our soldiers even in the midst of all of this corona stuff happening and the high tensions in this land. You know as I look at the news, I am always astounded by God's Faithfulness to this country. He is a faithful, good God.

Just recently I met a few soldiers in the supermarket by where I live, they were in their uniforms and I turned to greet them. I then found out they are actually stationed just not so far away and working with the Iron Dome Anti-Missile system. I explained who I am and what I do with this wonderful ministry of Ima’s Goodies. I asked if it's possible to speak to the Main Commander at that time so as to bring them some goodies. I was then told that the young man I was speaking with was in charge and he gave me permission to come to them. I have been able to bless them twice with home baked cakes, cookies and snacks, as well as cold drinks. This is a smaller group but oh so very important. I believe that even as it says in the New Covenant that we are all one body that even so in the physical army each job is important. We cannot do anything without the help of others around us.

The days are extremely hot in Israel and its not just the weather. Tensions are high all the time, maybe if you have visited here you have felt it, now even more so is the time to bring an encouraging word to our soldiers, to remind them that God is still on the throne and He is watching over His word to perform it. Thank you once again for helping us to go out and love on our soldiers in a very real practical way.

Gidon and I want to thank each of you that have given personally towards his hearing aids and glasses. Gidon is watching TV at a distance and without the volume level being up so high. For this I am thankful. Your sacrificial love and generosity towards us has not gone unnoticed by us, or our heavenly Father. We would not have been able to do this without your help. For those who have asked if we personally need monthly help for us as a couple, the answer is YES. Thank you for your prayers that cover us as a family.

Gidon & Renee’ - Ima’s Goodies