“Yeshua sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.’ ” Luke 22:8

PASSING OUT FOOD BASKETS FOR PASSOVER

In addition to our special holiday distribution, we give out monthly food baskets; and our center is open 4 times a week providing clothing and household goods. Everything that is donated to our center is given to new immigrants and other locals in need. 

FOCUSING ON WORSHIP & PRAYER

For the last six months we have rededicated ourselves to regular monthly prayer and worship meetings. Our key verse for 2020 is “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15), and our fervent desire is to see every generation – from the young to the elderly –walking with the Lord and serving Him in Israel. 

Through worship evenings we are especially seeking to propel and evoke a culture of worship in the lives of our young people. We also invite worship groups from other local congregations in addition to our own.

We are also happy to see there is a new worship team coming together from among our young adults. It’s refreshing to see the community rise to a new level of involvement and service. This is something we have been interceding for. Thank you for joining your hearts and prayers to ours to gain more ground for His Kingdom!

We want to share the encouraging story of a young woman who grew up in our community. She is one of those who has been in our prayers. For 5 years she had wandered from faith, but recently walked into our Shabbat service and recommitted her life to Yeshua! 

ISRAELI ELECTIONS

Israelis recently went to the polls to vote for the 3rd time in less than 12 months! The past two times those elected were unable to form a government. Please pray that God will guide our elected officials that they may work together in humility (a quality that is often sorely lacking here!) to lead our country.

CORONAVIRUS

We want all of you around the world to know that just as you pray for us, we also pray for you! May God spread His protection over you and give wisdom and insight to medical staff and political officials as they seek to contain the virus and treat its victims.

With love and appreciation,
Avi & Hannah

The Passover/Exodus story is familiar to most of us and yet there is always something more to think about. While reading Exodus 16, the account of manna bread from Heaven, I was struck by verse 3. The children of Israel were hungry and complaining and made mention of how in the land of Egypt they had pots of meat and enough bread to eat until they were full.

I never really thought about this fact. Usually when thinking about the plight of the Israelites in Egypt we think of how they were slaves who worked long hours under harsh conditions. However, at the same time they were more or less taken care of – in that they had a place to sleep, they were clothed and apparently had enough to eat!

Yet when they were in Egypt they also complained and cried out to God. So what was God rescuing them from? Was He taking them out of a place of misery and suffering or was He also taking them out of the place where they looked to their masters, the ones who provided their basic needs, as opposed to looking to God? Man’s nature is to always want more, even when there is enough for today, and to hold on to it in fear that there will not be enough for tomorrow.

As we read on in the story, God answers the people of Israel by supplying manna bread throughout forty years. They had to learn that they would have enough manna for today and no more. They had to trust there would be enough new manna again tomorrow.

During the years of their wandering, we see many times when the Israelites looked only to the physical, expecting the world to fulfill their needs. Simply put, while in captivity, they still complained, even when though they had food. While in the desert they complained and God sent bread from Heaven. Each time God heard, answered and provided. However, the nation continued to lack the ability to trust fully in God’s provision.

God’s final provision was Yeshua, the true bread of life. This was His answer to the children of Israel then and now. This is the answer sent for all mankind: And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).

Yeshua is the only One who can satisfy and fill all our needs for all time – physical, mental and spiritual. – Guy Cohen

U.S. tax deductible online donations to support this and other education and training projects of Shavei Tzion can be  made via Return to Zion in Haifa

Sadly, after a while, the relationship between Lisa’s parents deteriorated, and now they are in the process of getting a divorce. Even through this difficult time, Lisa’s mother saw many hidden talents in her daughter and son. She works hard to give her children the opportunity to explore as many creative experiences as she can afford. Naturally, they will lose interest in some of the areas; nevertheless, those Lisa and her brother will stick to will bring them much joy and positive influence, and they will become integral parts of their livese.

Our best investments are those we make in our children. That is the reason Lisa’s mother has taken on several jobs. She is working hard to not let her children feel any lack in development and growth.

Lisa came to “Rainbow of Sounds,” (our ministry’s music and art school) after encountering several positive reviews on social media, such as Facebook, where parents shared their satisfaction with the experienced teachers at the school, as well as admiration for their professionalism and approach to children.

After considering the various areas of music and art taught at the school, Lisa signed up for vocal lessons. The beginning was very hard and challenging. She had to make an immense effort to control her voice even slightly, and initially there was no apparent improvement. However, her teacher Yelena M. taught her in a systematic and thorough manner, and Lisa worked diligently and practiced daily.

The bloom wasn’t late in coming! Step by step, Lisa learned to sing clearly and with a pleasant voice. Then came another encouraging sign – Lisa performed beautifully during the school’s concert in January. Success comes to those who work hard!

Lisa’s mother has the desire to see her daughter nurture and cultivate her talents. Would you like to join her and other immigrant parents, as they invest in the creative giftings of their newly Israeli children, by helping fund Rainbow of Sounds?

“…there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matthew 24: 7b-8)

“Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1-2)

Here is what I believe the Lord is saying about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19):

The spirit of fear is rampant among people all over the globe. “Men’s hearts will be failing them for fear of the things coming on them.” (Luke 21:26) There is a spirit in the secular media that exaggerates this virus so badly that you will need to insulate your mind in order to keep yourself free from paranoia.

“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love and power and a sound mind.” (II Timothy 1:7) After walking with Him for over 40 years, I can say with all my heart:  “Thank you Lord for this assurance.”

The word “fear” appears 365 times in the Bible, one for each day of the year – for example, “Fear not” and “Be not afraid.” F.E.A.R. can be made into an acronym for “False Evidence Appearing Real.” The definition of fear in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is, “Dread, fright, alarm, trepidation, panic, terror.”

Here in Israel, at least, it seems as though there is a mass hysteria concerning COVID-19 and where it might strike next.

However, even if my life were to suddenly end, I know that I will be with Him in heaven, eternally. I have given my heart and life to Jesus. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

I believe this is a moment in time for many to give their lives to the best Friend they will ever have. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)   

This is my prayer today, “Thank you, Jesus, for giving me peace instead of worry, faith instead of fear, and hope instead of despair.” If you don’t have that peace, your prayer can be very simple: ask God to forgive you for the sins you have committed. Ask Him to come into your heart, and live there.

Love in Him,
Terri Morey, Poriya Congregation, Galilee

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