Galina, Mother of Eight

Woman with child at a center

Shalom Rav (Much Peace),

We would like to thank everyone who works at Jacob's Hope, those at the distribution center and those who donate.  I have a large family, eight children.  Only my husband works while I take care of the children.  We have received clothing, food, furniture and more from the Jacob's Hope distribution center.  The money we save on these items allows us to use the money my husband earns to pay our rent, utilities and other necessities.

Thank you for all that you do!

Galina

The Compassion Team is responsible for all of Jacob's Hope's projects in Israel, but they are funded independently of Jacob's Hope.  Without their guidance and hard work, many of the opportunities we have to work with local congregations and municipalities would not be available.  It is important to us to have their oversight on the ground.  They are currently raising support for a second term in Israel, but we can't afford to have the work we began together in Israel be interrupted in order for them to return to the States for an extended period of time (to raise the support they need to live there).  Please prayerfully consider supporting this family directly at https://giving.ag.org so they can continue with this important work we have started together.

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

We regret to inform you, our faithful supporters, that as of the end of this month we will no longer have a compassion project in Tel Aviv.  Our partners in Tel Aviv, Agape, are no longer continuing this work.  We searched for other partners, however, while we were searching God provided other opportunities to bring compassion to Israel.

Tzfat is a city on a hill with an elevation of 900 meters

As we close one project, we are opening several others.  Two weeks ago we announced the grand opening of our new compassion center in Nazareth Illit.  This week we opened what would have been our tenth compassion project in the town of Tzfat.  Tzfat is literally a city on a hill, and with an elevation of 900 meters, is the highest city in Israel.  You can read more about the rich historical significance of Tzfat on Wikipedia by clicking here.  Tzfat's population of 32,000 is 99% ethnically Jewish.

This week we also signed the lease on a new store front in Hadera.  We have been providing food cards (to purchase food at local stores) for 17 families in this city of 80,000 along the Mediterranean coast.  According to the welfare office, there are 12,000 needy families in this city.  With our new store front, we will be able to supplement our food distribution with the availability of clothing and other household items.  We will have the grand opening of the Hadera center after Passover.

The Compassion Team is responsible for all of Jacob's Hope's projects in Israel, but they are funded independently of Jacob's Hope.  Without their guidance and hard work, many of the opportunities we have to work with local congregations and municipalities would not be available.  It is important to us to have their oversight on the ground.  They are currently raising support for a second term in Israel, but we can't afford to have the work we began together in Israel be interrupted in order for them to return to the States for an extended period of time (to raise the support they need to live there).  Please prayerfully consider supporting this family directly at https://giving.ag.org so they can continue with this important work we have started together.

New Projects and Purim Celebrations!

Mishloach Manot

Jewish people around the world celebrated Purim, on Sunday February 24.  Purim is the Jewish holiday which commemorates the events found in the book of Esther.  It is tradition in Israel to dress-up in costumes and give gifts of candy or food and drinks called Mishloach Manot.  Along with our partners, Rivers of Living Waters, the Compassion Team of Jacob's Hope gave out 200 Mishloach Manot gifts to less fortunate children in the Northern Israeli cities of Karmiel, Hatzor HaGilit, Tzfat, Nazareth Elite and Akko. 

Hatzor HaGilit

While Judith and I were in Hatzor, we were able to see the small distribution center Rivers of Living Waters is currently running out of a small room in someone's apartment.  We got to hear about the needs in this city and the municipalities desire to bring our help to their town.  It is our desire to work with Rivers of Living Waters, and the municipality of Hatzor HaGalit, to find a larger location where we can make more items available and assist a greater number of people.  We were told that even those who live above the poverty line here, struggle to pay their bills and provide for their families.

Donated Building in Tzfat

We have just begun work in two other Northern cities, in partnership with Rivers of Living Waters.  In the town of Tzfat, the municipality has donated the use of a bomb shelter where we can distribute food and clothing.  Also in the town of Nazareth Elite, a building is being donated by a private citizen so that we can distribute food and clothing in that community.  We are currently working to renovate these buildings so be on the lookout for us to officially begin these new projects soon!

The Compassion Team is responsible for all of Jacob's Hope's projects in Israel, but they are funded independently of Jacob's Hope.  Without their guidance and hard work, many of the opportunities we have to work with local congregations and municipalities would not be available.  It is important to us to have their oversight on the ground.  They are currently raising support for a second term in Israel, but we can't afford to have the work we began together in Israel be interrupted in order for them to return to the States for an extended period of time (to raise the support they need to live there).  Please prayerfully consider supporting this family directly at https://giving.ag.org so they can continue with this important work we have started together.

Rivers of Living Water

This is an excerpt from a newsletter we received from our partners, Rivers of Living Waters.  We work with them in Ma'alot and Karimel:

Dear brothers and sisters in Messiah, shalom from "Rivers of Living Water, Israel"

You all probably know about the war that our nation went through. In all these events that have happened for the last month we can testify of the supernatural protection and faithfulness of our God. He is still the Mighty God of Israel! More than 1000 rockets were sent to the central and southern cities and settlements in Israel: especially to Ashdod, Ashkelon, Beer-Sheva and even Tel-Aviv area. All this time as a congregation we were standing in prayer, holding special prayer meetings, people were led by the Holy Spirit to come to the church every day and intercede before the Lord in such a critical time. Many miracles happened. God literally protected His people.

Passover Outreach in Karmiel

As the war situation came to the end we held a special outreach (food project) where about 200 unbelievers came. We ministered to these people through songs, poems, testimonies, prayed for them, comforted them, shared God's love, care and peace that only God can give even in the midst of the storm. Many were touched and drown closer to God; some opened their hearts to receive Yeshua as their Messiah. How good is our God! We thank all our friends and partners for supporting the work of the Lord, especially “Tikvat Yakov” [Jacob's Hope] Organization for donating funds for this project.

In this time we feel such an urgency to intensify prayer and intercession for the salvation of people in Israel for them to realize that the only hope in this life is the Lord, for the eyes to be opened and the veil to be removed from the hearts that they may see their Messiah Yeshua. For that purpose November, 30th we had a 12-hour prayer marathon. It was like a chain of believers (each one praying for an hour)....

Article in Russian Israeli Paper

The following article was written in a Russian Israeli newspaper regarding the Backpack distribution we did in Ma'alot:

Article Title:  On August 9^th @ “Tabernacle of David for all Nations” a Children’s Charitable Event Took Place

Especially in the beginning of a new school year, no small amount of expenses are needed for supplies.  This is especially no joking matter regarding basic essentials for those who have two or more children in their family. Therefore any assistance is in this matter makes a real difference in the family budget.

Thanks to an organization called “Jacob’s Hope”, children ages 6 to 13 received beautiful backpacks that included an assortment of school supplies.

The organizers of the event met with the parents and their children at 6:00 P.M.  With excitement of the event’s opening, the meeting hall quickly overflowed where they met together. Joyfully, approximately 80 children received their anticipated gifts.  Funds were provided by offerings from the USA by those who love and bless Israel.

__________

In each bag we had actually included a card which read; "Funds were provided by Christians from the USA who love and want to bless Israel." The newspaper decided to leave out the word "Christian."