A Call to Israel

Reasons to Support the Compassion Team in Israel:

• Judith and the children have citizenship in Israel and do not need to rely on visas.  Michael has permanent residency and the right to citizenship as Judith’s Husband.  The Israeli government limits the number of visas they give out and often denies visas for Christian workers.
• Judith and the children speak Hebrew at a mother-tongue leave, allowing the children to attend public school and allowing Judith to communicate with Israelis in their own language.  Michael has also recently achieved a “High Level” score on a Hebrew proficiency exam given by the Israeli government.
• Michael has a ministry certificate with the Assemblies of God, and his secular experience as an Accounting Supervisor gives him the leadership tools and knowledge needed to direct our ministry in Israel.  Michael also served on the council and as treasurer for an Assemblies of God congregation in North East Philadelphia.  
• Michael and Judith have a heart for the people of Israel, and Judith’s gift of hospitality and language skills allow her to build trusting relationship and touch people’s lives.

We are currently the only members of Jacob’s Hope who have the ability to live full-time in Israel and reach the people of Israel in the primary language spoken here.  Our ministry here has recently received a certificate of good standing from the Israeli government, which could not be done from outside of Israel or with short term visas, and gives us a greater ability to work with local believers and serve the needs of the Israeli people.

We have our own budget and need to raise our own support, which is completely separate from Jacob’s Hope.  Although Jacob’s Hope funds many of the projects we do in Israel, they are not able to pay us a salary.  

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish.  And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”  Esther 4:14, NIV

We are not being threatened with destruction as the Jews were in Persia, nor have we come to a royal position, but God has placed us in Israel, for such a time as this, with the talents and abilities to serve Him here, bringing relief and deliverance to the Jews.  And He is giving you this opportunity to be a part of this ministry.

We need you to support our family in order to continue the work we started with Jacob’s Hope in Israel. 

 
Commitments to us can be made through the Assemblies of God using the green "Donate Now" button on the right of this post. 

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."

School Supply Initiative

Our compassion center in K’far Saba recently reached out to the absorption center in Ashkelon where a number of Ethiopians have arrived in recent months. Absorption centers help new immigrants get on their feet in Israel, often providing temporary housing and Hebrew classes as well as other forms of assistance.

Our partners, “Love to the Needy,” was able to provide backpacks and school materials to the children of these new immigrant families in Ashkelon.  In the coming months, we are looking to contribute to this initiative, helping needy families in Ashdod, K’far Saba and Maalot, by providing school bags, notebooks and writing tools to ensure their financial needs do not hinder their children’s education. The compassion we are able to share with these needy people is not only making an impression on them, but also on those who work in agencies, like the absorption centers and municipalities, who work with those in need.

The following was compiled from two letters sent to our partners Love to the Needy, from the Ashkelon absorption center.

To those who give through Jacob’s Hope, love to the needy:

Immigrant families living in Ashkelon came to Israel from Ethiopia in recent months. Most of these families are large families living on assistance from the Ministry of Absorption. These families are facing many economic difficulties: buying medicines, compulsory education, rent and payments, electricity, water and gas, food and clothing while supporting their families that remain in Ethiopia...

...We thank you heartily and welcome this initiative and the substantial donation - school bags, notebooks and writing tools. Everything was distributed to children for the opening of academic year and you made these families very glad. It is very difficult dealing with immigration and adjusting to life in Israel.

Thank you for caring and for your involvement in the community.

Ashkelon Absorption Center

How Can You Help?

We still need to raise another $1,000 in monthly commitments in order to reach the modest budget that was set for our living expenses in Israel. Please pray about making a monthly financial commitment so we can continue to do this work in Israel.  

Click here to make a financial commitment to our work in Israel.

Purim Outreaches

Last month we had three outreaches to children and their families as Israel celebrated Purim, from the book of Esther. These outreaches were in the Northern Israel cities of Akko, Maalot and Karmiel, in partnership with Rivers of Living Water. We were very encouraged by the considerable turnout as we were able to touch the lives of many needy children and adults.

Youth from the local congregations performed and mishloach manot, gifts of sweets, were given to 200 children. Most of the people who attend these outreaches are not believers in Yeshua, Jesus, but they were all touched by the performances and kindness shown by their hosts from Rivers of Living Waters. They are asking questions and receiving salvation through Yeshua because of your prayers and financial support. Please continue to pray for the people here in Israel, and for those who are sharing God's love throughout the Land of Israel.

Next month we will have more outreaches for Passover in Akko, Mallot, Karmiel and Kiryat-Shmona, as well our normal monthly distributions and a special Passover food distribution in Tel Aviv. You can support these ministries by clicking here to donate.