It truly is a blessing to see God’s hand on our new Jerusalem outreach, as He guides, nurtures, and permeates our weekly meetings in the city of the Great King. We understand that without the Lord’s leading, no project will get off the ground. He has to be the One to build the house, and we must simply follow His instructions in faith, which will then allow the fruit to grow. This truth is so well laid out in John 15:5, where Yeshua encourages His followers with the words “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
During last week’s meeting in Jerusalem, we were once again able to bless more than 75 new Jewish immigrants and refugees with practical aid. During every subsequent meeting we saw more and more familiar faces return, as well as new faces who come to see what we’re all about. The new faces are now smiling and more relaxed when they arrive, whereas the new faces still harbor some uncertainty and suspicion. However, the Holy Spirit is the one who is in charge, and as we surrender to Him, His very presence fills our venue and touches people’s hearts with the love of Yeshua.
One of the dear ones we were able to spend time with in fellowship is a lady called Tanya, who made aliyah (immigration) to Israel a few years ago. As we sat down with her to learn more about her, and to hear her story, she started weeping as she opened up her heart. Tanya told us that shortly after having arrived in Israel, she was diagnosed with cancer. What followed was a severe regiment of treatments and medication, as well as a bone marrow transplant, which proved to be a very challenging time for her and her family.
Things between her and husband got very bad during this time, and it escalated to such a degree that he took their children and left her. Tanya told us that she was left totally alone with no-one to support her emotionally in her darkest of times. We asked her if she had ever turned to God in her time of need, to which Tanya replied that she had often thought about God, especially since she had come so close to death during her sickness, but that she had never gone further than that.
Tanya told us further that she’s had a sincere desire though, ever since her sickness, to know God better and to communicate with Him. We then shared our own personal testimonies with Tanya, of how we came to a saving knowledge of Yeshua, and how our lives were turned around as a result of His love and forgiveness. She was enraptured as she listened to our words, and we could see in her eyes that hope was being kindled in her heart.
We then took a step of faith and simply asked Tanya if she wanted to be reconciled with God. Without hesitation Tanya said yes, and we could see that she meant it wholeheartedly. We offered to pray the prayer of salvation with her, and she gladly agreed. As we prayed together, Tanya sincerely repented of her sins and accepted Yeshua as her Lord and Savior. We also gave Tanya her very first Bible, for which she was very thankful.
Tanya admitted that she had many questions about walking with Jesus, and also about getting to grow closer to God. We agreed to stay in touch telephonically, and to spend time in fellowship during our weekly meetings in Jerusalem. We also invited Tanya to join us for our weekly meetings in Ashdod, and to accompany us for our other activities, such as Biblical excursions and evangelism events.
We are so thrilled that the Lord is touching the lives of people like Tanya through our Jerusalem outreach. As we press on with this new initiative in Jerusalem, we pray that God will use us mightily to save Israelis from the power of darkness, and to convey them into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13).
Amen!
