Israel is a country of immigrants and has always been so, ever since its independence in 1948. Jews have been flocking to Israel from all over the world, whether the Middle East, Asia, the United States, Europe, Africa, or South America since that time, with hope and joy in their hearts of living lives free of persecution in the land of their forefathers.
The biggest exodus yet to Israel – except for the original exodus from Egypt – occurred with the fall of the Soviet Union which saw around 979,000 Soviet Jews settle in Israel between 1989 and 2006. The return of the Jewish people from these “northern lands” is a profound fulfilment of prophecy which can be read about in Jeremiah:
However, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when it will no longer be said, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,’ but it will be said, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.’ For I will restore them to the land I gave their ancestors.
Jeremiah 16: 14-15
One of the precious ones who more recently made aliyah (immigration) from the “land of the north” to Israel, is a woman called Galina. She was part of a group that we had recently hosted at Beit Hallel, as part of our outreach work aimed at assisting new Jewish immigrants in getting established in Israel. As Galina sat down with our outreach team to share her story, there were tears in her eyes, and we could see that this was a woman who had endured much hardship during her time in Israel.
Galina told us her heartbreaking story of how – shortly after having arrived in Israel – she fell victim to scammers and lost most of her money to them. This was heartbreaking to hear, and it made us realize anew that the devil doesn’t just attack people spiritually, but that he also uses people and earthly schemes. Our hearts went out to Galina and we felt her disappointment and pain as if it were our own.
Overwhelmed with emotions, Galina gladly accepted our offer to pray for her, in order for God to restore to her that which the devil has stolen, and to bring her the peace that passes all understanding. Galina was so touched by our prayers and love, that as a result she started attending our weekly home group and Shabbat meetings, as well as our monthly women’s gatherings.
When we started advertising our upcoming Alpha course, Galina immediately enrolled, and during the course of her studies her faith and passion for God grew exponentially. This would soon lead her to a pivotal moment in her walk with Yeshua (Jesus).
At the culmination of our first Alpha course of the year, we organized a picnic to celebrate the graduation of all the students who had completed the course. Galina was also there as she had completed the course during which her determination and faith never faltered. With the unwavering support of our community of believers throughout the Alpha course, Galina had found solace in the Lord, and as a result had given her heart completely to Yeshua, leading to a life-transforming moment at the picnic as she was baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Galina’s unwavering faith and resilience serve as a testament to the power of community and the transformative grace of Yeshua. We are so grateful to God for the opportunities He gives us to support and walk alongside new believers, like Galina, as they embark on their remarkable journeys of faith here in Israel.
Hallelujah!
