Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
As 2021 is officially coming to an end, we look back at the challenges and see God’s favor and grace throughout it all. If this year has taught us anything, it is that regardless of the plans we might make, the most important thing is still to put everything in the Lord’s hands and trust Him above all things because ultimately He alone is the one that will carry us through even the most trying times.
A year of many changes, adaptations, twists, and turns — yet God remained faithful through it all. Despite everything, this year was marked by amazing milestones and highlights: evangelism events, discipleship courses, biblical tours, humanitarian relief projects, Jewish festivals, powerful conferences, and an overflow of worship.
We managed to adjust to the ever-changing restrictions and lockdowns in Israel throughout the year, and continued to minister and serve the people of Israel because first and foremost we serve a mighty God!
Covid might have forced us to change the “way” we serve people, but not the “why.” God was the author behind the creative ideas on how to continue reaching, serving, and helping people safely despite the restrictions. When people couldn’t come to us, we found ways to go to them. When we were restricted in our capacity, we simply had more services to ensure everyone still had a chance to worship God together.
Our friendships and connections have deepened, especially when people were able to sense and receive care and love during these times of despair and loneliness of ongoing lockdowns, loss of jobs, piles of unpaid bills. These uncertain times have made our work that much more significant, cultivating a deeper sense of gratitude and openness in the hearts of those we serve.
This year we have seen just how deeply the crisis has affected people — many struggling families found themselves in poverty conditions, unable to provide for themselves even with the very basics.
Despite having to restructure our humanitarian projects logistically, we were still able to reach a record number of people and families in need. God is not limited by human limitations. He will make a way where there is no way.
So much of what we were able to do during this challenging year in Israel is in a great part thanks to your touching generosity, love, support, and ongoing prayers. The fact that the people of Israel can count on you to be their Shomrim (Watchmen) and stand with us faithfully, through kindness, generosity, and prayer — we couldn’t ask for more faithful friends than you.
With only three days left of 2021, we encourage you to let God “have the last say” and seal this year with a meaning, sowing into revival in Israel — a seed that will bless this nation and flourish into a breakthrough in 2022.
If you haven’t given yet, if you’re still on the fence about your year-end giving — just know that as little as $50 can make a difference for one family and provide them with food to receive the new year with dignity and love you will have planted in their hearts through your gift.
(Donation through our US based non-profit Voice of Judah Israel)
Beit Hallel is a Messianic Jewish congregation in Ashdod, led by pastor Israel Pochtar, serving holocaust survivors and the poor and needy locally and throughout the nation of Israel, while building up the body of Messiah in the promised land of Israel.