From June 13 to the time of this writing, Iranian strikes have killed 25 people, injured over 2,700, and displaced over 10,000 people in Israel. Our Israeli staff is serving . . .

At the Right Time

One of our ministry staff serving in Nahariyya in northern Israel shares how the Lord brought her back into Israel “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). Last year during the Hezbollah rocket attacks, she connected with various neighbors during their times waiting in the apartment building’s bomb shelter (staircase). One of those neighbors was an Arab woman who was in an advanced stage of pregnancy, tired, and worried. This year, our staffer arrived back in Israel not many days before the Israel-Iran war began. At first, with the looming threat of Iranian missiles, it seemed like it would be hard to do ministry, but God always knows best.

When the siren sounded and she rushed to the staircase bomb shelter, who should she see but the very same woman who was pregnant—now holding a beautiful little baby! They had a good conversation, and there will be more to come! Also, she and another believer in the apartment complex have been making rounds asking people if they are okay and encouraging them. The uncertainty due to missile barrages has opened more opportunities than ever for interactions with not-yet-believing neighbors, and for encouragement to believing women and families while people are stuck at home due to attacks. God’s timing is always perfect!

Pray for us as we minister in the north among a diverse population of Arabs, Jewish people, and immigrants, and for clear “divine appointments” with people.

In the Right Place

A missile hit a building less than a mile from the apartment of one of our ministry staffers in Tel Aviv, and three of the civilian casualties have been in the adjacent city just a few blocks away. Because her apartment building is older and the shelter is not up to code, people sheltering there would probably not withstand a direct or nearby hit from the enormous Iranian ballistic missiles. So, our ever-helpful staffer scoped out nearby buildings and found several bomb shelters which are up to code. She then let her neighbors know where those shelters are so they could make it safely to those better bomb shelters when sirens sound. What a practical way to show the love of God, especially when she has already spoken to her neighbors about the Bible and Yeshua!

Pray for relief for the center of the country, which seems to be getting hit hardest—probably since it is most densely populated—and for boldness and resourcefulness for our staff to witness in proactive and practical ways.

With the Young

Some of our ministry staff are currently on reserve duty with the IDF in Judea and Samaria. Additionally, we have two families whose children are serving in the IDF—two boys in the Air Force and one tank operator in the Gaza Strip. They have reported difficulties in receiving regular hot meals, often surviving on just buns and simple sandwiches throughout the week. We have decided to provide support to their base by supplying them with pizza and hot meals. We have already begun this initiative, and the soldiers have expressed their gratitude. Beyond the food, this is also a powerful testimony, as everyone knows the soldiers who are our staff’s children are believers in Jesus and the support for the food comes from evangelical Christians.

Pray for the Lord to cover IDF soldiers with His divine strength, wisdom, provision, and favor, and for victory over Hamas and jihadist propaganda.

And the Old

Our ministry staff has been reaching out to many Holocaust survivors from our groups all around Israel since the Iran war. They are scared and confused, especially when it comes to going to the shelters. At their age, it is not easy to go down many floors when elevators are not in use. It can be very stuffy in the bomb shelters, and many cannot tolerate it and do not go inside. Despite these challenges, most of them are heroes and doing very well. Our team has been visiting these lonely individuals and providing them with bottled water and other necessary items, including hygiene items and first aid kits.

We also cooked hot Sabbath meals and distributed them to the people. In Ofakim, we visited dear Holocaust survivor friends, a husband and wife who have come to faith in Yeshua (Jesus). The husband turned 102 years old last week, and we spent quality time with them, praying together and enjoying fellowship. They live on a street where there is only one small outdoor bomb shelter for fifty-four families. This shelter can only accommodate five people maximum, and the entrance is so narrow that a person with a walker or wheelchair cannot enter. So, during the sirens, they just sit at home and pray.

Pray for protection over the elderly, disabled, and others who are not able to make it to shelters.

In Body and Spirit

Besides physical care and nourishment, we also offer spiritual nourishment for Holocaust survivors through a daily one-hour Zoom meeting. During these meetings, they share experiences, pray, and read Psalms. Around 100 people have joined! Many participants are incredibly open and searching for God.

Please pray for our Lord Jesus to use this season of the Israel-Iran war to bring them to personal relationship with their Messiah.

For Friend and Foe

Since we have not been able to meet in person due to the missiles, our staffers arranged an early evening prayer time on Zoom for women from our Bible studies. Several ladies gave testimonies of God’s goodness and faithfulness, plus some encouraging Scriptures, and then we prayed for Israel and for Iran—both the innocent and those seeking Israel’s harm.

Will you join us in praying the same? Pray also for the women of both Israel and Iran—to find fortitude, hope, salvation, and confidence in the Lord, to rely upon Him, and to experience His peace.

With Every Breath

Despite our staff in Herzliya hearing many sirens and having to shelter in the sweltering heat of an underground garage, they worship! What a good example.

Pray for the sacrifice of praise to be on our lips in all circumstances, and for our joy in the Lord to cause others to want to know Him too.

Unto the Very End

Last but not least, one of our staff shared an incredibly sad story. Last September, together with the congregation in Ashkelon, we organized a special outreach for the Rosh Hashanah holiday for the children of oncology patients who are undergoing treatment in Israel. One of the families that joined our event was a six-year-old girl, along with her mother and grandmother, all from Ukraine. Tragically, they lost their lives on June 15 when an Iranian missile struck the apartment that an Israeli foundation had rented for them during their time here for the child’s cancer treatment.

Two cousins had come to Israel to visit and were killed in the same attack. The father serves in the Ukrainian army and is not allowed to leave his country even though he lost his wife and daughter. Our staff has his contact information in Ukraine and has asked his friends, who serve as chaplains in the Ukrainian army, to visit him and offer comfort. He also has the contact information for the girl’s aunt and hopes some of the believers in Ukraine will reach out to her.

Please pray for the surviving family members to find comfort and salvation in Jesus.