2015 FZS Outreach Highlights!
“For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until its righteousness goes forth as brightness, and its salvation as a lamp that burns.” (Is 62:1)
Dear Praying Friends of FZS,
We wanted to share with you a brief overview of the many blessings we have experienced in 2015 here at For Zion’s Sake Ministries. When looking back over all of the activities over the last year, we are astonished in all that the Lord has accomplished through FZS! We would like to say, “thank you“ for sharing in those blessings with us!
Last year, we received a total of 3 – 40ft shipping containers full of humanitarian aid for the needy at our warehouse center in Talpiot, Jerusalem. Our social assistance programs include the distribution of clothing, blankets, food, medicine, diapers, furniture, building material and finances to new immigrants and others who come to us for help.
Many volunteers are needed to unload the container
The total value of aid distributed in 2015 was estimated at over $1,500,000, reaching thousands of recipients in Israel and around the world.
Thank you for partnering with us to make the love of Yeshua shine both in Jerusalem and throughout the world!
FZS 2015 Outreach Highlights:
JERUSALEM: The Lord has faithfully provided such abundance of aid that our warehouse shelves remained consistently full throughout the year for distribution. We even had enough extra aid to bless other ministries as well – including the Bedouin, Ethiopian and Arab communities, various Messianic fellowships, Holocaust Survivors’ Association, the IDF, and other Jewish organizations. Praise the Lord!
These aid containers carry the life supply of our outreach ministry because it’s through our giving of humanitarian aid that we are able to share the love of the Lord while assisting the practical needs of the poor.
Our FZS congregation also participates in evangelical outreaches by inviting those who come to our warehouse for assistance to visit our fellowship. As we worship on Shabbat, study the Word and celebrate the biblical feasts together, we are able to share Yeshua with Israelis as their Jewish Messiah!
BREAKING NEWS: We just received news that another 40ft container full of new and used clothing is ready to be shipped to us in February 2016 from Germany. Our shipping agent in Holland sent us the following message: “Costs of shipping to Ashdod, by NMV Transport to FSZ incl. local costs in Israel, customs clearance and transport to FZS warehouse in Jerusalem ($6,750). Please pay ASAP…”
NEPAL: For 2 weeks, FZS was imbedded with the Israeli field hospital in May after a devastating earthquake flattened much of the capital city of Kathmandu killing over 9000 people.
Israel sent in some of their best surgeons and medical staff, along with the most high-tech hospital equipment available to the ravaged country of Nepal for emergency humanitarian relief. We saw firsthand the love and sacrifice these highly trained doctors, nurses, army and staff personnel have made in order to produce such a well-organized “First Response” team that has become the envy of the world.
FZS was also able to help bring truckloads of aid and food supplies to hungry and often homeless people who were still suffering in remote villages. Most had little contact with relief agencies that focused their efforts in the capital city of Kathmandu.
FZS bringing aid trucks to remote villages in Nepal
“Go ye therefore into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)
PHILIPPINES: Our work there continues after Typhoon Yolanda struck in November 2013 killing thousands. This year we were able to send finances and a 40ft aid container filled with clothing and building supplies to ministries we maintain contact with. One such organization, “Island Kids” rescues children from a life of exploitation and scavenging at local dumpsites. They are then given the opportunity to receive a proper education with nourishing food and medical care. Having recently built a new school, they are currently ministering to over 450 kids enrolled from K-12.
Bradley meeting kids near the dumpsite in Mindanao
Yael also returned for a month to Tacloban, helping homeless people in transitional shelters after the devastation of the recent typhoons. Thousands of families are still living in tents and huts, while waiting for permanent housing. They have no electricity, running water and only one tiny room for the whole family to sleep in. She was also involved in children’s ministry, home visits, medical outreaches and rebuilding a damaged school.
MYANMAR: In June, nearly one million people were affected by widespread flooding across Myanmar. 103 people died while 1.2 million acres of rice fields have been destroyed in one of the worst floods in recent history. FZS was able to respond with financial assistance working together with our friends and local pastors, Habakkuk Mang and Elisha Sanga, who immediately went to affected regions to help.
We received this update from them…
Dear Bradley, today Habakkuk and I are in Chin State for relief work. We see much death and destruction, but many opportunities to share the love of Christ in the devastation. We are happy to be used of the Lord to reach so many suffering people. Please continue to pray for us! In Christ, Elisha and Habakkuk
EUROPE: gain we are living in a time when in major European cities being Jewish can mean you are targeted for racial hate crimes. It is once again all too common for Jews to hear humiliating slurs, threats and even physical attacks as it was 70 years ago in Nazi Germany. Anti-Semitism is on the dramatic rise in political circles, social media and most alarmingly on the streets of Europe where it is no longer safe for religious Jews to walk openly…
We are also involved in the European Coalition for Israel and their plight to influence EU political leaders in Brussels to maintain a fair and balanced attitude towards Israel and the Jewish people. The latest terror attacks in France are a wake-up call to Europe and its political leaders. Belgian Justice Minister Koen Geens has noted that “it is no longer just synagogues or Jewish museums that are the targets for the terrorists but mass gatherings and public places. Now we are all targets.”
DUTCH TEAM BLESSES SCHÖNEGG WITH ANUAL WORK PROJECTS
Twice each year, GAiN (Global Aid Network) sends work teams from Holland to help in the repair and maintenance of Haus Schönegg because they share in the vision of blessing Holocaust survivors, wounded soldiers, terror victims and preparing a place of refuge. We always share special times of fellowship together, along with some exciting activities and fun adventures on their days off.
The GAiN team with mascots
To date, GAiN teams have provided us with a new kitchen, painted the exterior of the house, remodeled and repaired many of the decaying rooms, all while serving joyfully in their labors of love. We recognize that all of the time, hard work and building material they have provide is a major financial blessing for us and we are so thankful for their service!
You’re not much if you’re not Dutch
HOSTING HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS
RETREAT AT SCHÖNEGG
In November, we hosted another group of 7 Holocaust survivors at Haus Schönegg. They were born in Poland, Lithuania, Russia and Ukraine and miraculously survived the War. These are some of the last living witnesses from the genocidal atrocities of WWII. Whether having escaped the Ghettos of Warsaw or concentration camps such as Auschwitz, we see these special people as beacons of light and hope to a world that is again sliding into darkness. One of the goals of their visit was for them to share their testimonies at schools, churches, home gatherings and to anyone who would listen. It seems they feel a pressing responsibility not only to share their stories of survival but also to warn future generations to learn from the past of the dangers of fascism and genocide.
“Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God. “Speak kindly to Jerusalem; And call out to her, that her warfare has ended, that her iniquity has been removed, that she has received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.” (Is. 40:1)
As we look forward to the many opportunities for serving that 2016 will bring, how grateful we are to you who have stood with us in prayer and support to FZS! Even in the uncertain times ahead, the Bible clearly warns in Zachariah 14:2, that in the last days, all nations will fight against Jerusalem. However we believers must be the exception to “all”! Are we willing to stand with Israel until Messiah returns no matter what the cost? I am confident to say and I believe with all my heart, that For Zion’s Sake Ministries is a chosen vessel unto the Lord, set aside for His plans of redemption for Israel and the Jewish people. May we continue working together to care for the needy in Israel and to all the ends of the world to fulfill His will.
Thank you very much once again for standing with us!
Bradley Antolovich
International Director
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