FZS Fall Update 2023
Blessed Rosh HaShanah 5784 – Yom Kippur – Sukkot !!!
For Zion’s Sake!
Yeshua said these words to His disciples as they were admiring the strength and beauty of the temple that stood so glorious above them. The Beit HaMikdash was the pride of Israel, the Holy place of God’s dwelling that seemed indestructible to them, almost eternal, and yet Yeshua shattered their illusions when he said it ALL must be brought down…
So too, this is a picture of the lives we live; we seem so self-assured, absorbed with seeking our own well being, comfort, and financial stability based upon our self-reliance and personal strivings. Success at all costs – “He who dies with the most toys wins” is the mantra for our time. But perhaps this is what the apostle John warned us about concerning the 3 deadly sins: The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life!
(I normally do not quote from the New Living Translation, but I think it describes the meaning here…)
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. (1 John 2:15-16)
During these biblical appointed times of Feasting, the LORD offers us an opportunity to throw down the heavy stones of pride, self righteousness and rebellion in our hearts. For it is far better that we choose to fall upon the stone than the stone fall upon us, as Yeshua warned us in Matthew 22:44 about himself, “And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”
Every one of us faces this choice. What will we do about this cornerstone that the builders rejected – Yeshua? Will we, in humility, allow our pride to be broken, or will our pride harden our hearts? The consequences of this decision may last for all eternity. This is the appointed time and season that God calls us to be broken in Him!
FZS Morocco Earthquake Relief Outreach
We have just returned from another earthquake outreach in Morocco. Embedded in the mountain region of Marrakesh, we’ve seen thousands of survivors roaming the hillsides in search of food, supplies, medical treatment, and shelter after the devastating earthquake took the lives of nearly 3,000 people 2 weeks ago. Sadly, there is only one treacherously narrow mountain road leading to the secluded communities needing help which is bottlenecked by fleeing families, aid trucks, and falling rocks that make the rescue trek nearly impossible.
Military Helicopter rescue teams have been working around the clock to bring aid and evacuate the dead and wounded which is the only efficient means of transport at the moment.
As an example of the crisis, we met 2 boys who had just walked 30 mountain kilometers to find help for their village that had no outside contact yet. They said many of the 200 people were wounded and 4 people had died, and that they had just come down to the main road to bring back help and food! PTL, we were able to bless them with some funds and supplies…
Bradley with 2 boys from above story with other wounded man
Like most natural disasters, it will take months and even years for these resilient mountain people to recover from this event. We are currently making arrangements for an aid container from Holland to respond, however, the real need is clean up, building materials, and funds for tens of thousands in order to rebuild their lives again. Thank you for your prayers!
Another Aid Container arrives at FZS
We were blessed to receive yet another aid container at our distribution center in Jerusalem 2 weeks ago, including brand-new Nike clothing items! After unloading all the bags and boxes, our staff spent the following days sorting through the aid and then stacking the boxes on the warehouse shelving. Having unloaded containers on numerous occasions over the years, this process accelerates every time with experience. An orderly storage facilitates an organized distribution hall when welcoming the new immigrants and those in need who come to us for aid. After a speedy work week, we were able to restart our distribution last week. The new Olim from all over the world, and now different cities across Israel, come to our distribution center in Jerusalem with thankful hearts, and leave with smiles and blessings!
Blessing many immigrant families with new clothing and bread
FZS Bread Distribution
Blessed to receive more than 100 loaves per day!
Beside our clothing distribution, we also continue to bless anyone who comes to our center hungry and in need of fresh quality sourdough bread, including a variety of white and wholewheat loaves, buns and baguettes. There are now families that come to us regularly just for bread and we provide them enough that they can freeze some to last all week!
Our new industrial freezer to store the excess bread
Bread delivered to Holocaust Survivors and elderly in Jerusalem
We are also continuing our bread delivery to the shut-in Holocaust Survivors and the elderly in Jerusalem each week. They are all very thankful and especially happy for the personal care they receive from us. Our short visit is the “talk of the town” as many from the home will step out of their rooms into the hallway to join the commotion and choose their loaf of bread which will last them a week. “When will you be coming next?”, we are asked.
“Wow, how much bread?!”, “What a blessing! Just what I needed!”, and “May the Lord bless you!” are only some of the remarks we hear. It is an honor to be able to serve these special ones as well! PTL!
THANK YOU very much for your faithful prayers and support that helps us to continue to bless the needy and those less fortunate in Israel and around the world!
Bradley Antolovich
International Director
Aid to Israel and the Nations