Ministry Report February 2020 – Our time with them is short…
Our time with them is short…
“Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations. Ask your father, and he will show you; Your elders, and they will tell you.” (Deut. 32:7)
14,800 Holocaust Survivors passed away in 2019, we lose another every 35 minutes…
The Holocaust Survivors’ Rights Authority published a report last week on the condition of Holocaust survivors and victims of anti-Semitic persecution during World War II living in Israel, which showed some 14,800 of them passed away in 2019. There are approximately 100,000 people living in Israel who have been recognized as Holocaust survivors. About 74,000 of survivors are over the age of 85 and 839 are over the age of 100. Figures show that 46% of the of the survivors that live in Israel live on less than NIS 5,000 ($1,432) a month, and 33% live on less than NIS 3,000 ($859).
Let us remember them together
FZS is planning an event with the Holocaust Association in Jerusalem on (Yom HaShoah) Holocaust Remembrance Day in Israel for over 50 survivors on April 20th, 2020. We will have live Klezmer music, food, a candle lighting ceremony in order to remember those who have fallen before. There will also be a time for Bible distribution and lots and lots of LOVE in Yeshua’s name from our staff and volunteers who are helping organize the event.
If you would like to help sponsor this event please sign up here:
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FZS Blessing the Needy Immigrants in Jerusalem
We faithfully continue to bless the new immigrants who come to us in need with our clothing distribution outreach here at our For Zion’s Sake center in Jerusalem. The Lord is so faithful to continually keep our warehouse shelves stocked with aid we receive from around the world, however supplies are beginning to run low and we ask for prayer for another provision of a 40ft container filled with quality clothing for the needy. We are so thankful to you who help us to continue to receive these containers that allow us the opportunity of blessing so many in need, both physically and spiritually as we share the love of Yeshua during our distribution times.
Just yesterday, at the port in Ashdod, we received part of an aid shipment from Holland which was greatly needed to help replenish our supplies at FZS. Thank you very much Jo, Max and Israel-Relief-Aid for supplying us with good clothing, pillows and feminine hygiene products to distribute to needy immigrants!
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Here are just a few of the many happy faces we constantly see, as the new immigrants
receive aid from our FZS Distribution Center in Jerusalem…
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Thank you so much for helping us to reach out and touch these precious souls with the Love of Yeshua in meeting their practical needs!
Please pray that we may have continual provision to carry on with helping meet all of the needs of those Lost Sheep whom the Lord is bringing back home to Israel, as He promised in His Word so long ago…
“Behold, I am bringing them from the north country, and I will gather them from the remote parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and she who is in labor with child, together; A great company, they will return there.” (Jerimiah 31:8)
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FZS is Blessed with 2 new Volunteers from Switzerland
Please meet Heidi and Tammy…
Last January, we both finished our studies. Now we have some free time between graduation and working. Without having any fixed future plans, we figured that we first want to seek the kingdom of God, make a good use of our free time and have God use us for the next 3 months. Recently, we understood more thoroughly about the Jewish roots we have as Christians. We haven’t been to Israel before, so we wanted to get an insight into the culture and not just do the tourist thing and also to serve and minister to God’s people. As can be seen in the Bible, Israel and specifically Jerusalem, are key players in the world’s proceedings of the past, the present and the future.
“… you [Gentiles], being like a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. If you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.” (Romans 11:17-18)
In the last two weeks, this scripture was brought to us several times and we are thus pondering over its meaning. Who is that people of God? What is our place among His people and how can we bless them? Yeshua was born into this people and He grew up with their culture. As we are wanting to get to know Him better, we understand that it is inevitable to see His life and His word through a Hebrew perspective.
At “For Zion’s Sake”, we felt very welcome in the community, it is like family – God’s family. The team serves the needy people from the area with a great dedication. It’s beautiful to see how they are attentive listeners and always ready to give a defense to anyone who asks them for a reason for the hope that is in them (1 Peter 3:15). They had opportunities to share and pray for people. May it bring much fruit. What we have learned so far, is that they’ll know by our love. So let love speak.
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Romanian Messianic Community at FZS
We have been engaged in a remodeling project at our warehouse in Jerusalem for the past several weeks. We had decided to convert a large space we have upstairs into a guest apartment for pilgrims and tourists. After checking our budget, we decided to make a smaller 2 bedroom apartment and separate the other area (200sqft) as an office space rental to help us finance the building of the apartment itself.
The remodeling of the office is completed, and Praise God, a Romanian Messianic Community has decided to rent the space for 5 years for their congregation! What a blessing! Below is a photo of them adding a children’s room to the open space, as they will begin having their first service this week!
Pastor Jacob helping build the children’s room in their new fellowship at FZS
It is finished!
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“Upper Room” Building Project
Our building project has begun for the “Upper Room” guest house at our FZS distribution center in Jerusalem. The Israeli construction team has started the first phase of building, workers have already cleared out most of the old debris, broken kitchen and plaster and have begun changing out the old windows and flooring…
The budget for the 2-bedroom apartment project (see pics below) is approx. $50,000. We are praying for the remaining funds to be provided through our friends and supporters of For Zion’s Sake. One loan of $10,000 has already been given, so we are trusting the Lord for the rest.
We are still making our official appeal to 4 individuals or churches to grant a 4-year loan of $10,000 each to cover construction costs. We agree to the interest rates together with the lenders. Of course, smaller loans are also welcome as the Lord provides! Each of the $10,000 loans would be repaid in 48 monthly payments of approximately $210 per month. Please contact [email protected] for more details.
Once again, thank you very much for your love, prayers and faithful support to FZS as we continue to reach out with the love of Yeshua to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel!
יברכך יהוה וישמרך