From the Frontlines:
Serving Those in Need
October 19, 2023
Rallying Together to Serve Those in Need
“They felt so loved and appreciated” was the feedback we heard from Maxim Katz regarding our help delivering food packages to Holocaust survivors today. Maxim asked our Ramat Gan Ministry team to help find volunteers to help prepare and deliver much-needed food to Holocaust survivors, most of whom are too afraid to leave home to go shopping. We had four vehicles go out for delivery. Jason and two other volunteers were able to deliver to a few apartments and the recipients were so grateful for the aid. One even tried to pay us in cash but all of them paid us in “thanks.” It was heart-warming to see how many people wanted to help. We had too many volunteers! We are planning the next delivery and now we have no doubt there will be enough people ready to help!
After delivering food, Jason and two more volunteers collected more items from our ministry center and delivered them to a distribution point where believers are volunteering to take much-needed supplies to places of need. Some of the packages will go to those serving on the northern borders. The partnership by believers working in unity is tremendously encouraging.
From Japan to Israel—Meaningful and Powerful Ministry Connections
Today, Isaac met with the President of the Israel-Japan Chamber of Commerce, a lawyer and partner at Israel’s largest law firm, Herzog-Fox-Neeman. The managing partner of the firm also joined the meeting to thank Isaac for his work in Israel. To Isaac’s surprise, a young lady, Tamar*, joined the meeting after hearing all about what Isaac was doing in Israel, and she turned out to be the sister-in-law of the Rabbi of the Jewish Community Center in Tokyo.
In the meeting, Isaac explained his activities and the background of running the Beit Samurai guesthouse in Tokyo, along with his lifelong affiliation with the Messianic community. He explained the donations which were collected were from Japanese Christians and local Israeli Messianic Jews.
We decided to arrange a small gathering for some former guests of Beit Samurai. Around a dozen people came to say “hi” to Isaac and thank him for coming to Japan during this very difficult time. Among the guests was V*, who told us about a type of miracle she recently encountered in relation to Isaac’s visit. I offered to pray for her so she would continue to experience miracles in her life. I also mentioned Isaac and I want to pray for her so she can experience the greatest miracle in life, which is to accept Jesus as the Messiah. We agreed and promised she would join us for Sabbath dinner tomorrow night to continue this conversation.
I was also able to connect with a number of the guests who were excited to learn about the Messianic Center in Ramat Gan, and we agreed I would be following up with them. One of the men, G*, had received the New Testament from Isaac when he was in Japan and came very eager to talk about it with Isaac. I also exchanged phone numbers with G* and promised to introduce him to Victoria and Moti (CPM staff in Ramat-Gan Center) so they could meet for spiritual discussions.
We continue to support the evacuee community in Central Aravah and have purchased three refrigerators and a TV, which we will take to them along with additional supplies they are in need of.
My dear friends please continue to pray for me and Isaac, so we would be instruments in the hands of God to preach the gospel, provide encouragement, and offer humanitarian assistance where it is most needed.
*name changed
Rallying Together to Serve Those in Need
“They felt so loved and appreciated” was the feedback we heard from Maxim Katz regarding our help delivering food packages to Holocaust survivors today. Maxim asked our Ramat Gan Ministry team to help find volunteers to help prepare and deliver much-needed food to Holocaust survivors, most of whom are too afraid to leave home to go shopping. We had four vehicles go out for delivery. Jason and two other volunteers were able to deliver to a few apartments and the recipients were so grateful for the aid. One even tried to pay us in cash but all of them paid us in “thanks.” It was heart-warming to see how many people wanted to help. We had too many volunteers! We are planning the next delivery and now we have no doubt there will be enough people ready to help!
After delivering food, Jason and two more volunteers collected more items from our ministry center and delivered them to a distribution point where believers are volunteering to take much-needed supplies to places of need. Some of the packages will go to those serving on the northern borders. The partnership by believers working in unity is tremendously encouraging.
From Japan to Israel—Meaningful and Powerful Ministry Connections
Today, Isaac met with the President of the Israel-Japan Chamber of Commerce, a lawyer and partner at Israel’s largest law firm, Herzog-Fox-Neeman. The managing partner of the firm also joined the meeting to thank Isaac for his work in Israel. To Isaac’s surprise, a young lady, Tamar*, joined the meeting after hearing all about what Isaac was doing in Israel, and she turned out to be the sister-in-law of the Rabbi of the Jewish Community Center in Tokyo.
In the meeting, Isaac explained his activities and the background of running the Beit Samurai guesthouse in Tokyo, along with his lifelong affiliation with the Messianic community. He explained the donations which were collected were from Japanese Christians and local Israeli Messianic Jews.
We decided to arrange a small gathering for some former guests of Beit Samurai. Around a dozen people came to say “hi” to Isaac and thank him for coming to Japan during this very difficult time. Among the guests was V*, who told us about a type of miracle she recently encountered in relation to Isaac’s visit. I offered to pray for her so she would continue to experience miracles in her life. I also mentioned Isaac and I want to pray for her so she can experience the greatest miracle in life, which is to accept Jesus as the Messiah. We agreed and promised she would join us for Sabbath dinner tomorrow night to continue this conversation.
I was also able to connect with a number of the guests who were excited to learn about the Messianic Center in Ramat Gan, and we agreed I would be following up with them. One of the men, G*, had received the New Testament from Isaac when he was in Japan and came very eager to talk about it with Isaac. I also exchanged phone numbers with G* and promised to introduce him to Victoria and Moti (CPM staff in Ramat-Gan Center) so they could meet for spiritual discussions.
We continue to support the evacuee community in Central Aravah and have purchased three refrigerators and a TV, which we will take to them along with additional supplies they are in need of.
My dear friends please continue to pray for me and Isaac, so we would be instruments in the hands of God to preach the gospel, provide encouragement, and offer humanitarian assistance where it is most needed.
*name changed
