As we come to the end of 2021, we look back with such gratitude at all the Lord empowered us to do, all the places He enabled us to go, and the favor and fruit that He gave every step of the way — even during postponements, cancellations and crises in the nations. He has been so faithful!

As we look toward 2022, we are prayerfully seeking the Lord’s specific guidance for Outreach dates and locations. 

Please join us in praying for:

• The Lord of the harvest to grow our team of workers and network of those with whom we partner for the sake of making Him known
• Continuing ministry opportunities in nations we have been to before
• The ability to discern and follow the Lord’s leading to minister in new locations as well
• Specific guidance and divine connections as we pursue reaching out to all scattered tribes over the next 10 years and beyond
• Our scouting trip, planned for January 2022, to take place and bear much fruit
• Divine wisdom and help from the Lord for each of the potential Outreaches we are praying into and planning, beginning as early as the first quarter of the year
• Open doors for effective ministry and overcoming of obstacles by the grace of God
• Provision of all kinds
• Preparation – mental, physical and spiritual
• Protection over time, health, relationships and resources as well as spiritual protection in the battle of light against darkness
• Wise discernment of the times to make the most of every opportunity so that the Word of God would run swiftly, accompanied by signs and wonders, bearing much fruit for eternity and the Kingdom of God

Let’s pray:

Lord, we marvel at Your goodness. Yeshua (Jesus), You truly are the desire of the nations, whether they realize it or not. You alone can meet their deepest needs. You are the Anointed One of Israel, the Savior and Messiah, who came to deliver Your people with a freedom beyond their deepest longing and expectations. Light of the World, have Your way in us. Lead and guide us as You make Your salvation known to Your Chosen People and all the peoples! In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

“ADONAI is my Shepherd, I shall not want..” 
Psalm 23:1 TLV

Shalom, my friend.

As tensions continue to increase, as the rumors of war move ever closer to reality . . . we may feel the tension of uncertainty and the fear of the unknown.

But we have hope.

We have hope that we’ll never be alone, that we’ll never lack, that we’ll never be left to the mercy of our struggles and difficulties, that we’ll never be without a shepherd – The Shepherd.

The Shepherd who is watching, waiting, leading and guiding. That’s the promise from the Scriptures for you today.

That’s why it’s to Him that we turn to now and ask for His protective presence to be upon all of us – and upon His Chosen People. Please join with us in praying for peace and the safety of Israel and the Jewish people.

Thank you for standing with us. And for your love of God’s people. 

HISTORIC MEETING BETWEEN ISRAEL’S PRIME MINISTER AND UAE’S CROWN PRINCE 

The Jerusalem Post reported earlier this week that Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and United Arab Emirates (UAE) leader Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) met earlier this week on Monday in Abu Dhabi.

This historic meeting marks them as the first leaders of their respective countries to meet. And as reported, Prime Minister Bennett is very optimistic that the UAE-Israel relationship, established in August 2020 as the Abraham Accords, will set an example that will be followed throughout the region.

According to The Jerusalem Post, Prime Minister Bennett told reporters, “We held deep, honest and significant conversations. We spoke about the relative strengths of the two countries, and our goal is to broaden the connection so that there will not only be peace between leaders but peace between peoples.”

Bennett’s visit comes as world powers continue negotiations in Vienna with Iran over its nuclear program, and Israel fears the U.S. will lift sanctions without exacting major concessions from Tehran.

Meanwhile, according to The Jerusalem Post, Abu Dhabi has taken steps toward warming relations with its neighbor Iran, including an invitation to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to visit the UAE and meet with MBZ. Last week, Emirati National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed met with Raisi in Tehran.

ISRAEL’S DEFENSE MINISTER PRESENTS ATTACK PLAN AGAINST IRAN TO U.S. OFFICIALS

The Jerusalem Post reported that Defense Minister Benny Gantz met with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken late last week.

As reported, the conversations focused mainly on Iran and its continued pursuit of nuclear capability. This meeting comes at a time when, reportedly, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have intensified planning for an attack against its arch enemy.

Last week, U.S. sources revealed that Austin and Gantz were expected to discuss joint military preparations. And that Gantz updated U.S. officials with a deadline for when the IDF will need to complete preparations for an attack against Iran.

According to the report from The Jerusalem Post, and confirmed by a senior diplomatic source, the U.S. officials did not voice opposition to the Israeli preparations when presented with the date by Gantz.

It’s no secret that the U.S. and Israel are increasingly at odds in their evaluation of the Iranian threat. Israeli officials continue to be deeply concerned that in the recently resumed negotiations in Vienna, Washington will seek an interim deal that will lift sanctions on Tehran while insufficiently restricting its nuclear program.

Gantz further told reporters following last week’s meetings that he thinks the fate of the negotiations in Vienna would be determined in the near future. “I think that in the coming weeks we will know where we stand,” Gantz said.

LET US PRAY TOGETHER

Please pray with me for:

• God to move in the hearts of world leaders and the global threat of a nuclear Iran as Israel prepares for war
• God’s protection to be upon His people in Israel who are constantly facing threats and violence from enemies who hate them
• Peace in the hearts and minds of the people of Israel and their enemies
• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah

Why We Choose Filters Over Wells

Clean water is critical to life and good health. According to the World Health Organization, the third leading cause of death among children under 5 years old is directly related to contaminated drinking water. Worldwide, 144 million people rely on collecting untreated water from lakes, ponds, rivers and streams for drinking and cooking. Among them are many Jewish people from the Lost Tribes of Israel that we serve in Africa. Thus far, Jewish Voice has worked mainly in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe, and we have found that we can meet that the need for clean water most effectively in Zimbabwe. 

As a ministry that meets humanitarian needs in order to show the love of Jesus and open hearts to hear about Him, Jewish Voice is reaching out to bring clean water to members of the “Lost Tribes of Israel” primarily through the distribution of water filters. Why filters and not wells? Here are two significant reasons.

1. Hijacking

After an organization digs a well for a community, a person or group often takes control of the well for personal gain and to exert power over the people. They can charge outrageous fees to use what was meant to be a gift. Through intimidation and threats of violence, they often deepen the oppression of a people intended to receive relief.

2. Disrepair

Wells need attention. Things break and sometimes quit working altogether. It’s essential to find the right person to remain a point of contact for maintenance. This can be a difficult challenge in a new area where we have no established relationships. Without an ongoing relationship with a designated, committed caretaker in the community, a well can fail, and the funding organization will know nothing about it. For instance, in Wolkite, Ethiopia, where we held a Medical Outreach for the first time in 2021, we learned of a well that was dug by another organization but hadn’t functioned in six years. We fixed it for the community and discovered the problem 80 meters below ground. Without knowledge and money for maintenance, a well can remain in disrepair indefinitely.

We’re not opposed to wells

We are not opposed to digging wells for members of the Lost Tribes of Israel. In fact, we have done so in Zimbabwe, placing the wells under the care of designated Messianic Jewish congregations to ensure their maintenance and that they remain gifts to the communities.  This has been an effective arrangement in many cases, and we will continue to drill new wells there as we are able to meet the need. 

Filters do the job

When Jewish Voice conducts a large-scale Medical Outreach, we also distribute LifeStraw® water filters that clean water right in the home or at a community center. When we return to an area, many people tell us they no longer feel chronically sick since using the filter. LifeStraw® water filters remove 99.999999% of bacteria, parasites, and viruses that lead to chronic and sometimes life-threatening diseases. We distribute two sizes: Family and Community. A Family LifeStraw unit filters three to five years of water for a family, and a Community LifeStraw® cleans 26,000 gallons of water to improve the health of an entire community.

We also include a water education program along with the filter distribution. During the classes, people learn about the importance of clean water and hygiene to prevent disease. After one class, a woman stood up immediately, saying, “Thank you. We never knew these things.” 

Yet, there is another kind of “water” that gives life.

Filters open spiritual doors for the Lost Tribes of Israel

Jesus promised that those who believed in Him would have rivers of living water flowing inside them (John 7:38). As we bring humanitarian aid to open hearts to this living water of Jesus, we have found that prejudice against the Jewish people can be so strong as to try to keep them away from our Outreaches. We’ve seen deliberate miscommunication of Clinic dates and even the blocking of roadways to prevent Jewish people from receiving the services we’ve brought to an area for their benefit. So, we started the Living Waters program. 

Through the Living Waters ministry tool, we bring both healthy, life-giving drinking water and the living water of the Gospel right to the Jewish villages. This guarantees that we’re able to effectively serve our target community. Local Messianic congregations then follow-up with the families that received water filters, further spreading the Gospel and developing relationships in the community.

We have found distributing water filtration units to be an effective means of providing healthy drinking water to remote Jewish villages and opening hearts to the Gospel – the living water that provides eternal life.

We are excited about future opportunities to serve the Lost Tribes of Israel. As we expand to reach Jewish communities in other locations and countries, we continue to supply our “ministry toolbelt” with need-meeting tools, whether food, water, medical or other needs. As we continue addressing the vital importance of clean water in the future, we look forward to engaging further in WASH evaluations (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), education and resources to help the Jewish communities we serve.

We’re back from Wolkite (pronounced Wuhl-KEE-tay), Ethiopia, and are excited to tell you about the trip. You were a big part of all that took place there because your generosity and prayers made this Medical Outreach possible.

About four out of five patients we treated in Wolkite suffered from ear or hearing issues. The Lord expressed His love for the people by meeting this prevalent need, both in the Medical Clinic and Spiritual Care Ministry.

One mother brought her 12-year-old son, who couldn’t hear. While they waited with medical staff for hearing aids, a doctor prayed for him. And the Lord opened the boy’s ears! Their smiles were so big! Afterward, this mother and son, who were Muslim, went across the street to the prayer area, where they both heard the Gospel and prayed to receive Jesus as Messiah!

About 80% of Wolkite’s population professes Islam, including many Jewish people driven to do so by oppression and persecution. A pastor working with us – a veteran of Muslim ministry in Ethiopia – was astonished at how many Muslims came to receive prayer in the name of Jesus during this Outreach.

The Living Waters team visited Jewish villages around Wolkite, taking water education, LifeStraw water filters, and sharing the Gospel with Jewish families.

In all, 8,781 people in Wolkite received much-needed medical care, and 538 prayed to proclaim Jesus as their Messiah. Below are a few more numbers related to the Outreach, each representing individual lives – and therefore families – impacted by the care you helped us provide. Thank you!

Wolkite, Ethiopia Medical Outreach

• 8,781 Patients Seen
• 149 Family LifeStraw Water Filters Given
• 2 Community LifeStraw Water Devices Given
• 1,746 Eyeglasses Distributed
• 163 Eye Surgeries Performed
• 80 Minor Surgeries
• 1,448 Patients Visited the Spiritual Care Ministry
• 538 People Professed Faith in Jesus

Ethiopian Messianic Jewish congregations that you help support continue working in Wolkite, visiting families who received water filters, building relationships and spreading the Gospel. Please remember them in your prayers. And thank you again for your generosity that enabled such life-transforming ministry to take place.

“Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 
Love Adonai your God with all your heart 
and with all your soul and with all your strength.” 
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (TLV)

Shalom, my friend. 

The words from the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5), the central command of the Jewish faith, are a tremendous reminder for all of us during this holiday season.

There are so many uncertainties that we’re facing in our own experiences and as a global community. It can all feel heavy and burdensome in our hearts and lives.

But that’s the whole purpose of the Shema – the command of God for His people to turn their hearts towards Him. More than that, to make Him central in everything we do, think and feel.

This week, as you pray for Israel and the Jewish people, I encourage you to meditate on the Shema and to ask God to move in your heart and soul that you may experience what it means to truly “love Adonai.”

Thank you again for praying with us and for us.  

TWO ISRAELIS ATTACKED BY PALESTINIAN MOB

Ynet News reported last week – and IDF (Israel Defense Forces) officials confirmed – that two Israelis were attacked by a Palestinian mob after mistakenly entering the West Bank by car.

The two Jewish victims, according to Ynet News, were attacked at the city's Al-Manara Square by local youths in Ramallah. It is believed that the attackers identified the Israelis as Jews based on their Orthodox appearance and proceeded to loot their vehicle and eventually set it on fire. 

Ynet News reported that one eyewitness said the Israelis “survived a certain death” after Palestinian police rescued the pair.

Once the two had returned to the Israeli territory, they were questioned by Israeli security forces. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said the two underwent a medical examination and did not require hospital treatment.

TOP ISRAELI INTELLIGENCE CHIEF VOWS THAT IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE NUCLEAR WEAPONS

The Times of Israel reported last week that it’s Mossad (Israel’s national intelligence agency) Chief David Barnea vowed Iran will never have nukes. Barnea’s vow was issued at a ceremony at the President’s residence honoring exceptional Mossad agents.

According to The Times of Israel, Barnea addressed the current nuclear discussions, saying that a bad deal between world powers and Iran is “intolerable” for Israel . . . 

Barnea, as reported, continues:

“It’s clear that there’s no need for uranium enriched to 60% for civilian purposes. There’s no need for three enrichment sites. There’s no need for thousands of active centrifuges – unless, that is, there is an intention to develop nuclear weapons.
 
“Iran is striving for regional hegemony, wages terrorism that we are blocking every day around the world and is continuously threatening stability in the Middle East.

“Our eyes are open, we are prepared and we will do, with our partners in the security establishment, everything that is necessary to alleviate the threat against Israel and thwart it by any means.

“Iran will not have nuclear weapons – not in the coming years, not ever. That is my promise, that is Mossad’s promise.”

U.N.’S “JERUSALEM RESOLUTION” ATTEMPTS TO REBRAND THE TEMPLE MOUNT TO AN EXCLUSIVE ISLAMIC SITE

The Jerusalem Post reported last week that the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) approved a resolution that disavowed Jewish ties to the Temple Mount, calling it solely by its Muslim name of al-Haram al-Sharif.

According to The Jerusalem Post, the text – referred to as the “Jerusalem resolution” – is part of a push by the Palestinian Authority and the Arab states across the U.N. system to rebrand Judaism’s most holy site as an exclusively Islamic one.

Located in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City, it is where the ancient Jewish Temple stood 2,000 years ago, and it is the home of the al-Aqsa Mosque compound which is Islam’s third holiest site.

“It is morally, historically and politically wrong for members of this body to support language that denies” both the Jewish and Christian connections to the Temple Mount, the U.S. envoy told the UNGA as reported by The Jerusalem Post.

The Palestinian Ambassador to the U.N., Riyad Mansour, thanked those who supported the Jerusalem text, noting that it was “an appropriate and needed resolution to give hope and support to our people.”

According to The Jerusalem Post, Mansour further called on the U.N. to accept Palestine as a member state and to hold Israel accountable for its refusal to withdraw to the pre-1967 lines, so that a two-state resolution to the conflict can be implemented.

Israel’s Ambassador to the U.N., Gilad Erdan, accused the Palestinians of attempting to erase Jewish history:

“The hypocrisy of these resolutions is truly outrageous. A resolution about Jerusalem that does not refer to its ancient Jewish roots is not an ignorant mistake, but an attempt to distort and rewrite history!” 

Let Us Pray Together

Please pray with me for:

• God to move in the hearts of world leaders and the global threat of a nuclear Iran
• God’s protection to be upon His people in Israel who are constantly facing threats and violence from enemies who hate them
• Peace in the hearts and minds of the people of Israel and their enemies
• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah

We have news on a cause for celebration, and also a cancellation. Will you join us in praise and prayer?

PRAISE AND CELEBRATION: In our last Prayer Points, we asked you to pray for a unique gathering of Messianic Jewish leaders recently held in the U.S., with leaders from all over the world, including Israel. THANK YOU for your prayers. This was a benchmark gathering. Although the theme was general, “Healthy Leadership,” the Lord imparted specific and consistent threads throughout the teaching and encouraged those in attendance. It truly was a rich and memorable time, and many said it was the best gathering of its kind they had attended. The Lord answered your prayers.

NOW, would you please pray for congregational leaders in Africa?

A CANCELLATION: This Prayer Points was originally intended to invite you to pray for our Messianic Leadership Training trip to Africa, which would start now and cover the next several weeks. However, due to unrelated situations in both Ethiopia and Zimbabwe, this trip has been postponed.

We are disappointed because, as Paul says in Romans 1:11, we have longed to see these congregational leaders in person so we could encourage them and see them strengthened in the Lord. However, we know that our desire to see them and the trip’s timing are in the Lord’s hands, and we trust Him.

Now – all the more in light of the cancellation – we want to focus our prayers on these dear congregational leaders in Africa.

Please join us in praying for:

• The Lord to comfort any disappointment over this cancellation – on both sides – and open the way for the visits to take place in the first half of 2022
• These leaders to feel seen, known and encouraged despite the delay of our in-person visit
• Messianic Jewish leaders in each country to be further equipped to live out of their own God-given authority to govern, grow, and see supernatural provision for the work of their congregations and organizations
• The Lord to use them to strengthen and grow the Messianic Movement in their countries by networking and partnering with one another, including those from other tribes and regions
• Favor from all authorities, leaders and community members as well as protection from disease and unrest
• Faith, endurance and hope to continue fighting the good fight of faith, making the most of every opportunity the Lord provides them as they love and serve Him and each other

Let’s pray:

Lord, how we have longed to be with these brothers and sisters, leaders in the Messianic body of believers in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe. Thank You that even when we can’t be with them, You are. Please sustain, encourage and grow them in You. Help them be blameless and pure, shining like lights in the midst of their generation. May they live out the reality of knowing Yeshua and draw many to You. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

As we move closer toward the end of the year, I’m writing to ask for your generous support…

I shared recently how God continues to open the doors for our Outreaches in Africa.

And in these final weeks of the year, we've set a goal of raising $209,000 by year's end to meet the urgent needs of hurting and suffering Jewish people.

The impact for the Kingdom in these areas among the Jewish people — and their neighbors — in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe is nothing short of miraculous.

People are touched by the healing power of God.

And hearts are softened and opened to the glorious truth that Jesus is their Messiah.

And after more than a year of so much isolation and distancing, the needs among the Jewish people in Africa — including those who are members of the “Lost Tribes of Israel” — are greater than ever.

But I believe as their physical needs have increased, their hearts are more open than ever before to hear the Gospel.

That’s why I’m praying you’ll give a generous year-end, tax-deductible gift today.

Believe me, this is about more than dollars and cents. This is about the Gospel of Jesus — healing bodies and saving souls.

God will use your generosity to transform the lives of more Jewish people and their neighbors through our upcoming Outreaches in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe — and all of our ministry efforts worldwide!

Thank you in advance for your support.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” 
Psalm 122:6 (NIV)

Shalom, my friend. 

As a partner of Israel who loves the Jewish people, I’m sure you’ve been watching and waiting for this week’s start of nuclear negotiations with Iran in Vienna.

It’s no exaggeration to write that the safety of Israel, and even the world, is at stake in these discussions.

But the truth is … all of this is entirely out of our control. The only thing you and I can do – the only thing we can control – is how we respond to what God has commanded us to do: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”

That’s why I encourage you to not feel overwhelmed by the darkness or the enemy today. Don’t give in to dismay. Obey God. Obey His command. Reach out to Him now – on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people. But also with whatever challenge or heartbreak you might be facing right now. God will give you peace.

Thank you again for praying with us and for us. 

ISRAEL’S PRIME MINISTER SENDS A SHARP MESSAGE AS NUCLEAR NEGOTIATIONS WITH IRAN RESUME 

World powers and Iran reconvened in Vienna on Monday, after a nearly six-month break, to negotiate an Iranian return to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel’s Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, sent a sharp message to the international community to be tough on Iran. As reported by The Jerusalem Post, Prime Minister Bennett said that Iran’s goal in the talks is for the U.S. to lift sanctions while the Islamic Republic does almost nothing in return.

“Iran won't just keep its nuclear program; from today, they'll be getting paid for it,” the Prime Minister warned.

Further, Bennett pointed to Iranian authorities shooting protesters in Isfahan in recent days, as well as a recent remark by Iran Armed Force spokesman Brig.-Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi as characteristic of the regime’s intentions: “We will not back off from the annihilation of Israel, not even one millimeter.”

The Prime Minister concluded by saying, “Iran deserves no rewards, no bargain deals and no sanctions relief in return for their brutality. I call upon our allies around the world: Do not give in to Iran's nuclear blackmail.”

According to The Jerusalem Post, Israel opposes the JCPOA because it insufficiently limits Iran’s uranium enrichment. Rather, it legitimizes further enrichment after the agreement expires – potentially paving the way for an eventual nuclear bomb. Lastly, the JCPOA does not address Iran’s other violent actions in the region.

However, senior Iranian officials have said they are only willing to negotiate the lifting of sanctions and not about its nuclear program.

TOP ISRAELI DEFENSE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCES UPCOMING DEFENSE DEAL WITH MOROCCO

The Times of Israel reported late last week that Israeli and Moroccan officials signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will bolster security cooperation between Rabat and Jerusalem. This includes sharing sensitive security intelligence and holding joint exercises.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz was in Morocco for the signing, making a public show of cooperation between Israel and an Arab state on sensitive security issues.

According to The Times of Israel, Jerusalem and Rabat are both deeply involved in the fight against international Islamic terror groups like Islamic State and Al-Qaeda, which operate both in Israel’s area of the Middle East and in Africa.

Israel’s primary enemy Iran and its proxy Hezbollah are also believed to be involved to a certain extent in the current Moroccan-Algerian conflict.

When asked about the importance of the historic security partnership with Morocco, Zohar Palti, the head of Israel’s Defense Ministry’s Political-Military Bureau, told The Times of Israel, “Morocco has been fighting terror on a number of fronts over the years, and it is a country that has fought Al-Qaeda and the global jihad.”

ISRAELI TREATMENT FOR SEVERE COVID-19 CAN REDUCE MORTALITY BY 70% ACCORDING TO PHASE II CLINICAL TRIAL DATA

The Jerusalem Post reported late last week that Bonus BioGroup released new data showing that the 30-days survival rate of 50 severely ill hospitalized patients with oxygen saturation of 93% and below and diffuse pneumonia who received up to three doses of the company’s MesenCure treatment was 94% – meaning 47 out of 50 patients survived. 

When comparing the first 30 patients in the trial to 60 similar patients who were used as a control group, the outcome is even more striking: only 6.7% of the patients treated with MesenCure died due to COVID-19 or its complications, compared to 23.3% of the control group.

New drugs by Merck and Pfizer are showing the likelihood of success for treating mild patients in the early stages of the disease. But the MesenCure is the first potential drug of its kind that could help save the lives of the most severe COVID-19 patients. 

Beyond the mortality results, MesenCure was also found to shorten the hospitalization period of the treated patients by 45% from an average of 17.2 days to only 9.4 days – a difference of eight days. 

Based on these results, Bonus BioGroup’s CEO, Dr. Shai Meretzki said he is hopeful that soon Bonus BioGroup will be able to treat a lot more patients not only in Israel but in other parts of the world. He said the company is preparing the data to submit to regulators in the United States and Europe. 

LET US PRAY TOGETHER

Please pray with me for:

• God to move in the hearts of Iranian leaders and bring wisdom and peace to the nuclear negotiations that are currently taking place in Vienna
• Peace in the hearts and minds of the people of Israel and their enemies
• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah