The Zehra Kids Program has been a fantastic way to minister to children during our Medical Outreaches in Africa. However, as we saw the young ones having so much fun, hearing about Yeshua (Jesus), and learning about their identities as precious to God, we recognized that there was a set of kids with different needs: teenagers. So, JVMI staff developed the Zehra Teens Program for kids aged 13 – 18.

Zehra Teens

Zehra Kids and Zehra Teens classes run in conjunction with our Medical Outreaches. While parents are in line or receiving care, groups of about 20-25 kids join a session lasting about an hour. The experience is similar to a day camp, with each group enjoying an age-appropriate lesson and activities. The Zehra Teens program differs from Zehra Kids in that the teens sit in a circle for a more conversational, devotional-style lesson encouraging interaction. They engage in fun games that involve trust, listening and following to reinforce the lesson’s main points.

Zehra Teens officially launched in October 2023 in Hosanna, Ethiopia, and ministered to 415 teenage boys and girls during the five-day Medical Clinic there.

A message that resonates

The curriculum for Zehra Teens is based on the life of Nehemiah. Nehemiah’s family was taken captive when Babylon conquered the Southern Kingdom of Judah, and he was born into slavery in the land where they’d been exiled. He’d never seen his homeland, but when he heard that Jerusalem’s gates and walls were broken down, it grieved his heart. The people remaining there were vulnerable to attacks by the neighboring peoples.

Though Nehemiah was a slave, he received a vision from God that he could be an instrument of change. He prayed, walked in the strength of his identity, and worked to carry out the vision of repairing Jerusalem’s wall.

The story of Nehemiah shows Zehra Teens kids the truth that no matter their circumstances, God has a plan and a vision for each of their lives. With God, they have the ability to do good and make a positive difference in their environments and the lives of the people around them.

The Gospel is woven into this hope-filled message during one-to-one time with the teens who are offered the invitation to place their faith in Yeshua (Jesus) as Lord. The program sessions also create the opportunity for teens to have a personal encounter with God, opening their hearts and hands in prayer before Him, believing He will speak to them with a vision for their lives.

The responses have been overwhelmingly positive. The teens in attendance leave inspired and hopeful for their future. They walk away lifted up, strengthened, and encouraged that they are loved, valued and have a purpose. Hear what some of them said afterward:

“This is the first time I heard that God cares for me and has a vision for my life. It makes me want to tell all my friends to also receive this opportunity. I feel like I can reach my goals even though I am starting from nowhere, God will provide a way.”

“Nehemiah was a slave, not important, but became someone important. The same is true for me.”

“We go through so many things here in Ethiopia and hear so many bad things. War in our region and all over our country. But after hearing about the life of Nehemiah, that he was young and prayed because he believed God told him, means I should too. Even if I'm young, God hears my prayers.”

“Now I know God can use me even if I'm young. He respects me and can use me. God can use me equally as much as Nehemiah.

Jacob’s story

After the lesson, a 13-year-old boy named Jacob approached Jewish Voice’s Children’s Education Program Manager. Through an interpreter, he asked if he might return with his only school notebook and go through the class again because he wanted to write down the lesson. He didn’t want to forget the inspiration he received but wanted to have the material to read again and again.

The Program Manager gave Jacob printed copies of the lesson in both English and Amharic, his native Ethiopian language. She and some local Zehra Teens leaders sat down with him to pray, asking if there was anything specific he’d like them to pray for. He explained that his grandmother lives in the poorest house in Hosanna, and his vision is to buy her a nice home that is safe. Such love and thoughtfulness touched their hearts, and it was clear that this young man was already a leader.

Would you pray with us for Jacob and all the teenagers who have gone through the Zehra Teens program on various Outreaches in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe? Your support of Jewish Voice enables the Zehra Teens Program to reach these young ones at such a critical time in their lives, offering them the hope and love of Yeshua. Thank you!

Here are some points you can pray:

• The Lord to draw those who don’t yet know Him into faith in Jesus the Messiah
• Each one to know God’s deep love for them
• The Lord to encourage them with His vision and plan for their lives – that they would know He can use them as He did Nehemiah
• God to motivate them with the confidence and will to be agents of good, carrying out His purposes in their circles of influence

Praying for “groups” of essential people

We recently had a great time of prayer with our staff here at Jewish Voice Ministries International (JVMI), covering some of our strategic outreach efforts. The Lord prompted us to pray for different “groups” of people who are critical to these Kingdom initiatives that are part of fulfilling the vision and mission He has given us. Would you join your prayers with ours?

Please pray for:

LEADERS

• Jewish Voice leadership to hear clearly from the Lord as to which scattered Jewish communities, He is opening the door to, as well as when, where and how to reach out to them
• Governmental and local community leaders to show favor toward Jewish Voice as we present our vision to serve, apply for permissions, and ultimately come to their area to bless and minister
• Messianic Jewish congregational leaders in the areas we serve to hear from the Lord regarding the places to where He is calling them to reach out and how Jewish Voice can partner and support them in these efforts. Also, for His help as they share the Good News, disciple new Believers, and start new congregations while continuing to edify and encourage existing congregations
• Local area religious leaders to welcome our presence and ministry and see them as evidence of the Lord’s graciousness in caring for their communities’ needs

STAFF

• U.S.-based Global Outreach staff as they plan, travel and facilitate our Outreaches, which is often an arduous and intense ministry. Pray for their spiritual, physical, mental and emotional well-being. Pray for their families and all aspects of their everyday lives, especially when they are away from home
• Traveling members of our Congregational and Leadership Development team who visit the international congregations we support to equip them with encouragement and training, building up the Messianic Jewish body in each area. Pray for their families and home lives as well
• Indigenous JVMI team members who provide on-the-ground insight, resourcing and logistical support for our Outreaches. May the Lord strengthen them
• Our U.S.-based team of support staff, who undergird all our front-line efforts and use their equipping, training and giftings toward the vision and mission the Lord has called us to

PARTNERS

• The Lord to continue to bless and inspire our financial partners with His heart for Israel and the Jewish people, enabling them to give, whether a mite or a million, toward seeing all Israel saved and blessed
• Our Prayer Partners, including you, who diligently pray for not only Israel and the Jewish people but for Jewish Voice, our leadership, staff, Outreaches and initiatives. May the Lord meet with each one of you as you watch and pray
• Committed and qualified Outreach Partners who put their love for the Jewish people into action and accompany us to diverse locations, believing with us that “no Jewish person is too far away, either spiritually or geographically, to experience God's hope and salvation”
• Medical and dental professionals who take time out of their busy lives and practices to love and care for Jewish people and their neighbors on our Outreaches, in the name of Yeshua (Jesus)
• Board members who sow their time, wisdom and experience into the Lord’s work through Jewish Voice by serving on our U.S., Canada, and U.K. boards

LOCALS

• Local indigenous Believers who serve faithfully and joyfully in various capacities during our Outreaches, ministering the love of the Lord in so many ways
• Local outreach workers, whom we hire temporarily for various tasks, to ensure that our Outreaches are fully supported. They are grateful for the short-term work, but our heart's desire is that they would be eternally blessed by coming to know Yeshua themselves through working with us and being exposed to the Good News in both words and love in action.

The Lord is using so many people to understand His heart and purposes for Israel and the Jewish people and to put that understanding into action through service, reaching out, giving, and prayer. Let’s pray for all those He is using, as it’s more critical than ever to see all Israel saved and strengthened in the Lord!

Let’s Pray

Lord, please bless those who are working together to bless Your Chosen People and bring glory to You!

Doors are opening. We invite your intensified prayers.

Together, we have seen incredible answers to prayer. You have prayed us through so many Outreaches! Some of you might even know by heart the types of things we ask you to pray.

In terms of prayer requests, some things bear repeating. This is a general reality, but it also rings particularly true for us in this season. As we’ve been telling you, we have been praying for open doors to minister to Jewish people around the world. We’re seeing the Lord begin to answer those prayers, and we’re preparing to follow where and when He leads.

However, 1 Corinthians 16:9 reminds us that with open doors come adversaries. With that in mind, we invite your intensified prayers. We know we are engaged in a battle between darkness and Light, and we want to ensure that we receive the Lord’s specific Kingdom assignments and strategies and operate under His favor and protection. Prayer prepares the way for us as we walk through the doors He opens.

Please pray through these powerful Scriptures regarding open doors.  Pray for:

THE LORD’S PRESENCE AND GUIDANCE

• Exodus 33:14–15 – The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then Moses said to him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.
• Psalm 32:8 – I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

US TO DO ALL THE LORD’S IS TELLING US TO DO

• Ephesians 2:10 – For we are His workmanship––created in Messiah Yeshua for good deeds, which God prepared beforehand so we might walk in them.
• Acts 20:24 – However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me––the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

PROTECTION

• 2 Corinthians 4:18 – So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
• 2 Kings 6:16-20: “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha….
• Nahum 1:7 – The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.
• Isaiah 54:17 – “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from Me,” declares the Lord.
• Psalm 23
• Psalm 91

FOR PROVISION, PEACE, POWER

• Philippians 4:19 – And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in the [Messiah] Jesus.
• Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thank you for your prayers! They are critical. Join us now in praying for the Lord to prepare the way in the hearts of those around the world He wants to reach.

Let’s Pray

Lord, You tell us to pray for those who will be sent out into the harvest fields. Thank You for those You have already prepared and made willing to go on Your behalf through Jewish Voice Ministries. And thank You for making the harvest fields ready by preparing hearts to be eager recipients of the Good News! Our trust is completely in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Shavuot is associated with two invaluable gifts in the Believer’s life: God’s Word and His Spirit.

The Rabbis teach that fifty days after leaving Egypt on the Passover, the Israelites found themselves at Mount Sinai, where God gave them the Torah. It was on the day that He had commanded to be the Feast of Shavuot once they entered the Promised Land. Thousands of years later, on Shavuot (also called Pentecost), the Lord poured out His spirit, causing the blinders to come off thousands and enabling the bold proclamation of the Gospel. With these incredible gifts, we can know the God who loves us, is always with us, and sent His Messiah to draw us near Him.

A closer look at the gift of God’s Word

The Torah, in its most technical use of the word, refers to the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), but the word itself also means “instruction.” So, as we commemorate Shavuot and God’s gift of the Torah, we also celebrate the entirety of His Word as His gift, revealing more of who He is.

Join us for a devotional excerpt from the Jewish Voice resource "Portions: A Weekly Devotional for Drawing Near to the Lord", which is based on the annual Torah reading cycle that Jewish people follow worldwide. After the excerpt, we’ve included a bonus list of some benefits Believers receive from the Scriptures.

Portion 46

Deuteronomy 7:12 – 11:25

Hanging on Every Word

"...He fed you manna…in order to make you understand that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of Adonai.

— Deuteronomy 8:3(TLV)

Before Jesus began His public ministry, He fasted and prayed in the wilderness. After 40 days, Satan tempted Him in three ways. One was with food. Though certainly hungry, Jesus replied by quoting a verse from this week’s parasha (Matthew 4:3 – 4).

Looking at Israel’s 40 years in the wilderness, the Lord explained that He gave them manna to

teach them that their lives depended on not only physical food but also on God’s provision and on God’s promises.  The New Testament tells us to cling to God’s Word as “the word of life” (Philippians 2:16a) and let it richly dwell in us (Colossians 3:16).

God wants us living off of and hanging onto His every word as if our lives depend on them. He wants us to give His Word our rapt and avid attention — be enthusiastic for it, absorbed by it, eager for it. Yeshua said we should strive harder for spiritual food that gives eternal life than we do for tangible food that sustains our physical lives (John 6:27, 58). God wants us to crave hearing what He has to say.

Why? Psalm 119 gives us a glimpse of how nourishing and sustaining God’s Word is. Its writer describes what it means to him. He calls it wonderful, good, just, faithful, his counsel, and sweeter than honey. God’s instruction sustains him, restores his life, reveals wonders, and gives him hope and comfort.

The psalmist also showed an example of our right response to the Lord’s Word by noting that he treasures, observes, speaks, loves, trusts, meditates on and stands firm in it. He asks God to teach him His Word, revive him with it, be gracious to him by it, give him discernment through it, and help him keep it. (See Psalm 119.)

How do we come to crave God’s Word? We must read it to see its worth. As we experience its nourishment, we’ll grow hungrier for it. Start with an act of discipline, setting aside regular time to read Scripture. Ask the Lord to increase your appetite for His Word. As you feast on it, you’ll discover for yourself the wonderful things Psalm 119’s author found in it — and more.

Parasha Takeaway

I will pray for God to help me recognize I need His Word to strengthen and sustain me — as much as natural food nourishes my body.

God’s Word:

• Instructs us how to live lives pleasing to God (2 Timothy 3:16b, Hebrews 11:6)

• Conveys His love for us (Romans 5:8, Ephesians 3:17–19)
• Strengthens us by reminding us of His power within us (Philippians 4:13)
• Lifts our spirits when life is hard, reminding us that He has overcome the world (John 16:33)
• Assures us that He has good plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11)
• Encourages us that He makes all things beautiful in time (Ecclesiastes 3:11) and turns all things good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28)

Your gift to Jewish Voice today will enable new Jewish Believers in Africa and elsewhere to discover the invaluable gift of God’s Word with a Bible of their very own. In many of the remote places where Jewish Voice ministers, Bibles are too expensive and hard to come by for Believers to acquire. Your gift to Jewish Voice today will supply Bibles to Believers and do much more to meet practical needs and bring the Good News to Jewish communities worldwide.

Miracles, Favor and Congregational Plants in Sodo, Ethiopia

• 9,191 Patients Received Care
• 658 People Received Dental Care
• 2,252 Eyeglasses Distributed
• 102 Minor Surgeries Performed
• 1,149 Children Attended the Zehra Kids Program
• 393 Teens Attended the Zehra Teens Nehemiah Program
• 3,056 People Heard the Gospel
• 245 People Received Yeshua
• 186  People Requested Congregational Follow-up

Our first Outreach of 2024 was to a new location in southern Ethiopia, a town called Sodo. It was a marvelous success, and three things stood out to our Global Outreach Director.

Miracles

The Lord performed many miracles for the people of Sodo. One young man suffered from epilepsy and had lost his job because of the seizures. He came to the Spiritual Care Ministry, and when he received prayer, he experienced such a significant change in his body that he proclaimed he’d been healed. In the following days, a relative came to us, glowing with joy over the healing and requesting prayer herself. The man also returned, bringing his whole family who each wanted prayer. Because of your faithful support of Jewish Voice, you helped transform this young man’s future and plant Gospel seeds among his entire family.

Congregations

In just a few weeks after the Outreach, two new Messianic Jewish congregations had already formed. This is a fantastic start to establishing these new Believers in their faith, growing disciples, and spreading the Gospel in the Sodo area. Your partnership is making this happen.

Local Favor

We never quite know what we’ll experience once we’re in the field to conduct an Outreach — whether a welcome or opposition to the message we bring. We were thrilled that the people of Sodo welcomed us with enthusiasm. As we drove into town, we received a police escort and a parade-like celebration. A local official stood in the street and told all gathered there how blessed they were to have a Jewish community among them because that’s the reason Jewish Voice was there offering care to the entire town. The faithful giving of partners like you who have supported decades of ministry in Ethiopia has helped establish this trust and openness.

Thank you for helping this Outreach change so many lives.

Your gift today will also help local Messianic Jewish Believers follow up with patients who expressed interest in learning more about Jesus, offering them another opportunity to hear the Gospel, accept Jesus, and receive biblical discipleship.

Heading Into an Area of Hardship — We Need Your Prayers

As we reach out to Jewish people, the Lord often sends Jewish Voice Ministries into areas experiencing hardships such as drought, poverty, and tribal conflicts. The people there have lived, and are often still living, through the impact of traumatic events. We are humbled that He entrusts us to bring love and care to those in such heart-breaking circumstances.

We’re heading to one such location in Northern Ethiopia very soon, where waves of violence and the ensuing problems have taken great tolls on the people there for the last several years. We need your prayers for the Lord to light our path with His protection and enable us to be a light and testimony to His abundant love and salvation through both word and deed.

Your prayers will be crucial and key to our team’s safety and effectiveness and for the transformation of those we go to help!

Ways to Pray

Here’s how you can make a difference with your prayers:

• Use the detailed DAY-BY-DAY Prayer Points below to pray along with us before, during and after the Outreach
• You can also commit to a specific time slot to pray for us from home during the Outreach. SIGN UP HERE on our Prayer Schedule, referring to the dates below.

Here are ways you can pray regarding this Outreach:

Before the Outreach

The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

— Isaiah 40:3 NKJV

Wednesday, May 22 – Saturday, June 1

• That all preparations come together and fall entirely in place, such as VISAS, medical supplies, Clinic site readiness, team unity and community relationships
• Protection, health, safety and favor as our team and partners prepare, travel, serve throughout the Outreach week and return home
• Effective training for all areas of the Outreach
• Spiritual forces of darkness to flee, making way for the King of Glory to come with salvation, healing and deliverance as God prepares the spiritual atmosphere and the hearts of the people

During the Outreach

“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,”

— Luke 4:18

“Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God.

— Isaiah 40:1

Sunday, June 2

• An effective first day of ministry as the Clinic opens mid-morning
• Word about the Clinic to spread, which is so important in a new location, and many to come for treatment and care
• Local workers hired to be fully aligned with Jewish Voice’s desire to bless their community
• The presence of unity, humility and effective communication throughout the week
• Comfort for our team members and partners as they hear about and see evidence of the trauma people in this area have endured

Monday, June 3

• Favor from local leaders and community members before during and after the Outreach
• That we would bless not only those who come for care but also that the Believers in the area will be refreshed and encouraged in their faith by our visit to their region
• The Lord to move powerfully through the Gospel and the ministry of the Holy Spirit
• Holy-Spirit-led healing from trauma in a region where everyone has experienced so much

Tuesday, June 4

• The Lord to bring our team wisdom, favor, discernment and protection regarding any local or unique factors regarding this location, the conditions or timeframe
• Spiritual strength and stamina for our team, renewed by intimacy with the Lord and fellowship with one another
• Effective medical and dental care and healing to take place, including supernaturally as a testimony of God’s power and love

Wednesday, June 5

• The local congregation we are partnering with to have a wonderful spiritual impact on everyone in the region
• LifeStraw® water filter distribution to make a real difference in people’s health
•  The Lord to work powerfully, bringing about the transformation of hearts and communities in Ethiopia

Thursday, June 6

• Many salvations and healings and the ability to treat as many patients as possible on the last day of the Outreach
• Order and shalom to reign as local workers are paid, the patient lines are closed and the Outreach ends
• Safety and efficiency in closing the Clinic and packing equipment and supplies

After the Outreach

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of [Messiah] Jesus.

— Philippians 1:6

Friday, June 7 and onward  

• The Lord to minister to our team and partners and bring them comfort as they leave this hurting region
• Effective follow-up by the local congregation for those who want to learn more
• The Lord to continue mightily working in this troubled region, building up the Believers and bringing ongoing healing, salvation and deliverance
• May a new congregation be established, protected, and become a beacon of light and life to the region

Let’s Pray

Abba, our hearts are crying out to you for the Jewish people to whom you are sending us in Northern Ethiopia. They and their neighbors have been through so much. May desperately needed medical care to heal their bodies, but – Oh, Lord! – may the Good News of Yeshua (Jesus) and the ministry of the Holy Spirit bring salvation and deep healing to their whole lives. Heal their wounds and heal their land, in Yeshua’s name, AMEN.

Where in the World is Chatikobo and How Can You Pray for It?

Our second Outreach of 2024 will be in Zimbabwe. We are heading to a new location, Chatikobo, in a region we have been before, Masvingo. Since October 7, the landscape in many of the places we serve is changing, and that is true in Zimbabwe. So even though we are doing what we have done there many times before, we are doing it under new circumstances in a world that is shaking. We are taking nothing for granted. We’re doing everything we know to prepare and are asking the Lord to do the rest.

One of the most strategic things we do regarding our Outreaches is to ask you to pray.

Ways to Pray

• Pray through the detailed DAY-BY-DAY Prayer Points below during the week
• You can commit to a specific time slot to pray for us from home during the Outreach.  SIGN UP on our Prayer Schedule, referring to the dates below. This helps you make a commitment and remember to pray, and it encourages us to see how many of you are praying!

Here’s how you can make an impact in Chatikobo through your prayer:

Before the Outreach

The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

— Isaiah 40:3 NKJV

Wednesday, May 8–Thursday, May 16

• All preparations fully in place, such as VISAS, medical supplies, site readiness, team unity and community relationships
• Protection, health, safety and favor as our team and partners prepare and travel
• Spiritual forces of darkness to flee, making way for the King of Glory to come with salvation, healing and deliverance as the spiritual atmosphere and the hearts of the people are prepared – please pray for this throughout the Outreach!

Friday, May 17

• Safe arrivals in Zimbabwe’s capital and the Lord’s help in acclimating to the new time zone, culture and food, including the ability to sleep well at night
• Good fellowship and bonding between JVMI staff, medical professionals and Outreach Partners
• A wonderful start to the week ahead through experiencing Shabbat dinner with the Lord and each other

Saturday, May 18

• A safe journey to Chatikobo, our Outreach location
• Effective orientations for the medical professionals, Clinic operations and the campsite
• The word to get out to the surrounding areas so that many people come every day for treatment and care
• The Lord to oversee the process of hiring local workers who will fully align with what the Lord has called us to do

During the Outreach

“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,”

— Luke 4:18

Sunday, May 19

• The Clinic site to be fully prepared to receive patients
• Training and spiritual preparedness for the Spiritual Care Team and for freedom in the Spirit that leads to changed lives and a transformed community
• A smooth opening of the Clinic at 10:00 a.m., including for the Zehra Kid’s Program

Monday, May 20

• First time Outreach Partners to be equipped, energized and encouraged during tonight’s meeting just for them
• Favor and engagement from the national, regional and local leaders and community
• Wisdom, favor, discernment and protection from the Lord regarding any local or unique factors regarding this location, conditions or timeframe

Tuesday, May 21

• Effective medical and dental care and healing, including supernaturally as a testimony of God’s power and love
• The Spiritual Care Tent, Zehra Kids program, and Living Waters team to leave a lasting and eternal impact in the community through salvations, love, and provision
• Special anointing on the Living Waters team, visiting several villages; the Zehra Kid’s team, led by indigenous leaders; and unity and spiritual effectiveness for the Spiritual Care team

Wednesday, May 22

• Ongoing impact from the Lord as the Kingdom of Light overcomes darkness
• Physical health, strength and stamina for the whole team
• Spiritual renewal as well, through intimacy with the Lord, the daily prayer times and Wednesday worship service

Thursday, May 23

• Miracles, signs and wonders to accompany the Word and testify to Yeshua (Jesus), the Living Word
• The ability to see and care for all who come today, the last day
• Fellowship and protection in closing the Clinic, and that the Lord would continue to minister to those who came for care

After the Outreach

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of [Messiah] Jesus.

— Philippians 1:6

Friday, May 24 onward

• Safety for everyone as they travel home, and that each one who served and ministered would hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
• The Lord to continue to work mightily in this region and among the Lemba Jewish people of Zimbabwe, bringing healing, salvations and deliverance!

• Effective follow-up by the local congregation with those who want to learn more

Let’s Pray

Lord, we are overwhelmed with gratitude at the chance to GO and watch You at work in the lives of the Lemba Jewish people and their neighbors. We ask for Your extreme shalom and protection over every aspect of this Outreach and that it would reap the eternal fruit that only You can bring. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

There’s no question that world opinion about Israel is strongly divided these days. It was easy to stand with Israel immediately after Hamas attacked and committed thousands of heinous acts of violence against Israelis. And recently, after Iran fired over 300 missiles targeting Israel, public and international support for Israel has seen a bit of a resurgence. During the months between those two attacks, however, as Israel pushed on, fighting a war to eliminate the terrorist organization Hamas, supporting Israel became more controversial.

Israel has come under scrutiny for its military actions in Gaza, with many in the world claiming its responses are disproportionate to the October 7 attack by Hamas. The devastation in the Gaza Strip as the war drags on has turned some minds against Israel, believing it not possible to have compassion for suffering Gazans while at the same time respecting Israel’s right to defend herself. Many people gravitated to a black-and-white, either-or stance toward Israel. Feeling compelled to choose sides and be all in with the choice, it appeared that you could either support Israel or stand in solidarity with Gazans, but not both.

That’s a false choice. It’s an unnecessary, unrealistic choice many people may want to force. The truth is that it is possible to have a firmly rooted position in support of Israel while at the same time questioning or even challenging some aspects of how Israel’s leaders are leading or its military fighting.

However, consider your thoughts toward your own country – whether that’s the United States, Canada, Britain or elsewhere. Most likely, you don’t agree with everything your government does, and because leaders disagree among themselves, you can’t possibly agree with all of them. But you stand with your nation, wanting the best for it. You believe in your country’s right to exist. You want to see it safe from foreign and domestic threats and any attempts to undermine or destroy it. And you almost certainly support your nation’s right to respond if and when external terrorist attacks occur. In the same way, you can be a solid supporter of Israel without agreeing with every political leader, every decision the government makes, and every action the military takes.

Acknowledging the Complexities

At the time of this article, Israel is observing its Holocaust Remembrance Day, called Yom HaShoah in Hebrew. Throughout history, the Jewish people have repeatedly endured attempts to destroy them as a people. None was so systematic as the Holocaust when six million Jewish people were rounded up and executed by a regime that believed they should not exist. Today, Israel faces the same calls for extinction by various terrorist groups. In fact, the Hamas attacks on October 7 were the largest loss of Jewish lives in a single day since the Holocaust itself.

Is Israel trying to destroy Gaza or the Palestinian people? No. Israel is trying to destroy Hamas, a terrorist organization that has taken political control of Gaza and whose primary aim is to eliminate Israel. Hamas’ stated purpose is to destroy Israel and the Jewish people in the region. Therefore, as long as Hamas exists, no Israeli is safe, and the State of Israel will never be free of the threat to its very existence.

Is it tragic what the Gazan population is enduring, many of them innocent with no ties to Hamas or its beliefs against Israel? Absolutely. And it’s our duty as Believers in Yeshua (Jesus) to pray for them even as we pray for the protection of the IDF and the Jewish State. With Hamas hiding among civilians, willing to sacrifice innocent Gazans to protect its objective of destroying Israel and hurting Israelis, Israel’s military faces an incredibly complicated task to defend itself against future threats from Hamas.

Both-And vs. Either-Or

You can stand with Israel and have compassion for what innocent Gazan citizens are suffering as a result of the heated conflict while Israel struggles to root out Hamas. Communicating this when confronted by those who challenge your support for Israel opens the door for conversations. In such a complicated situation, there’s room for both conviction and compassion.

Here’s the key: Be able to articulate why you stand with Israel and also your compassion for those suffering because of Israel’s attempts to ensure its safety by eliminating Hamas.

Reasons for standing with Israel may include some of the following, for example:

• Israel has a right to exist as the modern State of Israel
• Israel has a right to defend itself against aggressors who are intent on harming its people or destroying or eliminating its existence
• Israel has a right to the Land given to her by the United Nations. You could go so far as to say Israel has the biblical right to the Land given to her by God, which is much more land than is within the current borders of the State of Israel
• Israel is beloved by God as a people, a nation and a Land
• For those who are open to a biblical perspective, the Land of Israel has been promised by God to the Jewish people as an everlasting inheritance (Genesis 17:8)

As Jewish Voice Vice President of Global Ministry Affairs Ezra Benjamin said in a recent episode of the A Jew and A Gentile Discuss podcast (Is Standing with Israel Safe?), when we adopt a “This is true… and this is also true…” stance, it can open the door for a dialogue with those who believe that all supporters of Israel are unsympathetic to Gazan suffering. You can say, “Yes, I stand with Israel, and yes, it’s tragic what’s happening to the people of Gaza.” Hopefully, the result is that others see the complexities of the situation and that an either-or position is unrealistic.

In just a few days, Israel will celebrate its 76th anniversary as the reborn State of Israel. This anniversary comes amid much worldwide scrutiny while the country continues to be attacked from Gaza in the south, Hezbollah in the north and Iran and its proxies from the east.  World opinion often leans on daily headlines without considering all the facts and issues. No one knows what the outcome will be or the toll along the way. One thing we do know is that God has promised that as long as the sun rises and sets, Israel will not cease to be a nation before Him (Jeremiah 31:35–36). God is faithful to His promises that Israel is His chosen nation, His Chosen People. He has delivered them and preserved a remnant time and again and will continue doing so.

Of all the matters facing the Jewish people – in Israel or elsewhere – the most consequential, the most eternally significant is that of their salvation. Join us in praying for God’s deliverance of the Jewish people from sin and death as He opens their eyes to faith in Yeshua (Jesus), the promised Messiah sent first to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Through your gifts to Jewish Voice, you help share the Good News with Jewish people in Israel, Ukraine, Africa and around the world. You become a part of transforming lives and the fulfillment of the apostle Paul’s words in Romans chapter 11:26 that one day, all Israel will be saved.