Rejoicing in Purim & Preparing for Passover

 

  Purim in southeast Ukraine

                                      Jeff in west Czechia synagogue 

“We had no interruptions with air raid sirens during our service!” Messianic Jewish pastor Alexander joyfully expressed from southeast Ukraine, near the war front. The event was Purim in which Jewish people celebrate their deliverance from a death sentence made into law in ancient Persia. (The Book of Esther).  About 120 Jewish and Slavic people attended, many of whom probably for the first time ever heard the story of Esther. Messiah’s Compassion supports this Jewish Messianic congregation and helped Jewish / Slavic people during Purim in Zaporozhe, Kyiv & Odessa. Over 200 were in attendance in the two Odessa Jewish Messianic congregations with the for Purim services. Needy people received food packages and refreshments in each location. Messianic leader Leonid reported that many Jewish and Slavic people raised their hands, responding to a call to repentance, receiving Jesus (Yeshua) as Messiah! Though the war is raging in Ukraine, the hearts of people are sincerely turning toward the God of Israel for hope and true peace. Likewise in Israel, though the enemies from various countries are attempting to bring terror and death, the Jewish people are opening their hearts to hear the message of Messiah Jesus (Yeshua).

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PURIM Joy and Blessings

Messiah's Compassion, as on each Purim, reaches out to Jewish people in Ukraine and Israel through its faithful partner congregations and volunteers. (The upper photo is a Jewish lady in Odessa, Ukraine and the lower is from Kyiv, Ukraine.) Thank you, dear friends, churches & family members who make this ministry continue on despite wars and difficult financial times! May the LORD powerfully bless each of you. 

 

Light of Life "Or Chai"

Right before the war started in Israel in October of 2023, another new congregation was launched near Haifa. This new Jewish Messianic congregation, Light of Life has been launched by the Return to Zion congregation in Haifa. Pastor Dima, who was grew up in RTZ, received a call to start a new work just outside of Haifa in a fast-growing population center. Likewise, Mark, sharing the same vision, will be the worship leader in the new congregation. Thank you for supporting Messiah's Compassion who will stand in prayer and financial support to bless this new work. Though the war has caused such instability in the lives of Israelis, the new congregation is already seeing new people come to seek the truth of Scripture. Please pray for them and the founding pastors of RTZ, Leon & Nina, who have faithfully served in Haifa for over 20 years. With the Holy Spirit's guidance and anointing, there will be great days of spiritual victory ahead in both locations!

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Reflecting on Blessings and Challenges of 2023

 

       

Wishing all of you a very Blessed New Year 2024! A New Year usually means anticipation of better things, circumstances or the possibility of new beginnings. As Messiah's Compassion reflects back on 2023, we saw the LORD do great things, ministering to Jewish / Slavic people in Odessa, Kyiv, and Zaporozhe, making three various trips into war torn Ukraine. Many people received Jesus (Yeshua) Messiah as LORD, following Him in water immersion in Odessa. Dozens of Jewish and non-Jewish people were added to the congregation in Zaporozhe, now numbering over 100 believers. Likewise, Messiah's Compassion facilitated special biblical Jewish holiday events in Odessa and Zaporozhe. 

Regarding ISRAEL, Messiah's Compassion spent over three months in the Holy Land ministering to Jewish people during April, May, October, and November. The Spring brought opportunities to help during Passover celebrations in Haifa and participate in some special teachings for new Jewish people who came from Ukraine, Russia and other places. These events took place with our partner congregation, Return to Zion. However, when it was time to go back to ISRAEL in the Autumn, the war had already begun on October 7th. Messiah's Compassion managed to find a flight through Bucharest, Romania after days of searching and traveling to Moldova from CZ after all of the other flights had been cancelled. Upon arrival into the Land, the believers who met us said that they so appreciated the efforts to come at such a difficult time when most foreigners were evacuating from ISRAEL. Again, there were opportunities to pray for the sick, minister encouragement and in Shabbat services at various locations including Haifa, Ma'alot, and in a guest house that helps Israeli and Ukraine war refugees. Messiah's Compassion assisted additionally with a special project for restoration of bomb shelters in Ma'alot (near the border of Lebanon).

Your unwavering support and prayers allowed Messiah's Compassion to minister to hundreds of people this past year. You helped purchase foods, medicines, sanitary supplies and winter items. Heartfelt Thanks for your sacrificial giving and intercessory prayers during really crucial days when Jewish people have been facing atrocities, hate crimes, wars, and antisemitism. Together we will continue to stand and intercede for the lost sheep of the house of ISRAEL, the sons of Jacob until we see the promise of national salvation! 

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Hanukkah in Zaporozhe, Ukraine

Though the air sirens often are sounding off, Messiah's Compassion has been blessed to come to Ukraine to meet and bless Jewish people during Hanukkah! It was a 2-day drive from the Czech Republic to Kyiv and then an overnight train on to Zaporozhe. Thank you for prayers for protection and for giving to bless these precious people during the ongoing war. What an honor to meet, bless and pray for the Jewish people. Messiah's Compassion helps aid needy Jewish and Slavic people here with food packages, winter necessities, and medicines. Zaporozhe is not far from the front lines of the war and has had numerous rocket and drone attacks on its population.

 

Thank you for your continued prayers for ISRAEL, for the release of hostages, soldiers' protection, and boldness for Messianic believers to serve others during this war.

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Praying for ISRAEL & Preparing for HANUKKAH

 

Messiah's Compassion was honored to meet the city leaders of Ma'alot in northern Israel and provide support for bomb shelter projects including repair and new construction. Ma'alot is very near the border with Lebanon and has a population of over 25 thousand people. One Messianic Jewish pastor helped coordinate many of the details for this meeting and facilitated the logistics for this project. Messiah's Compassion is truly grateful for all of the cooperation that took place, praying that many Israelis will know that believers from the U.S.A. are backing Israel in prayer and support. 

Messiah's Compassion rejoice that dozens of hostages have been returned recently to Israel, and we persistently pray for the remaining hostages to be returned and not further delayed. 

It has been an honor to serve in the Land during this difficult time period, standing in prayer and solidarity with Israelis, including Messianic Jewish believers who have many of their own family members serving right now in the military. 

Please help Messiah's Compassion pray for many Jewish / Slavic people to have open hearts for ministry both in Israel and Ukraine. Special efforts for Hanukkah services will take place in Haifa, ISRAEL, Odessa & Zaporozhe, UA. This ministry is so GRATEFUL for your amazing support and intercessory prayers!

STEADFAST PRAYER for ISRAEL

 

Messiah's Compassion attended a special event in Haifa, Israel to remember the hostages who were taken to Gaza on October 7th, already nearly 6 weeks ago. There are prayer meetings here in Haifa in which we participate daily and weekly. Your ongoing prayers are making an impact, and the Israelis are truly grateful for the strong support from believers internationally. 

Messiah's Compassion is praying for individual people and their specific needs here in Haifa during both meetings and visits to people's homes. It's an honor to be here at such a time as this. Thank you for praying for people's protection and inner peace during this time of war. Drones patrolling over the city of Haifa and its seaport can be heard frequently. Without going into detail, there is ongoing underlying pressure and tension felt when any military jet flies overhead toward the enemies' territories. Nevertheless, we know that the Watchman of Israel is the ultimate keeper for His people and His Land. Without exception, pray that Israelis hearts will be turned toward the LORD GOD of their fathers, the Mighty One of Jacob, ultimately having revelation of Yeshua (Jesus) as the One who longs for their repentance and renewed covenant fellowship.