PREPARING FOR PURIM

Serving retired Jewish man a food package in Kyiv

Thank you ever so much for the prayers during this early part of 2020! It has been an extremely busy time for Messiah's Compassion to do the necessary bookkeeping and make plans for this year's projects and outreaches since getting back to the USA  from Ukraine toward latter December 2019.

The next outreaches will begin in the first week of March in Kyiv, Ukraine with Magen Israel Messianic Jewish congregation. Departure date has been set for March 3rd. We will go on to Odessa, Ukraine in mid-March from Kyiv to minister there in three congregations, and do visitations with the food package ministry throughout the city. Please pray for effectivity and favor of the LORD in each place our team ministers. 

There are a lot of plans that need to be set in place for a number of weeks for the Purim and Passover outreaches this year in Ukraine. Thank you for your steadfast prayers, as this Spring, it's the desire of Messiah's Compassion to make even a stronger impact into the lives of Jewish people through the Passover Seder dinners. We want to reach non-believers in the Jewish communities by sharing the life changing message of Messiah Jesus (Yeshua) with them. 

2020 PRAYER EMPHASIS

Blessed is the one who finds himself pressing on toward an intimate prayer life with ADONAI daily! Though 2019 on the calendar is history, there is so much to pray for in 2020. I would like to genuinely thank all of you who had been praying for the recent trips into Ukraine - months of September -October, December 2019.

PRAISES:

-Fifteen Jewish people came to faith in Messiah during the past two outreaches.

-The transition of leadership in the Kyiv Magen Israel congregation has been going well.

-2020 plans for Messiah's Compassion involvement to a greater level in Ukraine and Israel

-Good health during many travels and my uncle Ron Simek who accompanied me in Autumn.

-New churches and individual partners in prayer and support that have been active in 2019.

- Opportunities to speak in Oklahoma churches.

Jewish father and son in Odessa, Ukraine

PRAYER NEEDS:

- Increasing clarity of plans for 2020 outreaches and more effectivity for longer periods overseas.

- Spiritual strength and wisdom for each congregation leader in five locations in Ukraine and two locations in ISRAEL.

- Good health and energy levels to minister with joy and endurance.

- Pray against recent sharp rise in anti-semitism especially in USA and Europe.

- Pray for Messiah's Compassion to make more connections the U.S. pastors / churches and individuals.

- Increased sensitivity of the Holy Spirit for personal and ministry spheres.

- Bold obedience to step out in faith in reaching Jewish people at new levels regarding the supernatural: healings, spiritual gifts, intense intercessory prayer, and expression of Messiah's great love.

UKRAINE and the JEWISH PEOPLE

Foods purchased for Hanukkah Kyiv outreach to Jewish people

I have been asked so many times in churches and by individuals, "Are there still Jewish people living in Ukraine? Haven't they all returned to Israel by now?"

Thousands of Jewish people are still here in this country, as I write this in Kyiv, the capitol. Some estimates are as high as 250,000 remaining Jewish people in Ukraine. We do not know the true numbers, but the reality is that many of the older Jewish people have chosen to stay here because of various health or financial reasons - meaning they do not feel they could adjust to a new country. Primarily it is very expensive to return to Israel unless they have family members or an organization that can sponsor them.

Messiah's Compassion is working diligently to help these Jewish people who still live here and need to hear the good news of Messiah. We help provide some basic food packages through the local Messianic Jewish congregations. Secondly, we assist Messianic Jewish congregations to get established by encouraging their leaders and people by teaching, preaching, and developing friendships. Thank you for those who already support and pray for Messiah's Compassion, and please pray that we can become even more effective, seeing many more Jewish people come to faith and followers of Messiah Yeshua (Jesus).

PRAY FOR ISRAEL, WAR AND POLITICAL TENSION

Recent weeks in Israel have seen great numbers of rocket attacks launched from the Gaza strip. The terrorists sent at least 450 rockets in a short period of time into southern and central areas. Though a cease fire deal was brokered in the south, rockets from Syria were launched into the Golan Heights a short time ago. Thankfully, anti-missile equipment intercepted each of these. Israeli Air Force then carried out counter attacks upon the terrorists there sponsored by Iran.

Secondly, pray for the political stability of Israel. Two elections have not produced a coalition government and now it seems a third election is inevitable. Pray for believers in Israel to remain in focus on their call to represent and share Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) in the midst of a lot of political turmoil. Pray for a government that will be favorable toward Messianic Jewish believers who truly love the land of their forefathers. Pray for all believers to discern the LORD's will for their daily lives and to boldly share their faith in a contextual way to cause nonbelievers to become desirous of a relationship with the living Messiah.

PRAISES & THANKSGIVING UNTO HIM, OUR MESSIAH!

After about 30 days of ministry in Ukraine in three cities, I want to thank the LORD and all of those who prayed for Messiah's Compassion during this past month. My uncle Ron S. and I saw many Jewish people receive ministry of prayer and compassion during services and home visits. We saw an amazing amount of holocaust survivors! Over 252 food packages were purchased for visits and prayer outreach. I especially appreciate the congregation teams in Odessa, Kyiv and SE Ukraine who worked tirelessly to see all these outreaches take place. At least 13 people prayed to receive Yeshua as Messiah! Many received prayer for healing of physical problems and were open to hear the good news of Jesus! I look forward to hearing to some testimonies from these Jewish people in the future. Thank you for your faithful giving to accelerate the ministry efforts of Messiah's Compassion among Jewish people.

SUKKOT; Feast of Tabernacles

Following our time in SE Ukraine and Odessa, we are now ministering in Kyiv among Jewish homes during the Feast of Sukkot (Lev. 23: 39-44). One 72 yr. old Jewish man (not pictured) prayed to receive Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) today!  It is super exciting for us because his heart was so open to begin this journey of faith.

The photo above is in a Jewish couple's home we visited here recently. The husband has come to several services at the congregation, but has physical weakness and fatigue lately. Please pray for David to feel stronger to be able to attend special event services and grow in his faith. Messiah's compassion served them a food package. My uncle Ron S. and I prayed for them, and they expressed gratitude for our visit. We plan to visit Jewish families in as many homes as possible this week. May you be blessed as you pray for Jewish people here in Ukraine, Israel, and around the world.

FEAST OF TRUMPETS; Rosh HaShanah

Jeff  & Ron with Holocaust Survivor in Odessa, Ukraine

Please pray for our outreaches during the Fall Feasts with the Jewish people here in Ukraine. We have seen many Jewish homes already, serving them with food packages and praying for their needs. In Odessa, 10 people responded to pray for salvation during the special Jewish New Year services! Our anticipation to see healings and other needs met among the Jewish people is ever so great, as we see the LORD drawing His people unto Himself. Messiah's Compassion is truly grateful for the partnership that we have with each Jewish Messianic congregation in Ukraine that ministers in cooperation with common goals.