WEEKLY Arrows from Zion 1/6/2016

Arrows from Zion
Serving the Body of Messiah in Israel since August 2001 
& Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in IsraelArrows from Zion May be copied for use in Prayer Gatherings

As you might imagine, taking off the week between Christmas and New Years I have twice as many prayer letters to deal with this week - more than I can squeeze into the 15 page limit I keep on the Weekly Summary. So I have decided to attempt two separate prayer summaries this week. The second one should hopefully arrive before or during the weekend. Then we will be back on schedule with everyone properly covered in the prayer summary.  Shalom & God bless all!

Priority Prayer Focus Jan 6, 2016

There is no shortage of vision for outreach to the Jewish people among the ministries of the Body of Messiah in Israel. As we then have opportunity to bless, let us bless those in Israel who are advancing the kingdom of the King of kings, Messiah Yeshua - Israel's Hope, now and until He comes to be enthroned on God's Holy Mountain.

Arrows from Zion
Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel Contact info for all the ministries included inside the subscription-only Weekly Summary.

A heartening report for the year's end from Rachel and Gilad Netanel in Ein Karim. This is how sharing the good news in Israel works best Israeli Jew to Israeli Jew, and Rachel is sharing everywhere she goes while the Netanel's home is continually receiving people who want to know more about their faith.  Some of the most astounding reports in this ministry letter are best not publicly shared, besides, to really get the impact of how this type of ministry is reaching Israelis, it is best to read it for yourself. You won't be sorry you took the time to open the attached DOCX Weekly Summary Many blessings await for you to read.

I will share this one excerpt from many stories in the Netanel ministry letter:  "As you are aware, we are all suffering here from so much terrorism.  But it is not only the Jews who are suffering but also the Arabs whose economy has been affected and they also suffer from fear.  One Arab has been working for me doing maintenance jobs on and off for about ten years now.   Because of the violence, he is afraid to come so I had to go and pick him up outside of Bethlehem (where it is forbidden for Jews to enter.)   He worked at the house for three days and stayed here.   I told him that if he comes, it is on one condition and that is that he must study the Bible with us.   So we studied a lot especially from the Book of Matthew and then we saw a film about Jesus in Arabic. 

"One day, he looked at me with surprise and said, 'I don’t want to be a Muslim!  I was born a Muslim but why do I need to stay one!'  I saw that something was really touching his heart.  I know how afraid he must be because if a Muslim believes in another religion, his life could be in danger and so this is such a difficult decision to make.  I asked him if he believed that Jesus is the Son of God.  One of the most important decrees in Islam is that God has no sons and it is forbidden to even say this.   He told me that if Jesus was not born of man then He must be the Son of God.  No man fathered him.  It was God and if God can do this then it would be easy to raise Him from the dead.   I looked at his eyes and saw that light was beginning to shine there, so I told him about an excellent Arab church in close to Bethlehem and told him that I would go there with him and he agreed." To the Jew first, but also to the Gentiles.

Eitan Shishkoff writes about the 20th anniversary of the Tents of Mercy. "What began in one immigrant home with a tiny handful of new Israelis, mainly from the former Soviet Union, has become five congregations with numerous humanitarian and educational initiatives, stretching from the Mediterranean to the Sea of Galilee."  This is a ministry that is heavily invested in the believing youth and in mentoring the next generation of Israeli Messianic ministry leadership. 

In fact, as Eitan shares, "We are on the last lap of a generational leadership transition. Thanks for interceding, as some time in the coming year the helm will be turned over to a remarkable, sold-out-to-God couple: Avi and Hannah Tekle. I'll still be around, for sure - encouraging, coaching, overseeing. But they are already doing a magnificent job of raising up teams to take on a variety of congregational ministries, and are creatively carrying forward the legacy of these foundational decades."  Eitan also shares about the Fields of Wheat vision, a hospitality village in the Galilee-to serve all Israeli congregations as well as friends from the nations. You can read about that and all doings of this great Israeli ministry network.

From Eitan's fellow Tikkun network ministry partner, Asher Intrater of Revive Israel, Asher takes the opportunity to emphasize the 1/3 of all undesignated donations they receive being given out strategically to bless local congregations, messianic residential communities, believers in financial distress, support evangelism, and other worthy causes. Watch the short video

Revive Israel also shares this short video with Asher Intrater giving a spiritual perspective: A Turbulent Week in Israel Reveal Clash in Values .  Two short Hebrew Bride parables by Asher (Ezer K'negdo) and Revive team member, Shani Beni-Ari (Kalah).  Last, but not least is the VIDEO message Dan Juster delivered recently at Wheaton College, concerning the connection between the Jewish people and the coming kingdom of God.

Rachel & Avner Boskey have recently returned to Israel from a speaking trip in the USA and say they have ‘hit the ground running’ as they returned to the land in early December.   One of the new things they are working on is a new and separate newsletter (in addition to their regular newsletter with Avner's prophetic word) which will bring timely ministry reports and prayer requests regarding the training and equipping center they are embarking on.  Read more inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary where you can also get information on how to sign up directly for their new Dry Bones Newsletter.

Tony and Orna Sperandeo of the Kehilat Hamaayan (Congregation of the Wellspring) in Kfar Saba sent a brief greeting to note the end of 2015, writing, ".  We need to say that it has not been an easy year for us. It has been more like a year of transition and changes. But  through it all, we remain confident that:  'that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Messiah Yeshua 's return.'  We want to thank you all dear friends for your prayers, practical support and service to us. You have truly been a great source of encouragement at this time in our lives. We are looking to the year  2016 with expectancy and faith, asking our God for renewed strength and pleading for His grace and Mercy for our people and our Land and for the whole of the Middle East."

Orna Greenman of A Sign & A Wonder (Ot Oo’Mofet) writes about her ministry which is dedicated to the orphans, widows and single parents of the Israeli body of Messiah.  She notes, " In all we do, our vision is to contribute towards the restoration of the widowhood of Israel; to see the name of the God of Israel lifted up. A widow, by Biblical definition, is not only a woman whose husband had died. The Old Testament does not focus solely on the familial status of the widow, but uses this word to define her condition, her situation. A widow is a woman, but also a land or a city, who has no one to lean on, no one to manage and provide for her.  That is why God calls Israel a widow. Not because she has no husband, but because she does not lean on Him to provide for her various needs. He promises that a day will come and she will remember the reproach of her widowhood no more (Is. 54:4).  Until then - our people are acting as a widow, especially in the spiritual realm. Most of the Jews in Israel are secular atheists. They do not acknowledge the existence of God, and a relationship with Him is completely out of the question." You can read about the many ways this ministry focus expresses itself inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary and learn more about this ministry with great insight and integrity.

Avi and Chaya Mizrachi of Adonai Roi Congregation and Dugit Coffeehouse ministry also write about how the help and prayers from the nations have enabled them to reach out into their Tel Aviv community throughout 2015:  1,000's of Israeli's received a Gospel presentation; 150 Hours of Biblical Teaching and Discipleship;     1,500 Hours of Prayer in the VIP Prayer Tower; 400 bags of food; 200 winter blankets,socks, gloves, and hats given to the needy through Dugit Distribution; $65,000 given to various ministries in Israel;    $700,000 raised towards the purchase of the DUGIT OUTREACH CENTER.

They also write, "Our outreach center/coffee shop plays a critical role in this mission that the Lord has given us.  And, as many of you know, we were forced out of our old facility because of our "practices" (preaching the Gospel).  We are amazed that at this point we are only $300,000 shy of the needed $1.2 million to purchase our very own facility! Contribute to that 2016 vision here.

From Beer Sheva, the Yeshua's Inheritance Congregation (Nachalat Yeshua). Howard Bass writes about their trip to the Bethlehem area to share in Christmas fellowship with an Arab ministry. Howard writes, " We praise God for freeing us in the Spirit to celebrate His great and awesome acts on behalf of His people! The birth of Yeshua probably ranks near the very top, if not there! Who would believe such a thing if it were not for God Himself telling us, and giving us the Holy Spirit to know it is no myth or fairy tale, but far better! There is no one like YEHOVAH!"

You can read more about the Beer Sheva congregation inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary but we will share this from Howard: "Randi and I want to again thank all of you for being supportive of us, and what the Lord has entrusted into our hands, and for Yeshua's Inheritance Congregation, which continues to mature as we depend upon the Lord. Thank-you also for remembering the whole Body of Messiah in Israel, including all from among Jewish, Arab, and others whom the Lord has in His field here. Your prayers are of great value and encouragement to what God wants to accomplish." 

Also in the Praying the Headlines section, don't miss the KehilaNews.com interview with Howard Bass as he looks back at the 10-year anniversary of the religious attack that was made on the congregation, Dec 24, 2006.  A Decade Since the Haredi Attack on the Beersheva Messianic Congregation

Ronit Bender writes from Carmel about her ministry to her community and also in Tel Aviv where she joins the House of Victory outreach there to drug addicts and prostitutes where, she writes, "reaching out to the very needy, hurting people brings challenges, but the rewards are greater, as hope and love can be ignited in the many hearts we meet. Two we meet weekly: one is a transgender, the other a lovely girl from France. They are so touched by the love shown. We make it a point to visit weekly, and trust that the love of the Lord and the Holy Spirit will bring them with us to rehab. Please pray for them."

Ronit shares about a coffeehouse near her home which the staff have welcomed her like family (read details inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary). She notes that a political figure from the current administration often has his coffee there when he is home from Jerusalem. Ronit believes he may become Israel's next Prime Minister and asks prayer for him.  You can get the details in the Weekly Summary, but suffice to say that God aligns our paths - so this is no coincidence that He has placed one of His choice servants in the path of this man who would ask for prayer for him in advance of his possible future as head of Israel.

Ron Cantor shares a good report that "Last week in our congregation we had to bring out extra chairs to accommodate those attending. It has been like that for several weeks. One fellow who has been coming for weeks is wrestling with the idea of Yeshua—he wrongly thinks he has to get better before he can receive Yeshua. Yeshua will make him better. His former girlfriend embraced the Lord a month ago and has been bringing him. PRAY FOR HIM!"  This Tel Aviv congregation, Tiferet Yeshua, is pressing in to reach the people of Tel Aviv that God puts into their paths. 

Ron's Identity Theft book in Hebrew will be released in February and they are going to be giving it away FREE all over Israel.  That is exciting, and no doubt you can help with funding that, or the many outreach platforms they are engaged in.  Read about some of those inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary. If Israel has a Sin City (and it does!), then Tel Aviv is it.  Not only is there the sins of secular Israelis, but also the congregation is targeted pretty intensely by religious opposition too.  Please pray for this congregation and for all the congregations of Israel.  (Especially now that a major religious opposer looks to be reinstated to the Interior Ministry).

Rick Ridings leads the 24/7 prayer and worship house Succat Hallel which in recent years has taken on local Israeli staff. In the early days of establishing the work, interns from the nations came to serve and minister, but it is very important for ministries operating in Israel to be tied to the local body of believers in every way possible. Ridings has certainly done that and is blessed with many spiritual visions and words that the nations can take up on Israel's behalf. 

One of those is a vision Ridings shares in this ministry letter, Vision of a Wave Across Africa Shaking Witchcraft and Idolatry and Bringing Increased Harvest. Because of the great upheaval of radical Islam in Africa and the Middle East, we believe this is an important word even though it specifically speaks to witchcraft and idolatry that stretches all the way down to Cape Town.  You can read it inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary

We finish in the first of our holiday catch-up prayer summaries with an outstandingly good report from Eddie Santoro who pastors the Jerusalem Ahavat Yeshua congregation:  Eddie writes, " I underwent an MRI on 12/14 and the results were good. The details of the report were that there was no cancer in my brain! The doctor told us that the same white hazy area around the site of the original tumor is still there and that it has the potential to become the source of new cancer cells. It's been there since the first MRI after the surgery without any change and we believe that the resurrection power of Yeshua has already bound it and that this too will be removed from my body. Please join us in praying that the next MRI that I will undergo in two months will show this area changed into healthy new tissue.

"For the next phase of my maintenance treatment, starting the beginning of January, I will be resuming the chemotherapy pills but just for the first five days of every month. Please join us in praying against any side effects.  I am also a candidate to receive a monthly vaccination which has been developed recently in the United States. This brand new treatment, which is still in the research stage, causes the body's white blood cells to perceive the cancer cells as an enemy and attack them in a natural way. This will probably begin in the last week of January. Again, we thank you for the wonderful encouragement you have been through your prayers, your expressions of love and your ongoing support. It is a long and ongoing battle and we ask that you please keep praying for us."

Urgent HEALING Needs: Life and Death is in the power of the tongue

Please keep in prayer the Israeli believers who are fighting for their lives or other urgent health needs.  Pray also for the release of a greater healing anointing among the Israeli ministries to touch the people of Israel with a sign of the goodness of Yeshua.

Tal Bass, the son of the leaders of the Beer Sheva congregation has suffered an eye injury a month ago called "traumatic mydriasis"- a dilated pupil that is also not reacting to light. Healing of the condition is mostly possible in the first 3 months. Please pray that Tal's eye be healed and no further developments threaten him.

An update for David Davis:  Karen and I will be flying next week to spend several weeks at a well-respected alternative cancer treatment hospital which offers combined conventional and alternative treatments suitable for my situation. We feel a great sense of peace that He is totally in control and “will perfect that which concerns us” (Ps. 138:8). I look forward to returning to Israel in greater health to continue to be available as a mentor to our spiritual sons and daughters as Founder of Kehilat HaCarmel, and to a deepening of my call to prophetic intercession in the tumultuous times ahead in Israel and the Middle East (Jer. 23:18).

 Please continue to pray for David Davis; an unnamed forefather of Messianic Judaism; Dr Jurgen Buhler; Ruth Nessim; Eddie Santoro;  Evan Levine; Rachel Slater; Judy, wife of pastor Yaakov K; Moshe Morrison;  Shelly wife of pastor Eitan; Claude Ezagouri; Patti, wife of Dan Juster; Baruch and Karen Maayan; Michael E and unnamed Israel-related ministers; Jacob Damkani.  Pray also for Ghazi, the son of an Arab pastor, who is suffering from Leukemia. Tal Bass.

Praying the Headlines

IT’S NOT ISIS, IT’S ISLAM  By Shira Sorko-Ram  Maoz Ministries  www.MAOZisrael.org 

In theory, a Muslim is a believer in the fundamental Islamic precepts brought to the world in the seventh century by Allah.  So what produces a peace-loving Muslim, versus a violent one?

       True Christians understand the description of a devout follower of Yeshua - a person who loves and studies the word of God, and endeavors to live each day of his life as a disciple of the one and only True God.

      On the other hand, a nominal Christian who may call himself a Christian, but knows little of the word of God and does not follow the commandments of Yeshua is the norm today in western civilization. At funerals, nominal Christians speak of their loved ones who are now in heaven, but on earth these people live as any other non-believer. The center of their universe is not God.

       So it is with Islam. Many Muslims are not really interested in being “religious.” They know they were born a Muslim, and revere Islam, but know little of the precepts of their faith, don’t go to the mosque, don’t pray five times a day, don’t look forward to a “haj” - a once-in-a-lifetime religious sojourn to Mecca.  Read the article

A Decade Since the Haredi Attack on the Beersheva Messianic Congregation

Kehila News Israel Staff  KehilaNews.com

Howard Bass, the congregational leader at Nachalat Yeshua, reccounts the attack on the congregation in Beersheva 10 years ago.

________________________________________

Donna & Tony Diorio 
 arrowsfromzion@gmail.com or donna@d10r10.com
 
If your weekly Arrows from Zion email does not come in,
check online each Wednesday at Israel Prayer Dot Com  |  Israel Watcher – A Second Opinion   Mostly political or current events commentary | Fruit of the Fig Tree   Spiritual insights 

If you appreciate the efforts of this ministry to share both the  challenges and the great things God is doing among the Israeli indigenous ministries, please pray about making a financial gift donation.  Make donations payable to the order of Donna Diorio and mail to: Israel Prayer  P O Box 111302 Carrollton, Texas 75006 Or click on the PayPal account:  donna@israelprayer.com I do not have tax exempt status.