Challenges and Refreshing
As the war in Israel rages on, this season has been challenging with some seasons of refreshing. We thank God that we have been privileged to pastor in this land during such a difficult time. Some people think we are crazy to be here with our children, but we thank you for the prayers and encouragement that have sustained us during these months. As we enter into the Muslim month of Ramadan (when historically there has been a lot of unrest), please keep our family, our congregation, and this nation in prayer.
In December, our family travelled to Texas to spend the holidays with our family as well as introduce our new baby to the USA! It was a restful time where we did almost no ministry and Alon and I (Matthew) stayed for over 3 weeks before returning for school and my secular work respectively. Daniela and Amalia stayed an extra 3 weeks before returning, and we were very refreshed.
Daniela’s Album – NOW LIVE
An exciting development is that Daniela’s new album, SYMPHONY, is available now on all music platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. We have also released 2 music videos on YouTube, filmed in Jerusalem only weeks after the war began, as a powerful declaration that Yeshua is King!
We hope you enjoy these songs and worship along with us, and look out for a LIVE PERFORMANCE that we will be streaming in May!
New Normal
After months since the war’s beginning, we are getting used to a “new normal.” Many of the members of our congregation that left at the beginning of the war have returned. As the Israeli army has advanced in the south of Gaza, the weekly rocket showers have stopped in our area. We are still praying for justice, the return of Israeli hostages, the end of Hamas, protection and aid for civilians, and for people in Gaza and in Israel to be transformed by Yeshua.
But in our community we have seen people strengthened in their faith, boldness to share the good news, and growing in the Lord. We now regularly host unbelievers and seekers in our home groups and weekend services, and we are even seeing some starting to make their journey into faith! May we see more and more in the days to come. Like it says in Isaiah 62 – “See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.
We have two outreaches coming up in the next weeks. The first is a Purim outreach (very similar to a “Harvest Fest” event for kids in the US). Then, we will have a Passover event where we have the opportunity to share Yeshua as our the Jewish “Passover Lamb” in an evangelistic message. Please pray for more and more fruit as we continue to share the love and message of Yeshua.
Kids!!
I’d also like to share that Amalia, our baby, just turned 1 year old! I say this as an excuse to include an adorable picture of my precious daughter.
Meanwhile, our 8 year son Alon has recently starting volunteering at the congregation by helping with media and lyrics for our services! We could not be prouder of our children!
Some Needs
Because of this war, a new personal need has arisen. We currently live in an older apartment building that has no bomb shelter. When we were experiencing rocket bombardments, we could only take shelter in our stairwell. Also, unrelated to the war, there was a very large leak in an apartment upstairs that caused extensive water damage, along with mold and foul smells in our apartment. This has not yet been resolved. For our safety and health, we are looking and praying for a newer apartment that that has a safe room and shelter for any future attacks. In Herzliya, rent for apartments the size we need are fairly expensive (around $2500 USD/month plus utilities) and we are wanting something that we can live in longer term rather than just 2 years at a time. Please also pray that the transition will be quick and smooth and that we can get out of contract early.
Also, please agree in prayer for our son, Alon. He has had tremendous strides in his life in Israel dealing with his special challenges. He is now fluent in Hebrew (something Daniela and I need to become) and excelling beyond his peer level in academics. He loves Yeshua and his family so much, and feels at home here in the country. However the school has been bringing concerns about his emotions due to some major signs of depression and low self-esteem, and has mandated that he starts meeting with a private psychiatrist. Please pray for us and the professionals to find the right ways to help him, for wisdom, provision, and for a supernatural breakthrough in his mind and emotions.
Prayer Requests
- Pray in this current war: God’s justice and will be done, the return of Israeli hostages, the end of Hamas, protection and aid for civilians, and for people in Gaza and in Israel to be transformed by Yeshua.
- Pray for our enemies as Yeshua taught us.
- Pray for seekers would come to faith in Yeshua during this time.
- Pray for our two upcoming outreaches and more opportunities to share our faith.
- Pray for us to find a new apartment that we can live in long-term, and that the transition will be smooth and cost effective.
- Pray for our son Alon in his mind and emotions.