Maybe you know the theme song from the blockbuster children’s movie, Toy Story, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”? If not, look up the lyrics. It’s by no means a Christian song, but it embodies the friendship I’ve been witnessing being extended to Israel - as volunteers come from the nations to love and support the people - in this the greatest crisis Israel has faced since the rebirth of the nation-state.
People like Miji from the US visited us at CFI and brought such joy and encouragement through prayer to the Wall of Prayer team and staff members. June was filled with opportunities to continue holding the banner of hope over the Land and its people. On Jerusalem Day, we participated in the March of Flags near the Mamilla Mall, into the Old City. I met Isaac, an IDF security officer who was grateful for our presence and prayers for Israel during this time of war. Like many Israelis, they never cease to be amazed that we not only came to Israel, but stayed even after the October 7 Hamas attacks. “Where else would we go?” we say. We’re not fair-weather friends!
I had the opportunity to meet and pray with Rivka who had such a powerful Aliyah testimony. Rivka came to Israel many years ago, but when one of her family members fell ill, she went to be by their side. She ended up sharing her faith in the Messiah, and before her loved one passed, she too, believed. Rivka felt led to come back to Israel. It takes a lot of courage to make Aliyah, but making it twice requires abundant grace. Pray for those making Aliyah, that obstacles would be removed and peace would accompany the olim (immigrants) as they come home during these tumultuous times.
We visited the Messianic congregation in Sderot led by Pastor Michael Beener, a dear friend of CFI. Pastor Michael took us to the Sderot border with Gaza where we prayed and called on God for the peace of Jerusalem. While there, we met a Jewish man who was very moved by us, a group of Christians, praying for Israel. He said essentially, “You make me want to be a better Jew and read my Tanach. You are so passionate when you pray and you love Israel.” We were grateful that the light of our Messiah shined brightly, encouraging this man.
Visiting Peniel School, the first Messianic School in Israel located in Tiberias, was also a blessing. This school has a rich legacy of carrying the witness of Yeshua here in the Land. Its founders were instrumental members of the oldest congregation in Tiberias, in the building that now houses the school, while the congregation has moved to a larger facility. The school’s principal of 32 years, Benjamin, shared about recent challenges the school has faced for the last 4 years. They have been battling for their existence against changing licensing regulations that threatened their long-standing heritage of excellence.
Benjamin expressed that it is imperative that the school’s students, children of believing parents, have the right to raise their children within a curriculum that affirms their faith in Yeshua. They’ve spent hundreds of thousands of shekels in legal fees and refurbishments to meet the Ministry of Education and municipality requirements for operating as a private school. In a time where education is becoming secularized and infiltrated by counter-biblical curricula, pray with us that Peniel School would have a favorable outcome in its legal appeals.
Benjamin doesn’t just want the school to stay open but also to grow to continue educating more and more of the next generation of children whose families believe in Yeshua. It was an honor to pray with Benjamin, and for the children, as we declared Matthew 19:14 (BSB) over them:
“But Jesus said, ‘Permit the little children, and do not forbid them to come to Me, for of such is the kingdom of the heavens.’”
On our trip to the north, we went on a prayer assignment to the Golan Heights, one of the most contested pieces of Land in Israel outside of Jerusalem. We visited the Valley of Tears, the site of the 6-Day War on October 6, 1973, also known as the Yom Kippur War. It was this war that “inspired” Hamas to target Israel on its 50th anniversary, last October 7th, 2023.
Also a surprise attack on a holy day, Israel was outnumbered and outmanned in that battle, but God miraculously defeated the enemies at the time, Egypt, Syria and Jordan. Even though it wasn’t its primary aim, Israel secured the land bordering Syria, annexing it in 1981, and after decades the United States officially recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights. What was once a valley of tears from bloodshed and war is now known as the “Valley of Blessing” because it has experienced the longest-standing peace (30 years) of any of the borders shared by Israel’s neighboring Arab nations. We declared Malachi 1:5 (ESV):
“Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, ‘Great is the LORD beyond the border of Israel!’”
May the peace that comes from the God of Israel alone transform the Middle East.
We’re very encouraged that many Israelis have been open to receiving prayer, visits, and the comfort we give through that which we’ve found in Yeshua. Through your generosity in financial support and precious prayers, our team can visit the displaced, ministries in need of prayer support, attend prayer meetings, go on prayer assignments and more. Your prayers for our protection, effectiveness, and providence have fuelled us to stay the course with His people. A heartfelt thank you to our donors, prayer partners and CFI Reps, from those we hug and pray with – they’d hug you too if they could! Blessings from Jerusalem.
“If you’ve got troubles, I’ve got ‘em too
There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you
We stick together and can see it through
Cause you’ve got a friend in me
You’ve got a friend in me…”
Suzie Georges, Project Supervisor