Like seventeen year old high school students everywhere, Svetlana comes home from school hungry and looking for a snack. But, today the cupboards are bare. Her mom calls a neighbor to see if she has any food that was sent home by her son's pre-school teacher. Yes, she has a two-quart plastic container of pasta and vegetables left over from the school lunch that the teacher sends home twice a week to help supplement the supplies of this single mother family. This mother has three young children nine years old and under. She welcomes the charitable offering from her son's teacher, and she shares it with three other families in her building who are in the same circumstances. Three of these families are single mother homes and one is an elderly couple. All of them live on government support which leaves them hungry at times. It is, as Isaiah put it, a bed too short. Together they survive. Growing children get hungry, and these single mothers hope and pray for provisions to fill their cupboards that are often bare.
One day, a knock at the door brings bags of food. Help has arrived. These families receive the food with joy and thanksgiving! It is a feast! It is an answer to prayer!
And where did these bags of food come from? They and many more like them came directly from you when I was able to deliver them to these needy believers. Because of your faithfulness to keep the commandment concerning the widow's portion and, even more so, because of your open heart to be a blessing to Israel, we are able to minister to the needy, and they receive it as if it comes directly from the hand of Yahshua Himself.
". . . I have not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread." WHY? Because Yahweh has mandated provision for the widows, the orphan and the poor. What is that provision? THAT PROVISION IS YOU. . . when you are faithful to His Heavenly commandment to take care of the widows, the orphans and the poor.
Join us in our efforts as the Lydia World Outreach Project brings food and help to the widows, the orphans, the poor and the victims of terror in the land of Israel. Join the widow's portion of your tithe with ours as we rise up to obey this commandment which is so close to the heart of our Creator.
Thank you for helping us bring answers to the prayers of those who are crying out to Heaven.
Shalom Alechem,
Judith Rood
www.lydiaworldoutreachproject.org
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Lif In Israel
Dear Friend,
Your family has felt the lighting swift sword of persecution as long as one can remember. Since childhood you were told the horror stories of murder, rape and the destruction of homes and entire villages just because your forefathers believed in the ONE true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. You are a Jew and are reminded of it every day. Your people have been driven from place to place; is there a land that you really could call home? Every year you and every Jewish person in the world end their Passover Seder by saying with great longing..."NEXT YEAR IN YERUSHALAIM!"
Then the word spreads through your village to your street and reaches your ears, "have been released to go to the LAND, to Come Up, to make Aliyah", the spiritual and physical accent up to Jerusalem.
The longing to return to the ancient land of your forefathers wells up inside of you. It would be a difficult journey to undergo with no assurance of success. You reflect on the complexity of relocating your family, learning a new language, making the cultural adjustments and living in a land that is in a constant state of tension and war. Still the hope remains and won't leave you! In your mind you remember the scenes on television of the joy of those stepping off the planes from Russia and kissing the ground of Eretz Israel, the one place in this world that a Jew could call HOME!
In the back of your mind there also remains the issue of your faith. Some have questioned whether you are still a Jew because you have accepted Y'shua as your Messiah. You know that this could be an issue that would prevent your acceptance to make Aliyah. How is it right that they could challenge your lineage when many of your family died in the ovens in Eastern Europe and at the hands of evil men like Hitler and Stalin just because they were Jews!
Still over and over in your heart you hear the words..."NEXT YEAR IN YERUSHALAIM!"
Since the Wall came down in Eastern Europe paving the way for the Word of Yahweh to be proclaimed in Russia, many Jews have become Believers. Many of these Messianic Russian Jews have made Aliyah to Israel only to find persecution from their own people when they arrived. These people are the next group Lisa and I want to introduce to you. A people that have persevered through enormous difficulties, they need our love, prayers and support.
Here is Lisa's report on a ministry in Israel that assists Russian Jews making Aliyah, lifts up and supports Russian Jewish Believers and shares the love of the Lord to those that have not yet met their Messiah.
In Jerusalem, Judith and I met with the leader of a ministry that assists Jews from the former USSR to make Aliyah (returning as Jewish citizen to the Land of Israel) and supports them through the transition time of settling and integrating as new immigrants.
We were greatly touched as we were reminded of the words the Lord spoke through the Prophets; words of great promises in the last days of the return of the exiles of Israel from the lands of the North, South, East and West.
I would like to share with you the work of Operation Tarshish:
Overview and Brief History of the Russian Aliyah to Israel
Since the late nineteenth century, the Jewish people have been knowingly and unknowingly fulfilling the Biblical prophecies regarding the return of the exiles to the ancient Land of Israel. They have literally returned from the four corners of the world and the Lord continues to call them out through many different circumstances and situations.
In the early 1990's, the Jews from the former USSR found themselves caught in a depressed economy. Many were also living in war-torn ethnic regions that were rebelling and trying to pull their provinces away from Russia's control. After much world pressure the Jews were finally given permission from the Russian government to return to the land of their forefathers.
Through the assistance and efforts of the Jewish World Agency and many organizations (most supported by Believers), these Jewish people arrived in Eretz Israel to begin a new life, although with minimal funds and few possessions.
Language and cultural adjustments were made more difficult by on-going war on the Lebanon border and Arab uprisings in the land. When the Israeli government's subsidies ran out, these new immigrants, some of them doctors and engineers, found themselves sweeping floors and working as security guards to provide for their families. Some returned to the known realities in Russia; others moved on to other countries.
There are over one million immigrants from the former USSR now living in Israel. This equals approximately one fifth of the population of Israel.
There are still known Jewish communities throughout the former USSR. Many of these communities and individuals are living in remote regions of Russia where they were scattered during periods of persecution. These Jews, many elderly and ill, will require more assistance then the others to return to the Land.
THEY WILL NEED HELP ONCE THEY HAVE MADE ALIYAH!
Ministries Currently Operating Under Operation Tarshish
Wings of Doves:
Assisting Russian Jews in making Aliyah to Israel
Three volunteer teams operating in Ukraine, one volunteer team operating in Eastern Russia
Teams provide legal assistance in the application process. This process can be made difficult by poor government record keeping that is needed to proved that at least one grandparent is Jewish.
Practical assistance is also given to preparations and packing.
Financial assistance is often needed for travel and legal costs needed to finalize the application approval, which can be a long and laborious process.
For Those that Mourn in Zion:
Partnering with other ministries to assist new immigrants and others in need
Providing for the needs of the poor and hungry
Food distribution program
Terror and war victims
Widows, orphans & single parent families
- Provide support for families
- Financial assistance when needed
- Financial counseling
- Emotional and physical support New immigrants
- Assist in locating housing
- Assist in job locating or training if needed
- Provide Food and other basic needs until they are able to be independent Elderly and Holocaust survivors
- Visiting those that are lonely
- Assist with any physical or financial needs
- Housekeeping
- Homeless
- Shelter and food
- Ministering to them in love
- Providing counseling services when needed
- Work with local social services to find long-term housing situations
Assessment of immediate and on-going financial needs
Funds are greatly needed for on-going work
The financial needs are huge in each of the above areas of ministry, if more funds are provided, then more people can be directly helped.
Funds for monthly assistance for food, clothing and housing.
Operation Tarshish oversees a wide variety of ministries. The organization is in a position to identify immediate and long-term needs in the Russian Believing and non-believing communities in Jerusalem. Funding and volunteer assistance is often channeled through Operation Tarshish to meet needs directly on the ground.
The prophecies of the return of the Jewish people back to Israel are numerous; many times it is specified in the Scriptures that the Gentiles will assist with this enormous task. Today, we still have the opportunity to be apart of this effort, and although it may not undo centuries of Jewish persecution on the part of those who called themselves "Christians", it does provide Believers with an opportunity to be a witness by demonstrating Y'shua's great love.
Jerusalem is a city with many poor and needy from extremely diverse backgrounds; it is a difficult place in which to navigate spiritually. We need to constantly be lifting these fellow servants in prayer and assisting them to meet the needs of the poor, broken and hurting."
"Comfort, O comfort My people," says your God. Speak kindly to Jerusalem; and call out to her, that her warfare has ended, that her iniquity has been removed, that she has received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins." Isaiah 40:1-2
From Eretz Israel,
Lisa
Your gifts to the "Lydia" project can provide food, clothing and help to these people on their way to building a new life in the land - a life of freedom and hope.
Your prayers and support for Ami have been overwhelming. His story has touched America and, it seems, Israel itself.
I, Judith, have placed calls to my sources in Israel about the Sudanese mother and two daughters that were separated from their father to determine what more is needed by the Lydia project..
Shalom Alechem,
Judith Rood
National Chairperson
Your family has felt the lighting swift sword of persecution as long as one can remember. Since childhood you were told the horror stories of murder, rape and the destruction of homes and entire villages just because your forefathers believed in the ONE true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. You are a Jew and are reminded of it every day. Your people have been driven from place to place; is there a land that you really could call home? Every year you and every Jewish person in the world end their Passover Seder by saying with great longing..."NEXT YEAR IN YERUSHALAIM!"
Then the word spreads through your village to your street and reaches your ears, "have been released to go to the LAND, to Come Up, to make Aliyah", the spiritual and physical accent up to Jerusalem.
The longing to return to the ancient land of your forefathers wells up inside of you. It would be a difficult journey to undergo with no assurance of success. You reflect on the complexity of relocating your family, learning a new language, making the cultural adjustments and living in a land that is in a constant state of tension and war. Still the hope remains and won't leave you! In your mind you remember the scenes on television of the joy of those stepping off the planes from Russia and kissing the ground of Eretz Israel, the one place in this world that a Jew could call HOME!
In the back of your mind there also remains the issue of your faith. Some have questioned whether you are still a Jew because you have accepted Y'shua as your Messiah. You know that this could be an issue that would prevent your acceptance to make Aliyah. How is it right that they could challenge your lineage when many of your family died in the ovens in Eastern Europe and at the hands of evil men like Hitler and Stalin just because they were Jews!
Still over and over in your heart you hear the words..."NEXT YEAR IN YERUSHALAIM!"
Since the Wall came down in Eastern Europe paving the way for the Word of Yahweh to be proclaimed in Russia, many Jews have become Believers. Many of these Messianic Russian Jews have made Aliyah to Israel only to find persecution from their own people when they arrived. These people are the next group Lisa and I want to introduce to you. A people that have persevered through enormous difficulties, they need our love, prayers and support.
Here is Lisa's report on a ministry in Israel that assists Russian Jews making Aliyah, lifts up and supports Russian Jewish Believers and shares the love of the Lord to those that have not yet met their Messiah.
In Jerusalem, Judith and I met with the leader of a ministry that assists Jews from the former USSR to make Aliyah (returning as Jewish citizen to the Land of Israel) and supports them through the transition time of settling and integrating as new immigrants.
We were greatly touched as we were reminded of the words the Lord spoke through the Prophets; words of great promises in the last days of the return of the exiles of Israel from the lands of the North, South, East and West.
I would like to share with you the work of Operation Tarshish:
Overview and Brief History of the Russian Aliyah to Israel
Since the late nineteenth century, the Jewish people have been knowingly and unknowingly fulfilling the Biblical prophecies regarding the return of the exiles to the ancient Land of Israel. They have literally returned from the four corners of the world and the Lord continues to call them out through many different circumstances and situations.
In the early 1990's, the Jews from the former USSR found themselves caught in a depressed economy. Many were also living in war-torn ethnic regions that were rebelling and trying to pull their provinces away from Russia's control. After much world pressure the Jews were finally given permission from the Russian government to return to the land of their forefathers.
Through the assistance and efforts of the Jewish World Agency and many organizations (most supported by Believers), these Jewish people arrived in Eretz Israel to begin a new life, although with minimal funds and few possessions.
Language and cultural adjustments were made more difficult by on-going war on the Lebanon border and Arab uprisings in the land. When the Israeli government's subsidies ran out, these new immigrants, some of them doctors and engineers, found themselves sweeping floors and working as security guards to provide for their families. Some returned to the known realities in Russia; others moved on to other countries.
There are over one million immigrants from the former USSR now living in Israel. This equals approximately one fifth of the population of Israel.
There are still known Jewish communities throughout the former USSR. Many of these communities and individuals are living in remote regions of Russia where they were scattered during periods of persecution. These Jews, many elderly and ill, will require more assistance then the others to return to the Land.
THEY WILL NEED HELP ONCE THEY HAVE MADE ALIYAH!
Ministries Currently Operating Under Operation Tarshish
Wings of Doves:
Assisting Russian Jews in making Aliyah to Israel
Three volunteer teams operating in Ukraine, one volunteer team operating in Eastern Russia
Teams provide legal assistance in the application process. This process can be made difficult by poor government record keeping that is needed to proved that at least one grandparent is Jewish.
Practical assistance is also given to preparations and packing.
Financial assistance is often needed for travel and legal costs needed to finalize the application approval, which can be a long and laborious process.
For Those that Mourn in Zion:
Partnering with other ministries to assist new immigrants and others in need
Providing for the needs of the poor and hungry
Food distribution program
Terror and war victims
Widows, orphans & single parent families
- Provide support for families
- Financial assistance when needed
- Financial counseling
- Emotional and physical support New immigrants
- Assist in locating housing
- Assist in job locating or training if needed
- Provide Food and other basic needs until they are able to be independent Elderly and Holocaust survivors
- Visiting those that are lonely
- Assist with any physical or financial needs
- Housekeeping
- Homeless
- Shelter and food
- Ministering to them in love
- Providing counseling services when needed
- Work with local social services to find long-term housing situations
Assessment of immediate and on-going financial needs
Funds are greatly needed for on-going work
The financial needs are huge in each of the above areas of ministry, if more funds are provided, then more people can be directly helped.
Funds for monthly assistance for food, clothing and housing.
Operation Tarshish oversees a wide variety of ministries. The organization is in a position to identify immediate and long-term needs in the Russian Believing and non-believing communities in Jerusalem. Funding and volunteer assistance is often channeled through Operation Tarshish to meet needs directly on the ground.
The prophecies of the return of the Jewish people back to Israel are numerous; many times it is specified in the Scriptures that the Gentiles will assist with this enormous task. Today, we still have the opportunity to be apart of this effort, and although it may not undo centuries of Jewish persecution on the part of those who called themselves "Christians", it does provide Believers with an opportunity to be a witness by demonstrating Y'shua's great love.
Jerusalem is a city with many poor and needy from extremely diverse backgrounds; it is a difficult place in which to navigate spiritually. We need to constantly be lifting these fellow servants in prayer and assisting them to meet the needs of the poor, broken and hurting."
"Comfort, O comfort My people," says your God. Speak kindly to Jerusalem; and call out to her, that her warfare has ended, that her iniquity has been removed, that she has received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins." Isaiah 40:1-2
From Eretz Israel,
Lisa
Your gifts to the "Lydia" project can provide food, clothing and help to these people on their way to building a new life in the land - a life of freedom and hope.
Your prayers and support for Ami have been overwhelming. His story has touched America and, it seems, Israel itself.
I, Judith, have placed calls to my sources in Israel about the Sudanese mother and two daughters that were separated from their father to determine what more is needed by the Lydia project..
Shalom Alechem,
Judith Rood
National Chairperson
Monday, June 9, 2008
Jewish communities in Russia
It is so cold your breath freezes as it leaves you. It is so inhospitable a land that no one wanted it - but 41,000 Russian Jews were sent there.
Today the descendants of those Jewish people exiled to this frozen land have a chance to make Aliyah to the Promised Land.
This is their story:
Jewish communities remaining in Russia
Thousands of miles east of European Russia, the Jewish Autonomous Region was founded in 1934 as a "homeland" for Soviet Jews. Given the objectives of the Soviet government at the time, this distant outpost seemed a perfect location.
Early attempts by the government to relocate the Jews to Crimea and the Ukraine had ended with severe local backlash. To avoid local opposition, the government chose an area where there weren't any locals. Unfortunately for the Jewish migrants, there was a good reason why virtually no one lived in this region. The winters are extremely harsh, the roads were practically nonexistent, and the land was swampy.
Influenced by an effective propaganda campaign and starvation in the east, 41,000 Soviet Jews relocated to the area between the late 1920s and early 1930s. But 28,000 of them had fled the region's harsh conditions by 1938. There were Jewish schools and synagogues there until the 1940's, when a resurgence of religious repression took place after World War II. The Jewish population was essentially inactive until the late 1980s and early 1990s, when there was something of a revival within their communities. Today, students can take Hebrew and Yiddish lessons, as well as Jewish culture classes at schools in some of these communities.
Most of the Jewish population has left for Israel, Europe or the US but it is estimated that there are still thousands of Jews in this far-eastern region. In one of these communities there are over 3,000 Jewish residents. A trained team of volunteers is working to assist them in their return (Aliyah) to the Land of Israel. It is a laborious and time consuming job to complete the paperwork and move through the application process needed to obtain permission and visas. Once approval is granted, the team assists with the packing and the needed travel arrangements. Most of those making Aliyah from these regions are poor and a large percentage is elderly, unable on their own to afford the costs of emigrating.
Please be praying about how you could help to bring these Jewish people home to the Land of Israel from the far northern regions of Russia.
We have an opportunity to be part of helping these Russian Jews make Aliyah. We will be working on the details with the group responsible for organizing this exodus from captivity. To come to Israel, these people need a sponsoring organization, finances to make the trip, and financial help during their transition once they arrive in Israel.
Most will leave Russia with what they can carry and the clothes on their back. The door is presently open to allow them to leave but for how long? Yahweh's children must step forward and be a channel of love and hope for these Russian Jews.
We have an opportunity to be a witness to them, to be Yashua's hands and arms reaching out with our love for these people.
We can pass it off by saying we will just pray for them but, like so many stories we have brought you in the past months, these people need action and prayer.
You can be a vital part of helping these Russian Jews make Aliyah to Israel. I ask you, please, to pray about your part in this.
I also seek your prayers as I leave for Israel on May 27th on a mission of mercy and hope. Many of you have responded to the plight of those who need our support.
My husband chose to use his May newsletter to tell you, his supporters, why he asked me to undertake this project and why he knows it is not optional to give to the widows, the orphans, the poor and the stranger in the Land. It is a command of Yahweh. Michael and I have personally experienced the blessing that comes from blessing others.
I look forward to seeing many of you in Denver June 13-15.
May His blessing be upon all of you.
Shalom Aleichem
Today the descendants of those Jewish people exiled to this frozen land have a chance to make Aliyah to the Promised Land.
This is their story:
Jewish communities remaining in Russia
Thousands of miles east of European Russia, the Jewish Autonomous Region was founded in 1934 as a "homeland" for Soviet Jews. Given the objectives of the Soviet government at the time, this distant outpost seemed a perfect location.
Early attempts by the government to relocate the Jews to Crimea and the Ukraine had ended with severe local backlash. To avoid local opposition, the government chose an area where there weren't any locals. Unfortunately for the Jewish migrants, there was a good reason why virtually no one lived in this region. The winters are extremely harsh, the roads were practically nonexistent, and the land was swampy.
Influenced by an effective propaganda campaign and starvation in the east, 41,000 Soviet Jews relocated to the area between the late 1920s and early 1930s. But 28,000 of them had fled the region's harsh conditions by 1938. There were Jewish schools and synagogues there until the 1940's, when a resurgence of religious repression took place after World War II. The Jewish population was essentially inactive until the late 1980s and early 1990s, when there was something of a revival within their communities. Today, students can take Hebrew and Yiddish lessons, as well as Jewish culture classes at schools in some of these communities.
Most of the Jewish population has left for Israel, Europe or the US but it is estimated that there are still thousands of Jews in this far-eastern region. In one of these communities there are over 3,000 Jewish residents. A trained team of volunteers is working to assist them in their return (Aliyah) to the Land of Israel. It is a laborious and time consuming job to complete the paperwork and move through the application process needed to obtain permission and visas. Once approval is granted, the team assists with the packing and the needed travel arrangements. Most of those making Aliyah from these regions are poor and a large percentage is elderly, unable on their own to afford the costs of emigrating.
Please be praying about how you could help to bring these Jewish people home to the Land of Israel from the far northern regions of Russia.
We have an opportunity to be part of helping these Russian Jews make Aliyah. We will be working on the details with the group responsible for organizing this exodus from captivity. To come to Israel, these people need a sponsoring organization, finances to make the trip, and financial help during their transition once they arrive in Israel.
Most will leave Russia with what they can carry and the clothes on their back. The door is presently open to allow them to leave but for how long? Yahweh's children must step forward and be a channel of love and hope for these Russian Jews.
We have an opportunity to be a witness to them, to be Yashua's hands and arms reaching out with our love for these people.
We can pass it off by saying we will just pray for them but, like so many stories we have brought you in the past months, these people need action and prayer.
You can be a vital part of helping these Russian Jews make Aliyah to Israel. I ask you, please, to pray about your part in this.
I also seek your prayers as I leave for Israel on May 27th on a mission of mercy and hope. Many of you have responded to the plight of those who need our support.
My husband chose to use his May newsletter to tell you, his supporters, why he asked me to undertake this project and why he knows it is not optional to give to the widows, the orphans, the poor and the stranger in the Land. It is a command of Yahweh. Michael and I have personally experienced the blessing that comes from blessing others.
I look forward to seeing many of you in Denver June 13-15.
May His blessing be upon all of you.
Shalom Aleichem
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Israel Bombing Tragedy
Dear Friends,
We had a very good day with in Israel working with the Lydia Project. We went shopping in at the market and the grocery store and bought food for about four very needy families. I met with an elderly couple, Gregory and Helen Robin and they told me their incredible story which we documented on film.
I have met with a congregation called Morning Star fellowship. They help many poor people in their congregation who are from Russia and the Ukraine.
We are leaving early in the morning tomorrow at about 5:30am to go to Tel
Aviv and visit the children's ward where all of the terror victims are. This is the same hospital that is treating Ami, the fifteen year old bombing victim.
Ami's Israel Bombing Tragedy has brought the ugliness of prejudice and persecution of the Messianic believers here in Israel to the front of the world news papers. Thousands have responded to Ami's condition but now I have see many more children that the world doesn't know about. These children and their families need our help.
This is such a pressing story and need I am planning on staying over the night in Beer Sheva.
I have lived in Israel now for many years and sad to say I had know idea how many people need the love and help form those who believe in the Messiah. I like others thought, "well someone is taking care of the needs.' I was so wrong, I know that Yahweh Himself birthed this project for this time.
We have a chance to demonstrate His Son's live to a people who have experienced so much persecution them selves in the name of Christianity. We cannot let the action of a few orthodox stop us from doing this work. We must do all we can to be His hands and His arms to these hurting people.
Those of you supporting the Lydia Project with your prayers and finances are surly be part of this historical time.
Friday morning we went to meet with someone at 10:30am to visit the
Sudanese people in Arahd. After that we traveled to Engetty which is very close and stay Friday night and Shabbot.
When we planned this trip, I just didn't know how timely it was. Yahweh has open so many doors for the Lydia Project. I am attaching an update about Ami from his mother.
"Update from Ami's mother Leah- May 31, 2008
Thank you all for praying for Ami - I have received so many encouraging emails. We're also thankful for every postcard, letter, calendar, drawing, and love gift that we've received. Our way is so much easier because of the love and concern expressed through every form of communication.
I wanted to update you on something -- Ami was scheduled to have the operation to repair nerves in his left arm this Monday, June 2nd. However, on Tuesday he all of a sudden became ill with a throat infection for which he's on antibiotics. Therefore, the operation is postponed for two weeks!! I believe this is of the Lord, as there is time for the Lord to intervene as we press in and pray for healing of the nerves in his arms and hands. He experiences much pain in his left hand especially, but he's being given a new medication for the neuropathy, which is beginning in small doses, and then will be increased.
Again, I believe that this delay is from the Lord, when the doctor told me, I felt a joy that I can't describe in my heart, and I "knew because I knew" this delay was from Him.
Thank you that you are there for us - and that you are faithful to pray. We love you all, and are grateful to the Lord for you every day. We pray for blessing on your families and great increase especially in the Spirit in these last days.
A video report has been done on Ami and the bombing which will air on Channel one in Israel at 8PM our time this Friday May 30th.. The police tried to stop this report from being aired and brought Channel one into court twice!! However they were defeated twice. They say that they don't want details of the case revealed for their investigation but 9 weeks have passed with no arrests and no suspects. This is something that needs much prayer, but please pray for the perpetrators of this attempted murder and hate crime to be apprehended and for justice to be done.
-Leah Ortiz
It seems we are on the verge of seeing scripture unfold before our very eyes. Thank you for all you are doing to make this possible.
Please tell everyone on your e-mail list about the new lydiaworldoutreachproject.org web site. We already have had people from 11 countries come to it.
Shalom A---
Judith Rood
National Chairperson
We had a very good day with in Israel working with the Lydia Project. We went shopping in at the market and the grocery store and bought food for about four very needy families. I met with an elderly couple, Gregory and Helen Robin and they told me their incredible story which we documented on film.
I have met with a congregation called Morning Star fellowship. They help many poor people in their congregation who are from Russia and the Ukraine.
We are leaving early in the morning tomorrow at about 5:30am to go to Tel
Aviv and visit the children's ward where all of the terror victims are. This is the same hospital that is treating Ami, the fifteen year old bombing victim.
Ami's Israel Bombing Tragedy has brought the ugliness of prejudice and persecution of the Messianic believers here in Israel to the front of the world news papers. Thousands have responded to Ami's condition but now I have see many more children that the world doesn't know about. These children and their families need our help.
This is such a pressing story and need I am planning on staying over the night in Beer Sheva.
I have lived in Israel now for many years and sad to say I had know idea how many people need the love and help form those who believe in the Messiah. I like others thought, "well someone is taking care of the needs.' I was so wrong, I know that Yahweh Himself birthed this project for this time.
We have a chance to demonstrate His Son's live to a people who have experienced so much persecution them selves in the name of Christianity. We cannot let the action of a few orthodox stop us from doing this work. We must do all we can to be His hands and His arms to these hurting people.
Those of you supporting the Lydia Project with your prayers and finances are surly be part of this historical time.
Friday morning we went to meet with someone at 10:30am to visit the
Sudanese people in Arahd. After that we traveled to Engetty which is very close and stay Friday night and Shabbot.
When we planned this trip, I just didn't know how timely it was. Yahweh has open so many doors for the Lydia Project. I am attaching an update about Ami from his mother.
"Update from Ami's mother Leah- May 31, 2008
Thank you all for praying for Ami - I have received so many encouraging emails. We're also thankful for every postcard, letter, calendar, drawing, and love gift that we've received. Our way is so much easier because of the love and concern expressed through every form of communication.
I wanted to update you on something -- Ami was scheduled to have the operation to repair nerves in his left arm this Monday, June 2nd. However, on Tuesday he all of a sudden became ill with a throat infection for which he's on antibiotics. Therefore, the operation is postponed for two weeks!! I believe this is of the Lord, as there is time for the Lord to intervene as we press in and pray for healing of the nerves in his arms and hands. He experiences much pain in his left hand especially, but he's being given a new medication for the neuropathy, which is beginning in small doses, and then will be increased.
Again, I believe that this delay is from the Lord, when the doctor told me, I felt a joy that I can't describe in my heart, and I "knew because I knew" this delay was from Him.
Thank you that you are there for us - and that you are faithful to pray. We love you all, and are grateful to the Lord for you every day. We pray for blessing on your families and great increase especially in the Spirit in these last days.
A video report has been done on Ami and the bombing which will air on Channel one in Israel at 8PM our time this Friday May 30th.. The police tried to stop this report from being aired and brought Channel one into court twice!! However they were defeated twice. They say that they don't want details of the case revealed for their investigation but 9 weeks have passed with no arrests and no suspects. This is something that needs much prayer, but please pray for the perpetrators of this attempted murder and hate crime to be apprehended and for justice to be done.
-Leah Ortiz
It seems we are on the verge of seeing scripture unfold before our very eyes. Thank you for all you are doing to make this possible.
Please tell everyone on your e-mail list about the new lydiaworldoutreachproject.org web site. We already have had people from 11 countries come to it.
Shalom A---
Judith Rood
National Chairperson
Monday, June 2, 2008
Jewish Communities in Russia
Thousands of miles east of European Russia, the Jewish Autonomous Region was founded in 1934 as a "homeland" for Soviet Jews. Given the objectives of the Soviet government at the time, this distant outpost seemed a perfect location.
Early attempts by the government to relocate the Jews to Crimea and the Ukraine had ended with severe local backlash. To avoid local opposition, the government chose an area where there weren't any locals. Unfortunately for the Jewish migrants, there was a good reason why virtually no one lived in this region. The winters are extremely harsh, the roads were practically nonexistent, and the land was swampy.
Influenced by an effective propaganda campaign and starvation in the east, 41,000 Soviet Jews relocated to the area between the late 1920s and early 1930s. But 28,000 of them had fled the region's harsh conditions by 1938. There were Jewish schools and synagogues there until the 1940's, when a resurgence of religious repression took place after World War II. The Jewish population was essentially inactive until the late 1980s and early 1990s, when there was something of a revival within their communities. Today, students can take Hebrew and Yiddish lessons, as well as Jewish culture classes at schools in some of these communities.
Most of the Jewish population has left for Israel, Europe or the US but it is estimated that there are still thousands of Jews in this far-eastern region. In one of these communities there are over 3,000 Jewish residents. A trained team of volunteers is working to assist them in their return (Aliyah) to the Land of Israel. It is a laborious and time consuming job to complete the paperwork and move through the application process needed to obtain permission and visas. Once approval is granted, the team assists with the packing and the needed travel arrangements. Most of those making Aliyah from these regions are poor and a large percentage is elderly, unable on their own to afford the costs of emigrating.
Please be praying about how you could help to bring these Jewish people home to the Land of Israel from the far northern regions of Russia.
We have an opportunity to be part of helping these Russian Jews make Aliyah. We will be working on the details with the group responsible for organizing this exodus from captivity. To come to Israel, these people need a sponsoring organization, finances to make the trip, and financial help during their transition once they arrive in Israel.
Most will leave Russia with what they can carry and the clothes on their back. The door is presently open to allow them to leave but for how long? Yahweh's children must step forward and be a channel of love and hope for these Russian Jews.
We have an opportunity to be a witness to them, to be Yashua's hands and arms reaching out with our love for these people.
We can pass it off by saying we will just pray for them but, like so many stories we have brought you in the past months, these people need action and prayer.
You can be a vital part of helping these Russian Jews make Aliyah to Israel. I ask you, please, to pray about your part in this.
I also seek your prayers as I leave for Israel on May 27th on a mission of mercy and hope. Many of you have responded to the plight of those who need our support.
My husband chose to use his May newsletter to tell you, his supporters, why he asked me to undertake this project and why he knows it is not optional to give to the widows, the orphans, the poor and the stranger in the Land. It is a command of Yahweh. Michael and I have personally experienced the blessing that comes from blessing others.
I look forward to seeing many of you in Denver June 13-15.
May His blessing be upon all of you.
Shalom Aleichem
Judith Rood
Early attempts by the government to relocate the Jews to Crimea and the Ukraine had ended with severe local backlash. To avoid local opposition, the government chose an area where there weren't any locals. Unfortunately for the Jewish migrants, there was a good reason why virtually no one lived in this region. The winters are extremely harsh, the roads were practically nonexistent, and the land was swampy.
Influenced by an effective propaganda campaign and starvation in the east, 41,000 Soviet Jews relocated to the area between the late 1920s and early 1930s. But 28,000 of them had fled the region's harsh conditions by 1938. There were Jewish schools and synagogues there until the 1940's, when a resurgence of religious repression took place after World War II. The Jewish population was essentially inactive until the late 1980s and early 1990s, when there was something of a revival within their communities. Today, students can take Hebrew and Yiddish lessons, as well as Jewish culture classes at schools in some of these communities.
Most of the Jewish population has left for Israel, Europe or the US but it is estimated that there are still thousands of Jews in this far-eastern region. In one of these communities there are over 3,000 Jewish residents. A trained team of volunteers is working to assist them in their return (Aliyah) to the Land of Israel. It is a laborious and time consuming job to complete the paperwork and move through the application process needed to obtain permission and visas. Once approval is granted, the team assists with the packing and the needed travel arrangements. Most of those making Aliyah from these regions are poor and a large percentage is elderly, unable on their own to afford the costs of emigrating.
Please be praying about how you could help to bring these Jewish people home to the Land of Israel from the far northern regions of Russia.
We have an opportunity to be part of helping these Russian Jews make Aliyah. We will be working on the details with the group responsible for organizing this exodus from captivity. To come to Israel, these people need a sponsoring organization, finances to make the trip, and financial help during their transition once they arrive in Israel.
Most will leave Russia with what they can carry and the clothes on their back. The door is presently open to allow them to leave but for how long? Yahweh's children must step forward and be a channel of love and hope for these Russian Jews.
We have an opportunity to be a witness to them, to be Yashua's hands and arms reaching out with our love for these people.
We can pass it off by saying we will just pray for them but, like so many stories we have brought you in the past months, these people need action and prayer.
You can be a vital part of helping these Russian Jews make Aliyah to Israel. I ask you, please, to pray about your part in this.
I also seek your prayers as I leave for Israel on May 27th on a mission of mercy and hope. Many of you have responded to the plight of those who need our support.
My husband chose to use his May newsletter to tell you, his supporters, why he asked me to undertake this project and why he knows it is not optional to give to the widows, the orphans, the poor and the stranger in the Land. It is a command of Yahweh. Michael and I have personally experienced the blessing that comes from blessing others.
I look forward to seeing many of you in Denver June 13-15.
May His blessing be upon all of you.
Shalom Aleichem
Judith Rood
From Leah Ortiz
We thank so many of you who have written and asked to be updated on Ami's condition as you want to continue to lift him up before the throne of God. We can't tell you how grateful we are that the momentum is continuing, as we are facing new challenges every day. However, we are greatly encouraged by the outpouring of love from all over the world, and Ami is daily encouraged as well. We thank Yeshua for moving your hearts to convey His encouragement to our family.
We moved into the Tel HaShomer Children's hospital two weeks ago. It is a rehabilitation facility and one of the best in the country. Ami has a strenuous schedule which includes Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, School studies, Computer lessons, and training in an exercise center. All of this has really strengthened him. Along with renewed appetite, he's looking more and more like "Ami".
However, there are many struggles as well. Interspersed between all of his activities have been visits to specialists. The first specialists to see him were the ENT doctors (Ear, Nose and Throat). We found out that Ami's right ear drum is almost completely blown out and the left ear drum has significant damage. The first doctor told us that he will need skin grafts in both ears which includes a recovery period of 3 to 6 weeks on each ear. However, yesterday we visited a second specialist who specializes in ear injuries from terror attacks. She had better news - she said there was a 90% chance that the ear drums would close up themselves - heal by themselves. She said that Ami is young, and she's seen it happen many times. Even after the first doctor's assessment, I had faith that the Lord would close up those ear drums!! His next appointment will be in 3 months. The doctor said it might take a year for them to heal naturally, but if there is no improvement in 3 months, they will schedule the operations.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE EAR DRUMS TO BE HEALED. Ami's hearing has been significantly affected as a result of this injury.
Ami was sent to an eye specialist as well. He said that there are still many pieces of metal in Ami's eyes, but it is better if they stay in as it could cause problems if they come out. He also said that the eyes were not seeing 20/20 and he might need glasses. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE LORD TO DISSOLVE THE METAL IN HIS EYES, AND FOR THE HEALING OF HIS EYES TO CONTINUE UNTIL 20/20 VISION.
Ami has also had significant burn wounds and subsequent scarring all over his body - also scars where large pieces of shrapnel were removed. His body also has the tendency to scar quickly and for the scars to build up rapidly. Therefore, pressure bandages have been made for him. They are like thick support stockings. The upper body "suit" covers his whole upper body including his neck. It is very difficult to get used to and he's been told that he has to wear them 23 hours a day for one to two years!! The lower body suit is being prepared now. All of this is emotionally and mentally hard for Ami to adjust to as well as being physically rigorous. PLEASE PRAY THAT THE SCARS WOULD HEAL QUICKLY, AND THAT AMI WOULD BE ABLE TO ADJUST TO THESE BANDAGES.
Ami was also seen by a plastic surgeon, who has ordered x-rays to be done on his hands and feet, as he has extreme sensitivity especially in his left palm, and in the toes that were amputated. He thinks there is shrapnel embedded that might be painful to him, in which case they will surgically remove it. Ami has over 100 pieces of shrapnel in his body. Many of them will be expelled by his body naturally. One day, two groups of believers came to visit us and I asked them to pray for the shrapnel to be expelled quickly. That night Ami said, "I feel all the pieces of metal moving!" He was in pain and we had to give him Tylenol!! We need to be careful what we ask for from the Lord!!
I am praying for Ami's healing to happen quicker than anyone can imagine. I believe that with prayer and Yeshua's healing power, everything is possible.
Tomorrow, Friday March 23rd, will be a special prayer meeting in our congregation in Ariel. Messianic leaders from all over Israel will be gathering for a time of fasting and prayer for Ami and the situations surrounding the attack, from 10am to 2PM Israel time.
Even this week, in a town called Or Yehuda, the deputy mayor along with local rabbis stirred up the religious youth to go door to door and gather New Testaments that had been distributed by believers a few weeks before. They then burned the New Testaments.
This is a very serious development because in Nazi Germany, Jewish prayer books were burned in the early years before the Holocaust began. We would urge you to denounce this act to the Israeli Embassy in your area, and also to ask why the perpetrators of the Purim Package bombing have not yet been apprehended.
The article about the burning of the New Testaments can be found at:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1211288128832
Thank you again for your prayer, love and support.
In the Messiah,
Leah Ortiz
Judith Rood again,
I, Judith Rood, want to express to you that Michael and I love Israel and her people but there always seem to be those in every country that thrive on hate and violence. This was the plight of the African American here in America until the voice of the people cause the Government to finally do what was right.
Michael Rood, my husband, is airing a 30 minute Lydia World Outreach Special starting next Saturday May 30 through Sunday June 8. This special documentary will show how we are extending the Love the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to our Christian brothers and sisters - to those who are victims of violence, prejudice and hatred in the Land of Israel.
We are commanded by Him who died for us to show His love through our compassionate actions. Michael has never been timid about challenging the status quo. While we both dearly love the Land of Israel and it's people, we do not condone those who would do acts of violence. No one can say they are following Torah while condoning or encouraging any act of violence against the innocent.
A Land that has for centuries seen it's children murdered, maimed and left homeless, should understand that it cannot allow prejudice and hatred to go unpunished no matter who is responsible or what their reason is for such actions.
I am Jewish. My mother, my father, my grandparents were Jewish. Our family blood was spilled in Russia and in Germany. As many of my ancestors as anyone's were murdered for their Jewish faith. The Jewish blood in their veins poured out to water the soil of many countries. How can any person tell me I am not Jewish because I believe the Messiah has come or because I am married to a Godly man.that is not afraid to challenge man's traditions or ignorance.
The mandate of Yahweh is to aid the helpless, to support and comfort the widows, the orphans and the poor. James 1:27 makes it clear that the commandment of the Torah is still in effect in these cases.
We will show our love by our prayers, by our actions, through the generous giving of our tithes and offerings to help the victims of these acts, and by being there for as many widows, orphans and poor as we have means to help.
While in Israel this next week, I will be your and Elohim's Ambassador of hope to these victims. We hope to visit several orphanages that have received Jewish children from countries where their parents and grandparents were also victims of similar acts of prejudice and violence.
Thank you for your loving prayers and financial support. If you can't see this special, just call us and we will do all we can to send you a copy to view in your home, your congregation, your church or with your friends and family.
I know you will join me in saying, "We are not ashamed of the Gospel of the Messiah and of showing His love to a hurting world."
Call my staff at 800-550-9028 and request a copy. We will send them out free until there aren't any more to send.
Shalom Aleichem
Judith Rood
National Chairperson, The Lydia World Outreach Project
We moved into the Tel HaShomer Children's hospital two weeks ago. It is a rehabilitation facility and one of the best in the country. Ami has a strenuous schedule which includes Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, School studies, Computer lessons, and training in an exercise center. All of this has really strengthened him. Along with renewed appetite, he's looking more and more like "Ami".
However, there are many struggles as well. Interspersed between all of his activities have been visits to specialists. The first specialists to see him were the ENT doctors (Ear, Nose and Throat). We found out that Ami's right ear drum is almost completely blown out and the left ear drum has significant damage. The first doctor told us that he will need skin grafts in both ears which includes a recovery period of 3 to 6 weeks on each ear. However, yesterday we visited a second specialist who specializes in ear injuries from terror attacks. She had better news - she said there was a 90% chance that the ear drums would close up themselves - heal by themselves. She said that Ami is young, and she's seen it happen many times. Even after the first doctor's assessment, I had faith that the Lord would close up those ear drums!! His next appointment will be in 3 months. The doctor said it might take a year for them to heal naturally, but if there is no improvement in 3 months, they will schedule the operations.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE EAR DRUMS TO BE HEALED. Ami's hearing has been significantly affected as a result of this injury.
Ami was sent to an eye specialist as well. He said that there are still many pieces of metal in Ami's eyes, but it is better if they stay in as it could cause problems if they come out. He also said that the eyes were not seeing 20/20 and he might need glasses. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE LORD TO DISSOLVE THE METAL IN HIS EYES, AND FOR THE HEALING OF HIS EYES TO CONTINUE UNTIL 20/20 VISION.
Ami has also had significant burn wounds and subsequent scarring all over his body - also scars where large pieces of shrapnel were removed. His body also has the tendency to scar quickly and for the scars to build up rapidly. Therefore, pressure bandages have been made for him. They are like thick support stockings. The upper body "suit" covers his whole upper body including his neck. It is very difficult to get used to and he's been told that he has to wear them 23 hours a day for one to two years!! The lower body suit is being prepared now. All of this is emotionally and mentally hard for Ami to adjust to as well as being physically rigorous. PLEASE PRAY THAT THE SCARS WOULD HEAL QUICKLY, AND THAT AMI WOULD BE ABLE TO ADJUST TO THESE BANDAGES.
Ami was also seen by a plastic surgeon, who has ordered x-rays to be done on his hands and feet, as he has extreme sensitivity especially in his left palm, and in the toes that were amputated. He thinks there is shrapnel embedded that might be painful to him, in which case they will surgically remove it. Ami has over 100 pieces of shrapnel in his body. Many of them will be expelled by his body naturally. One day, two groups of believers came to visit us and I asked them to pray for the shrapnel to be expelled quickly. That night Ami said, "I feel all the pieces of metal moving!" He was in pain and we had to give him Tylenol!! We need to be careful what we ask for from the Lord!!
I am praying for Ami's healing to happen quicker than anyone can imagine. I believe that with prayer and Yeshua's healing power, everything is possible.
Tomorrow, Friday March 23rd, will be a special prayer meeting in our congregation in Ariel. Messianic leaders from all over Israel will be gathering for a time of fasting and prayer for Ami and the situations surrounding the attack, from 10am to 2PM Israel time.
Even this week, in a town called Or Yehuda, the deputy mayor along with local rabbis stirred up the religious youth to go door to door and gather New Testaments that had been distributed by believers a few weeks before. They then burned the New Testaments.
This is a very serious development because in Nazi Germany, Jewish prayer books were burned in the early years before the Holocaust began. We would urge you to denounce this act to the Israeli Embassy in your area, and also to ask why the perpetrators of the Purim Package bombing have not yet been apprehended.
The article about the burning of the New Testaments can be found at:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1211288128832
Thank you again for your prayer, love and support.
In the Messiah,
Leah Ortiz
Judith Rood again,
I, Judith Rood, want to express to you that Michael and I love Israel and her people but there always seem to be those in every country that thrive on hate and violence. This was the plight of the African American here in America until the voice of the people cause the Government to finally do what was right.
Michael Rood, my husband, is airing a 30 minute Lydia World Outreach Special starting next Saturday May 30 through Sunday June 8. This special documentary will show how we are extending the Love the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to our Christian brothers and sisters - to those who are victims of violence, prejudice and hatred in the Land of Israel.
We are commanded by Him who died for us to show His love through our compassionate actions. Michael has never been timid about challenging the status quo. While we both dearly love the Land of Israel and it's people, we do not condone those who would do acts of violence. No one can say they are following Torah while condoning or encouraging any act of violence against the innocent.
A Land that has for centuries seen it's children murdered, maimed and left homeless, should understand that it cannot allow prejudice and hatred to go unpunished no matter who is responsible or what their reason is for such actions.
I am Jewish. My mother, my father, my grandparents were Jewish. Our family blood was spilled in Russia and in Germany. As many of my ancestors as anyone's were murdered for their Jewish faith. The Jewish blood in their veins poured out to water the soil of many countries. How can any person tell me I am not Jewish because I believe the Messiah has come or because I am married to a Godly man.that is not afraid to challenge man's traditions or ignorance.
The mandate of Yahweh is to aid the helpless, to support and comfort the widows, the orphans and the poor. James 1:27 makes it clear that the commandment of the Torah is still in effect in these cases.
We will show our love by our prayers, by our actions, through the generous giving of our tithes and offerings to help the victims of these acts, and by being there for as many widows, orphans and poor as we have means to help.
While in Israel this next week, I will be your and Elohim's Ambassador of hope to these victims. We hope to visit several orphanages that have received Jewish children from countries where their parents and grandparents were also victims of similar acts of prejudice and violence.
Thank you for your loving prayers and financial support. If you can't see this special, just call us and we will do all we can to send you a copy to view in your home, your congregation, your church or with your friends and family.
I know you will join me in saying, "We are not ashamed of the Gospel of the Messiah and of showing His love to a hurting world."
Call my staff at 800-550-9028 and request a copy. We will send them out free until there aren't any more to send.
Shalom Aleichem
Judith Rood
National Chairperson, The Lydia World Outreach Project
Ami Ortiz Update
Dear Friends Of Israel,
I just received this update from Ami Ortiz's mother. Some of you have only recently become involved with the Lydia Project Israel, and may not know about the tragic circumstance of this fifteen-year-old Israeli boy and his family. The explosion of a package bomb that was delivered to his family's home during Purim seriously injured Ami.
This is a story that has revealed one of the hidden problems in Israel: the religious persecution of Messianic Believers in the Land by a radical group of Orthodox Jews. Over the past years the government has turned a deaf ear and a blind eye to this growing problem.
I have just arrived in Israel and during this trip I hope to meet Ami's mother. I will also be visiting the organizations your donations are helping to support as well as several orphanages and the Russian community. Many of them have come to know Yashua (Jesus) as their Messiah.
Many in this community need our help as they adjust to living in the Land of Israel. It can be a very hard place. At present, it just doesn't seem like the land of milk and honey. Never the less, so many have given up all they had to make Aliyah.
I recently wrote to you of a village in Russia where we have an opportunity to help Jews leave the Siberian wasteland and move to Israel. I am told that conditions in this village make Israel seem like a paradise, and in Yahweh's eye, it is just that.
Another continued story is that of the Sudanese father and his child who escaped to Israel but the rest of the family was captured. I will be following up on how we can help reunite this family. My goal is to bring this mother and her daughter back to her husband and child.
Now for Ami's update;
Ami Update from his mother Leah- May 27, 2008
Ami had another appointment this week with a hand specialist. He has severe pain in his hands, especially the left, which is a result of nerve damage. The doctor told us that he needs operations in both of his arms as the nerve damage begins quite high up, above the elbow, at least on the left side. We were told that one of the major nerves is torn and another is damaged. If the torn one can't be reconnected, they'll have to do a graft from another nerve somewhere else in his body. In which case, it will have to grow and could take a year to see results. She said that nerves grow at the rate of 1 cm. a day!! He has very long arms, so he has about 1/2 a meter of nerves to grow in!! However, it could be that the existing nerves can be repaired and reconnected. So let's pray for that and for continued miracles for Ami. The surgery on the left hand is scheduled for this Monday, June 2.
I have to say that Ami took the news better than I did - because he's anxious for the pain to be relieved.
We also have to see the foot specialist, as he has tendons that need to be reattached in his right foot. I am in touch with a very well known plastic surgeon who also wants to see Ami to see what can be done for the left foot and the skin graft scars.
Please pray that we will be able to stay faithful and full of faith through this ordeal. I often feel overwhelmed by what Ami is going through. Every so often, Ami is weakened by the pain to the point of tears. David and I are grateful though, the bottom line is he's with us and we can be going through what we're going through. We are also grateful, because even in the natural, there are solutions for all of his problems. We are grateful that we have all of you so faithfully praying and believing for us. We are also grateful that we have a great God who loves us and has never left us or forsaken us for a moment.
I ask for prayer for our criminal lawyer, Yossi Graiver, who is representing us. He is not a believer, but an extraordinary person with a heart for what has happened to Ami and a desire to see justice served. We also have a Messianic lawyer who has helped us from the beginning, Calev Myers, who represents the Messianic community here in Israel in matters concerning the faith and the law of the land. We are extremely blessed. Please pray for the legal case, that the criminals will be caught, and that a full sentence will be served with no plea bargains.
Thank you. I will try to keep you updated as to the results of the operation as soon as I can get to my computer.
Yours in the Messiah,
Leah Ortiz
I, Judith, know you will join me and the thousands of others in praying for Ami and his family and for all the persecuted believers in the land. Maybe you could become a prayer leader in your congregation and pledge to have a weekly prayer time for Ami, for Israel and the Believers in Yashua (Jesus) in this land.
Please e-mail me or call 616-583-0200 and let me know about your prayer group.
As you read in the update from Leah Ortiz, they have many needs. One need, it seems, is a laptop computer. I will be visiting with them to see how we can help with the other needs.
I have attached the 30-minute TV special that will air on the ARA TV network May 31- June 8. Once you click on the TV special, it will take a little time for it to open.
Many of your prayers have been answered. My husband Michael's TV series will now be airing on Direct Satellite TV and Sky Angel 136 at 8:30 pm Eastern time Monday - Friday, please adjust this for you time zone.
We are launching the new LydiaWorldOutreachProject.org web site. This will make it easier to keep you informed of the work Lydia is doing.
I will also be posting the cities I will be visiting after Shavuot 2008. If you would like me to come to your city, please contact Evelyn.
I have asked my staff to set up a conference call from Israel at 12 pm June 4th. This is a United States call for you. You are not charged for long distance to Israel.
Thank you for your prayers and financial support.
Shalom Aleichem,
Judith Rood
National Chairperson
I just received this update from Ami Ortiz's mother. Some of you have only recently become involved with the Lydia Project Israel, and may not know about the tragic circumstance of this fifteen-year-old Israeli boy and his family. The explosion of a package bomb that was delivered to his family's home during Purim seriously injured Ami.
This is a story that has revealed one of the hidden problems in Israel: the religious persecution of Messianic Believers in the Land by a radical group of Orthodox Jews. Over the past years the government has turned a deaf ear and a blind eye to this growing problem.
I have just arrived in Israel and during this trip I hope to meet Ami's mother. I will also be visiting the organizations your donations are helping to support as well as several orphanages and the Russian community. Many of them have come to know Yashua (Jesus) as their Messiah.
Many in this community need our help as they adjust to living in the Land of Israel. It can be a very hard place. At present, it just doesn't seem like the land of milk and honey. Never the less, so many have given up all they had to make Aliyah.
I recently wrote to you of a village in Russia where we have an opportunity to help Jews leave the Siberian wasteland and move to Israel. I am told that conditions in this village make Israel seem like a paradise, and in Yahweh's eye, it is just that.
Another continued story is that of the Sudanese father and his child who escaped to Israel but the rest of the family was captured. I will be following up on how we can help reunite this family. My goal is to bring this mother and her daughter back to her husband and child.
Now for Ami's update;
Ami Update from his mother Leah- May 27, 2008
Ami had another appointment this week with a hand specialist. He has severe pain in his hands, especially the left, which is a result of nerve damage. The doctor told us that he needs operations in both of his arms as the nerve damage begins quite high up, above the elbow, at least on the left side. We were told that one of the major nerves is torn and another is damaged. If the torn one can't be reconnected, they'll have to do a graft from another nerve somewhere else in his body. In which case, it will have to grow and could take a year to see results. She said that nerves grow at the rate of 1 cm. a day!! He has very long arms, so he has about 1/2 a meter of nerves to grow in!! However, it could be that the existing nerves can be repaired and reconnected. So let's pray for that and for continued miracles for Ami. The surgery on the left hand is scheduled for this Monday, June 2.
I have to say that Ami took the news better than I did - because he's anxious for the pain to be relieved.
We also have to see the foot specialist, as he has tendons that need to be reattached in his right foot. I am in touch with a very well known plastic surgeon who also wants to see Ami to see what can be done for the left foot and the skin graft scars.
Please pray that we will be able to stay faithful and full of faith through this ordeal. I often feel overwhelmed by what Ami is going through. Every so often, Ami is weakened by the pain to the point of tears. David and I are grateful though, the bottom line is he's with us and we can be going through what we're going through. We are also grateful, because even in the natural, there are solutions for all of his problems. We are grateful that we have all of you so faithfully praying and believing for us. We are also grateful that we have a great God who loves us and has never left us or forsaken us for a moment.
I ask for prayer for our criminal lawyer, Yossi Graiver, who is representing us. He is not a believer, but an extraordinary person with a heart for what has happened to Ami and a desire to see justice served. We also have a Messianic lawyer who has helped us from the beginning, Calev Myers, who represents the Messianic community here in Israel in matters concerning the faith and the law of the land. We are extremely blessed. Please pray for the legal case, that the criminals will be caught, and that a full sentence will be served with no plea bargains.
Thank you. I will try to keep you updated as to the results of the operation as soon as I can get to my computer.
Yours in the Messiah,
Leah Ortiz
I, Judith, know you will join me and the thousands of others in praying for Ami and his family and for all the persecuted believers in the land. Maybe you could become a prayer leader in your congregation and pledge to have a weekly prayer time for Ami, for Israel and the Believers in Yashua (Jesus) in this land.
Please e-mail me or call 616-583-0200 and let me know about your prayer group.
As you read in the update from Leah Ortiz, they have many needs. One need, it seems, is a laptop computer. I will be visiting with them to see how we can help with the other needs.
I have attached the 30-minute TV special that will air on the ARA TV network May 31- June 8. Once you click on the TV special, it will take a little time for it to open.
Many of your prayers have been answered. My husband Michael's TV series will now be airing on Direct Satellite TV and Sky Angel 136 at 8:30 pm Eastern time Monday - Friday, please adjust this for you time zone.
We are launching the new LydiaWorldOutreachProject.org web site. This will make it easier to keep you informed of the work Lydia is doing.
I will also be posting the cities I will be visiting after Shavuot 2008. If you would like me to come to your city, please contact Evelyn.
I have asked my staff to set up a conference call from Israel at 12 pm June 4th. This is a United States call for you. You are not charged for long distance to Israel.
Thank you for your prayers and financial support.
Shalom Aleichem,
Judith Rood
National Chairperson
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