Ami Ortiz & Russian Woman

We have had some people write us wondering if we started the Lydia World Outreach Project too soon. The Lydia World Outreach Project was started because of my husband Michael's teaching on tithes and offerings. You will be receiving a newsletter very soon from Michael about the Lydia World.

This project is not an extra financial burden on A Rood Awakening Ministry International. On the contrary, it has been a blessing to this ministry. The only funds sent out are those which come in specifically for the Lydia World Outreach Project. Michael and I tithe through this Project. We know Yahweh will bless us as we bless Israel. How can we teach the Word and not do what the Torah says?

I want to talk to you about the plight of a Russian Jewish woman who has returned to Israel.

We were recently told about this woman in Russia who would not be able to live much longer without a kidney transplant. She had begun the long process of applying to make Aliyah (the term for Jews returning as citizens to Israel) but due to bad government record keeping in Russia, she was having trouble proving her Jewish ancestry.

An organization run by Believers came to her assistance. They helped to push the legal system and obtained an emergency visa for her to fly to Israel for surgery. Her health was rapidly declining as she prepared for and made the flight. To her surprise, an ambulance was awaiting her on the tarmac at the Tel Aviv airport to rush her to the hospital. Her surgery was successful. She now lives in the Land of her forefathers with the help of the Lord and His faithful servants who labor to fulfill what the prophets spoke long ago.

Jer 31:8-14 "Behold, I am bringing them from the north country, And I will gather them from the remote parts of the earth, Among them the blind and the lame, The woman with child and she who is in labor with child, together; A great company, they will return here."

"With weeping they will come, And by supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk by streams of waters, On a straight path in which they will not stumble; For I am a father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn."

Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, And declare in the coastlands afar off, And say, "He who scattered Israel will gather him And keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock."

For the LORD has ransomed Jacob And redeemed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he.

"They will come and shout for joy on the height of Zion, And they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD-- Over the grain and the new wine and the oil, And over the young of the flock and the herd; And their life will be like a watered garden, And they will never languish again."

"Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance, And the young men and the old, together, For I will turn their mourning into joy, And will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow."

"I will fill the soul of the priests with abundance, And My people will be satisfied with My goodness," declares the LORD.

Michael and I know that The Almighty has ordained this effort and The Almighty knows why there is an urgency about it.

Since starting the Lydia Project, news of our work and effort have spread all over Israel and now to other countries. I have received e-mails and information from India, Kenya, and South America.

I am making my first local trip to speak to supporters about what is happening in Israel. On May 26, I fly to Israel to meet with different organizations and people.

I will be visiting Ami, the Israeli teenager who was seriously injured by a terrorist's bomb delivered to his parents' home. We have had many more people send in gifts for Ami and his family; I will be delivering them personally.

If you would like to send a card, letter or written prayer of encouragement, please e-mail Lydiaproject@michaelroodministries.com .

If you can, send them in the mail to: The Lydia World Outreach Project, P.O. Box 309, Byron Center, MI 49315.

Shalom Aleichem,
Judith Rood

A Note From Judith Rood

I, Judith, will be in Israel May 27 and hope to be able to visit with Ami and his parents. We will be documenting many of the stories and needs of Israel on film to produce a report for you about what the Lydia Project has been able to accomplish because of your gifts and prayers.

Yahweh has touched so many of you to partner with us and to be a blessing to Israel. I pray that HE will cause this effort not only to bless those who need blessing but also to bring an end to prejudice and persecution so that ALL Israel will see Believers as the friends and supporters of Israel that they truly are.

I will be returning from Israel to Denver to be with you at Shavuot 2008. This is going to be an exciting event. I know Michael is expecting a mighty move of the Spirit of Yahweh. Michael knows that those things which happened to Believers in the Book of Acts can and will, sooner or later, happen among the Messianic.

This may be the very time that the Almighty has chosen to demonstrate His power and love to His children. Michael has done all he can to prepare the way for this to happen. He has invited two of the most anointed Psalmists in the Messianic community.

I look forward to seeing you there. Please pass this and other e-mails on to your friends and encourage them to do the same. You can be a conduit to spread the word about this assembly.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Shalom Aleichem
Judith Rood
National Chairperson

Update on Ami Ortiz

Seven weeks have now passed since the Purim gift package blew up in the arms of fifteen year-old Ami Ortiz. Those of you that have been following the story and praying for Ami know that his initial condition was so severe that they didn't know if he would live. If he did live, they didn't know if they would be able to save some of his limbs, an eye and one of his lungs. He had a huge gash in his throat; his body was burned and full of shrapnel and bolts.

Due to the Lord's healing hand, this week Ami was actually able to walk up the stairs to his family's third floor apartment and spend a couple of days there before returning to the hospital to begin extensive physical therapy and rehabilitation.

The journey home could not have been easy as Ami anticipated returning to the location of that traumatic event. However, he assured his father that he was not afraid.

Postcards from all over the world have been arriving at the Ortiz home since the attack. Ami finds great comfort in knowing that so many people are praying for him and care enough to send a note of encouragement. We are told that Ami's mother Leah reads at least 20 postcards every night to Ami before he falls asleep.

We encourage you to send Ami a postcard. Tell a little about yourself, your family and your community, or include a short inspiring story. Feel free to send a picture of yourself or your family in an envelope . Please encourage others from your community, your congregation, children and youth groups, etc . . . to send Ami a note.

Mail postcards/envelopes to:

Ami Ortiz
P.O. Box 1903
Ariel 40700
Israel

-The doctors have told Ami's parents that a full recovery could take at least a year. Please remember to lift up his family in your prayers and pray for the finances they need to make it through this long recovery period.

-Ami is having difficulty moving his hands and may need more surgery to re-attach ligaments and muscles.

-There is still shrapnel embedded in his lungs.

-He is easily fatigued and needs prayer for increased stamina and physical endurance.

-The security forces are still working hard on this case. Please pray that the criminals are quickly caught and brought to justice before anyone else is injured.

Friday, May 23rd at 10 AM Israeli time (3 AM Eastern Time USA) believers from all over Israel will be gathering to pray and fast for Ami and his family. They will also lift up all those who are being subjected to the growing persecution across Israel.

The enemy is angry! What he meant for harm, the Lord is using for good, as He promised. The body of Messiah is uniting and standing firm through these days of adversity.

Lisa Rhoades

Pray For Those Who Persecute Others

THE COURAGE OF A YOUNG LION - THE HEART OF A LAMB

One of the purposes of the Lydia Project is to help those Believers in Israel who are facing persecution because they have accepted Yahshua of Nazareth as their Messiah or, as Christians say, have made Jesus Christ their Savior.

Ami Ortiz, who was tragically injured by a package bomb intended for his family, is the victim of such prejudice and persecution but it seems what Ha-Satan meant for evil, Yahweh is using to bring about good. The tragedy that struck this fifteen year-old Israeli boy has brought attention to the persecution that Believers face in Israel and the authorities are compelled to find the perpetrators of this evil act.

I ask you to join me in prayer that the government of Israel will address the religious persecution operating in the Land.

Our goal is to follow the commandment of Yahshua and the Torah in giving to the widows, the orphans, the poor and the Strangers in the Land and to be a blessing to ALL Israel.

We pray for those who persecute others while we help the victims of this persecution, whether they are citizens of the Land of Israel or Strangers in the Land like the Sudanese families the Lydia Project is helping.