He came from Israel to Japan to find . . . Messiah? Yes!
Daniel* was not looking for God when he decided to visit Japan. . . . He and his traveling companions were just enjoying an adventure together. Many young Israelis travel internationally to discover the world.
However, they are not especially well off, and when Daniel and his friends heard about a guesthouse run by Jewish people in Tokyo, they were glad to find a place they could stay relatively inexpensively—
The first Friday they were there, they were even happier to be invited to the Sabbath meal with their hosts, where the discussion turned to spiritual things. Your Chosen People Ministries workers told Daniel and his companions about their faith in the Jewish Messiah, Jesus.
The very next day, Daniel reported the conversation had touched him deeply. Although he had never given much thought to a “personal relationship” with God, he had prayed and asked God for direction. Our workers report:
“He had already found the Bible in his guestroom and begun reading it! It was a wonderful breakthrough for a Jewish person, and we are praying Daniel will choose to follow the Messiah soon.”
Thank you for helping Daniel discover he can know God and follow the Messiah.
*Name changed.
What, you too?
David* was more uncomfortable keeping this secret from his wife Maya* than at any time in their marriage . . . it was not anything terrible he had done that he did not want her to know about, but it was . . . complicated.
In Israel, where they live, Jewish identity is foremost in many people’s lives. It is what modern Israel was founded on. Now, David was having doubts. Not about being Jewish, not about being Israeli, but about following the Jewish Messiah, Jesus.
He had heard so much about Jesus—and wanted to become a Messianic believer—but what would Maya think? Many Jewish people in Israel and most Jewish families would see it as a complete betrayal!
But then, one day, the subject seemed to come up naturally in conversation. Maya did not seem upset; she seemed interested! In fact, she told David she had been having the same thoughts, because she had been learning about Jesus, too!
Today, David and Maya are following the Jewish Messiah, Jesus, and they are part of our Messianic congregation in their city! Thank you for helping to show them how they can be Jewish believers in Jesus.
*Name changed.
Broken leg, broken heart . . . and hope
Ron* was grinning from ear to ear, his heart pounding with excitement! He and his buddies were about to conquer one of the mountaineering tasks for which they had come to New Zealand, an amazing glacier just waiting for them to climb it!
His group from Israel had been rock climbing and stayed at our hostel just days before. Now, they were setting out on the biggest adventure yet—
But Ron lost his footing—slipped, fell, tumbled—and found himself bloodied on the edge of a rock shelf with a broken leg, bruises everywhere, and lacerations across his face. His friends could not get to him, and he had to wait in pain and grief for a rescue helicopter.
Back he came to our hostel . . . bandaged, immobile, and broken-hearted. This accident was the tragic end to all the adventures he had planned. When one of his hosts sat with him and assured him of God’s deep love for him, Ron was touched, and he wanted to know more! Was it really true Messiah had come and wanted to be his friend?
By the time Ron was able to leave the hostel and head home to Israel, he had his own New Testament and was learning more and more about Jesus. We believe he will soon place his faith in Messiah.
Thanks for making it possible for Chosen People Ministries to reach out to Jewish people all over the world through our hostels and Messianic congregations!
*Name changed.
Fun in the Son and the sun
One thing Judith* loves about Florida is the year-round beautiful weather! She was enjoying a sunny day at the beach in February when she met a couple of friendly Chosen People Ministries workers who were taking part in our “Fun in the Son” event.
As they shared with Judith about the Jewish Messiah, Jesus, she stopped them cold: she might be culturally Jewish, but she was an atheist. She knew there was no God because as a young mom she had lost a child. No merciful God could ever have let that happen.
It was surprising that her declaration of hostility toward God did not scare her new friends away. They agreed about the sadness of her story, but also shared about the peace that comes from knowing the Messiah. After the discussion, Judith accepted a Bible and asked to learn more in the days ahead.
She is just one of dozens of Jewish people in Florida we connected with during Fun in the Son. Thanks for your prayers and generosity that make life-changing outreaches like this possible.
*Name changed.
Because of you—and your support for Chosen People Ministries—Jewish people are discovering the truth about their Messiah, all over the world! We are thankful for you and appreciate your part of this effective outreach to Jewish people everywhere.