A New Sister in the Messiah!

March 31, 2021

Dear Friend,

Israel is gradually lifting our third closure. With the loosening of the rules, the Lord gave new opportunities as we were allowed to have more people in gatherings both inside and outdoors as well as more passengers are now allowed in cars!

One God-given opportunity was to serve a health challenged mom. She was suddenly informed that her daughter must be picked up from a special care program near Tel Aviv that evening. Heidi and I discussed our plans for the evening. Honestly, the three-hour trip felt like a burden. But we rearranged our plans. I grabbed a bite to eat and headed out.

On the trip I had the opportunity to minister to the mom during the ride south. When we arrived, her daughter asked if another young man from the program could ride with us to Haifa. Netanel asked about our faith and most of the trip back we shared the gospel with him.

The easing of restrictions also allowed Dudy and Adi and their new daughter, Libby, to join us the next evening for Shabbat dinner. Also Elisheva, an old high-school classmate of Josiah’s, called and asked to join us as well! She was at Abigail’s funeral, visited our home often in the past, and was friends with some of the short-term students around that time. She’d heard the gospel often and after all these years wanted to come back.

Her interest in Yeshua was renewed. During the previous months, Elisheva was in online communication with Dina, from our congregation. She was full of questions during that Shabbat dinner. The conversation jumped around. I was glad that Dudy had listened, but I was also left wondering what Elisheva was thinking.

She wrote to Heidi the next day, “I really enjoyed Friday night. I wanted to ask you to tell Philip, that I thought a lot about my discussion with him, and also looked up what he said. I was very impressed by what I found, so I've decided to accept Yeshua. Which I thought you and he might be happy to hear.”

Since then, there have been a lot of conversations and prayer. She is very intelligent, has studied philosophy, and asks a lot of challenging questions. It is obvious that there are more emotional issues than intellectual ones. She has come to understand the gospel and is truly a new believer.

A couple of weeks later after spending the night on Facebook with a believing friend in the US, and then four more hours on the phone in the morning with me, she posted: “I had a good refreshing sleep. For the first time in my adult life…” She quoted 2 Timothy 2:11; John 13:34; 2 Corinthians 12:9 and 1 Corinthians 13:13. She continued, “Thank you for showing me what these verses meant... No theology course in the world could replace last night…”

“‘Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.’

How could I not after last night... I am so grateful…”

Please pray for Elisheva as she continues to walk by faith. Ask the Lord to connect her to the right woman to disciple her given her difficult spiritual and emotional background. She went to a home group. Pray that she would be able to connect well with people and find the spiritual nourishment that she needs to grow in her faith.

The lifting of this third closure has greatly affected the body life at Beit Eliyahu. Since the onset of Covid-19, the Israeli government issued restrictions that limited gatherings and movement. The restrictions have varied. This month, the restrictions allow up to 20 people meet together indoors and up to 50 outdoors. At the same time, the government began implementing the “Green Pass” system. Beit Eliyahu would be allowed to gather about 125 people inside!

But there is a catch. We would be forced to check everyone and to turn away anyone who did not show a government approved proof of vaccination and thus divide the body between the “have’s” and the “have not’s”. There’s been a lot of passion on all sides of this issue. It reminds us of the contention that existed in the early church regarding the eating of meat. Paul wrote in Romans 14 to urge mutual acceptance without contempt or judgment within the church. So, Beit Eliyahu chose to implement three services that would accommodate up to 50 people outdoors at each service.

An intense scramble ensued to organize three outdoor meetings of 50 people for a congregation of 300 people! To make the most of the situation, we contacted people and asked them to RSVP to an invitation to attend one of the meetings. We moved the Shabbat School to Friday afternoon. We continue to broadcast the first service to allow those who don’t come to participate.

While the logistical demands are daunting, the past two Shabbats were a wonderful blessing. We are praying that the restrictions will be further relaxed so that we can begin meeting in greater numbers indoors without needing to participate in the “Green Pass” system.

As a family, we celebrated Shir’s first birthday on February 24th, Leeya’s third birthday on March 4th and Sasha’s 12th birthday March 5th! March 5th also marked the 18th anniversary of Abigail’s death. Due to the easing of restrictions, we were able invite 50 people to join Sasha on March 19th to mark her Bat Mitzvah. Her biological parents attended as well as a good portion of her school friends and those from Beit Eliyahu. The following Saturday evening we celebrated the Passover Seder and Dasha’s 29th birthday on Sunday. Lots of excitement and joy with a smidgen of sorrow. Tomorrow evening, the Pinchasi family will be joining us Friday evening to celebrate the end of Passover dinner.

Know that we are thankful for the part you play with us in this ministry and for your faithful partnership with us in the Messiah. We appreciate you!

Yours in the Messiah,

Phil and Heidi