A family of Russian immigrants is going through a tremendous crisis with the Interior Ministry.  Their Israeli citizenship was revoked on the false charge that they had lied about their religious belief at the time of immigration saying they claimed to be Jews, but were in fact not, because they believed in Yeshua.  The reality is that they are Jews and they came to faith in Messiah AFTER coming to Israel.  They have lived in the Land for more than nine years before this charge came up which was sparked by a much-belated accusatory letter from anti-missionaries.  They are getting legal help and will probably get justice.  Meanwhile, the husband is stranded in Germany as a "stateless refugee".  He was abroad when they suddenly pulled his citizenship and his wife, who is in Israel, is now unable to work without Israeli citizenship.  They are receiving strong support from their congregation, including temporary living quarters, but they need help to rent a small apartment.  The lawyer says it may take half a year for their case to be resolved.  Both have served their congregation in strong ways.  Amount requested by Shamash: NIS 1500 for six months.

Five families, who are unemployed and can not find work, are existing by fishing in the Mediterranean.  One family has a totally disabled adult son whom they care for, which adds to their financial burden.  Their Shamash requested NIS 1500 for each family for five months.

A new immigrant, unable to work because of bad health, still tries to earn some money cleaning houses.  She gets by because she lives with her family. Now she needs urgent dental work for gum disease.  Amount requested to do the dental work: NIS 4500.

This last request is for a business venture that would give these believers a means to provide for themselves.  It shows G-d’s mighty hand when His people unit together to take care of each other in ways that are unheard of by non-believers.  It will require a large community working together, both here in the States and in Israel. A board member of Restorers of Zion best tells it:

A community of Lebanese refugees (300 former South Lebanese Army officers and their families, who were forced to flee their homes when Israel withdrew from South Lebanon in May 2000), has been subsisting in the northern town of Nahariya.  They are fishing from the sea and gathering wild plants for food, because they cannot make ends meet on the meager aid the Israeli government has given them.  An Arab pastor from Haifa began to minister to these fellow-Arabs, who are nominal Christians but never heard the gospel in Lebanese churches.  He now has a congregation of 20 families who have put their faith in the Messiah.  Their economic situation remains desperate - too desperate to be remedied by occasional gifts of charity.  Besides, these dignified people (many of whom left behind substantial assets in Lebanon) don't want handouts; they want to work. But the job market throughout Israel is at an all-time low, and for security reasons they are restricted to living only in certain cities in the economically depressed northern region.

Israel owes these ex-soldiers a great deal for risking 25 or 30 years of their lives helping us defend our northern border.  Israel is also commanded in the Torah to care for "the stranger who dwells among you," and these strangers are worthier than many others.  And lastly, the Body of Messiah is responsible to care for the poor among the brethren. Israeli believers have a clear calling to lead the nation in helping these neglected and needy people, and we felt this keenly from the first time we heard about them.

After seeking the Lord for a solution, we began to explore the possibility of helping the Lebanese believers create employment for themselves, based on the experience of some in the industrial sewing business.  To make a long story short, the Lebanese came up with a proposal that would establish a simple business to support 6 or 7 families. Total start-up cost?  Approximately $10,000.  No, there is not a zero missing -- that's ten thousand dollars for equipment, furnishings, renovation of a small building, and even fabric and thread!  More than that, these entrepreneurs have already attracted potential customers, including Israel's Ministry of Defense, with a tentative contract for military and firefighter uniforms.

Small wonder that this brave initiative inspired American believers who heard the story while we were on our speaking tour. But we need more than positive feedback to make the business a reality.  So far, $1000 has been donated toward the Lebanese project.  We trust the Lord to speak to more hearts about giving to a project that will make a practical difference for this community of "strangers who dwell among us".

Praying further, we realized that these Lebanese will need more than funds and enthusiasm to establish a viable business -- they also need guidance on setting up their operations, dealing with Israeli business law, etc.  To that end, Restorers has been in contact with a Messianic congregation that has experience in the same industry.  The leaders readily agreed to meet with the initiators and their pastor to see what they can do to help them get started.  This is the kind of support that will help the Lebanese project succeed and will enable our donors' investments to bear the maximum amount of fruit.