This Time...in Israel...It's been TOUGH!
- helpisraelnowproje
- Dec 18, 2025
- 5 min read
Our feet are back on the ground in Israel and I can't believe that 3 weeks has already come and gone! Mom & I have had a few traumatic experiences this time around...beginning with an extremely unpleasant encounter on the train, to an irate bus driver who tried to put hands on us...to mom getting very sick & our subsequent introduction to the hospital system in Netanya and Jerusalem. Although even with mom sick, it's been such a blessing having her near and introducing her to so many people and places that I know and love...we thank you so much for your prayers!
But I will restore you to life and will heal your wounds,' declares the LORD,' because you are an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares. Jeremiah 30:17
I personally felt such a palpable heaviness when I arrived. Israel and her people have endured SO SO much just over the past few years and are only now able to begin to recover emotionally, mentally and spiritually. I had to simply pray & pray & pray some more to discern if this heaviness was something I was going through or the people and country as a whole or both. Please continue to pray with me for healing for the Land and her people.
One amazing opportunity we had was in partnering with a local ministry in Netanya who provides much needed aid to the elderly to include many Holocaust Survivors. Even though mom was quite sick during this time, I was able to go and help serve soup to this special group of elderly survivors. Later, I joined with other Believers and helped unload 7 large pallets of all kinds of basic food which will be given out during the week to those in need. It was such a special environment serving G-d's precious people in this way...A highlight of my time was being able to pray for dear Anna who requested healing for her heart as her son had just passed away as well as physically healing for her knee, but more than that we pray for her decision to give her life the Messiah. Please pray for Anna whose name means, "Favor, Grace & To cry out" Please pray she continues to cry out to the G-d of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob and that all Jewish people during this season of Chanukka will cry out as they seek LIGHT in this ever darkening world. **I hope to continue working with this organization in the coming weeks.
In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1: 4
As far as soldier support, we were able to safely transport and deliver 10 pairs of high quality combat boots directly to our soldier friend and commander, "Artur." He is being deployed again with his unit in another 10 days from now, working in Judea & Samaria and will distribute the boots to his soldiers then. He sends his love and thanks! Please continue to lift up the Israeli Soldiers in prayer as they safeguard thier inheritance. There are still many enemies of the Jewish State in Judea, Samaria & Gaza. Please pray for spiritual and physical protection over Israel's warriors.
WOMEN OF FAITH & STRENGTH
We officially kicked off our 6 week program! Just to update you all.... I was officially engaged by a local congregation to teach a 6 week course of Self-Defense combined with ladies devotional! I am teaching on the ladies of Messiah's lineage and how G-d's grace & redemption shines through these speical women! After our study, we transition to Krav Maga and are learning how to use our bodies to protect ourselves & others! We had a great show of ladies this past week, despite the pouring rain and cold & most had no prior experience but were drawn to come to fellowship & to gain confidence in thier own abilities in self-defense. Please continue to pray for this sweet & strong group of women! A few are native born Israeli, some have made Aliyah from all over the world, some are very young and others are up there in age and I absolutely love the enthusiam, life experience and G-d experience they bring with them and I am so humbled & honored to be a small part of this journey! Please pray that we would learn and grow together in this super cool job G-d has given and I pray gifted me with.
Update from Joanna "Mom"
What better place to be sick than in Israel! :)) Especially when I've got such a great "nurse" to help care for me and to facilitate doctor appointments, etc. I've been here 3 weeks and have had (and still do) a severe pulmonary infection, But yes, it's all been worth it! To be here in the Land and to see first-hand Neomi's varied ministries; her deep connections with such a variety of Israelis .... secular, religious, Messianics; relating with them, identifying with them, enjoying those special relationships that are built on trust and perhaps more especially her decision to stay following the massacre and the most recent war. It was a delight to see how shop owners who had helped her procure miltary supplies greeted her so warmly .... and as they read the letter from Believers here ... while a line of religious Jews waited patiently with smiles on thier faces. It was heart-warming to see how she translated into Hebrew what I was trying to explain to a soldier as I gave him a similar letter with words of Hope and Light. He took in every word she said. How wonderful to be able to switch so easily (at least from my perspective) from Englsh to Hebrew! G-d has certainly blessed her with relationships and the ability to learn the language! It came with much perseverance and hard work and a lot of G-d's grace! I could go on and on, but I just want to thank G-d for this special opportunity to see first-hand Neomi's ministry. I thank you for all your prayers too and ask for prayer that my trip home on Tuesday will be a good one. - Joanna (Neomi's Mom)
Thank you Dear followers, pray-ers and supporters for sending us with your love & prayers to G-d's precious people. If you feel led to support what G-d is doing in the Land please use the button below. We are transitioning from supporting the IDF (although a need may arise here & there, the urgent and exigent needs have been met, praise G-d!) to prayerfully seeking and exploring other ways to bring encouragement and aid to those here in the Land.