In the Land with Ruth and Al

And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled….but the end is not yet. Matth.24v6.

Dear Friends all over the globe,

Time again to write and up-date you on what is happening in the Land of Israel, also to thank those of you who have prayed faithfully for us, and we know there are many such.

Also at the beginning of this letter, we should like to thank those of you who took the trouble to write to us, some several times, during the five weeks we sat in the bunkers. We would love to write to each one of you individually, and some of you will yet hear from us, but we received hundred of letters of support, and I still have around a hundred different letters on my computer, though I answer many every day!

The war is over, and yet it isn’t! Almost everyday we get reports from many sources that Syria, Iran and the Hezbollah are preparing for war. These come from all over the world Most predict that it will come sooner, rather than later, and we believe that God has put us here in this country for such a time as this. The opportunities in this country are incredible, and many hearts are open. Israel is in a time of uncertainty and confusion, with much anger against the incompetence of the Government during the war, and the lack of preparation of the army for the Hezbollah onslaught.

The two months since the end of the war have seen us incredibly busy, not only with the dozens of visitors that come our way, but with enquirers, people needing individual teaching, and a number of non-believers attending the meeting, as well as Arabic friends. We now have regular visits from Arab believers, and to see our young Arab brother sitting down with a very confused Jew, and urging him to seek the Lord, and ask Him to reveal the truth, is quite amazing to us! Again, with regard to Arabs, we have been able to help some Lebanese families, and comfort them in their distress, not only enduring the war here, but worrying about their relatives over there. One such telephoned two days’ ago to tell me his wife had just given birth to a little girl. Ruth found herself choked up and wanting to cry when he gave her the news. We share their joys and their sorrows. Those who think that the Israelis are a bunch of cutthroats should examine their own hearts for latent, and sometimes overt anti-Semitism. We have met many such within the Christian Church.

The Shabbat meetings are no longer from 11-13 hours. They begin coming sometimes quite early, and often sit around in discussion groups until between 4-7 in the evening, with a continual supply of coffee, tea, biscuits and fruit to keep them going! Sometimes there are two or three groups discussing the faith, or some point of doctrine, or simply asking questions. We do thank God for hungry hearts, also that one Israeli Jewish brother has gone to Capernwray Bible School for a year, and we greatly miss him in the meetings. He is a wonderful translator, and we now have to manage without him. We do thank God for Naomi, our musician, and maybe you could pray for another one?

Last Shabbat, (21 st October), around 1000 believers and friends met in a forest near Tiberias, for a time of fellowship and a picnic. These were just believers from the Galilee area. This time it was not just Jewish and Arab Christian Congregations. Also present were a number of New Druze believers from a village not far from Tiberias, and some Moslem background believers. God is doing great things in this country! The Druze are a real breakthrough for the Gospel, and hundreds of Moslems have come to faith. This is happening in spite of all the troubles.

One problem to pray for in this country is the deepening poverty. Although the economy is strong, at least one in four citizens in this country is living beneath the poverty line, and many are totally bankrupt Since the war ended, we have been coopering with another fellowship in the Centre of the country, and bringing gifts form believers in the States to some of these war-weary and afflicted people. Many are old holocaust survivors, and their stories are horrendous. A few hours of this visiting is very wearying. I visited with two American ladies who were crying when they heard their stories. Pray that God also gives us strength for this ministry.

Albert is due for a total knee replacement on November 6 th. He will be away for about a month with the post–op physiotherapy. He is looking forward to this operation, as walking has become very difficult for him. However, we covet your prayers. Shoshana has broken her wrist again, and Ruth goes to shower her 3-4 times weekly. Elana has had a stroke, and is lying paralyzed in Hospital. Tali, her sister, is worn out and devastated. Marina, one of our believers, was beaten up by a drug addict, and received moderate head injuries, as well as shock. Maarten, who is from Holland, and together with his wife has been a great help to us, has a very bad back and suffers greatly. He would also value your prayers, as he lives in another town, and there also, God is doing a great work, but we all need health and strength. The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of harvest, that He would send forth laborers into His harvest (.Matthew 10v2).

We have many other problems, about which we cannot speak. But God knows all things, and we covet your prayers. Finally, again we thank all of you who have helped us in any way, either by prayer, or visiting us, or by your gifts. May God reward you all.

Yours in Messiah’s service on behalf of Israel.

Albert and Ruth Nessim

Contact Details

POB260
22102 Nahariya
Israel
Tel: +972 4 9826932
Fax: +972 4 9826635
Email: ranessim@012.net.il (Ruth) or ajnessim@012.net.il