10/10/08

Dear Friedman Family & Friends,

Grace and shalom in our wonderful Messiah. "L'shana tova" a happy (Jewish) New Year.

As usual, we have much to share. In August I spent almost 3 weeks in southern Israel, primarily in the city of Arad. Life in this small Israeli town in the Negev desert is difficult at best. The Israeli believers struggle to make ends meet. They are persecuted for their faith, even losing jobs and homes. These believers feel as if they have been forgotten by their Brothers and Sisters in America. We will not forget them. Wherever Jacobs’s Hope ministers, we will be sure to work with the local congregations and help needy believers. As Paul says in Gal. 6:10, "Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Jed & Elisa put together 100 packs of school supplies for the needy children of Arad.

One reason for this trip was to find a location for our first humanitarian aid center. We found a store for sale at way below market value. This store would allow us to distribute food and have a room to conduct job training classes. A dear pastor friend has offered us the funds to open this first center! We will let you know when this property is ours. The second reason was to establish Jacob’s Hope as a non-profit entity in Israel. This too has now been accomplished. L-rd willing, I will be back in Israel soon to sign the papers and begin the work.

I have just returned from almost a month in Belarus and Ukraine. In Belarus I worked with three different Messianic congregations, preaching, and teaching the leadership. I brought the congregation in Minsk a shofar so this Rosh Hashanah was the first time they heard the shofar blow for the Holy day. I conducted a Rosh Hashanah service for the Messianic congregation in Zhitomir, Ukraine. This was the first time they had ever celebrated this Holy day. What a blessing!

Thanks to the generosity of Pastor Bidwell and the good people of Landisburg, PA A/G we were able to distribute a month’s worth of staples to 100 needy Jewish families. There is much more to come, thanks to these generous brothers and sisters. We will get some of the pictures up on the web site as soon as possible.

I am home for two weeks, then I will be on my way to Ethiopia. I will be looking at the best way to help the forgotten Jewish believers of Ethiopia. There are between 50,000 and 70,000 of these "Beta Israel". Israel does not want them because many of them are believers, they are among the poorest of the poor in this impoverished country. They desperately need clean drinking water. We will look into drilling wells in the villages that have absolutely no access to clean water. It costs approximately $10,000 to dig one well, but it can change an entire community. Please pray for strength and safety on this trip. Also, pray for favor with the local officials I will be meeting.

Now a little news from the home front. Matt & Sara continue the work with Jews for Jesus. Jesse has extended his enlistment so he can go on his second deployment to the Persian Gulf. A young man from his division was recently killed on the flight deck. Please pray for our service men and woman around the world. Bethany is a junior at the University of the Arts. Adam just celebrated his 18th birthday and is praying about his future. He is considering enlisting in the Army. Elisa turns 14 this month and is learning to embroider. Jed just turned 12 and signed up for football. He broke a finger and sprained a leg, so he is on the sidelines until next season. Vixie, as usual, provides the anchor for the family while I am away. We are looking forward to seeing all the kids this holiday season.

As we approach the end of the year we can look back and thank G-d for all that He has accomplished. Our appointment became official in March, and so much progress has already been made. We also look back and thank G-d for all of you who have made it possible for us to get this far. Please pray for the L-rd to lead us and to open the doors we need to step through.

In these difficult times we pray that G-d will bless you all with abundance from heaven, peace, joy and the power of the "Ruach HaKodesh", the Holy Spirit.

Jacob’s Hope P.O. Box 1046
Springfield, Missouri 65801

417 491-HOPE (4673)
For the lost sheep of the house of Israel,

The Friedmans
Jeff, Vixie, Matt, Sara, Jesse, Bethany, Adam, Elisa, Jedidiah