Wednesday, June 11th
4 sets (3 English and 1 French), 1 Tanakh and 1 Brit Chadashah were given.
A team of two were at a small, local shopping mall on a warm, sunny day and were able to give out several antisemitism pamphlets. There were not many Jewish people out on that day but they did have a 10-minute encounter with a Muslim woman who wanted to talk about Israel in a very negative way. The woman was speaking non-stop and began to get excited, so the team thanked her for stopping to chat and she left them to enter a store. The team decided then to move onto their next location.
At this new spot, they met a Jewish man who told them that he had received a Tanakh from a team member last year and was reading through it. This time he willingly took a Brit Chadashah and told the team he was looking forward to reading it.
They then met a young, kind Jewish man in his early thirties. The team took their time sharing the messianic viewpoint with him. They spoke of Yeshua being the Messiah and he listened very quietly, deep in thought. He was offered the Tanakh, but he said he “was good”. As they spoke further, he changed his mind and took the Tanakh once he heard that their rabbi came from Casablanca. They said they felt that this information helped to change his mind. They informed him that their rabbi/teacher would be speaking on redemption from the Torah and so he took the Beth Ariel contact card along with all the literature they offered him.
They met a very well-dressed Jewish man who was going to his car and as they approached him, he was open to hearing what they had to say. After introducing themselves, they spoke to him about the Messiah and that they believed Yeshua was the Messiah. They told him that Yeshua had already come and would return to rule and reign in Jerusalem. The gentleman took the antisemitism pamphlet and the Beth Ariel contact card and was encouraged to listen to the teachings of their rabbi online. They finished up their conversation by speaking about the suffering Messiah as written in Isaiah 53 and he was very touched by the conversation with the team.
Next, they met a man walking to his car and seeing the team he greeted them. They opened up their greeting by stating that they were volunteers with the Society that Distributes Hebrew Scriptures and spoke about the messianic viewpoint and how Yeshua was the Messiah. They told him that He had already come as the suffering servant but that He was going to return to rule and reign in Jerusalem. It was here when they offered him the Brit Chadashah and he took it without hesitation. The man took a gift set for his son and after some encouragement, he took a set for himself also. He had a very kind attitude.
They then met a young, Jewish fellow sporting a T-shirt with Hebrew wording on the front. There was a good conversation and the young man thanked them for their good work. He took the Tanakh, pamphlet and Beth Ariel contact card. They presented him with the Brit and explained that Yeshua was Jewish and referenced Isaiah 9:6 where it states that the Messiah would come as a child and would be called mighty counsellor and El Gibbor. As they presented the Brit, they told him to do his own research and he exclaimed, “Yes, I will do it!” as they parted.
A French set was given to a man who said he was involved in the Jewish community. He took a pamphlet and a comfort card at first and hearing about the gift set, he asked for one in French and then was excited to receive an antisemitism pamphlet in Hebrew. They told him that the Hebrew presented in the Tanakh was the same Hebrew he would find in the synagogue. He noticed that it was not written in the same order, and they were able to tell him that this was true that although the one in the synagogue finishes in Chronicles, the book they presented ends in Malachi, the prophet. He took the Tanakh and was offered the Brit Chadashah. He was about to refuse it saying it was a Catholic book, but the team explained that it was a Jewish book written by Jewish authors. They referenced Micah 5:2 stating He was to be born in Bethlehem and Genesis 49:10 where it says the Messiah would come from the line of Judah. He then took both books and having already taken the Beth Ariel contact card, was encouraged to go online and listen to their rabbi’s teachings. He thanked them and a few short moments later he was driving by with his wife in the car. She was smiling and waving as they left.
They then met a Jewish lady who was touched as she accepted a comfort card, pamphlet, and a bookmark. She did not want the Tanakh but thanked them for the work they were doing.
Finally, they met a Spanish speaking man who communicated with the team in French. They had a brief conversation with him as he spoke about his Catholic faith with pride. He did take the antisemitism pamphlet then but did not want to continue a conversation with them.
The team finished the day with praise in their hearts for the Lord’s protection over them and for His faithfulness, bringing those whose hearts He had softened and prepared to receive His word. They also thanked everyone who participated along with them with prayer.