Friday, November 14, 2025
Three sets, one Tanakh and one Brit Chadashah were given.
On this day, a team of three women visited two shopping centers. They thanked God that they were able to go out because it had begun to snow, and their visit was cut short due to the snow becoming heavier.
At the first mall, one team member was alone and reported that she had distributed two sets. The first set was given to a Jewish woman who gratefully accepted the antisemitism pamphlet and a comfort card. As she received them, she commented that it was now dangerous to be alone outside, referring to the Jewish community. In response, the team member reassured her by saying that God is always present and willing to save from harm. She then spoke about Psalm 91:1-2, which states that God is our refuge and fortress, and the woman shared that she had been a widow for 17 years and was still mourning. She was offered the Tanakh, which she eagerly accepted, asking, “Are you serious?” Then she was offered the Brit Chadashah. She said she was familiar with this book and accepted it as well. The team member then invited her to visit Beth Ariel congregation, where she would be welcomed by several women who had experienced the same grief. The team member explained that she was Messianic and that the congregation was as well. She was given the Beth Ariel contact card and told she could listen to their rabbi, Jacques Gabizon, on the mentioned website. The woman thanked the team member and said she would call the office if she had any questions. They hugged, and she continued shopping after putting the gift set in her trunk.
A second set was given to a young Jewish woman in her twenties. She first accepted the pamphlet and a comfort card. As she started walking toward the store, the volunteer called to her, saying she had another gift. The volunteer explained she was a member of SDHS and had a Tanakh for her. The young woman took it in her hands, said it was beautiful, and asked if it was complete. She was assured it was complete and used the same Hebrew as the Scriptures in the synagogues. She was then offered the Brit, and she replied, “I’ll take that one too!” She opened her car door and placed the gift set inside, saying she wouldn’t take it into the shopping center. She was very thankful.
The second team spoke with a Russian Jewish woman who spoke quite well in English. When she saw the antisemitism pamphlet and realized they were talking about God, she said that she no longer believed in God. They encouraged her not to close her heart, explained that there was no middle ground—either darkness or light—and asked whether she would choose to listen to the serpent or to God. She immediately replied that she had not completely closed her heart. She received the antisemitism pamphlet and the Beth Ariel contact card, as they encouraged her to listen to the word. She declined the Tanakh, even though it was a gift.
Meanwhile, the team of three decided to leave that area, which had grown quiet, and head to their second mall. There, one of the other team members met a young Jewish lady who received the antisemitism pamphlet in English. She was offered the Tanakh, which she accepted without hesitation, and took a Beth Ariel contact card. She encouraged the team member to keep up the good work.
One Brit Chadashah was given to a Jewish man. At first, he received the antisemitism pamphlet, and as they discussed the topic, he said he thought antisemitism had increased because of Prime Minister Bibi. They told him that antisemitism had always existed since the founding of the nation of Israel. Then, they discussed sin, Yeshua, and Isaiah 53 as they offered him the leaflet. They presented the gift set and explained what each book was about. Unfortunately, he did not want to accept the Tanakh but agreed to receive the Brit Chadashah! He was encouraged to accept the Tanakh because it contains prophecies fulfilled in the Brit Chadashah. He insisted he would only accept the smaller book and was given the Beth Ariel contact card. He was encouraged to listen to the teachings there. One team member shared part of her testimony with him and urged him to reconcile with God. He said what they were doing was good, and it was noted that, though initially reluctant to accept the Brit, he later expressed gratitude. He smiled at them, then ended their encounter by shaking their hands and sharing their names as they left.
One set in Hebrew/English was given to an elderly Jewish Orthodox man. When the team gave him an antisemitism pamphlet and discussed when anti-Semitism might end and when the Messiah would return, he expressed doubt about his belief in a Messiah, asking, “Where was God during the time of the Holocaust and then on October 7th?” The man was very emotional. They responded by saying that God was there and suffering with Israel, and that judgment would come for those who do evil and refuse to accept the Messiah. One team member, who was Messianic, shared the prophecy of Isaiah 53, explaining the Messiah’s suffering, His death for man’s sins, and His resurrection. They explained that Yeshua is coming back to reign in Israel and cited Isaiah 1:18, emphasizing that Yeshua can forgive all sins. He replied that not all sins could be forgiven, mentioning murder. They discussed David and Uriah, and he responded that David was special. The team told him that God is impartial and that Yeshua can make him tsadik, removing all his sins. They discussed Yom Kippur, animal sacrifices, blood atonement, and Leviticus 17:11, noting the absence of the Temple and that Yeshua, the Lamb of God, was the final sacrifice. He took the entire set and was very surprised that it was a gift. He was given the Beth Ariel card and encouraged to listen to the teachings.
One team member was alone, distributing some pamphlets, but they had to stop as the snow was getting heavier. Still, it was a wonderful outing. They thanked God for the open doors to share His word. The team had a great time in fellowship and thanked everyone who prays and has prayed for the ministry.
Praise God!