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In Times of Trouble

February 1, 2007

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your savior…” (Isaiah 43:1b–3a).

Daily in Israel, we are assaulted with threats. Iranian President Ahmadinejad threatens to annihilate Israel. Hizbullah in Lebanon is rearming as they prepare for another assault on Israel. Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Fatah are just three Palestinian groups that continue to attack Israelis with rockets, suicide bombs, and other terror attacks. Syria recently massed troops on the borders of Israel. No one feels that the current quiet time will last.

Knesset Member Gilad Erdan said at a recent meeting of the Knesset (Parliament) Christian Allies Caucus, “The only chance we have is if Christians and Jews will work together.” Michael Freund, noted Jerusalem Post columnist, recently appealed to Christians to storm the heavens and their governments regarding the threat from Iran to destroy Israel and then the West. He reminds us that Ahmadinejad’s goal is to complete the installation of thousands of centrifuges in order to enrich uranium to produce nuclear bombs by the end of March 2007. Truly these are days that would cause men’s hearts to fail for fear, as Luke described would happen in the days prior to the coming of Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) in the clouds.

Preparing for the Days Ahead
I believe that God has placed many true believers in Israel at this time to be with the people of Israel in the midst of trouble. He is giving us many warnings and telling us to prepare for difficult days ahead. He has called Bridges for Peace to expand our operations to the North, as well as strengthen our current operations in Jerusalem. He has put on our hearts to increase the amount of food we are distributing to 100 tons a month by the end of the year. That is almost double what we are currently distributing.

So many Israelis are being touched by Christian love as they are lovingly assisted through our food bank. We regularly assist around 20,000 people a month through our various food programmes. In addition, many people walk into the food bank needing assistance. Even if we cannot add them to one of our programmes, we never send them away empty-handed. We keep a supply of walk-in food packages by the front door for this purpose. These packages make a huge difference in the lives of needy people.

• Nargia is an elderly, blind woman who cannot afford fare for a bus or taxi yet walks a great distance to the food bank for this small package.
• Guy, a Jerusalem street minstrel, comes to receive a monthly package because the 10 shekels a day he receives on the street is not enough to feed him.
• A widow in Dimona made aliyah (immigrated to Israel) six years ago. She is in her 60s and has no job. Her son works intermittently when he can find a job. Even though they are in such great need, they take the food they receive from Bridges for Peace and share it with others who have even less.

Ways You Can Help
We believe that the Lord has given us a short window of time to prepare a second Outreach Centre before a new conflict erupts. Will you help us prepare?

New Centre Set-Up Costs
We will need to modify the facility and purchase equipment including:

• a forklift (US $12,000),
• a refrigeration unit (US $15,000),
• a food delivery vehicle (US $29,000),
• computers (US $10,000),
• pallet racks and pallets (US $13,500),
• a telephone system (US $3,000),
• a copy machine (US $5,000),
• office furniture (US $5,000),
• and facility modification
  (estimated cost US $75,000).

Food to Distribute
We need to greatly increase our food budget. Currently we give between 50 and 60 tons of food each month, and that is just scratching the surface of the needs we are presented with. The cost to distribute one ton of food is US $2,100. The annual cost to distribute one ton of food per month, or 12 tons, is US $25,000. I believe that there are churches, organizations, and perhaps even some individuals who will be able to sponsor a ton of food every month. Others will be able to give a one-time gift of a ton, a half ton, or a quarter ton. Still others will say, I cannot give so much, but I will give what I can. No gift is too small to make an impact on the lives of those who are “walking through the valley of the shadow of death.”

We know that God has placed us here for such a time as this. Has He called you to come alongside Israel in these terrifying times? If so, don’t delay, drop to your knees and intercede for Israel, give to set up our new Outreach Centre, send money for food or our other projects, and speak out to your government officials about the dangers facing Israel. God will use us if we will stand up and say, “Hineni” (Here am I).

Blessings from Jerusalem,

Rebecca J. Brimmer
International President and CEO