A publication of Jewish Voice Ministries International
August 2014
Connections
Inside...
Changing Lives in Addis Ababa
A Priest Finds Salvation
Imagine it: you have studied religion since a young man and devoted your life to “the faith,” but do not know the way of salvation. You do not know Yeshua ( Jesus). Such was the case with Amekew, a 70-year-old Orthodox priest with a wife and three daughters. It is hard to comprehend, but young priests in training do not study the Bible at all until they are further advanced in their priesthood studies. Amekew never did come to a saving faith in Yeshua during his days as a priest. Too old to work, he is now a beggar. He came to the JVMI Addis Ababa clinic complaining of difficulty hearing and seeing. In the prayer room, faithful volunteers prayed over him and both his hearing and vision were healed! Better still, he heard the Good News of Yeshua and received Him in faith. He was very excited to go home and tell his family how to have salvation.
So much more than sight
Jewish Voice Connections
August 2014
fellowship and love of Yeshua, the giver of all hope and joy. It was in Yeshua’s name that we led him into the clinic, examined his eyes, prepared him for surgery, and gave him back his sight. Now Worku can do things for himself and get around independently. God restored so much more than his sight!
sees clearly. It wasn’t only the doctors and nurses who gave him back his vision. Whether you went to Addis Ababa, supported someone who did, donated to JVMI, or prayed for the outreach, it was a collective “we” who gave him this incredible gift. With gratitude he said, “Life is much better now!”
Vision Restored
The 58-year-old woman’s vision began getting worse seven years ago. Doctors examined her and said that without treatment, she would be completely incapacitated within two to three years. Thankfully, she does not have to face that fate. With surgery her vision was restored. When asked how she felt about it, she spoke for more than just herself when she answered, “I feel happy. This is important for us.”
Life is Clear
Vision blurred, 83-year-old Alemu had to use a walking stick to get around. Without our free medical clinic, he would still be fumbling through his day-to-day life. Cataract surgery gave him new sight. Now he
Ninety-year-old Worku made it a good long time before his eyes started clouding over. Twenty-one years ago the cataracts began. When he came to us at the Addis Ababa clinic, he was nearly blind – unable to distinguish anything but blurred light. He needed others to help him navigate the day-to-day landscape of his life, dependent on them for help doing ordinary things and getting around. Worku confesses “Yesus Gitano,” Yeshua is Lord. “I love Him,” he says. A hard life has been blessed with the
Dr. Mark Eanes examines Worku
Amekew with Prayer Room volunteers
Jonathan Bernis visits with Worku and 58-year-old woman
Jewish Voice Connections
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“tweets” from the field
Preparing those waiting in line to enter the clinic
Dental station Photos by Rusty Clarke
Wendy Arnold During outreaches I’m always aware that I am living out the Scriptures. One afternoon as I was praying in Triage I had the privilege of serving water to waiting patients. People often forget the honor in serving! It seems so simple, but with each smile, touch, hug, and cup of cool water I was thinking, “…I was thirsty and you gave me drink… Truly, I say to you as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” WOW – I am so blessed. April 17, 2014 --------------------------------------------------------------------Anonymous This was both my first time serving with Jewish Voice Ministries International and my first time to Ethiopia. Since 2009 I have served in 14 countries doing medical missions or delivering Bibles to the underground church. I have to say that this was the largest outreach and the most organized! The prayer team coverage was fantastic and made ALL of the difference! Without prayer, we would be just like any other humanitarian group. I know there was spiritual opposition to us being there as the stakes are high: salvation to the Jew first and then to the nations. Both Jews and Gentiles were saved on this outreach. I am gearing up for my second trip with JVMI to Zimbabwe this July! Love serving the Lord!! April 21, 2014 --------------------------------------------------------------------Penny Missirlian OH MY.....when I am posting something on social media that I think is important, I usually start with the words “oh my.” Well, let me tell you about my obsession, compassion for and attraction to Ethiopia. Many years ago my husband started serving with Jewish Voice Ministries in Ethiopia and India. I watched him go, I prayed for him, and I feared for his safety. I was too afraid to go with him. Then one day the fear in me lifted. I took my first trip to Ethiopia to serve some of the most precious people in the world. My life has changed and my heart has changed. Now after seven trips I must say: OH MY! April 21, 2014 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Alemu
Maritza Moses After my trip to Woliso, Ethiopia, my relationship with God has dramatically improved, as I became more sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. What a life-changing trip! To God be all the Glory! God Bless You! April 21, 2014
From the heart of
Jonathan Bernis Shalom, Dear Friend! Perhaps more than any other African nation, Ethiopia figures prominently in the Bible’s narrative of God’s wonderful plan of redemption. The ancient nation of Cush is featured in several prophetic passages. In the New Testament, the destiny of that nation was altered with this encounter in the book of Acts: So [Philip] started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” (Acts 8:26–29) God is still passionately interested in reaching the Ethiopian people with the good news of Yeshua. That’s why we’re making the extraordinary efforts you’ll read about in this issue of Connections. My prayer is that as you read these reports, your heart will be stirred and that you’ll understand how important your participation is in all the amazing things happening among the Lost Tribes of Ethiopia. Thank you for being a part of every blessing.
Jonathan Bernis, President & CEO Jewish Voice Ministries International
2014 Outreach Stats
Jewish Voice Ministries International P.O. Box 31998 | Phoenix, AZ 85046-1998 www.jewishvoice.org | 800-299-YESHUA Jewish Voice Ministries Canada P.O. Box 476 | Maple Ridge, BC V2X 3P2 www.jewishvoice.ca | 1-855-7-YESHUA Jewish Voice Ministries UK Admail 4224 | London W2 4UN www.jvmi.co.uk | 1-855-9-YESHUA
About the Cover
Woliso, Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
7,067 Patients Treated 1,265 Salvations
6,572 Patients Treated 902 Salvations
Clinic Dates: March 3-7
Connections
Clinic Dates: April 28 - May 2
In the prayer room, faithful volunteers prayed over Amekew and both his hearing and vision were healed! Better still, he heard the Good News of Yeshua and received Him in faith.
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