The interest-free loans went to four individuals involved in a variety of ventures. Many more requests await assistance. Response among believers abroad to come to the aid of those in personal need has been beyond our expectations, for which we give thanks to the G-d of Israel. We have given assistance to new immigrant believers who are in need of basic items as well as to those more established who suddenly find themselves in desperate need. An elderly couple was helped to meet their rent payments, and assistance was provided for a young couple who run a local Messianic newspaper in Hebrew, that they might continue their valuable service to the community.
New requests arrive weekly.
It was introduced as a private member's bill and as such must pass three readings before it becomes law. It has already passed a vote assigning the bill to committee, and from interviews and surveys conducted among Knesset members, a favorable vote of 70 out of 120 can be expected. In short, it is an attempt to restrict the practice and expression of our faith in Yeshua by prohibiting the importation, distribution, publication and possession of any material which could induce someone to change their religion. The penalty for violating this law is the confiscation of the materials in question and a year imprisonment for the offender. It is therefore more crucial now than ever to establish a living witness for the Lord in Israeli society while there is still time.