Newsletter – March 2012

For the past few years, the Middle East has remained in the news. Journalists and politicians have called the recent violent uprisings the "Arab Spring". Israel has been in the middle of it geographically but not ideologically.  Our neighbors on every side and in North Africa have all been experiencing internal struggles and the permanent changes in our region have not yet been fully determined. Right now, Syria is facing dramatic changes in the face of uprisings among its people. It is incumbent upon all of us to pray for the salvation and safety of our Arab brothers and sisters.

Israel remains in the eye of the storm.  As in a hurricane, the middle of the storm remains peaceful. Gentle breezes blow, but just around the corner is the fury of the storm.  Every once in a while we experience those “gentle” breezes of change or disruption, but it is nothing compared to our neighbors who are encountering things that the western mind cannot comprehend.

With wars and rumors of wars all around this nation, we realize that life is precious, and we are blessed.

Hamaayan congregation has been truly blessed these past 3 months!  We have grown physically and spiritually!  In fact, so much so, that we are looking for a bigger building, having run out of space! 

Congregational retreat by the sea of Galilee

What happens when gather the whole congregation and travel up to the places where Yeshua walked and taught His disciples?  This is what we discovered when our congregation gathered to go to the Sea of Galilee to spend the weekend together.  It was a wonderful time of fellowship, teaching, and travelling around to the very sites where our Lord walked and taught His disciples. Now 2000 years later, we all enjoyed the same experience!

Our country has had record rains in the past 3 months and the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) has risen in water over 6 feet!  God blessed us with the first full weekend of sunshine and warm temperatures that we have seen in those months!  How wonderful to experience our new believers being immersed in water, Jews and Gentiles together in unity.

There was plenty of laughter and love as we celebrated Purim and remembered how our people were saved from annihilation by the Hand of God.  The skits were amazing… both by our children and older members…it was just one of

those special times  when you just have to say "you had to be there".

Thank you all for your prayers and support of this wonderful weekend, it truly was a success!

Song writer’s conference

We praise God for answering our prayers for our worship team which is growing in number and maturity. This year, at the national song writer’s conference, our team presented 12 songs written by 8 of our team’s members. It’s encouraging to see the young generation develop their gifts in this ministry.

The Growth of Anti-Semitism in the world

“For our fight is not again flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities in heavenly places… Take on therefore the armor of the spirit … shield of faith…” (Eph.6:10-14)

It is a well-known fact that many do not recognize the right of Israel to exist. Whether it be our close neighbors here in the Middle East or those in Europe and the rest of the world, the killing of Jewish children going to school is being empowered by a spiritual evil force. Resisting this evil will require "supernatural weapons" given by the Lord himself.  "For the weapons of our warfare are mighty to destroy stronghold” (2 Cor.10:4).

We thank God that last month He used the technology of the anti-missiles ’iron dome’ system to stop numerous rockets launched against the south of our country. Dozens were intercepted and prevented from reaching their targets.

For 2 weeks, a third of the country was paralyzed and missiles are still a daily threat to Israeli citizens. In the same way, the threats of violence and death are following the Jewish people in the Diaspora. It should not be a surprise as we know that the enemy hates Israel, God's historical witness (past, present and future) of His awesome presence on planet earth. We also know that time has come for the remnant of Jacob to come home "To the land I gave you". (Ezek 36:28)

More powerful and efficient than "iron dome" are "the weapons of our warfare" mentioned in Ephesians 6 “To take on the shield of faith to stop the firing darts of the enemy”.

Proclaiming the truth of the gospel of salvation, faith, and prayer, are our true weapons. God is still looking for "a man to stand in the gap for Israel" (Ezek. 22:30).

Will He find one here, at such a time as these?? 

Please join us in prayer:

- For protection of Israel on its borders with Gaza and against the growing nuclear threats of Iran.

- For protection of Israeli citizens living or traveling abroad as the threats of physical violence are growing.

- For the believers to be strong and a light in the midst of our country’s unsettled times.

- For our new disciples to grow strong in faith.

- For our young people (including the soldiers) to be protected, discipled and a light to their peers.

- For wisdom, finances and guidance from the Lord in finding a bigger building.

- For the 2 house of refuge – for breakthrough in the lives of those undergoing the discipleship program. For finances to cover the housing expenses.

- For protection & healing of physical sickness among the staff of the congregation.

We are so grateful to have you as our prayer partners! Thank you for all you do for us!

Wishing you a blessed Passover. (1 Cor. 5:7)

Tony & Orna Sperandeo

For Hamaayan congregation

Newsletter - December 2011

"Arise and shine for your Light has come and the glory of
the Lord has risen upon you.
For behold darkness shall cover the earth and thick
darkness the people, but the Lord will arise upon you and
his glory will be seen upon you" (Isaiah 60:1-3)

Dear family and friends, greetings of shalom from Kfar Saba

In these dark and uncertain clouds of violence and
insecurity coming upon our society, it is good to know that
our help always comes from the Lord, in this season
holidays when we remember that the "Word became flesh
and tabernacled among us " (John 1:14). We are grateful to
our Creator King who has saved us from the kingdom of
darkness to bring us to His Kingdom of Light.
2000 years ago, an old Jewish man by the name of Simeon,
received in the temple of Jerusalem, a little baby boy
brought by his parents, he lifted up his eyes and prayed in
thanksgiving: "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace…
for my eyes have seen your salvation, prepared in the
presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the gentiles
and the glory of Your people, Israel." (Luke 2:29-32)
The name of this little Jewish baby boy is Jesus or Yeshua
(in Hebrew meaning Savior- Matt 1:21)
There is no other light for the gentile nations and there is
no other glory for the people of Israel except through the
savior, Yeshua of Nazareth, King of the Jews and Light of
this world. " The people walking in darkness have seen a
great light … For to us a child is born, to us a son is given
and the government shall be upon His shoulder and His
name shall be called :' wonderful counselor, mighty God,
prince of peace, everlasting father. Of the increase of his
government and peace there shall be no end upon the
throne of David and over his kingdom to establish it and to
uphold it in justice and with righteousness from this time
fourth and for evermore" ( Isaiah. 9:1-7)
We are moving forward as a local congregation of
Messianic believers here in Israel to lift up the name of our
savior in any open doors that He opens before us. His grace
has been sufficient to us and we have testified of His
unfailing love and protection to us as a community.

A time to die, a time to be born ( Ecc 3:1)
With sadness we need to let you know that Rafi's father
passed away last month at the age of 74 from sickness. On
behalf of his family, we want to thank you for all your
prayers on their behalf.
Since he was in the hospital, Rafi's mother started to
attend our Shabbat meetings regularly.

We also witnessed the birth of two healthy baby boys and
it was such a joy and privilege to see God adding to our
midst in this natural way.

A blessed visit to the doctors
Moriel and Nitsan who lost their baby boy last September
came back to the hospital to thank the surgeons and
medical staff for their care and efforts, trying to save their
baby. The staff was touched and surprised that M. and M.
had such faith and healing to be able to cope in such a way
with the loss of their child.

Wedding surprise
Juventus led his first wedding when a young couple from
the US, moved to Israel and asked for a formal wedding
ceremony. The bridegroom being a professional basketball
player, invited his whole team to come and witness the
ceremony. Many heard the gospel for the first time in their
life. Our God is always in the habit to surprise us with His
blessings.

Can good things come from Iran ??
Last week we were blessed by the testimony of an Iranian
believer visiting us. He left his country many years ago,
came to Germany, received the Gospel there and became a
follower of Yeshua. Now as German citizen, he came with
members of his community to visit Kfar Saba, the twin city
for a cultural exchange testifying of his love for Israel and
it's people. Interestingly enough Tony, who came back from
Italy witnessed there also the growth of the Iranian church.
Similar testimonies were received in Holland and England.
According to statistic close to 10 percent of the Iranian
population outside or inside their country now believes in
Jesus. This is the quiet revolution we have been praying
for!!!

Renovation of children's room
We thank you that through your contributions, with the
help of volunteers who came to help us, we were able to
accomplish the enlargement of the
children's rooms and the hospitality rooms in the house of refuge.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    As the congregation grows, we are in need of bigger rooms and a bigger meeting place.

We thank the Lord for the team of Intercessors who came
from Germany to pray and lift up our hands and share our
burden.

Please join us in prayer for:
1. The boldness and courage of the Messianic believers to
boldly proclaim Yeshua as their Lord and Saviour amidst
the rising of persecution from the orthodox community
and slandering newspaper articles.
2. The men in our community - to enter back into their
place of authority as leaders, given to them by Yeshua and
covering of their respective family. Pray for those men who
are drifting away from the Lord bringing danger to their
wives and children, that they will come back to their first
love and be set free from the lies of the enemies and
temptations of this world.
3. The teens of our community- that they will grow strong
in the Lord, for the leaders of the youth ministry. For
the 18-21 yrs old in the military for strength and
protection, keeping themselves pure and without
compromise.
4. Stronger covering of prayer and intercession for our
communities, as we sense darker clouds coming and our
need to draw closer to God.
5. Wisdom, guidance and finances for a bigger meeting
place.
6. The building of newly formed worship teams and the
retreat planned for the worship team.
7. The raising of more elders and deacons in our midst
during the year 2012
8. The widows and orphans in our midst and the 2 houses
of refuge and their hosts.
9. Discipleship of new believers and the new home groups
developing.
10. Salvation for the unsaved visitors and family members
coming to our weekly Shabbat service and to our Channuka
celebration.
11. The supernatural healing of some of our sick members
and also for the 3 people (child 6, teen 15 and one
adult) who recently had a surgery.
12. Financial support for our upcoming conference,
planned for the spring season (Purim).
We would like to cover the expenses of needy families,
widows & orphans for this retreat. pls contact us if interested to help.

Thank you again for your prayers and support,
Your are His lights in this world.

This is what God is doing in Egypt ! Over 30,000 Christians worshipping together in the cave church in Cairo from 6pm to 6am on 11/11/11 !!

Click on this link :- http://youtu.be/TcvftanC6gE