Ze'ev

We have representatives in Israel who work with survivors of terror attacks and their families. One of our representatives, a businessman named Ze'ev has suffered himself. Ze'ev was driving to work one morning. He dropped his daughter off at school on the way. His daughter got out of the car and turned left. Ze'ev drove off to the right. Two minutes later his daughter was dead. She had been murdered by a terrorist who had cut her heart out and left it lying on her chest. Ze'ev's wife went to pieces. He had to do everything for her, wash her, dress her, everything. She didn't know where she was or who she was. Ze'ev's whole time was taken up with getting his wife back to some level of normality. He said he received no help. It was then that he decided to give up his business and give his time and energy to helping victims of terror and their families. ... more

Ze'ev is known in government circles for the work he is doing and knows all terror victims and their families. He helps in choosing the right people to come on holiday in the UK. The people who come are those who have learned to get on with life again to a large degree. We are seeking to show them that they are not alone, and that they are loved.

Ze'ev chose our very first guests who came over to the UK for two weeks in July 2004.

Nahum and Yael

Nahum and Yael are not believers In Yeshua/Jesus and have no religious interests at all. John and Sue, the hosts, comment; 'Although it is a joy to have believers in our home to share the love of Jesus, John and I both felt very privileged to have two non-believing Jews from Israel with us, and to be able to send them back to the land with the Gospel plus plenty of other literature on God's end time purposes for Israel.

Nahum and Yael were challenged by the whole ethos of the trip right from the beginning. Their first question came from Yael, only half-an-hour after meeting them at London airport. "Why are you doing this?" We explained we believed in and loved their Messiah Yeshua, and that we were obeying His command to love and care for His people.

For if we Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual blessings, it is our duty also to minister to them in material and practical ways. (Romans 15:27)

Yael's response was we could be religious but still not need to take two total strangers into our home. This led to an explanation of the difference between 'religions' and true Christianity, between churchgoers and true believers in Jesus - quite confusing to unbelievers. So we were in at the deep end almost immediately!!

We were given many unexpected, but prayed-for, doors of opportunity, in general conversation, never imposing our faith but answering with each opportunity.

Evolution came up one evening, and John was able to print off an article he had written some time ago on 'Evolution and Creation' for them to take back home. As biologists they were interested in what we had to say, if unconvinced!

We also gave them a small book on God's end-time purposes for Israel in response to another question of "Why was Israel the centre of world-wide interest and controversy, they are so small why could they not be left alone?" Another gift of a question!

Politically both of them desperately wanted peace at any price, ready to give away areas of land in the vain belief that this would bring them their much longed-for peace.

It was a very delicate situation trying to explain to them the true nature of Islam, and their desire to drive all Jews into the sea, and that no amount of negotiating and so-called peace plans would appease the Islamic mindset.

Explaining to them the agenda of Islam, we knew we were tearing away their 'hopes', which we knew were in the wrong place. But for unbelieving worldly Jews, full of intellectual ideas, evolution and atheism, and whose beloved fourteen-year-old daughter was blown up, a political peace plan is their only hope for true peace.

A very real affection, respect and friendship grew between the four of us, which was greatly helped by their impressive command of the English language.

They shared with us through tears their story of Haddas their daughter, and showed us a video of her childhood and gave us a beautiful book they had assembled and printed on her life up to her death at fourteen.

They showered us with little gifts throughout their stay with us, it was almost a gift a day! They were so grateful, loving and responsive.

We had many laughs together which was wonderful and were able to introduce them to various members of our church family, over informal meals and gatherings. We also took them out for long walks and pub meals, as they loved the countryside and walking. They also hired a car wanting to see everything from east to west.

We were amazed at how compatible we all were. We shared many mutual interests such as walking, biking and gardening. Yael and I shared very similar ideas on interior décor, and she had identical back problems to myself enabling us to commiserate with each other. Nahum and John had both been commissioned officers in their national service.

Interestingly, the weather, which had been glorious changed just as they arrived, and we were very disappointed for them, but they assured us that for them the cool and lack of sun was wonderful, it made a welcome change from wall-to-wall heat and sun.

Our next guests to arrive in the UK were a family of four. Yehudit Setz one of our representatives chose them. Yehudit and her husband Will are believers and are both very experienced in the work of the Lord.

The Cohen family spent the first two weeks of August in the UK on holiday. With their hosts Jason and Catherine.

Rami Cohen was a taxi driver who had been attacked by his passenger, a terrorist. He had been severely wounded with a large knife and left on the roadside for dead. For much of his time he has been afraid to leave his home except for occasional visits to the hospital.