As you prayed diligently for us through our health crisis and move to Virginia the summer of 2017, God was already working out the details of what has come to be a rewarding ministry. One of the crucial details He prearranged was a providential partnership with the sweetest local Messianic couple who have become our dear friends. David and Rachel are Jewish believers with a love for Jesus, a heart for Israel and a remarkable readiness to serve.

Connected by a friend in Chicago the first week we arrived in Lynchburg, we hit it off with David and Rachel immediately, and they have been one of our greatest blessings and valuable connections ever since. They not only make it a priority to attend all of our Shabbat dinners and holiday events, but they also bring a large number of other guests. Because of David’s position as Executive Director at LU Send, Liberty University’s travel and study abroad department, and Rachel’s position at LU Serve, Liberty’s service outreach department, combined with their charismatic personalities and love for others, they are very well connected on campus and abroad. It is hard to say just how beneficial this has been, as they continually use their broad connections to invite interested students to learn more about Israel, Jewish culture and the biblical holy days with us.

David’s love for Israel is deeply personal, enriched by his experiences acquiring Israeli citizenship, serving in the Israeli Defense Forces, and making Israel his home for five years before he moved here. He has made it his mission to send as many Liberty students and staff to Israel as possible, and he and Rachel personally lead several trips there each year. When they return with students newly enamored with the Holy Land, they make sure to invite them to continue the experience with us through our events. It is then our privilege to offer these students opportunities to be involved with short and long term ministries that bless the Jewish people locally and abroad.

Once again, it is undoubtedly the Lord who goes before and enables this work. It is His heart for Israel that motivates ours, and it is He who will do it. Please continue to pray with us that the Lord of the Harvest will send workers to the fields. And thank you always for YOUR own partnership in prayer and support of this work. We are continually thankful for you!

B’shalom Yeshua,

BJ and Carissa