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One of the highlights of this first semester in the discipleship training program has been sending teams to help on the artichoke farm of a young Jewish believing couple in the Negev Desert - Avi and Miriam Amzalag. Avi grew up on the artichoke farm and began to run it himself after his father retired.
The Land Connection
This is a significant project for Revive Israel to support for several reasons. It is a way for us to express identification with the fruitfulness and rebirth of the land of Israel. This physical and agricultural renewal of the barren, deserted land of Israel was prophesied throughout the Old Testament. We have sent teams down to the farm several times, to help erect a "greenhouse," to pick artichokes and to prepare artichoke flowers for export to Europe (potentially a big market).
Avi's farm is a pioneering effort in making viable, profit-earning business ventures to support believing families. It is significant because up until now the believers have not yet broken into many positions of economic significance. Also, Avi's farm is one of only two active farms left in the whole moshav (farming village). The name of the moshav is "Tifrach" ("It will blossom"), taken from Isaiah 35:1 - The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
A Poignant Witness in the Face of Religious Persecution
In addition, helping this farming project has been a way for us to support what is becoming a very poignant witness...
Avi and Miriam's moshav is one of the most ultra-orthodox settlements in Israel, and is the location of a large religious school (yeshiva) with 2,000 students. The surrounding villagers know that Avi believes Yeshua is the Jewish Messiah. They are trying every tactic to get Avi and Miriam to leave the village. First they offered to buy Avi's farm for much more than the market value, so he would get out. Then Avi's building permit requests began to be delayed for no logical reason. Up to that point Avi thought that there was no danger to life or property stemming from the antagonism of the religious neighbors.
But a few weeks ago this changed. In the last week of May, inflammatory graffiti were sprayed on the fence, and the new greenhouse was set on fire in several places. In addition, "warning flyers" were distributed in the village. One example of the things written: MISSIONARIES! Be careful not to let your sons marry "CHRISTIANS" as happened to the Amzalag family. GET OUT!
Concerned journalists found out about this incident of religious persecution and criminal behavior, and aired a television news report portraying the believers in a positive light! This broadcast was in Hebrew, on an Israeli television channel, and included Miriam's testimony that she believes Yeshua is the Messiah. Then in an unprecedented chain of events the regional police force undertook an intensive interrogation to find the perpetrators and arsonists. Several suspects have been identified, and the police captain himself has interrogated at least one of them. This is almost unheard of - for the police in Israel to be working to protect Messianic Jews.
Please pray for Avi and Miriam that they not give in to fear, and that they will be successful in running their farm and exporting their flowers. Pray also for receptive hearts among the religious neighbors in their village.
"Inquiries about donations or investments for the Amzalags can be made through our offices."
