Preparing the Way
A year ago, Slava had this vision in mind of what life would be like as he made Aliyah (prophetic Jewish immigration) from Russia to Israel. He would find a great job and the perfect place to live for his family – wife Victoria and children Simeon and Vasa. He wanted everything lined up before they arrived, so he went ahead of them to prepare the way.
Slava couldn’t have imagined what it would be like and how long any remote semblance of his ideal preparations would take. This perception of a smooth transition is simply not the reality for those making this journey to Israel. It is instead full of struggle and chaos.
Soon after arriving, Slava received many promises of immigration assistance. He desperately wanted help, especially for work and living arrangements, but he felt quite uneasy about who he could trust.
A complete Godsend for Slava was meeting our outreach team who aim to help new Olim (Jewish immigrants) get settled in Israel.
God led one of our team members, Eliezer, to connect with him. After living with such turmoil in his heart for so long, Slava finally let his guard down and opened up to Eliezer about just how difficult this whole journey has been. He had been living in a one-room apartment and working menial jobs to save up for his family to move, but he had no one to lean on. For the first time in a year, he found someone he felt comfortable enough to talk to and ask for help from.
Hearing all the struggle and strife Slava endured ripped Eliezer’s heart apart. The Lord prompted him to start sharing the good news of Yeshua as he knew God had a special plan for Slava, his family and their new life in Israel. Eliezer shared the salvation Yeshua offers us all through the cross and how his journey, though difficult, is part of a Biblical prophecy of Jewish people returning to Israel.
For the first time since their encounter, Slava calmed down. The Gospel message soothed his heart and mind. He listened carefully to Eliezer’s words but told him he didn’t want to trouble God by asking for help as he knew many people endure worse suffering and have greater needs. Eliezer was struck by how humble and selfless Slava is.
This allowed Eliezer to tell him that God’s love is unconditional and His promises are endless. Slava couldn’t hold back the tears from the pent-up pain he had been holding in. It was time to release it and give it all to God. Eliezer asked him if he wanted to lay down his struggles and surrender his life to the Lord. Slava accepted Yeshua as his Lord and Savior right then!
Eliezer led him in the prayer of salvation. After they had prayed Slava looked at peace and deep in thought. He asked Eliezer for reading material to learn more about Yeshua and on living a life of faith in God. He presented Slava with a new Bible and other resources to support him on his journey with Yeshua.
Then, Eliezer invited Slava to start attending a home group and to join him for the Shabbat services at Beit Hallel Congregation. Slava was very excited about having met Eliezer whom he felt he could trust and would help him in his journey with both Yeshua and preparing for his family’s arrival. Slava has a new hope for his and his family’s future in Israel.
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation.’
Luke 3:4-6
Please give to our mission of helping others like Slava make the prophetic journey to Israel. You are showing God’s love and helping these Jews make this transition to Israel in a very practical and spiritual way.