December 2016
Israeli Air Force Receives Advanced Fighter Plane
Israel is about to receive one of the most advanced fighter planes in the world. The IAF (Israeli Air Force) cannot volunteer more detailed information on why this plane is in a class by itself, but they can say that it has the ability to stay in the air longer, has tremendous firepower, can hit the most advanced ground missiles and can protect itself. The F-35 costs $98 million and will take the IAF generations above where it currently is with its fleet.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/220998
Please pray for the IAF to be able to protect civilians from ground missiles and rockets sent from surrounding enemies.
The Dead Sea Is Shrinking
The Dead Sea is shrinking at a rate of 3.3 feet per year. The Dead Sea needs water resources feeding into it to replenish it, but some of those have been diverted. Extraction of unique minerals is causing the receding as well as the Middle East’s hot, dry weather. Last year Israel and Jordan signed a $900 million dollar agreement to build a canal from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea to pump in much needed water. The Dead Sea is a major tourist attraction because of its uniqueness – 1,388 feet below sea level, 34% saltiness and great minerals for skin and body ailments.
http://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/20/travel/cnnphotos-dead-sea-dying/index.html
Please pray for this natural wonder, that the damage can be reversed and those in leadership would know how to sustain it for future generations.
Israel’s Vast Fires
After five days where fires ravaged much of Israel’s north, they were finally brought under control with the help of 2,500 firefighters from Israel and other countries. In addition, fire planes were brought in including the American “Supertanker’ which can dump 20,000 gallons of water or fire retardant. Arrests were made for dozens of terrorist arsonists who started many of the fires. Because of that, the compensation for the 700 homes lost needs to be paid for by the government and not private insurance companies. This will cost the government 700 million shekels for private home damage and 300 million shekels for damage to public property.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4884824,00.html
Please pray for those who have lost everything in these horrible fires.
Record Number of Tourists Visit Israel
A record high number of tourists visited Israel this past November (300,000), an increase of 38% from November last year. Additionally, 2.6 million tourists have traveled to Israel since January which is an increase of 2%. Much of the increase is due to visitors from India and China. The revenue that November alone brought in is 1.5 billion shekels. Tourism is a major source of jobs and economic stability in Israel.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4890567,00.html
Please pray for safety for these tourists who come to visit the Holy Land
The New Ministry Center to Open
Our ministry in Israel is about to open a new ministry center in the greater Tel Aviv area! With it comes new opportunities to reach out to the community. We plan to have Bible studies, music and café nights, movies and discussions as well as practical classes like English for Israeli Travelers and Creating a Budget for your family. We pray this will be a blessing and help to believers as well as a trustworthy and friendly place for not-yet-believers to come with their questions and thoughts about God.