Vision for Israel and The Joseph Storehouse
Jerusalem, Israel

Shalom Friends,

I've recently returned from a nine day trip to Germany. I worked hard, but also enjoyed the company of all of our brothers and sisters amongst the faithful. In the process, we began looking for a Joseph Storehouse home in Germany. As we get closer to the end of all things, the pace seems to be moving faster. Our prayer is to be at the right place and at the right time every day.Blessings, Barry Segal

Absorption Center Distribution

During the morning of October 4, approximately 130 friends from Christian Broadcasting Network's (CBN - 700 Club), 'Operation Blessing' joined together with our team from Vision for Israel & The Joseph Storehouse, bringing aid to a local Ethiopian Absorption Center. Absorption centers are transitional neighborhoods for those families recently making 'aliyah' (immigrating - coming up) to Israel. Most Ethiopians Jews come with nominal possessions and meager means that results in fleeing their country's religious persecution - hence their personal needs are vast.

At mid morning, 3 buses pulled up to our largest warehouse to be briefed about the JSH humanitarian aid center's work to load food supplies and towels being hand delivered to this absorption center. Upon our arrival, there were nearly 300 families enthusiastic and fervent to receive these gifts to be personally handed to them. Based on an average of 4 people per family we helped 1,200 people that day. As one participant said, "it was organized chaos!"

For those from Operation Blessing, this was a wonderful 'face to face' experience with new "olim" (citizens) from Ethiopia, for us at the JSH, it was a privilege facilitating this joint effort. For our dear Ethiopian friends, it was a blessing to receive these needed items during Succot (a Jewish holiday week).

Medical Supplies & Support

Our contacts in the medical field and Israeli hospitals continues to increase. Our desire is to have "open doors" throughout the entire Nation of Israel as the Lord will grant us favor. In the meantime, crutches, walkers, wheel chairs, beds and hundreds of disposable items are dispersed monthly to well recognized health care and medical facilities that we've helped in an ongoing fashion. Approximately $51,000 of medical supplies and hospital equipment were donated from the JSH in mid September - October.

"Filling the Gap"

We have now finished producing a medical video entitled, "Filling the Gap", which will be free and available for the asking. This 10-minute presentation takes you on a short journey into some of the many hospitals and centers that we are assisting. You will be able to use this as a valuable tool to educate others about some of the dire needs Israel's medical field faces and how VFI & JSH is working alongside them. You can represent our ministry in a personal way to someone who has a heart to bless Israel - especially concerning these health care needs. Thank you.

"Pack to School"

Once again, our Pack to School project was accomplished with great success especially in light of the many weeks of delay due to a nationwide port strike. We are pleased to announce that we have distributed over 22,000 school packs, throughout the country, to Jewish and Arab children and youth. We will continue to distribute some remaining packs as the needs arise. More than 130 regions, municipalities and towns now have children going to school with a Vision for Israel school pack – thanks to you. Your financial generosity and encouragement continues to be an inspirational provision for so many needy children. We appreciate each and everyone of you.

We would like to remind you of the Pack to School video that is free for the asking. It is an excellent visual-aid to help promote this effort amongst congregations, fellowship groups as well as school projects. Consider showing this 10-minute video to a new contact this coming year. The needs of the children have not decreased and it is not too early to" come alongside" for our 2005 projected goal. We will keep you informed of the details.

Thank you letter about PTS 2004

"I gratefully accept the 700 school packs. They are a significant donation for us to help hundreds of families including single parents, prisoners' families, new immigrants, etc. We bless all the partners in this important project and for your consistency. This is the 3rd year that the Ashdod municipality has been aided by your donation. We are all aware of the importance of giving, enabling more families to fit in a more equal way like everyone else. Please thank everyone on our behalf - all the workers and volunteers who have been in contact with us."
Manager of the Social Affairs Office

Provisions for the Poor & Needy

Since our August - September update, we have given assistance to over 135 families in need. This support, consisting of clothing, household goods, food, blankets, bedding, toys and other supplies for children, enriches these financially burdened lives. Just recently we exceeded the figure of 100,000 individuals and families that we have helped since the organization of VFI & JSH officially began 10 years ago.

Succot Celebration

This year's Succot Celebration 2004, which is now in its fourth year, has progressively developed over the past years. A worldwide representation of internationals - praise, worship and dance all presented before the "throne" with excellence and originality and anointed teaching from God's Word, encouraged multitudes to experience a taste of what the Lord is doing in Israel at this time.

As Zechariah 14 proclaims that the nations will "go up from year to year to worship the King", the sense of this prophetic celebration remains a vitally needed witness "energizing" the City of our King during this festive season. We had over 1,000 in attendance of both Israeli believers and those visiting from the nations, declaring Yeshua's rightful place before heaven and earth as they all expressed their sincere solidarity with our people. What a joy! We sense that these various gatherings for the Feast of Tabernacles are breaking up "fallow ground" in the hearts of our people here in the Land.

We are grateful to all of you who came "up to Jerusalem" to join us this year. Many asked about dates for next year's celebration – we are pleased to announce that the dates will be October 18-21, 2005. Please visit the website www.succotcelebration.com for more details.

Tour Groups

During the weeks of the Feast of Tabernacles, the JSH had several international groups from abroad coming to visit and even volunteer to work in our 3 storehouses outside of Jerusalem. For many, this was a first time experience - we want you to know how much we appreciate each and every one of you! Please recommend others that you may know, coming to Israel, to call or email us. We can arrange a convenient time to see the humanitarian aid work of VFI & JSH. We look forward to seeing you.

A Word from a Recent Volunteer

I volunteered with VFI & JSH for the month of October 2004, starting with the Succot Celebration. What a joy that feast was, celebrating and praising the Lord with hundreds of Messianic and Gentile believers from around the world. I was particularly blessed, having lived in Italy, by the arrival of a large group of young Italian believers who joined us for one of the evening sessions – a good reminder that God is moving internationally.

This theme was continued as I worked alongside dedicated, skilled and loving staff and volunteers, called from many nations to serve at the JSH, some, like me for a short time, others for much longer. Together we sorted clothes, medical supplies and food aid for those in need in Israel, both Jew and Arab, and towards the end of my visit, I had the privilege of taking some of the gifts out to the families – at one home, a four year old girl drew us a picture to thank us for taking her some clothes.

May the Lord continue to bless this ministry and encourage His people worldwide to play their part in whatever way He wills." - - Belinda – from the UK

Wanted

· Clothing Warehouse - We are always seeking a person that would help to stock, organize and put together personal family orders for the poor and needy population in Israel. We are requiring a commitment for a minimum of 3-12 months. This area of work requires the ability to work with a small team of people in our clothing warehouse.

*We see the work at the JSH as a "team effort". We are looking for amicable individuals to be part of this working team. We require a bio, personal reference, a pastoral or recommendation from an organization to be sent along with an application form. Positions may require a certain degree of lifting and moving of weight.

Prayer Points

We see the need to purchase property for a centralized humanitarian aid complex of warehouse space, administrative offices, media production and volunteer housing. This is a major undertaking for us – please pray about the right location, facilities, timing and finances.
We are working on new video presentations - Please pray for creative and effective ways of educating tens of thousands worldwide through our media efforts.
We aspire to increase the distribution of all humanitarian aid in every branch of our work.
Our Most Needed Items

Please remember that if you are coming to Israel on tour and will be visiting the JSH, you can bring any of these items as a donation within your luggage.

Highest Priority: Clothing for men, women and children (new or like new only) - underwear & socks, long skirts, bras, shoes, sandals, jogging shoes; Diapers size 3 and up; Toiletries - shampoo & conditioner, toothpaste & toothbrushes, deodorant, liquid soap, feminine pads, shaving foam, Q-tips, cotton balls; Vitamins; Linen - blankets, towels, bedding; Kitchen & household items.
Medical Supplies: (All items to be within the expiry date) Disposables: e.g. – dressings, tape, catheters, syringes & needles - all sizes, gloves – examination & surgical, IV fluid giving sets & accessories, oxygen giving supplies, adult diapers, incontinence supplies. Surgical Items: e.g. – packs, instruments, gowns & drapes. All emergency, resuscitation, rescue & monitoring items – both equipment (portable) & disposables.
Should you have any questions about styles, sizes, or shipping, please contact us.

Mailing Addresses for Donations and Inquiries

Please write checks to Vision for Israel. Donations are tax deductible according to each nation's tax laws. Please visit our website at http://www.visionforisrael.com and contact us at info@visionforisrael.com to see how you can help make a difference in Israel.

• Israel: Vision for Israel, P.O. Box 7265, Jerusalem 91073, Israel
Call (972) 2-570-4010

• U.S.A.: Vision for Israel, P.O. Box 16447, Savannah, GA 31416, U.S.A.
Call Toll Free: 1-866-351-0075

• United Kingdom: The Joseph Storehouse Trust., P.O. Box 5, Swindon SN3 4FB, England
Call + 44 (0) 1793 862121 -- *For UK only: Please write cheques to The Joseph
Storehouse Ltd.

• Germany, Switzerland and Austria: Vision fuer Israel e.V., Reutterstr. 74, Munich, D-80689
Germany
Call + 49 (0) 89-566595

• Singapore: The Joseph Storehouse Ltd., P.O. Box 836, Robinson Rd. Post Office, Singapore
901636
Call (65) 9855-3447 -- *For Singapore only: Please write cheques to The Joseph
Storehouse Ltd. and mark 'for Israel' on the back of the cheque.

Thank you all for partnering with us to bless the people of Israel.

Barry & Batya

Along with VFI & JSH International Team

http://www.visionforisrael.com

The Joseph Storehouse is one of ministries Gratefully Grafted supports. Join others who are reaching out with their gifts and offerings to reach the lost sheep of Israel. Send your tax-deductable donation to the address below.