With major earthquakes in the news, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear people speculating that the end of the age is near. After all, didn’t Jesus say in Matthew 24 that there would be earthquakes in various places? Yes, He did, but He also said such events would only mark thebeg inning of birth pangs. Scientists tell us that hundreds of earthquakes strike the world every year—it’s just that most of them are under the ocean, far from large population centers, or not of the magnitude reported in Haiti and Chile.

Scripture is replete with references to earthquakes. There was an earthquake, for example, when God gave the Law at Sinai (Ex. 19:18). In Numbers 16:31-32, when Korah, Dathan, and Abiram rebelled against Moses’ leadership, God arranged for the earth to split open and swallow up not only the men, but also their families and property. There was an earthquake before God revealed Himself to Elijah in a still small voice (1 Kings 19:11). Matthew 27:50-54 tells us an earthquake accompanied Jesus’ death, and a second one occurred three days later in connection with His resurrection (Matt. 28:1-4). We know that Paul and Silas were freed from their prison chains in Philippi by a great earthquake (Acts 16:26). Scripture also tells us that earthquakes will be part of God’s judgments in the Tribulation Period (Ezek. 38:19; Rev. 6:12, 8:5, 11:19, 16:18).

The Bible reports another kind of “earthquake”—one associated with events following Peter and John’s healing of the lame man in the Temple courts. Their public activities and healing of the crippled man had aroused the wrath of the religious leaders. These leaders then threatened the disciples, forbidding them to ever again speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Well, clearly the dis- ciples could not obey such an order. But they had every right to fear the consequences of their actions. So what did Peter and John do about this dilemma? They reported the situation to their companions and immediately held a prayer meeting. And the result? “And when they had prayed,

That was one serious prayer meeting! It says the power of God came down and shook the place where they had gathered! I wonder—when we encounter opposition to the Gospel, do we shrink back in fear or do we pray unitedly and with confidence like Peter and John did? By God’s grace, may our prayers be so powerful, and so intense, that they “shake” others into going out into the world and speaking the word of God with boldness!

The 8.8 earthquake that struck Chile on February 27, registered a 5.8 in neighboring Mendoza, Argentina—home of CJFM worker Marcos Morales and his family. Marcos reports that the earthquake lasted about a minute. (For those of you who have not experienced earthquakes, that’s a LONG time!) Fortunately, there were no casualties in Mendoza, although many houses and office buildings suffered damage. Marcos reports that they have had over 120 aftershocks in the 5- to 6-point range on the Richter scale, eight of those have been epicentered in Argentina, and four of them in Mendoza itself. While Argentina has been impacted by the quake and the aftershocks, Chile has been devastated. Damage has affected communications and made main roads difficult to travel—both affecting relief efforts. Pray for the Chilean people, for the large Jewish commu- nity in Chile, and for the Jewish believers and workers in Mendoza. (Find a link to Marcos Morales’ complete report on our homepage atcjf m .or g.)

Quoting an Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center report on the growing influence of Hamas in England, Israel National News stated that “London has become the epicenter of Hamas’ political, legal, and propaganda campaigns in Europe. . . . Hamas operatives . . . have been par- ticularly successful . . . initiating widespread anti-Zionism throughout the country” (see www. israelnationalnews.com/news/news.aspx/136170).

Even without the problems generated by Hamas, anti-Semitism in England goes back hundreds of years. In 1290, Britain expelled all Jewish residents (estimated anywhere from 4,000-16,000), and English authors as far back as Chaucer (c. 1343-1400) have portrayed Jewish characters negatively. Remember Shylock from Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice? Britain’s institutionalized anti-Sem- itism was also well documented in the Academy Award winning movie, Chariots of Fire, which pitted the motives of Cambridge’s Jewish runner Harold Abrahams against Scotland’s missionary

According to the Jewish Virtual Library, approximately two-thirds of Great Britain’s 350,000 Jewish population lives in London. Within the city, there are several large Jewish communities—each with its own unique flavor. Some communities, for example, are more “artsy,” others more “genteel,” still others more “scholastic.” Robert, a CJFM worker and Jewish be- liever, focuses mainly on the Golders Green area, where professional and religious Jewish people live. Both his door-to-door outreach and his Bible studies at the Jewish Community Centre lead to some interesting conversations.

Such conversations cover topics that include the debate between creationism and Darwinism, the virgin birth, and even the divinity of the Messiah. Very interesting discussions have also ensued when Jewish people discover—much to their chagrin—that various words in their Hebrew-English Tanakhs have either been mistranslated (e.g.,“virgin” in Isaiah 7:14), or left out altogether. In some cases, the translation of Isaiah 53 is totally missing. This chapter alone (which is so clearly messianic) provides Robert with many opportunities to discuss the Messiah’s role as the sacrifice for our sin. Robert is able to plant seeds, even if many Jewish people are not yet ready to take that final step of faith.

Make no mistake; discipleship is costly for Jewish people. Dr. Charles Halff, the late founder of CJFM, told his own story in the book, What it Costs a Jew to Become a Christian. He—like many other Jewish believers—was not only rejected, but actually persecuted by his family. Dr. Halff’s father beat him, had him arrested, and literally disowned him. Dr. Halff went from being a well-heeled, upper-class young man to a castoff who didn’t know from where his next meal would come—and his experiences are not that unique.

Why is there such a violent reaction from Jewish families and communities? Most Jewish people are convinced that those who believe in Yeshua are no longer Jewish, but rather, they are joining the camp of the enemy—those who were, and still are, per- petrators of anti-Semitism. At the same time, they believe that the Jewish “turncoat” is also depleting the ranks of an already shrinking Jewish population. Thus, a Jewish person who believes in Yeshua threatens the very existence of the Jewish people. Robert’s challenge—indeed, the challenge for all who would share the Gospel—is to demonstrate that Jewish believers are still Jewish; that believing in the Messiah is the most Jewish thing they can do. It means educating a Jewish person about God’s plan for him. In the early Church, a believing Gentile was not forced to become Jewish. In the same way, a believing Jewish person does not become a Gentile; he remains Jewish! Both the Jewish people and the New Testament Church have a place in God’s plan. And central to that plan, as well as to all of history, is the sinless Son of God—the Jewish Messiah.

According to aTi m e magazine report in 2008, “South Africa has some of the world’s worst levels of violent crime, with 52 people murdered every 24 hours, for an annual murder rate of 43.1 per 100,000 people. Added to that each year are 200,000 robberies, 55,000 rapes, and half-a-mil- lion cases of assault and attempted murder” (seeht t p:// bit . l y/cr1L l E). This out-of-control crime rate, along with a high unemployment rate, has driven many professionals to leave South Africa for greener (and safer) pastures. Despite these dismal statistics, however, CJFM worker Louise Newmark (a never-married, single woman) continues faithfully at her post in Johannesburg. This year, Louise celebrates 50 years on the mission field—nearly 20 of them with CJFM!

Director of International Ministries Gideon Levytam and his wife Irene traveled to South Africa to visit Louise and share this milestone anniversary with her. They were struck by the realities of life in this crime-ridden city—multiple locks on home and apartment doors, as well as housing com- munities surrounded by locked iron gates topped with razor wire. Louise uses wisdom when going on her daily visitation rounds, but clearly, the Lord has watched over and protected her.

During the visit, Louise escorted Gideon and Irene on a walking tour of the city. As they strolled through one of the markets, they engaged several of the local people in conversation about the Lord. Most were very willing to speak with them, and to hear what they had to say about Yeshua.

During the Levytams’ visit, Louise also introduced them to some of the many Jewish people whom she visits on a regular basis. Some are now believers, others, not yet. But on each visit, Gideon was able to open the Word of God and share the Scriptures with them. The first evening,

Gideon and Irene were met by a leader of another Jewish evangelistic group and through him, was introduced to other Jewish believers in the city. The man also invited Gideon to speak at their messianic congregation. Gideon chose Psalm 1 for his message, showing how that Scripture points to Yeshua—the perfect Man.

As long as the Lord gives her strength, 75-year-old Louise (who doesn’t own a car) will continue walking from street to street, and from door to door, sharing the Good News with the Jewish people of Johannesburg. We congratulate her on her anniver- sary. Truly, “How beautiful . . . Are the feet of him who brings good news, . . . Who

“God is always in
the business of
freeing us and
bringing us to
depend totally
on Him . . . my
life is not always
easy, but it’s

Louise Newmark—faithfully serving the Lord among the Jewish people for 50 years.

In Louise’s black bags are tracts and pamphlets she uses when witnessing. Louise is known as“the woman with bags who talks about God.” May God move us to share the Gospel with the same fervor!

Director of International Ministries Gideon Levytam preaching at Beit Y’shua, a messianic congregation in Johannesburg. There are nearly 50,000 Jewish people in the city.