Winter 2009

Personal Note

Shalom, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Messiahmas, and Happy New Year from freezing Las Vegas! Yes, it’s freezing in Las Vegas—we’ve already had a few frost warnings so far this winter! Even though it is cold, we want to warmly wish and pray that all of our supporters have a wonderful holiday season. Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support in our time of need.

Edith

Richard Cooper is a long-time friend, CJFM partner, and the assistant pastor at Beth Yeshua Messianic Congregation in Las Vegas. Edith, Richard Cooper’s mother, lived at an assisted living apartment complex, and was in good health although legally blind in one eye. She unfortunately fell and hit her head one too many times. The doctors operated to alleviate the troubles, but were unable to heal her.

Years earlier, Edith lost her husband and her sister to various illnesses, and I performed the funeral for Edith’s sister who was a believer of Yeshua. Edith was close to her sister and knew of the Good News message of Yeshua. Although Edith was widowed, she had a loving, supportive family of children and grandchildren. Her son, Richard, had shared the Gospel of Jesus with his mom for over 25 years but she just did not want to hear it. She would get annoyed and respond, “That is what you believe Ricky, but that’s not what I believe.” 

Edith ended up in hospice with the doctors not knowing how to proceed. So it was time for us to visit with the Gospel message. Richard visited first and was able to share with a somewhat open heart. He had a nice visit with Edith, but the Lord put it on our hearts that Oanh needed to talk with Edith. Over the years, Edith and Oanh had met several times at our Passover Seder or in passing at the local supermarket, but they never were able to sit down and have a meaningful discussion. Now was the time! Oanh was able to visit Edith on the first morning of our vacation—when we had a full day of driving to get to our destination,.

We prayed that Edith would be alert with an open heart, and there would not be any interruptions during the conversation. God answered our prayers! Oanh, looking for an opportunity to share, simply asked if Edith would like her to read some Scriptures. Edith replied, “Is there anything in there about patience because I want to get out of here and go home?!”

Oanh started with Psalm 27 that shows the Lord is our light and our salvation. The most important thing any person can do is make sure of their salvation— that their names are written in the Book of Life. Oanh then shared the need for a blood sacrifice (Lev. 17:11), Yeshua as our pierced Messiah (Zech. 12:10), our God (Isa. 9:6), born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14), and born in Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2). After every Scripture Oanh asked Edith who was being spoken of and Edith replied, “Jesus.”

Oanh then asked her if she believed Jesus was the Jewish Messiah. She said that He must be. Oanh asked again, “But do you believe He is the Messiah?” Then a resounding, “yes” came out of her mouth. But Edith was concerned for all of her Jewish friends back at the apartment complex who would have nothing to do with this Jesus. Oanh reassured her that it was more important for her to make up her mind now rather than be concerned with what other people might think about her later. By the time of Oanh’s visit, Edith knew she did not have a lot of time left on this earth! So when Oanh asked her if she wanted to be forgiven and accept Jesus into her life, she simply responded with a “yes.” Oanh led her in the sinners’ prayer to receive Jesus, and Edith finally found her peace.

Edith was one of those Jewish ladies who constantly worried—she worried about everything! Well, that afternoon her son, Richard, visited and she told him that she was tired and did not want any more visitors. Not knowing that she was saved, Richard was saddened because he realized his mom was giving up. His sadness turned into joy the next day when we called and told him the good news. His mom finally gave up her worrying, and slept for most of the following week before peacefully passing away. Her wish to go home was finally granted by the Lord—but His home is like no other!

I was blessed to perform Edith’s funeral. The family wanted a short, sweet Jewish-style funeral. Edith was buried with her husband at the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery. Fifteen not-yet-saved family and friends (five were Jewish) attended. After a few Jewish prayers and Richard Cooper’s eulogy to start the service, I simply told the story of how Edith turned to the Lord in her time of trouble.

The Gospel was explained, and each person was encouraged to receive God’s forgiveness through His son Jesus. To Rich’s surprise after the service, a few of the Jewish family members thanked him for a wonderful service! Please pray for all who heard the Gospel that day, and specifically for the Cooper family’s salvation.

Florence

In our last Rich’s Reporter, we detailed Florence’s story. She had pancreatic cancer that had spread to her liver. She moved back East with her son and his family to live out the rest of her days. Unfortunately, her unsaved family cut off all communications with us and with Beth Yeshua. We suspected her family’s motives even before Florence left, but felt the Lord was at work. We encouraged Florence to take the time with her family and heal some old hurts and pains. We hope she was able to do this.

As Florence’s health deteriorated we were not able to comfort her with the Lord’s comfort. We finally found out through Florence’s old roommate that Florence passed on from this world to be with Yeshua. We did not receive a phone call or card despite the fact that Beth Yeshua and the Hill family were her best friends and family for the last three years of her life! We are okay because we take the simple pleasure in knowing that Florence is in Heaven praising the Lord like she has never worshiped before! Please pray for Florence’s family members as they desperately need the Lord.

Salvation Update

Since the previous issue of Rich’s Reporter, 5 people (including one Jewish person) received Jesus as their Lord and Savior through our ministry. In 9½ years of ministering in Las Vegas as CJFM missionaries, we have led a total of 638 souls (including 49 Jewish people) to the Lord. We praise the Lord for using us to His glory!

Please Pray for . . .

• God to continue to bless and open more doors of opportunity for each of our outreaches: Beth Yeshua, UNLV, mall, door-to-door, speaking in churches, and one-on-one referrals.
• More volunteers for our UNLV outreach.

Thanks from the Hill Family

You are greatly appreciated! Without your prayers and financial support, we would be unable to continue as missionaries to the 80,000 Jewish people in Las Vegas. We praise God for you and thank you for your love and commitment!

If our ministry has blessed you, then please consider joining us as consistent financial partners. We need your help! Thank you, and may the Lord continue to bless you with His promise! In Gen. 12:3, God said to Abram, “And I will bless those who bless you.”

As the Lord leads, please use the enclosed envelope and send all future financial gifts designated for Richard & Oanh Hill to:

CJF Ministries
611 Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78215

In Messiah’s love,

Rich & Oanh