OPEN LETTER TO FRIENDS OF THE JOSHUA FUND: TJF secures new warehouse facility to bless Israel

Conundrum: #1 — an Israeli newspaper analysis says the Jewish state had the safest, quietest year in a decade (following the Operation Cast Lead war against Hamas in Gaza in January). Yet, #2, the same analysis warns a major war on Israel’s northern border “is definitely liable to ignite by spring or summer” 2010. So we must keep praying for peace, while preparing for war.

* Iran plans to build 10 new nuclear facilities in defiance of IAEA

* IAEA resolution censures Iran over nuclear issue, with Russian and Chinese support

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November 2009

Dear faithful friend of The Joshua Fund:

Thank you so much for your generous support of The Joshua Fund. The Lord has used your faithful prayers and sacrificial financial gifts to touch many lives in the epicenter with the love of Jesus Christ this year, and I am deeply grateful.

That said, I’m writing this letter with good news….and bad.

First, the bad news – unless the Lord intervenes, there is a real chance that a horrific war between Iran and Israel could break out in the Mideast in 2010.

Earlier this year, Lynn and I held a dinner in our home for Ambassador Dore Gold, a long-time friend and senior advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Joining us were TJF staff members, and several Christian journalists. It was a sobering discussion. Amb. Gold explained that a careful reading of the latest IAEA report indicates that Iran now has enough uranium that we know of to produce at least two nuclear bombs. He offered little hope that diplomacy or sanctions would be effective, but stressed that Israeli leaders are “exhausting every option short of war” to stop Iran from getting the Bomb.

Consider two headlines since that dinner:

“Report Says Iran Has Data to Make a Nuclear Bomb” (New York Times, 10/3/09)
“Clock ticking for Iran as Israel appears ready for strike” (Haaretz, 9/12/09)

We are praying for peace. But if war does come, the whole region could go up in flames and millions of innocent people could be caught in the crossfire. Now, the good news — our God is mighty to save, and He wants to use you to bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus.

In Matthew 24, Jesus tells us to “be ready” for wars and rumors of war in the last days. In Matthew 25, the Lord then tells us some of the ways we can be ready — invest our lives in feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the prisoners, caring for the suffering, and sowing the seeds of God’s Word. By God’s grace, and with your help, The Joshua Fund is doing just that, touching more lives with God’s love than ever before. But so much more needs to be done.

Would you stand with us in prayer and make a tax-deductible, year-end gift to The Joshua Fund of $100, $250, $500 or more? Would some of you be willing to make a $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000 investment to help us accelerate the work?

Here are some ways your help is already making a difference:

TJF HAS JUST RENTED A WAREHOUSE IN ISRAEL – In October, the Lord gave us an amazing facility in central Israel after several years of prayer. This is a dramatic step forward. It will enable us to purchase food and other relief supplies in bulk at lower prices, distribute more to those in need, stockpile more for the future, & eventually train and utilize volunteers. During our November “prayer & vision trip,” we took nearly 300 evangelical Christians on the tour to see the facility and dedicate it in prayer. [We’ll be posting more information about the warehouse — including pictures — in December. We’ll also be writing soon with more details about trip. It was a wonderful and amazing time and we so wish you were with us!]
TJF HAS ALREADY HELPED STOCKPILE 400 TONS OF FOOD — In late 2007, TJF made a commitment to help one of our allies stockpile 400 tons of food and relief supplies in a warehouse in northern Israel by the end of 2010. In light of the growing regional threats, TJF decided to fulfill our commitment by the end of 2009 instead — one year ahead of schedule. In 2009, therefore, we doubled the amount of food we helped this ally purchase so they could care for more families when war comes.
TJF HAS OPENED OR EXPANDED 4 FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTERS IN ISRAEL — In 2009, we helped Jews and Christians in Israel open three food distribution facilities, as well as expand a fourth center that was already operating. Two are located in the north, near Lebanon. Two others are located in the south, near Gaza. Through these centers, we’re distributing 20-30 tons of food and other relief supplies each month to the poor and needy. We hope to expand this in 2010.
TJF HAS PURCHASED VEHICLES TO DISTRIBUTE AID — TJF has helped our allies in Israel purchase several vans and trucks so they can better deliver food and other relief supplies to the needy. Lord willing, by the end of 2009 we will purchase two more vehicles.
OTHER PROJECTS TJF HAS DONE IN 2009 TO BLESS ISRAEL AND HER NEIGHBORS — Please click here.

I am pleased to report that the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) announced in September the accreditation of The Joshua Fund. ECFA accreditation is based on the ECFA Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship, including financial accountability, transparency, sound board governance and ethical fund-raising. “We are pleased to include in our membership a ministry committed to assisting the poor and needy in Israel in the name of Jesus Christ,” said Dan Busby, president of ECFA, in a press release.

In light of all this, would you commit to praying for us even more than before? Would you also provide The Joshua Fund a generous year-end, tax-deductible contribution of $100, $250, $500, or more? Would some of you consider even more substantial investments? Your gifts will help us educate and mobilize the Church around the world to bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus. They will also help us to provide food and other aid and encouragement to those in need in the epicenter, and prepare for the next war. Thank you so much. May the Lord bless you and your family beyond measure, according to Genesis 12:1-3.

If you would like to make a secure, on-line, tax-deductible contribution to the on-going work of The Joshua Fund, please click here.

Or, please make your check payable to “The Joshua Fund” and send to:

The Joshua Fund
18940 Base Camp Road
Monument, Colorado 80132-8009

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Joel C. Rosenberg

President, The Joshua Fund

DESIGNATED GIVING: If The Joshua Fund is successful in raising our financial goal for a specific project for which you have designated your donations, all excess funds for that project will be applied to related projects or to the general fund of TJF.

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