Dear Friends and Supporters:
September 2023

Shalom and greetings in the name of our Lord, Yeshua HaMaschiach, Jesus the Messiah. I praise God for His goodness, faithfulness, and tender mercies—and for each of you. My appreciation is beyond words for your loyalty and support, both in prayer and financial giving. May He continue to bless you as you have blessed me and His Chosen People (Gen. 12:3).

A Challenging Year
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven (Eccles. 3:1).

I have had a couple of medical setbacks so far this year. The most recent was being diagnosed with pneumonia and Valley Fever, which is unique to Arizona. Exacerbated by my COPD, I was on oxygen 24/7. As of now, I just require oxygen at night. I am blessed, indeed. Praise His Holy Name! Thank you for your prayers on my behalf.

This hospitalization was a totally different experience. I was in Mayo Hospital for two days when I was informed of another option. I was told that I qualified for a new program called “Home Hospital Care.” This program would allow me to receive the same care as if I were still in the hospital. The medical staff would come to my home, and all tests would be done there. They set up a “Command Center” that enabled me to have FaceTime access to a nurse and doctor 24/7. I was told that this was the wave of the future: when eligible (depending on their diagnosis), people heal better at home and are protected from contracting infectious diseases. I was in Home Hospital Care for five days and then discharged.

New People, New Opportunities
During my time in Home Hospital Care, I met numerous new people: nurses, PAs, paramedics, lab techs, caregivers, and more. It was a busy household, but as a result, I was blessed and humbled with many opportunities to share the Gospel. I heard poignant stories and needs for salvation, spiritual growth, and prayer. Please join me in praying for the salvation of “A,” “Z,” and “E” and spiritual growth for “J” and “C.”
Post Home Hospital Care
Following my discharge, I had some issues with my house. Technicians replaced the visiting medical staff. Windows needed to be replaced, so I made an appointment for an estimate. Two young men showed up, and one of them exclaimed, “It says, Shalom!” as he saw the Hebrew stained-glass plaque hanging in my living room window. I asked him how he knew that, and he showed me his wedding band with “Yahweh” engraved in it and said he was a born-again believer—as was the other young man. He then asked if I would take their photo in front of the plaque to show his wife that he was in the home of a believer.
We had a sweet time of fellowship, and they made me a window replacement offer that I couldn’t refuse.  The young man, “M,” who showed up the next day to take measurements was a former Catholic and not attending church. As I shared the Gospel with him, he told me that a friend of his had invited him to attend his Bible church. I said he should accept that offer. God had already laid the groundwork.
The next issue was my garage door, which needed extensive repairs but, fortunately, not a new door. When “William” came into the house to settle the bill, he stayed to talk, since I was his last customer of the day. He shared a story that broke my heart about his abusive father, who used the Bible to justify his cruel behavior. Although he grew up in a believing household, his father’s hypocrisy is the reason he walked away from his faith. He said he hated him. I gently showed him the difference between his earthly father and our loving, benevolent heavenly Father, and encouraged him not to let his father be a stumbling block and rob him from having a personal relationship with Jesus—instead to pray for him and forgive him. We then read the Bible passages where Jesus spoke about forgiveness. He thanked me and said he would consider it. Please pray that this young man would forgive his father and return to the faith he embraced as a boy.
Tikvah BaMidbar: The Fall Feasts
By the time you receive this letter, our Messianic fellowship, Tikvah BaMidbar (Hope in the Desert), will have begun celebrating the last three feasts of Israel, as outlined in Leviticus 23. Of the seven feasts, God has appointed the final three, yet to be fulfilled by Yeshua, to be celebrated in the fall of the year. Rosh HaShanah: Feast of Trumpets will usher in the year 5784, followed by Yom Kippur: Day of Atonement, and then the final and seventh feast—Succoth: The Feast of Tabernacles. God’s entire plan of redemption will be fulfilled through the seven feasts of Israel. Studying the biblical and prophetic aspects of these final three feasts should put an urgency in our hearts to share the
Gospel message with Jew and Gentile alike.
Especially meaningful for me at this time of year is the sweet remembrance of my beloved husband, Barry, whom the Lord called to his heavenly home on Yom Kippur, September 24, 2015. How befitting for a Jewish believer whose name was written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Barry called himself a “completed Jew.” Whenever he taught the significance of Yom Kippur, he challenged his audience with the following: “I am at-one-ment with the Lord, are you?” May we share his passion for the lost.
Thank you!
Thank you, always, for your faithful prayers and financial gifts that make all things possible. Without them, this ministry would not exist. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account (Phil. 4:17).
 
In Messiah’s love and mine,
 
Violette Berger
 

As the Lord leads, please include a note referencing all future gifts for Violette Berger to:

 

CJF Ministries

PO Box 345

San Antonio, TX 78292-0345