Shalom Bridge Family: Faith, Farm & Courage
- Dr. Eugene
- Jul 28
- 9 min read
NewsletteR
Welcome to the Shalom Bridge Family!
Shalom and welcome to Shalom Bridge—a community where Jews and Gentiles unite to rediscover our shared heritage in G‑D’s promises to Israel and to walk together in the renewed life found in Messiah.
This summer, help grow Shalom Bridge. For just $5 a week—less than a cup of coffee—or $25 a month, you can help us foster understanding, provide teaching, and strengthen connections among Jews, Gentiles, and all who need to hear the good news of Yeshua. Every gift, whether large or small, helps reinforce the bridge we are building together. If you are already giving, thank you—your faithful partnership is deeply appreciated.
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/partner-with-shalom-bridge-making-disciples-of-yeshua
News
Shiloh Campus Update: Thanks to the kindness and faithfulness of generous supporters, we were able to get all the pipes and fittings we needed—now comes the fun part of actually putting them together.
Please keep us in prayer as we tackle the repairs and (hopefully) see water flowing freely from every faucet again. Our last visit to the headwaters gave us a bit of pause—it was more “gentle trickle” than “refreshing stream.” Since this spring has been serving faithfully for over 30 + years, we’re trusting it still has some life left in it!
Meanwhile, our livestock dreams are slowly taking shape. We’re raising funds for sheep and goats with the goal of having them roaming the mountain property by fall. So far, we’ve raised $300 toward our $2,500 goal—every step gets us a little closer to hearing the sounds of hooves on the hillside.
The birds are doing their part as well. The chickens are growing nicely and should begin laying eggs around mid-August. Until then, our quail are the overachievers of the group, producing about eight eggs a day. If we can find a local buyer for these tiny treasures, they may just help fund a few more projects around the farm.
As for daily entertainment, Trumpet (our wild-feathered chicken) and the Guinea fowl are becoming more… “independent” by the day. This morning brought a bit of unexpected drama when a gopher tunneled its way into the chicken yard. The chickens did what chickens do best—panic and retreat. But the Guinea fowl? They chose valor.
Three of them marched out shoulder-to-shoulder, sounding the alarm with shrieks and clucks, and charged into the yard like tiny, feathered warriors. The fourth, who has a bit of a limp, refused to be left out. She shoved a chicken aside and bravely hobbled into the fray. Together, this unlikely squad advanced on the intruder and successfully sent the gopher retreating back to where it came from.
All in all, another lively chapter in farm life!
This Week's Parashah
(A parashah or Parashat is a term meaning portion~ in this case, it is referring to a portion of the TORAH)
This Shabbat, synagogues and Messianic Jewish congregations around the world will be reading and reflecting on Parashat Eikev (עֵקֶב) from the book of Devarim, “Words” (Deuteronomy). Found in Deuteronomy 7:12–11:25, this portion continues Moshe’s final exhortations to Israel, focusing on the blessings that follow faithful obedience to the covenant.”
For those who follow Messiah, this parashah invites reflection: Are we walking faithfully in the “small” acts of obedience? Are we remembering G-D’s provision in both lack and abundance? Yeshua calls His disciples to daily faithfulness—to take up the cross, to listen, and to follow.
Prayer: Blessed are You, O L-RD our G-D, King of the universe,
Who sanctifies us by YOUR Word
And has commanded us to live in and through Your Word.
“Following in Faithful Steps”
Parashat Eikev reminds us that covenant faithfulness is not merely about grand moments of spiritual victory, but about the steady, often quiet steps of obedience. The portion opens with a promise: “And it shall come to pass, because (eikev) you listen…” (Deut. 7:12). The Hebrew word eikev can also mean “heel,” suggesting something that follows after—like footsteps marking a faithful walk with G-D.
Moses calls Israel to remember. In the wilderness, G-D provided manna, teaching them that “man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord” (Deut. 8:3). This lesson reaches beyond physical provision; it is an invitation to trust in the sustaining power of G-D’s Word. Yeshua Himself echoes this truth when tested in the wilderness, revealing that true life is anchored in obedience to the Father.
Eikev also warns against spiritual forgetfulness. Prosperity can dull remembrance, causing hearts to drift toward self-reliance. “My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth” is a subtle but dangerous lie (Deut. 8:17). Instead, we are called to humility, recognizing that every blessing flows from G-D’s hand.
For those who follow Messiah, this parashah invites reflection: Are we walking faithfully in the “small” acts of obedience? Are we remembering G-D’s provision in both lack and abundance? Yeshua calls His disciples to daily faithfulness—to take up the cross, to listen, and to follow.
The promise of Eikev still stands. As we walk in obedience, step by step, we experience the blessings of covenant relationship—not as a transaction, but as a life rooted in trust, remembrance, and devotion to the One who faithfully leads us.
Prayer: Avinu Malkeinu, our Father and King,
Thank You for Your faithful provision and for leading us each step of the way. Teach us to walk in obedience, to trust in Your Word, and to remember You in every season—whether in need or in abundance.
Guard our hearts from pride and forgetfulness, and help us to live humbly before You. Through Yeshua our Messiah, strengthen us to follow Your ways with faithfulness and devotion.
B’shem Yeshua, Amen
Antisemitism Watch | July 15,-July 28, 2026
Several significant antisemitic incidents were reported worldwide between July 15 and July 28, 2026, though available sources suggest these are part of a broader, ongoing surge rather than an exhaustive list for those exact dates.
Toronto Jewish businesses attacked
Gunfire struck a window at one Toronto branch of the Jewish‑owned Kiva’s Bagel Bar chain on Sunday, July 26, 2026, while vandals smashed a window at a second location around the same time.
Antisemitic assault in New York
Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs reported that a Jewish man in the United States was seriously injured in a suspected antisemitic assault in Brooklyn, New York, with the report published on July 26, 2026.
This incident occurred in a context where New York authorities and community leaders have noted that as of early July, more than half of all hate crimes in the city had targeted Jewish people, making antisemitic violence the leading hate‑crime category.
Vandalism of Jewish institution in California
On July 24, 2026, a community mural at the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center in California was defaced with antisemitic graffiti including misspelled “Zionism” slogans and multiple swastikas, and investigators are treating the incident as a hate crime.
Leaders there linked the vandalism to a series of recent antisemitic incidents, including the New York stabbings and the Toronto bakery attacks, and noted an overall rise in antisemitic acts at Jewish institutions across Southern California since the Hamas‑led terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023.
Indicators of wider July 2026 spike
Organizations such as the Combat Antisemitism Movement and others have reported a “worrying number” of antisemitic incidents globally in July 2026, including on U.S. college campuses and in European cities, though many of these are summarized in aggregate rather than broken down by exact date in publicly available summaries.
U.S. and international coverage during mid‑July 2026 likewise highlight that antisemitism is “spiking” in the United States and worldwide, framing these specific incidents as part of a broader pattern of rising antisemitic violence and intimidation.
Please join us in praying for protection over Jewish communities, wisdom and courage for leaders confronting antisemitism, and hearts transformed so that hatred against the Jewish people would be exposed, restrained, and ultimately overturned.
חָזָק (Chazak): The Heart of Courage
Waiting is a Weapon!
Someone said it to me this week, and it stopped me in my tracks: "Waiting is a weapon." I had to think about that. Is that even in the Bible? And then I thought about how many of us wrestle with waiting on the Lord. I'll be honest, I'm one of them.
Isaiah 40:31 puts it this way:
"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."
Here's why that waiting matters so much in the spirit realm. Satan's whole strategy runs on rushing you. In the garden, the serpent didn't tell Eve to wait and ask God about the fruit—he pushed urgency. Eat it now. Don't wait for God to explain Himself. That's still his playbook. He wants you anxious and impatient, because desperation makes you an easy target for shortcuts, wrong doors, and counterfeit answers dressed up to look like your promise.
So, when you wait on God instead of forcing your own way, you're refusing the enemy's terms. You're declaring that God's word over your life is more trustworthy than the pressure in your circumstances. Waiting exposes the fake, because the enemy's imitations always show up too fast! Patience protects you from settling for less than what's real.
And remember, your waiting isn't passive. In Hebrew, the word is qavah—to be bound together with God, actively expectant. A person who trusts God's timing can't be rushed into fear, and a person who can't be rushed into fear is a person the devil can't easily use.
That's why waiting is a weapon. It silences panic, exposes counterfeits, and keeps you positioned for what's real. This is why patience isn't something you muscle your way into on your own strength—it's a gift, a fruit the Holy Spirit grows in you as you wait. Let Him cultivate it. Because on the other side of your waiting is strength you didn't have before and wings you haven't used yet.
Prayer: יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ׃ יָאֵר יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָּ׃ יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם׃
“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Through this prayer HIS name has been placed upon us!!! (see Numbers 6:27) May we walk worthy of HIS name!!!
Resources
Podcasts and More. Did you know we also host a weekly podcast called “Shema Shalom”?
Each episode is designed to encourage your faith and deepen your walk with the L-RD. You can listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, or directly on our website.
We’d love for you to join us—wherever and whenever you listen!
You can also stay connected with Shalom Bridge on TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook, where we share updates, encouragement, and teaching throughout the week. You’ll find our podcast episodes and weekly Parashah blogs anytime on our website at www.shalombridge.org.
🎬 Calling All Creatives! We Want You! Join our Shalom Bridge Ministry Team!
Do you have a heart for ministry and a gift for video editing? We are looking for someone to help us bring Shalom Bridge Ministries to life on screen! Once a week, we would send you raw footage, and you would work your magic — cutting it together into one beautiful, shareable video. If this sounds like something you'd love to pour your gifts into, we would love to hear from you! Reach out to us at connect@shalombridge.org or (720)722-2375.
Thank you for your faithful prayers and generous support. Your partnership enables us to continue sharing this message of hope and reconciliation with the nations. We are deeply grateful to walk this journey with you.
Stay connected with us at www.shalombridge.org or connect@shalombridge.org.
B’Shalom, Dr. Eugene & Judith Saunders
Partner with us to make disciples for Yeshua. Pray about making a gift today to support this ministry? There are many ways to give. You can give online through our Website using Zeffy, give via Cash App, Zelle (through 503-816-7599), or send a special offering to Shalom Bridge at 12745 South Rock Creek Lane, Haines, Oregon 97833. Please prayerfully consider partnering with us. Your help and support are greatly needed and appreciated.
Explore & Engage
1. Our Story & Values
Meet the heart behind the Bridge: a Spirit-led mission to minister across hearts and heritages, anchored by the Holy Scriptures and the ancient texts that shape our journey ShalomBridge.org
2. Invitation to Wonder
Browse articles, teachings, and resources exploring “How do the ancient texts speak to us today?” and “What does it mean to live in the unity that Yeshua directed?”
3. Join Us in Real Time
Link into online fellowships, find local gatherings, and join intimate circles rooted in dialogue, prayer, and love-in-action.
Partner With Us
We’re launching with an invitation -
become a partner with Shalom Bridge—through:
Prayerful support
Participating in conversations
Inviting friends into community
Giving financially to our ongoing growth
The work is just beginning—and your presence matters.
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” — Sha’ul (Paul) Galatians 3:28
At Shalom Bridge.org, we believe that unity is the heartbeat of truth and that love across lines, fulfills the vision G‑D gave us. Thank you for being part of something sacred—and for choosing to build bridges where walls once divided.
With deep gratitude and hope,
The Shalom Bridge Team Bridging faith. Growing love. Finding shalom.
PS: Already visited? We’d love to know: what stood out to you most? Hit “reply” and let us listen.
Join us on our members app to stay updated and keep in touch.
Comments