Dear Friends of the MIA,
One of the awesome blessings that manifested at our recent International Conference was Shefa. What is Shefa? Shefa is abundance. Shefa is grapes, dates, and olives. Shefa is wine. Shefa is a bridge home.

For the last two years our dear friends Boaz and Rina Dreyer, from Kerem Shalom, Israel, have been working towards the vision Abba gave them concerning establishing a vineyard in southern Israel. At the conference the Dryers presented the opportunity for other Believers to get involved in this project. The project name is Shefa, Hebrew for abundance.

I have rarely seen such excitement about a project. There is a sense that now is the right time for this undertaking. People are tired of bus tours and Israel based ministries who take donations from Believers but give them little in return. It is time that Believers get involved in a real way in the Land of our forefathers. It is time to get dirty and to leave more than our cash in Israel by sweating alongside our brothers who are giving their lives each day. Our hands must back up our hearts and our lips. With Shefa, we have a wonderful opportunity to do just that.

Please understand that our true focus here is not about wine or grapes but about getting His people acclimated to Israel so that they can remain in the Land when the Father calls. Most of those who attempt to live in Israel today do not stick. We believe that Shefa will help to change that reality. Together, we can build a bridge for Believers to be productive in Israel and we can build a bridge to our brothers in the Land.

Take a few moments to read about Shefa. Pray about your involvement. We are already moving forward and are truly thrilled with the response. Should you need more information please call the MIA home office - 800.829.8777.

Shalom,
Scott Diffenderfer

Shefa: The Numbers

• Total project planting area is 50 acres over the coming 4 years.
• You may wish to donate a vine for $10, a row of vines for $100, a section for $1000, or a block for $10,000.
• There will be a donor wall built at the site listing all donors or their designated loved one.
• We plan to plant two acres the first year (January 2007).
• Eight more acres in year 2 bringing the total to ten.
• We will then plant ten acres in each of the next four years.
• At full maturity the average annual yield will be 4000 bottles of wine per acre.
• Our first marketable harvest will be after year four.
• Total funds needed to be secured by October 1 to proceed this year: $30,000.
• Total funds secured as of August 1, 2006: $11,525.
• Still needed: $18,475 to proceed with this year’s planting.
• There is an ongoing maintenance expense of $2900 (included in the above figure) per month to maintain the property and the on-sight personnel.

The MIA will be the international administrator for the Shefa project. However, the project is not limited to MIA members but rather open to all who are led to donate in increments of $10 - $10,000 and greater. Quarterly certified accounting records will be available to all who donate.