When God called Mark and Rhonda to Lviv in 1993, He impressed them that they would have a ministry to the Jewish people which He would bring to pass in the future. Then, in 1995, God miraculously led them to a specific house outside the city of Lviv. At that time they were looking for a house to rent, but when they entered the house they had a vision and saw the house being used to bless the Jewish people and others. Therefore, they knew they had to buy the house and they vowed to the Lord to be obedient to the vision He gave them. They negotiated with the owners and shook hands on the deal, but through various circumstances, years passed without them purchasing the house and the vision seemed to die once and for all when they returned to the U.S. in 2001.
   When the Lord directed them to return to Lviv in 2003, He resurrected the vision He had given and spoke to them that they would buy the house they had seen in 1995. The Lord spoke to them in numerous ways through the life of Jacob and they were impressed to call the house ‘Bethel House’ from Genesis 28:17 &19, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God…He called that place Bethel.”, and 31:13, “I am the God of Bethel…where you made a vow to Me…”.
   To their surprise, three days after arriving back in Lviv they received an email from someone they had never met who said they’d heard of the vision for Bethel House and wanted to donate a certain sum of money. They wanted to know if that amount would help buy the house, not knowing that was the exact amount the Lord put on Mark and Rhonda’s hearts to pay for the house. The next step was to meet with the owners of the house to see if they would sell. Not only did the owners want to sell, but they said they had prayed and waited for eight years for the Blessings to come back to buy their house. When Mark asked the price, the owners’ answer was the same sum God had told them and the same amount that was donated! How faithful and awesome God is! They bought Bethel House and moved into it in September, 2004.
   The Lord spoke to them through the book of Nehemiah, instructed them that the house would be expanded, and the Spirit gave them the design and layout. The Spirit also spoke to them that the spiritual foundations for Bethel House should always be praise and warriors in battle. In the Old Testament, Benjamin, who was head of the warrior tribe, is firmly joined to Judah, the kingly/praise tribe. Later they found that the design and shape the Spirit gave them for Bethel House is the shape of the original land territories of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin joined together! God is so awesome!

                
   After two years of waiting for construction approvals, praise Adonai they laid the foundation for the expansion of the house in 2006 and began building the add-on structure of Bethel House. They have currently completed the new first floor structure and the outside walls for the second floor.
   The main ministry of Bethel House is to help Ukrainian Jews who are immigrating to Israel. Once they receive permission from Israel, they must wait and are usually told only a few weeks in advance of their departure date. Many Jews are unable to sell their apartment or home because they have nowhere else to live while they await their departure. Many homes sit vacant today as the owners left for Israel with very little funds to help them begin their new life in the Promised Land. Thus, the motto for Bethel House - “…For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.” Rom. 15:27
   Bethel House is a place of sanctuary for the Jewish people as they fulfill the prophetic word of God when He said He would bring the Jews back from the land of the north to the Promised Land - Israel. The Blessings’ calling is to help the Jewish people, and in so doing, show them the love of the Messiah they have been awaiting. In the increasing climate of anti-Semitism in Ukraine, Russia, and Europe, the need for a place like Bethel House and for people to bless and help the Jewish people, has not been greater since World War 2. Bethel House will also be used to host summer camps for Jewish children and provide a restful vacation for poor Jewish elderly who do not have the means or health to go for a rest at the sea or in the mountains. There will also be a Shamash Room (Missionary Room) for pastors, rabbis, or missionaries to have a break and rest. As space allows, they will also host foreign guests and mission teams to Lviv. When the house is completed, they will be able to house up to 35 guests; how they long and pray for that day to come quickly.
   The Believer’s enemy, Satan, hates God and everything that He loves. God’s plan for the salvation of man came through Yeshua, born in Israel to Jewish parents. God’s plan for the end times revolves around Israel and the Jewish people. They are His chosen people to show His mighty power and works; they are the apple of His eye – and Satan hates the Jews. The Blessings have never had more attacks against them since God called them back to Ukraine in 2003 to begin building Bethel House – a place of blessing for the Jewish people. But through this time, God has never been more real to them; He is their closest Friend, their Father, Master, Provider, Passion, their Peace and Joy! They cannot imagine a life of not obeying the Lord and following Him no matter where He leads them or what He calls them to do. And for them – that is in Lviv, Ukraine, ministering in the name of Yeshua to Ukrainian Jews and Gentiles.
   Ukraine is fast becoming more European and prices are rising drastically. Bethel House still needs to be completed. Anti-Semitism is on the rise here and the Blessings believe a time will come soon when there will be a large influx of Jews leaving eastern Europe to immigrate to Israel. It is prophesied in God’s Word and it will come to pass. God has given His favor to Mark and Rhonda in the Jewish community of western Ukraine – both with Messianic Jews and non-Messianic Jews. They are all excited about the ministry of Bethel House and ask often – “When will it be finished and ready?” The funds available for completing it though are far from what is needed. If you would like to be a partner with Mark and Rhonda Blessing and be a part of building Bethel House, your donations are greatly appreciated and tax-deductible. God promises in His Word that He will bless those who bless Israel – financially supporting Bethel House is one way you can do that. Please visit the Support page for information about how to support this ministry. May the Lord bless you and keep you.