Merry Christmas!

I’m so sorry to be sending this out this time of the month, maybe you will have time to read it after your festivities are over!  I’ve been a bit busy the last few weeks and have much to share. 

I will begin with news from Israel. Please be praying for the peace of not just Jerusalem but the entire country. Over the last few weeks rockets have been shot into the southern part of Israel once again.  So far no one has been killed that I have heard of, but I did hear of a girl being injured when one hit near her school.  It’s only God’s grace that has kept it from being any worse. 

Last week a tour guide went for a hike with her friend in a “forest” outside Jerusalem, where I have actually gone on several occasions. The two of them were attacked by some Arab young men who stabbed the tour guide in the chest as well as other places, she played dead until they left and then managed to get to an area where people saw her and called for help. She has been recovering in a nearby hospital; it’s a miracle that she survived.  Her American friend was kidnapped by the men and later found, but she did not survive.  

I believe I mentioned a while back that the religious leaders in Israel fasted and prayed for rain, but did not receive the immediate response of rain like they did last year.  Weeks later the worst fire in Israel’s history (since 1948) broke out in Haifa and raged for days, in spite of help from a number of countries.  During that time I spoke a Jewish friend of mine and he said when they called for the day of prayer and fasting for rain he felt in his spirit that they would not receive the rain in the timing they were thinking. He also felt God say that He was going to send His judgment before he sent His rain.  A few weeks later when the fires broke out he knew that what God had said was what he was watching happen.  Several days into the fire the rains finally began (I believe it began on the night of the 5^th of Dec., which was during Hanukkah).  The rains came in an overabundance, causing flooding issues in the southern parts of Israel as well as in Haifa where they had major mud slides due to the fires.  In the northern part they had some large snowfalls!  The rain did come, but at a great cost. It is better to repent for real, rather than to make an outward show of something that isn’t even in your heart. God sees the heart and judges or blesses according to what He sees there, it is arrogant to think He can’t see what’s in our heart and can be fooled by our outward behavior.  I hope that we won’t see a repeat of this anytime soon.  Pray that there be a change in the hearts of the people.  Things like this also cause me to look into my heart to see if there needs to be any changes there too.  I pray that America will learn a lesson from Israel’s mistakes, because we are heading to far worse if we don’t.

Now for some happy news! I am actually writing this email from England where I am spending the Christmas holidays with my FIANCE and his family! Yes, you heard me right! On the 4^th of December Mark proposed on the Mount of Olives and I accepted, hopefully we will be having a wedding in the States in 2011. For those of you who don’t know, I met Mark a year ago in Israel at a friend’s wedding.  We have spent the last year getting to know one another and our families and all I can say is it has been a very good year!!!  I pray that you all have a very Merry Christmas with lots of great memories to cherish for years to come.  Hope to see you all sometime in the New Year!  Hugs to all of you!


~Lydia

Prayer Requests:

1.        For wisdom for us as we look into the legalities of marrying someone from another country.

2.       For continued financial provision

3.       For protection of our brothers and sisters in Israel

Photos:

1.       Mark and me just after he proposed

2.       Winter in England!

Happy Hanukkah!

We have begun the 4th day of Hanukkah today; I love the festival of lights and oil. It’s a very special time to remember the miraculous things God has done for Israel. Hanukkah is not one of the feasts God commanded the Israelites to observe, it came into being much later as a remembrance of what happened during the Maccabean revolt.  Following Alexander the Great’s death in 323 BCE his kingdom was divided into 4 sections by his commanders. Antiochus IV became ruler of the Seleucid Empire (one of the 4 sections, in 175 BCE). He had no desire to see the Jews continue with any of their religious practices and therefore banned all sacrifices, circumcision, and feasts in an attempt to Hellenize them.  He went a bit further though, by sacrificing a large female pig on the altar in the Temple (as most of you know, the pig is considered to be unclean by the Jewish people) thus desecrating it.  During this time a family by the name of Maccabee had begun to revolt against both Antiochus IV and any Jews who had accepted this Hellenization process. They were very successful with their guerrilla warfare against the Seleucids and gained control of a good portion of Israel. When they reached Jerusalem and managed to take the Temple back they found it had been desecrated not only by the sacrifice of unclean animals but also by the placing of a statue of Zeus on the altar. They then took the current altar apart, brought in new stones to build one which had not been contaminated by the unholy. They also brought in a menorah (this portion of the story is not entirely known to be fact) and were able to find one sealed bottle of oil to use in it. The oil used in the menorah was to be made in a specific process which took about 8 days to complete. The oil in this bottle was only enough to keep the menorah lit for one day. The miracle is that they say this one day supply lasted for 8 days during which time they were able to prepare more oil in the correct manner.  During Hanukkah people use a Hanukkiah, which has eight branches and one center branch (the menorah has 6 branches with one center branch) to represent each of the days that the oil was multiplied for.  Each day of Hanukkah they light the candle in the center and then use it to light one candle for each day of the celebration (so on day three we light the center candle and then the first 3 candles, adding a candle each day till it is completely lit on the 8^th day).

 On the subject of miracles, Israel could use a few right now (which seems to be their perpetual state over here).  First, which I would imagine has made it to the news, is that we are currently having the largest fire since Israel became a nation in 1948. The blaze is thought to be purposeful (arson) as it began simultaneously in 3 different locations.  Israel is low on the chemicals used to fight fires due to the fact that there have been a number of fires this year – some controlled and some uncontrolled. Thousands have been forced from their homes and it is believed that 40 are dead with a number of wounded and even more missing. The fire has been in the Carmel forest (Mount Carmel is where Elijah called down fire from heaven) and due to high winds and the fact that most of Israel is as dry as it can get the fire has spread rapidly and was moving towards Haifa. The fires are not anywhere near myself or Jerusalem.  Planes have arrived from Greece, Cyprus, Spain, Turkey and a number of other countries, however, as of this morning, the fire had not been contained.  Spiritually I am praying that as this fire is burning so quickly because everything is dry, that God would burn out all of the dry “wood, hay and stubble” in Israel, that He would come in and cleanse this nation (Hanukkah is also about cleansing since that’s what they did when they reached the defiled Temple). 

The second major need right now is for RAIN!!!!  There has been NO significant rain since last Spring and November was the driest November on record since they began keeping records in the 1920s. Since Israel is such a small country this lack of rain affects everything.  Right now you can’t find butter in the stores because the cows are not producing as much milk as normal. Olive oil is also going up in price because they weren’t as full of oil as normal.  Nothing has been as productive as usual this year. 

In my last update I mentioned that some Rabbis had called a day of fasting and prayer to repent so that God would bring rain (lack of rain is one of the judgments God says He will send when His people don’t follow Him). Last year they did this and it was followed by a week of heavy rains. This year when I heard about it I was really interested to see if it would receive the same response.  I felt like perhaps it was being done out of a view of “if we do this for a day we will get rain” when God wants to see them not profess to be repentant, but actually to be repentant. Only God can see the hearts and so I was very interested to see what would happen. So far we have had no rain and it’s been several weeks now since they prayed for rain. All throughout the Bible we are reminded that it is not about whether we simply look like we are doing what we should be doing, but rather if our HEART is where it should be. We can fast, pray and say we repent, but if we never actually change and show we have repented then God will judge us by our hearts and what fruit we are bearing rather than by our outward appearances. Israel needs to reach a place of repenting from the heart rather than in outward form. God asks that we rend our hearts, not our garments.

On a happy note though, a new law was passed about a week ago!  Previously a prime-minister could give away land in peace negotiations without really getting permission from much of anyone. So they had passed a law requiring that there had to be a vote taken of Knesset members with a majority vote. But just in the last two weeks Netanyahu encouraged the passing of a law requiring a majority vote of the PEOPLE before land could be given away in peace negotiations. Now this doesn’t include all of the land currently controlled by Israel (it does not include Samaria for example, only what has been fully annexed into Israel), but this is a huge step towards protecting the land from those who would just give it away.  Praise the Lord!

Over the last week God has been reminding me of a few verses from Psalm 2 (vs 7-8). It is time for us to stop just asking God to do things, change nations etc., but time for us to know what He is decreeing and decree it as well as ask that He give us the nations (heathen) to us for our inheritance.  I really felt this week to begin asking for my inheritance and I want to encourage you to pray about this as well.  Many blessings to all of you as you continue on the path that He has put you on!

~Lydia

Prayer Requests:

1.       Pray for continued protection for Israel from attacks of all types – including any further fires.

2.       Pray that people would turn to God as never before and leave all other gods far behind!!!

3.    Please pray for wisdom for the family I live with. Their 2 year old has been having some strange issues. He has had two fits of screaming from intense pain to where he won’t open his eyes or answer anything you ask him. After these attacks he usually falls asleep for a few hours. The first time he woke up with a fever and spots all over his body which blistered and scabbed.  The doctors don’t seem to know what is going on and each one guesses that it’s something different than the one before. Most of the time he runs around and behaves normally. If this is a spiritual attack pray that we will know where it is coming from and how to prevent further attacks, if it’s something else pray the doctors will suddenly figure it out. 

4.       Pray for continued strength and good health for me!

Photos:

1.        Hanukkah lights!  

2. The twins decked out with dresses, nail polish, braids and rings for the first birthday party they had been invited to.  

3. Me with Shalev  

What it's Like Out Here

Shalom! I will get straight into my update, just be forewarned that it is a bit long this week!

Over and over again, as we pray for Israel and walk the Temple Mount we are reminded that this “whole thing”, life, our existence etc. is all about God coming down to be with us.  In the Garden God came down and walked with Adam and Eve, when Moses built the Tabernacle God came down and visibly dwelt with them, when Solomon dedicated the Temple God once again came down in a visible form to dwell among them. His name Emanuel means God with us. Yeshua came down and walked with man for 33 years so that a way could be made for Him to come down and walk with man for eternity once more. He is returning HERE, to earth to be with us.  I think it’s fairly safe to say His number one desire is to be with you, with me, with each of us.  He made us so that He could be with us.  My first purpose in existing is simply to be with God.  Sounds simple enough right?  Yet so often we forget.  I am endeavoring to make this a greater part of my daily life – inviting Him to come and walk with me.

As I’m sure you have heard by now, former Presidents George W. Bush’s new book on his time as president is now out on book shelves. Since it is out we have learned just how close Israel came to signing a peace agreement with the Palestinians during Olmert’s term as Israel’s prime minister.  You never know just how your prayers are affecting things.  It’s very possible that several years ago people were concerned about the way Olmert was handling things and began praying for God’s intervention. The reason it was never signed is because some dirt was uncovered on Olmert which eventually led to him being removed from office early and Abbas did not want to sign any sort of agreement with a Prime Minister who was going out of office, particularly one leaving under his unpleasant circumstances.  Psalm 2 reminds us that God will remove people who refuse to follow His way. It says “kiss the Son, lest He be angry with you.” In other words, bow before Him and His will, serve Him, don’t lift yourself above Him.  He is jealous over Israel and will go to great lengths to protect her.  It would seem we are at another place in time when “kings of the earth” are attempting to decide the fate of Israel and put together some sort of “peace” agreement.  We must pray that God will once more rise up and put these “kings” in their place.

Recently a friend of mine was on a bus conversing with a young religious Jewish man.  They began discussing how the nations of the world tell Israel what to do when he suddenly declared to my friend “one day Israel will have a leader who will say ‘We are here not because the U.S. or the UN says we can be here, but because the Lord God Almighty says we can be here.’” I pray that many more young people rise up with boldness and declare to the Goliaths that they have mocked God etc. 

Part of the reason Israel is in its current situation is because they have made covenants with death.  We were praying into Isaiah 28 recently, where it speaks of the covenants of death but then follows that section up with verses 16-18 which speaks of the chief cornerstone.  In Israel there are not only a large number of abortions performed each year, but they are very open to the gay and lesbian communities. Tel Aviv is now one of the top vacation destinations for people with that type of lifestyle. These are things in direct contradiction with God’s word and the directions He laid out for His people in the Old Testament.  In Is. 28 it says that God will destroy these covenants and place justice and righteousness as the measuring line and plum line.  Until the nation as a whole leaves these lies and turns to God I don’t think we will see a leader come from them who will carry a spirit like David did. However, Netanyahu did make a bold statement to President Obama the other day in regards to building in Jewish neighborhoods of Jerusalem. He said, “Jerusalem is not a settlement, it is the capital of the State of Israel.”  In Zechariah 2:3 God says He will make Jerusalem as a heavy stone which will bring damage to those who would try to remove it.  We must keep praying for the U.S. and the stand our current president is taking in regards to Israel, even to the point of trying to tell them when they are allowed to build houses for their people.  God does not tend to deal kindly with arrogant leaders; we are not out of the woods as a nation simply because the Democrats no longer hold the House.

Praise the Lord for the Canadian Prime Minister who has taken such a bold stand and declared he will stand with Israel no matter what. We must pray for him and for his family because such declarations typically bring a lot of attacks from those who would love nothing more than to see Israel destroyed.  If you have time you might want to listen to his speech, it’s most definitely worth listening to as he says things I haven’t heard any politician say in a very long time, if ever! 

This last week was the 6 year anniversary of Arafat’s death.  One paper said that “Arafat’s romanticism was a disaster for his people.”  He was more concerned with keeping his image as a revolutionary than in giving his people what they needed (which is why he did not sign a peace agreement with Clinton and Barak – praise the Lord – when he had the opportunity, that’s not the image he wanted for himself). Please pray that the “Palestinian” people would come to understand and see the truth.  I know someone living in Jericho and he says that the PA “police” are worse than the mafia; even the local shop keepers there say that. The goal of the PA is to keep the people in complete poverty so they can use that to get food and money given to them by the rest of the world which they then either keep for themselves or sell to the people who are supposed to be getting the aid for free.  Many of them still hail Arafat as having been a great man because he caused them to be noticed by the world. But those who are honest with themselves will actually tell you that their situation in life (the ability to have food, a decent economy, and fairly peaceful living conditions) were far better before Arafat began sending in suicide bombers and creating his mafia type force to keep the people subjugated.  The other day I was dealing with one of the kids here who was throwing a tantrum.  He told me that if I did everything he wanted me to do (make him a shake, let him stay up and play Nintendo) he would then be nice.  Too bad for him I don’t do things that way. I informed him that due to his behavior he had lost the privilege of having those things. Later I was laughing about it because it reminded me of the Israeli/Palestinian issue.  They send in bombs and they threaten Israel with all sorts of violence. Then they tell Israel that if they will give them what they want (basically – Israel itself) they will be nice.  That is a very twisted way of thinking.  They are living under deceptions and lies, but God wants to give them the Truth and radically save them!  I know some who have found this Truth, and now they are more pro-Israel than some Israelis! I was speaking to a former Muslim the other day and he just kept going on and on about the amazing things God is going to do in Israel and how he just loves his Jewish brothers. This is the heart God wants to give to the Arab people, and to the Jewish people in regards to the Arabs.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests:

1.       Still praising God for His marvelous provision!  My first reaction when I got the money was to try and figure out just how far I could stretch it. Then I felt the Lord ask me why I was doing that. Was it because I didn’t believe He would provide for next month’s bills as well? Was I functioning out of fear that He would forget for some reason? I realized that at that moment I was operating out of a poverty mentality, that God only provides every now and then and so you have to stretch it as far as possible when He does.  I don’t believe He wants us to be wasteful or unwise in the use of the money He sends our way, but I also think it’s perfectly ok to use it on things like cheese to go with the cucumbers and tomatoes, or a nice loaf of bread, or maybe even a cup of hot chocolate! Please pray for me as I continue to learn how to walk this out.

2.       I have a friend who would like for me to join her in England to do some prayer mapping etc. in December.  When we first discussed the idea I felt that it just might be something God was lining up for me.  It would only be for a few weeks and then I would head back to Israel. So please pray with me to know if this is a door He is opening. I have put a fleece before Him that if it is what He wants He will prove it by bringing in the extra money I would need to purchase a ticket etc.  If not then that’s fine too as I just want what He wants!

3.       As I mentioned above, I know a former Muslim who is a believer. He and his family have a very rough time since they live in a Muslim area. Often they are beaten by their neighbors etc, and they have a hard time finding enough work to cover their needs. Their health has also been under attack. Please be praying for them to be strengthened.  If you feel led to give toward their needs at any point please send it to me as you normally would but include a note saying it’s for the Arab family.  I think it’s important that we help our brothers and sisters when we can, especially when they have it much worse than we do.

4.       We will be entering the time of the Hajj this week. This is a Muslim feast. Please pray that it passes without any outbreaks of violence and that God’s Spirit would fall among them and bring new revelation!!!

Photos:

1. At a concert with my friend   

2.  View near my house    

3.  A rose from our yard. I’m so amazed by the fact our house is surrounded by huge rose bushes in the desert!   

4.  Cookie time!

Praise the Lord!

Hello Everyone!

I can’t give you a full update at the moment (that will have to done later in the week), but I would like to share a huge praise report!  I am so thankful for all of your prayers, so I want you to know when God answers in really cool ways since He’s answering your prayers as well as mine.  On Wednesday morning of last week I woke up knowing I had a bill that was due that day and I only had $15 in my bank account. My friend gave me a little cash so I could catch a bus in town since I needed to go in to do my sets etc. While on the bus I just started having a little chat with God. I was asking Him why it’s so difficult just to pay my bills, and I reminded Him how bad it makes Him look when His children are doing what He tells them to do but are late in paying their bills. I wasn’t being ugly with Him, just simply telling Him what I was thinking and that I had no earthly idea how I was supposed to get this bill paid.

When I got to my apartment I took my things to my room to put them away and there, sitting on my shelf was an envelope of cash with my name on it! I asked my roommate where it had come from and she said someone had brought it by saying an anonymous donation had arrived for me.  I just sat there in shock! It was far more than I needed to pay that bill. In fact, it should be enough to cover all my bills this month as well as pay back the money I owe for 6 months of insurance here. PRAISE GOD!!!!  I have no idea who sent the donation, but I am so glad they listened and sent it when they did. God is so good, He had the money sitting there waiting for me before I had that chat with Him on the bus.  He really does provide all of our needs, especially when we trust Him to do so.  So, just wanted you to be as encouraged by this as I was, keep praying ‘cause He does answer!!!

Many blessings to each of you and thank you once again for all of the prayers you send my way.

Much Love!

~Lydia

PICTURES!!!!

1.  Hiking at En Gedi   

2. Some wildlife I saw while hiking

3. Keira being funny  

4. The new baby: Shalev (peaceful/comforter)  

Roads in the Wilderness

Shalom!

I am doing well over on this side of the world. Still trying to get all of my computer issues sorted out, hopefully we are only days away from a solution! So, once again, I cannot attach pictures to my update. I have soooooo many pictures, too! Since I am borrowing a computer again, this update might end up being a bit shorter than mine normally are. I do have a few interesting things I want to share!
 
1. I have no idea what they put in the news back home and I haven't had time to look to see if any of this made it into the news, so I'm sorry if this is something you already know about.  A few weeks ago Ahmedinejad was scheduled to go to the Lebanon border and give a speach attacking Israel and attempting to pressure them into meeting their demands.  They actually went to the effort of building a replica of some of the buildings on the Temple Mount at the location where he was to give his speech. In many ways it was as if they were welcoming their leader verses the leader of another country. This of course was after a worm mysteriously wrecked the computer system for the wonderful new nuclear equipment he had recently received. I'm sure that part made news. But I doubt this next bit made news. On the Wednesday when he gave his speach in Lebenon there was an Israeli news agency who had someone critique his speach.  This woman was a bit surprised by his behavior and commented on how he did not act in his normal arrogant manner. Now his words were not different than normal, it was his mannerisms that were different.  Instead of pointing his finger he would use a sweeping motion of his hand. He also nervously picked at his clothes all through his speach.  The woman said she didn't know what was going on but that he just was not behaving normally.  This speech was given on a Wednesday.  Ahmedinejad had made comments prior to this about how he had these underground bunkers that were inpenetrable for the purpose of storing his new weapons, etc. On the Tuesday before he gave his speech in Lebanon, there were three explosions in his underground bunkers!!!!  Later the reports changed the wording to "a fire broke out in the bunkers" but in interviews with people there they said they heard three distinct explosions.  It seems that Ahmedinejad realized that he is not as untouchable as he had thought himself to be and that these explosions following the worm incident managed to shake him enough that he behaved in a less arrogant manner when he gave his speach. He behaved as one who was shaken, whether or not his words matched his behavior!  This was a huge deal for us here in Israel because it could very possibly have postponed a major war.  Once again God is in some way fighting for Israel. I think God enjoys showing the arrogant that they are not quite what they think themselves to be. Over and over throughout history there are examples of people making arrogant claims only to be shown the falacy of their ways. 
 
2.  The Chinese Government has recently decided to start pumping resources into the Western provinces.  Back in the Roman times they built extensive road systems that were then used by God to send the good news around the world to places that were previously unreachable.  Right now we are seeing the same thing take place in China.  These areas have been some of the hardest to get to. Interstingly enough, they were once part of the original Silk Road. We have been believing for quite some time that God was going to reopen the Silk Road and that this time it was going to allow the Good News to go forth from Western China throughout Central Asia all the way back to Israel (through many, many Muslim nations and unreached areas).  It is so exciting to see this begin to be set up by the Government itself!!!! They are making the way, even though they don't know it.  This tremendous amount of building will cause that area to be open to foreigners in a new way.  Pray that those who are called to go will find the way and the means to go! I recently heard a quote from Keith Green, "If Jesus didn't call you to stay, then He called you to go."  Not all are called to go, but now is the time to pray that those who are called WILL go. God is certainly doing many things worldwide, we must learn to look beyond our little worlds to see what is going on elsewhere, to see the Bigger Picture.
 
3. A friend was recently at a huge conference in South Korea. For the first time 5 of the largest churches there (which have thousands of people each), hosted a conference to teach people about the importance of supporting Israel.  This friend said it was incredible and that the levels of Government represented there would not be found in most any other country at the same type of conference right now. South Korea has turned to God in a major way and God in return is blessing them. Right now they have a huge open window due to their current president, pray that they will take full advantage of this time.  The Eastern nations are rising, some more publically than others. 
 
I think that's about all I have time for! Below are some more praises/prayers.  Thank you so much for all of your continued prayers and support, you are such a blessing to me!

~Lydia 
 
Praise and Prayer:

1. Adam (the father of the children I help with) has had major hearing loss for the last 4-5 months. Praise the Lord, this last week he began feeling a lot of heat in his ears off and on over a period of several days. Pray that his healing would be completed.

2. Also, a friend of mine fell on some stairs and heard a snap. When she managed to get up she could not bend, etc. and it was obvious her tailbone was broken. However, she said she wanted to wait until the next day to go to the ER. In the morning it was not better.  Some friends prayed over her and she just walked around the room praying for a bit. Then she felt this heat in her back and heard a snapping sound, and instantly 90% of the pain was gone. They prayed a bit more and she has been completely fine ever since!  Praise the Lord! 

3. This same friend has recently had some open doors to share with some people here locally. I can't give details but the fact she had this open door was incredible! The people asked her a lot of sincere questions. Pray for the seed that was sown.

4. I paid my last bill for the month of October today by the skin of my teeth! Praise the Lord!!! I still need to back-pay for my insurance as soon as possible, and reimburse them for the rest of the cost of my visa. I continue to believe that as long as God wants me to remain here, He will make a way where there seems to be no way.  Please continue to stand with me in prayer and faith, believing for His provision to be there just in time.

Update and Praise Reports

Shalom to you all!

I am so very sorry that it has been weeks since my last update. Yes, I am still alive, just having some technical difficulties.  I didn't have internet for a while and then when I got internet the power cord for my computer died, so I've been borrowing computers for a few minutes here and there. I was finally able to borrow one long enough to write an update today!! Hopefully the new power cord will come soon, but it could take up to 3 weeks to get here (please pray it doesn't take that long!). Anyway, other than that, things are going well over here.
Since my last update (which seems like it was ages ago) we have finished all of the Fall Feasts (Hagim).  I believe we were in Yom Kippur when I last emailed you, and since then we celebrated Succot (Feast of Tabernacles) which ended with Simchat Torah (praise for the Scriptures).  Succot is a time of remembering the years Israel spent wandering the desert in temporary dwelling places and the miracles God did. They set up little structures outside their homes which they eat and sleep in. The last day is then spent in celebration of God giving them His words in the Torah. They gather together and the men dance around while holding their Torah scrolls.  This is a great reminder that God is a joyful God!!  He loves dancing and celebration and joy.  We are to rejoice because of Him.  I have to say, Jewish people are very good at this part! When God does something amazing in our lives we often respond by saying, "Oh thank you, Lord, You are so good."  But they respond by grabbing their friend's arm and spinning around while yelling, far more child-like I'm afraid (Mark 10:15).

So much of life here is Israel is lived knowing you are hated by much of the world and at any point could be plunged into a war with half the world against you. Therefore, it is always special when I see these people rejoicing in their God with great exuberance.

Each day there are reports of things going on in the world that point to a soon coming war. Often I feel the need to back off from what the media is saying and just live with my ears open to what God is saying. We pray continually that all things would be done in God's timing, that war would not break out before God has ordained for it to come, that the people would turn to Him and rely on Him before the war comes.  Last week a man in his sixties got lost in the desert and he wasn't found for several days. After his rescue he was interviewed and he stated that now he knows for sure that God is real. He said that he prayed for rain and right after he did, it rained. He was able to survive on this rain until he was rescued. He also stated that he prayed the Shema several times a day (Deuteronomy 6:4-6). The Shema is a call for Israel to know that the Lord their God is One. 

Interestingly enough, Israel is now in its sixties as a modern nation, and it has been lost (in the desert if you will), and their supplies are no longer enough. They now must cry out to God for His rain to come and when it comes it will open their eyes and they will know once more that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is REAL. I am praying that this man is a first fruit of what God is about to do. Perhaps God used this man to intercede for his nation and be a physical sign to them of the state they are in.

On a physical note, it did rain twice in a matter of days, which is a huge blessing, but we need far more rain than that for Israel to be able to function.  They have been in a serious drought for a number of years now. Please pray that the former rains come in great abundance. But most importantly, pray that Israel will turn to Him, knowing that He is their source and cry out to Him for the rain.

Recently we were able to sit under the teaching of a man who has spent the last 25 years living in Turkey.  He has spent a huge amount of time studying the Quran for the purpose of comparing it with the Bible and using this to reach out to the Muslims and show them the truth.  He had many fascinating things to share which I had never known, for example, the Quran commands the people to read both the Old Testament and the New Testament as well as the Quran.  He also went through the prophecies regarding their Mahdi (who is supposed to be a messiah figure for Muslims) and all of the prophecies perfectly line up with Biblical descriptions and prophecies about the coming Anti-Christ.

But one of the most important things he spoke about is the time we are currently living in.  Right now there is an unprecedented open door for reaching out to the Muslim peoples.  They are receiving the Truth in numbers like never before and being radically changed.  This will only be for a season, soon the countries will tighten their hold on the people and persecution will increase.  We must cry out for there to be a tremendous harvest while there is still an open door for it to come. The harvest is ripening, but more workers are needed!

Praise and Prayer report:

1. PRAISE THE LORD!!!! I was able to cover all of the bills that were due last month as well as a few that were due this month. That's a huge answer to prayer! A massive thank you for all your prayers and support.

Unfortunately bills are due again this month. I was able to pay the current insurance here, but I still owe people for the last 6 months of insurance. I have part of what I need to cover my bills back home, but I still need a bit more for this month.

2. I was granted another 1 year volunteer visa!! I came very close to not getting it. The person who went in for my appointment had to meet with a woman there who did not want to give me the visa and she told this person to pay her triple what we usually have to pay in 5 minutes or she wouldn't grant the visa.  This person prayed, opened her purse and had exactly what was needed, down to the last shekel to pay the bill. Needless to say, when she went back in with the money the woman was not at all happy to see her, but she gave me the visa.

My prayer had been that if this season here was over for me that God would not give me the visa, He obviously gave it to me. Pray that I would have a greater understanding of the reason God has me here this time around.

3. A week ago Monday, Bethany gave birth to baby number 6 (Shalev - peaceful, comforter).  He was born without any complications and is doing just wonderfully now. We were very happy that she went into labor while the other kids were asleep and when I was already at the house.
This last Monday they had his circumcision (which here involves inviting all of your friends and have a big meal together after the actual process is over).  It was a special time of the various generations of the family praying blessings over him after the father spoke his name and explained the meaning.

Please pray that this time of adjustment for the family go smoothly and that the children all be at peace with the changes.

Pictures: I am so sorry that I can't attach pictures right now (since I can't use my computer), I have loads of great pics I could send too!!!!!

I hope this update makes sense as I had to write it quickly. Many blessings to you all and looking forward to having better communication soon!

Prayer for Wisdom

Hello to all!

This is not a normal update, I will send one later in the week.  I am sending this email out because I need some wisdom! I am presently at the end of my finances and am already late on my car payment for this month.  So I need to know from God if He's saying 

• A. It's time to just come home a get a job, 
• B. Lose it all and start over when you get back  
• C. Wait just a little longer.

I am a patient person and don't mind waiting, but banks don't always see things the same way.  


So I am asking you to pray with me and for me to have wisdom to know what I am supposed to be doing right now.  I don't really feel I am supposed to be going home just yet, but I can't stay without money. I still need at least $800 dollars within the next few days to pay for 9 months of health insurance in Israel, my car payment and car insurance back home etc. I'm not stressed, I am at peace, I just need to make a decision asap as to what I'm doing. Thank you so much for standing with me on this!

Blessings to you all!

The One Who Heals the Blind

Shalom from Jerusalem!

All is going well on this side of the world; I pray things are going well for each of you.  We are in the 10 Days of Awe and this Shabbat is also Yom Kippur (by the time I get internet to send this we might be past Yom Kippur!).  The Jewish people have been spending this time searching their hearts in preparation for observance of Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).  Even though they do not have a high priest to go into the Holy of Holies to sacrifice on their behalf, they still spend the day in fasting and repenting. The orthodox Jews have decided that if they recite certain scriptures and then kill a chicken that this somehow atones for their sins. One day, they will know the One who sacrificed Himself as a fulfillment of the Day of Atonement!  On a lighter note, the kids are getting excited about Yom Kippur because that means they get to ride their bikes in the middle of the streets (as there will be no cars), which is a highlight of their year.  The joys of being children!

I want to go back to a scripture I referenced a few weeks ago.  In John 9:29-33 the man who was born blind states to the Jewish leaders of his day, that Yeshua (Jesus) must be from God BECAUSE He opened the eyes of one BORN blind.  They had never heard of one being healed who was BORN blind.  That was the sign to this man that Yeshua could have come from no one but God.  Someone told me a story of how a man was witnessing in a hospital and a Jewish woman came up to Him and said, “He is not dead anymore? How can you prove this to me?”  So the man told her to go into the chapel, and ask God to show her how this was possible.  Ten minutes later she came out with tears streaming down her face and said, “I know it’s true, I’ve just seen Him.”  This is a present day example of God opening the eyes of one who was BORN blind.  Only God can do this!  We are in a new season and in this season we will be seeing the eyes of those BORN blind opened.  They will shout, both Muslim and Jew, and say, “we know it’s true because we were born blind and now we see!”   

In this season it will not be our words that will cause these precious ones to run to the one who can open their eyes.  For those who walk in fear and anger and bitterness and rejection it is only the LOVE of God in us that can reach their hearts.  The time has come for us to shut our mouths and show them our hearts.  The world has heard it all, but they’ve not SEEN it all.  It goes back to the nameless, faceless tribe.  We don’t need to be out there shouting things at people, we need to be quiet, get out of the way, and let Him permeate the earth through our actions.  We have nothing to give, but if we get rid of ourselves then through us He can give everything.  

I have found that the more time I spend worshiping at His feet, the more I can see that in myself I am nothing.  True worship lifts our focus from ourselves to Him.  Worship is also the key to bringing down the manifest presence of God.  Yes, God is everywhere and in everything (omnipresent), but that type of presence is not the same as the presence of God when He descends in all His glory.  Our worship opens the heavens, changes the atmosphere and calls for His manifest presence to come down among us.  When His manifest presence descends, His throne descends.  And when His throne descends His government descends.   A king governing from his throne does not behave in the same manner as a child in a manger.  We are going to begin to see His governing in this earth.  It will be fearsome to behold.  In Genesis one He SPOKE and this earth was created.  As King He will begin to speak again and when He does the earth will shake under the weight of His words.

Haggai 2:21-22 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying: ‘I will shake the heaven and earth. I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms. I will overthrow the chariots and those who ride in them; the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.’”

Hebrews 12:25-26 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks.  For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth: but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.”

 Joel 3:16 The Lord also will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; the heavens and earth will shake; but the Lord will be a shelter for His people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

Joel 3 reminds us that those who KNOW Him, and who hear His voice do not need to fear His voice.  He consumes His enemies, but protects those He loves (which doesn’t mean you won’t endure difficult times, but we do not need to fear).  We need to have our eyes wide open to see what He is doing and be able to get in line with Him in an instant.  The closer we get to His return the faster He will be moving. We won’t have time to sit around and analyze what He is doing and discuss it for days and weeks on end.  If we are watching and waiting we will have just enough time to get in line with what He is doing. These are exciting days we are living in! These are days that the men who penned the scriptures would have loved to see in person.  So be alert, watching and waiting, ready to move at a moment’s notice. 

Praise report:

1.       My arm is feeling significantly better this week! There is still some soreness, but I was able to play a full two hour set!

2.       God is continually reminding me that He is the one who cares for my needs.  People have randomly given me money here in Israel over the last month, which, though it can’t be used to pay bills back home, has been a great blessing in covering my food and transportation costs here!

Prayer requests:

1.       Completion of the healing of my elbow

2.       Bethany (woman I live with), is in the last 3 weeks of her pregnancy.  We live nearly an hour from the hospital and her last delivery took a total of 1 ½ hrs! So please pray that everything will line up and she will be able to get to the hospital in time (I will nanny, but I don’t want to deliver babies!!!!), and that her delivery will be without any complications. 

3.       Please join us in crying out for those who have been born blind so that we could see (Romans 9-11). 

~Lydia

Photos:

1. I found a beach party in the middle of Jerusalem's streets

2. Bethany and I

3. A baby boy being dedicated etc. at the Western Wall

4. Keira "skating" in the sand