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.