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!
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