Blessing Upon Blessing

Wow.  It has been over 3 months since our last post!!  Please forgive us for not updating sooner.  After spending the month of September in America, we have spent the last 2 months trying to catch up here after being gone so long.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time visiting with friends and family as we toured around several states.  We even had a little time to relax and enjoy the mountains during the beginning of Autumn.  While in North Carolina, we received the much-needed new laptop that was given to us, which we are now writing our first blog post since being back.  It is soooo much faster, saving us time and frustration.

We would also like to thank everyone for their love, encouragement and support.  While our round trip flight to the US was sponsored by loved ones, the rest of our visit expenses were by faith.  By the time we left to come back to Israel, we had received more than enough support to cover all our expenses. Once again proving God's faithfulness to provide for our every need, including spending time with those we care about so far away.  Thank you for your giving hearts.

If possible, we could write updates every week, there is so much going on here....but we will share just a bit in this post.  Right before we left to go the States, our CFI headquarters began moving to a new location, and was still completing the move when we returned.  For the past 2 1/2 years the HQ has shared the location of our Distribution Center, but has recently moved to a new home.  We are very excited about our offices - located on the 6th floor, inside the Jerusalem Central Bus Station!  This is the most perfect location, being literally right around the corner from our Distribution Center, not to mention convenience for not only the staff but all those who visit us.  It is a prime area right in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem.

As many of you may already know, we recently had a wave of terror-related fires in Israel.  With 2,000 fires - yes, 2,000 - there has been significant damage to many homes and lands.  Along with several other organizations, and the Israeli people as a whole, our organization - Christian Friends of Israel (CFI) is contacting those with needs to help them get back on their feet.

Burned out house in Haifa.

CFI, in conjunction with a Jewish organization, provided several items that were needed by 20 families in the town of Halamish.  These families were left homeless as the fires ravaged through this town a week ago.  It was with full hearts that we (Jim & Linda) shopped at stores pricing the items we needed to quick order so they would be received before the Sabbath began.  A small staff team personally went to the town to deliver what CFI donated to the families.  Our hearts and prayers are also with the families in Tennessee who also suffered the tragedy of fires this past week.

Home in Halamish

The day the CFI staff team delivered needed items to the fire victims, was a miraculously rainy day across much of the country that desperately needed rain.  At the same time, we (Jim & Linda), along with another staff member, were on another ministry adventure.  There were several visits in the south to needy families to be made, so we set out early on Friday morning - in the blessed rain.

1 - Our first stop was to recipients of our First Fruits project.  These are believers in the Land who are in a situation where they need a financial helping hand.  In this instance the husband had been in an accident and was unable to work for some time.  We arrived to being treated to hot tea and homemade cookies - great on a cold rainy day.  As we discussed the accident, you could see the pain and difficulty it brought to the family. As Jim shared how CFI would be able to assist them, you could sense them begin to relax.

When discussing things that the husband truly loved - fishing and their son, who just finished his army service - you could see the pride and joy return.  Before we left, we were shown lots of pictures and a video of their son, and his uniform; they are so proud of him.  They also showed us several fishing pictures and a cross he made from fishing rope.  It was hard to leave, but we had two more visits to fit in.  It was with hugs and smiles that we left this family - much better than when we arrived.

2 - The next visit was to a holocaust survivor from our CFI project Forsake Them Not.  She welcomed us with open arms - and a meal!  She made us homemade chicken schnitzel and bulgar wheat.  Coffee and cookies for dessert.  As we sat around the table she shared her story with us.  She was only one month old during the war.  Her parents didn't survive, but her 14 year old brother saved her.  He took care of her and they made it through the ghettos and concentration camp.  Quite a miracle! She and her family moved to Israel 20 years ago.  Since then, they have had many health issues and her husband has been bed ridden.  We were able to provide some assistance, and hopefully more in the future.

This visit was such an encouragement to her, and she asked Jim to come to the bedroom to pray for her husband before we left.  Once again, we left with hugs and smiles - and a gift of cookies.  It may be cold and rainy, but the hearts we were visiting were warm.

3 - The last visit was an hour away.  As we drove through the storm, we went in and out of the system.  It was already afternoon by now, and we thought the next visit was going to be a quick drop off of the assistance CFI was providing to the family through our CFI project Streams of Blessing.  We were wrong.

As with the first two visits, we were greeted with warm hospitality - and coffee and cookies.  The family began to share their experience of hardship, which brought CFI to want to help them.  The wife had an accident at work a few years ago affecting her head, and has been unable to cope normally since then. She and her husband also have a teenage daughter who has had a hard time dealing with the trauma of this situation.  In addition to their difficulties, the husband is in a wheelchair, having lost a leg while in their home country, which they left 10 years ago to come to Israel.

After spending quite some time hearing their story, Jim shared what assistance CFI would be providing.  As he did, tears came to the eyes of the husband.  You could sense the relief this brought to the difficult situation they had been going through.  

Before we left, Jim got to play with their dog.  They had gotten the dog for their daughter to help her through the difficult situation their family was dealing with.  They also showed us many crafts that the daughter had made as a sort of therapy.  As a thank you gift, they gave us two plaques she made by pressing clay into a mold and then painting with her fingers.  This was very precious to us - and we had the daughter sign the back for us.  With grateful tears they said goodbye as we left this precious family.

As we drove home on that cold and rainy day, our hearts were so warm and full from the 3 visits we were blessed to participate in that day.  And as the three of us discussed in the car, yes these families were in need of practical assistance to ease the hardship of their situation.  BUT - from what we experienced, even more so, they were in need of an understanding heart and a warm and gentle smile.  They needed encouragement that they were good people, and that they would make it through.  That God was for them, and that while it was tough right now, things would get better.

They thought they were the ones being blessed - but it was the three of us blessed that day.  It's better to give than receive...

"In everything I have given you an example of how, 

by working hard like this, you must help the weak,

 remembering the words of the Lord Yeshua himself, 

‘There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.’"

Acts 20:35

Closing the Gap of History

Israel - where History meets Prophesy

“Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature.... For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 

1 Samuel 16:7

A new opportunity has started in Jerusalem for Christians to learn Biblical history in a whole new way.  Our friend, David Nekrutman's organization - Center for Jewish Christian Understanding and Cooperation (CJCUC) - has launched a weekly Bible study for Christians, both those living in the Land and those just visiting, at the Bible Lands Museum.  Who better to teach Biblical history than Jewish scholars who study the text in the original language and share our love for this Holy Word? Their understanding can only broaden our perspective.  What we learn from them helps and confirms our faith in Yeshua (Jesus).

Not only that, but the studies are being held in a museum where we can not only study the text, but also SEE with our own eyes artifacts from the time period we are discussing.  It's a dream come true, and almost too much to contain.  What an honor and a privilege to attend these meetings each week and learn things we have never considered before.  If these teachings become available, we will let you know how to receive them.  And if you ever want to STAND where the Bible events took place....come visit Israel!!

Here are a few quotes from our first three studies:

"Learning God's Word is the highest form of worship."

"We pray for God to give us an addiction - a sweet tooth - for His Word."

In these studies we are going to "understand the Word of God from when the Words were actually introduced."

Being able to study at the museum and see the actual artifacts causes "the sense of proximity to an event to shrink" and we are in effect "closing the gap of history."

"The Bible is the manual for living on the planet and building His Kingdom." On earth as it is in Heaven... "Our mission is to bring the Kingdom of Heaven down."

Our second study was on David & Goliath (1 Samuel 17).  The Bible Lands Museum is getting ready to open a new exhibit in September with artifacts from an archeological sight in the valley where this battle took place, and dated from this time period. We're talking 3,000 year old artifacts, pre - First Temple!

Here are just a few tidbits from our study with Rabbi Wolicki:

The detail of the location provided in the text is not common.  Therefore, consider the geographical area of Israel (both now and during that time period) - the Elah Valley was a very strategic place (tan) for a battle - Philistines were on the coast (green) and the Israelites were in the central mountains (brown). See the green/tan/brown map below. 

Map of where the battle took place - Khirbet Qeiyafa.

Also, having so many details of both Goliath's and Saul's attire is not common.  Most descriptions in other Biblical events are not that detailed.

Consider that this event took place after David was anointed to be the future king of Israel, but Saul doesn't know that. The interaction between them reveals a lot about their character.

While Jonathan would have been the heir to the throne after his father, he loved David and put his cloak on him.

From the Bible Lands Museum website:

New Exhibition: In the Valley of David and Goliath

Have we found evidence of King David's footprints in the Elah Valley?
 

Tuesday | September 6,2016 

In the Elah Valley, between Azekah and Sokho - the setting of the famous biblical battle between David and 

Goliath – laid the ruins of mysterious ancient city on a hilltop known today as Khirbet Qeiyafa.

Who lived in this anonymous city when it was first built, during the time of King David? Could we have found 

the biblical Sha'araim – literally the city of two gates, mentioned in the Bible in the description of the flight of the 

Philistines following the battle between David and Goliath?

You will see the original finds from the city's ruins, its structures, gates, dwellings and many other remarkable 

artifacts.  Join us for an archeological adventure, where the fascinating finds that made international headline 

news will be on display for the first time. 

Please enjoy the pictures we took at the museum of the new exhibit that will open next month.  It was an honor to be given a private tour by the president of the museum and Rabbi Wolicki.  How can one fathom looking at pieces of pottery that are from a time period so long ago (3,000 years!) it almost feels like a fairy tale?? It truly does help "close the gap of history", bring it to life and cause you to learn the Bible in a new way.

Replica of the archeological site where the artifacts were found.
We hope to visit this site, and will post pictures when we do.

Can you even believe this??

What's another way of closing the gap of history?  Watching God fulfill His prophesy - and participating in it!

Then the Lord shall set His hand again the second time

To recover the remnant of His people who are left....

He will set up a banner for the nations, And will assemble the outcasts of Israel, And gather together the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the earth."

Isaiah 11:11,12

"I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, 

and bring them back to their fold; and they shall be fruitful and increase."  

Jeremiah 23:3

Christian Friends of Israel has a Distribution Center for new immigrants who have come "back to their fold" - the "outcasts of Israel" - the "dispersed of Judah."  One of the items our CFI DC provides new immigrants is "like new" clothing that we receive from both the United States and the United Kingdom.  

Last week we received a very large shipment from the US on a Friday morning.  The staff rose extra early that morning to arrive at 7 am to help unload the truck that arrived from the port bringing clothes donated to bless the new Israeli immigrants.  We prepared ourselves to unload 1,400 (mostly heavy) boxes.

The truck had the challenge of backing into our tiny little street off the main road.

Ready to cut the band that was put on in the US.

OH MY GOODNESS!!
That was everyone's reaction when we saw just how full this truck was!!

Our truck driver - he's a regular in bringing us our shipment.

Ok! Let's get started!!

We stack the boxes in groups of mens, womens, childrens, etc
As you maybe could guess, the womens group is by FAR the largest!

Praise the Lord!! We are done!!

However - we are not REALLY done.  We now need to bring all these boxes inside the building!  Our first goal is to get them off the truck, as we are charged by how long the driver stays there.

Some cars are blocked in...

And a motor bike is blocked in as well....

All those boxes must come through this gate.

Many of the boxes were already taken in when we took this photo.

Trying to make room for as many as we can.

Pack them high to the ceiling!

Hangers waiting for the new clothes.

No - this is NOT our storage room.  That room is FULL!!
This is the RECEPTION area of the distribution center - and it is now full of boxes too.
We will receive another shipment at the end of August, beginning of September....

4 1/2 hours later....we were done!!

This shipment had boxes of stuffed animals for children.

We give thanks to the Lord for He is good.  And we are grateful to be included in His plans and purposes for His people Israel.  Israel is not just a "land far away" of fairy tales from days gone by. It is a Land and people that are "fruitful" and "increasing" just as God said they would.  And the "days gone by" are literally being unearthed and rebuilt. 

"And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, 

And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations."

Isaiah 61:4

As we read our Bibles, may we read it with new eyes - seeing the timeline of the Jewish people as continual, not ancient history.  God's not finished with this place or His chosen people, He's just getting started, and we are a privileged generation to watch the prophesies come to life before our very eyes.  The first pastor we ever had, 25 years ago in Michigan, made a statement that was ingrained in us deeply.  Keep your eyes on Israel....

"Has God rejected His people? By no means!...As regards election they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.  For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable." Romans 11:1,28,29

God is closing the gap of history - His story.

In all His promises to the Jewish people, God spoke these Words:

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, 

says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, 

to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11