Update week three Israel outreach...

For as long as I have been here there has been a protest going on against housing prices, education, and food costs here in Israel. And they have been moving their tents from park to park trying to stir up things in the city.The pastor who HAD bronchitis and a large handful of youth and other believers go out to the streets every week. The this week we went out where the protesters were "camping out". The plan was to have worship, a teaching, then set up a table and hand out free pastries and drinks. We did just that. They were in the process of rallying with lots of yelling and clapping. The news teams were there and even a local radio station. Finding ourselves in the corner of the park next to a dumpster and the bathrooms didn't put a damper on the spirits of our team. As we worshiped people came and went. Some who were stopped at the stoplight were giving ear to what was going on. The pastor who HAD bronchitis taught a bible study and a few people stayed to listen for the whole thing.

After that we prayed and many people from our team were engaged in conversation with people in the park. We set up our table and a lot of people asked why we were giving out free drinks and such. We were vary tactful with our answers because some people would be vary offended if we told them we are Christians sharing the Love of Christ. Almost everyone in our group got to share their faith with a least one person that night. I'm pretty sure one man even came to faith. And If anything the name of Jesus and His word went out that night.

Mai and her Grandma

On Friday I had the opportunity to visit one of the children from Gaza who was at the hospital. We were going to support the mom and try to put some smiles on the face of the little baby Mai. For me even just thought of doctors, blood, and shots makes me uneasy. So first of all I'm just so thankful that God has gifted certain people in this area who actually enjoy dealing with sick people and don't pass out when they see blood. As I walk through the hall I'm thinking to myself " self ya you wouldn't last long here working or being sick for that matter." I just thanked the Lord for my health and that He has given me a heart that works great and keeps beating twenty four hours a day seven days a week. These little babies seem stronger in some ways than Me. I Little Mai was there not with her mom but her grandma. Sometimes these babies stay there in the hospital for weeks sometime months at a time. Mai will have this special bond with her grandmother that may have not taken place had she not been in this situation. We held her hand, blew some bubbles in her direction, and took pictures with her. It doesn't seem like much but I could tell that the grandma was encouraged by us being there.

Every Saturday is a day of rest, referred to as sabot. Many of the stores are closed and often times Jewish people throw rocks at those who drive on this day. Interestingly enough one of the largest Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem is located directly across the street from Shevet Achim. On numerous occasions they knock our dumpsters into the street spilling trash all over to prevent the cars from being able to pass by on the road. Check this out... last night, on sabot I found myself standing in the street listening to a bunch of South Korean believers loudly singing worship songs. Cool right? It gets better, they continued to sing as thousands upon thousands of protesters come barreling in and around them. They were carrying great big signs, yelling, banging pots and pans and anything else they could get there hands on. I feared for my life...kind of. Even still these Koreans just kept singing. In fact they got louder unaffected by all of the ca motion. They meet here every week, and they most always draw a crowd. You can't even understand what there saying but you know that they are worshiping God. Something about them is attracting people psalm 22:3 "Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel." It was vary cool to be in the midst of all that kayos and to hear and be a part of true heart felt worship.

Prayer requests:

For the families that went home today that God would continue to heal the hearts of the kids spiritually and physically.

For the weekly out reach to the community tonight that God work on the hearts of people and bring them to faith in Him.

For Continue prayer for the Muslims that are fasting this month that God would show Himself to them in visions and dreams.

For increased energy during the day to fully serve Him in whatever I'm doing.

That my love and passion for God may increase and become stronger and stronger and that He would give me His heart for His people.