Something New!

Forget the former things; Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing; Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. (Is. 43:18-19)

This is an especially significant year for me as I move forward in this season of my mourning and grief. Just a few days before Rosh Hashana, we received the headstone for Eddie’s grave. In Israel, it is traditional to have it completed by the end of the 30 day mourning period but it took us longer than anticipated as my son, Evan and I struggled with writing the epitaph. When I finally accepted the fact that the gravestone could never encapsulate who Eddie really was, we settled on the wording and gave the ok to the company. When it came, it was a bit of a shock as the reality and finality of Eddie’s passing was now written in “stone”. But God is so faithful and after giving me that promise filled with hope from Isaiah, he confirmed it by having several people call and ask for my help to counsel them through some difficult situations.

Please pray for me that as God opens new doors, I would walk through them in confidence as I minister to people without Eddie by my side. We always ministered as a couple and I greatly miss his overflowing love, optimism and the affirmation and encouragement he gave to each person.

Rosh Hashana

I was so very happy to be able to celebrate Rosh Hashana in my home with family and friends and to give thanks to the Lord for his love and mercy. In the midst of my tears, I felt the excitement of a new season and do believe that we will all begin to see and experience things and events we could not have imagined. God is really doing a new thing! May we walk in his grace, joy and love each and every day as we keep moving forward with our eyes fixed on Yeshua!

On September 28th, six congregations met together in order to celebrate “Yom Teruah” which is the biblical name for Rosh Hashana. What a blessing to worship together in unity and to hear the sound of the shofar as we proclaimed Yeshua, King Messiah and ushered in the beginning of the traditional Jewish New Year.

Tonight is the start of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. On this most solemn day of the year, everything stops. There is no regular TV programming, no radio, no cars on the road and the majority of Israelis fast as they petition God for the forgiveness of their sins, so that their names will be written in the Book of Life. As believers, we join the nation and come before God with humble hearts and examine our lives before him. Grateful that our sins are already forgiven, we do intercede for God’s beloved nation and declare his promise that “All Israel shall be saved.”

Evangelism

Evangelism has been very strong on the hearts of our young leaders. Our congregation, Ahavat Yeshua is just finishing up a series on evangelism which was done in partnership with another congregation, Melech Hamlachim. It has been an excellent 4 week series which has encouraged all of us to move out of our comfort zone and share the love of Yeshua with all those we meet in our daily life.

In the four years of Eddie’s illness, there was an increase in his heart of the urgency to share the Gospel wherever he went and he witnessed and prayed for more people than I can possibly count. He didn’t like to walk away from someone without mentioning the name of Yeshua and he had no self consciousness nor fear of man. Who can imagine the number of seeds that were planted and the eternal harvest it will produce?

Please join us in praying that this year 5780 will see an explosion of salvations and that there would be an impartion to our congregation to share the gospel with this same passion and sense of urgency. Pray that all the believers will rise up in courage and conviction and be vessels of love and healing to everyone! We are encouraged by so many reports of Israelis who are interested in the gospel. This year promises to be a breakthrough year in the Spirit.

Post Election

In the political arena, the atmosphere is one of great frustration. The elections didn’t change the situation overall and it seems that once again, neither side is able to come up with the necessary coalition in order to govern. Both sides are accusing the other and attempts to come together in order to form a unity government appear to be failing at this time.

In addition, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s indictment hearings began this week and promise to be long and involved and no doubt emotionally draining for him and those close to him.

The country is sadly and extremely divided and if no compromise is accepted, the nation will go for an unprecedented third round of elections with no hope that even in a third round, the situation will change.

Please pray! These are truly special times. The darkness and division, not only in Israel but in governments throughout the world are increasing at an alarming rate yet we take comfort knowing that the light of Yeshua shines ever brighter and even more so as the darkness increases. As the political situation in Israel and the world deteriorates, the Body of Messiah is growing in unity and gaining strength in Israel and throughout the earth!

In closing, I would like to thank you for your faithfulness and generosity in supporting Zion’s Glory in these days. I am grateful and encouraged and know that God has something wonderful prepared, not only for me but for all of us who long for His appearing.

To God be the Glory, now and forever.

With love from Zion,