Shalom Friends and Family,

 

Yesterday as I was working, a friend called my cell phone at around noon and told me that they have made an amazing discovery.  “Well, what did you find?” I asked eagerly.  “I was walking through the Jewish Quarter of the Old City on my way to work and I stopped to buy a Coke when I looked in the refrigerator and saw Dr. Pepper!”  I started screaming and all of my co-workers thought I was having a heart attack.  So my friend bought two cans and gave them to me last night.  I drank them both straight down.  So now I have a place to go in Israel to find my favorite drink!  How cool is it to go trekking through the Old City just to find Dr. Pepper!  My friend asked the store owner where they got it and they said that they carry it for the Americans that tour the Old City.  Perfect! 

 

So, “Shanah Tovah!” (Happy New Year) to everyone!  If you are familiar with the Jewish Holidays, you have probably heard of Rosh HaShannah.  Rosh HaShannah is the celebration of the Jewish New Year.  Last night I was invited to the family of a friend where we had the traditional meal and performed the traditions for this holiday.  It was nice to be in the presence of a family eating good food and talking.  I love how everything in Judaism has deep meaning and significance.  It’s truly a beautiful culture centered around God and family.

 

I got to hold and aim an M-16 last night also!  Those are huge weapons and they are amazing.  I got to see how they function and all the neat gadgets that go with it.  (I know, I know, I am strange)  Of course the ammo was not in it, but it was cool to hold such a weapon and imagine shooting it!  Did I just scare anyone?  Ok, well now would be a good time to insert some cultural information about Israel.  Israel is what I would describe as a military state.  The military is present everywhere… they have to be because of the constant terrorism and threats from the Palestinians and Arab countries as well as Islamic terror groups such as Al Qaeda, Hamas, the PLO and Al Aqsa Martyr’s Brigade (to name a few).  Military service is mandatory for all men and women after high school.  Women must serve two years and men three.  So everyone you see has military background and knows how to defend this special country.  In fact, last night at my friend’s house I saw some duct tape around some of the doors of the rooms.  When I asked what it was for, my friend’s mom said, “Saddam Hussein.”  My friend then explained that it was there from when Saddam had threatened to use his biological WMD’s against Israel and all of the homes in Israel had to seal of vents and open spaces around any doorframes as well as collect gasmasks for each family member.  Amazing… everywhere I go I am reminded that I am in a very dangerous country yet safe in God’s Hands.

 

Two patients passed away this week at the Hospital.  One was a man named Ellie who was a very sweet old man.  He had a brain tumor and it grew to be so severe that he passed away from complications. I will miss him and everyday I see his empty place at the table and I get very sad.  The other is a woman named Freida.  She had heart and lung problems from smoking and things slowly deteriorated for her.  Both of these special patients will be missed.  I just hope I was able to reflect to them the love of Yeshua as I fed them, cared for them and loved them.  It’s also a reminder to me of how precious life is.  We never truly know when our final breath will be.  The verse I thought of as I was helping clean the personal items from Freida’s room was, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the Glory of God.”  Why did I think of such a verse?  Because everything we do, no matter how small it seems, is a chance to glorify our Creator!  What an honor!  So many religions follow idols and gods that provide them with nothing but emptiness… but our God, El Elohe Yisrael, give us the chance to glorify Him in all that we do! 

 

This week is an important week for me and I would like to ask for people to pray for me as I pursue an opportunity this Thursday that could launch me into a new season of ministry here in Israel permanently.  I will be happy to share more information with you about this in the coming weeks, but for now, please pray for guidance and discernment.

 

I want to also take the time to thank everyone for your constant prayers and support.  You are what makes this ministry function.  I pray that in this new year, you will be blessed in amazing ways by the Hand of God.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

This is Erin reporting LIVE from Israel…

 

To continue supporting this ministry, please contact my mother for information at: Kcmather3@aol.com and be sure to visit my website for pictures and updates at: http://braveandunafraid.blogspot.com/