Shalom Brothers and Sisters!

 

Is it June already?  I can't believe it.  I went from using a space heater to using a floor fan!  Imagine living in the Middle East without A/C!  I don't know how they do it, this is a new one for me!  Summer has arrived and it brings back reminders of Florida (except that we don't have the pools, tropical storms and alligators to deal with).  I come alive in the heat and enjoy the drastic temperature change, the Florida girl that I am!

 

Life has been busy, even busier than my previous emails stated.  God miraculously gives myself and the other volunteers at CFI the ability to complete our numerous tasks.  Recently, we had a wonderful team from Tampa come to kick-off the makeover of our Distribution Center!  They worked very hard and accomplished so much... they were an excellent example for future teams to follow.  I also felt attached to them because they are from Tampa and I got to talk with them about things from home.  They ministered to my spirit.  At the same time it truly showed me how far I have come and have adapted to Israeli life.  When I hear of all the developments in the States I feel so far away at times, yet at other times I wonder if anything changes over there!  The team did an amazing job and I got to take them to Hadassah Hospital where we got a tour and passed out stuffed animals in the children's ward.  It was amazing to see so many little lives touched.  Yeshua said to let the little children come unto Him.  

 

CFI continues to grow and with the growth brings more need for help.  Lori and I (HR Department) are quite often pushed to our limits but we adore every minute and every challenge we have to deal with.  I mainly work with outside contacts which has me deeply involved with the Israeli business realm.  This is challenging but also so thrilling at the same time.  I tend to be quite animatedly Israeli inmy actions and words so I blend in (aside from the blonde hair).

 

Next week begins CFI's Shavuot Conference week where we will have speakers from all over as well as guests attending from all over.  We will be working from 8:30AM - 10:30PM Monday through Thursday so I am sure it will be an exhausting week.  Please excuse me beforehand for my lack of response during that week.

 

I am always so astonished by the relationships I have started with many Israelis in my time here.  For instance, I went to dinner at Julie's last week (the one with four children) and we had steak and veggies and I hung out with her and the kids since her husband was away.  It feels so good to be with families here, it eases the ache of missing my own mom and dad.  I continue to establish other relationships and cultivate already established friendships.  I suppose this is why I feel that even though my job at CFI ends at 5, my outside ministering ends often past midnight!  But the growth amongst friends is amazing and the longer I stay here, the more they trust me.

 

Politically we are still struggling.  Terrorism attempts are daily and more and more rockets are being launched and getting closer to their targets.  Please continue to pray for the IDF and police as they give their lives for the security of this nation.

 

A dear friend of mine who shall remain nameless for security reasons has become a Believer and is actively attending Messianic Congregation with me and is growing so strongly!  This amazing transformation happened almost three months ago and I am Praising God!  I have been helping disciple and get this friend into contact with other Israeli Believers.  This is the most amazing experience of my time here yet and for those who pray for the salvation of the Jewish people, here's proof of the power of your prayers!

 

As I now head home to start some more projects for the evening, I pray you will all continue to be blessed and moved by the power of God in your lives.    

 

This is Erin reporting LIVE from Israel...