Shalom Brothers and Sisters in Yeshua,

 

Before I take some time to update you on all of the events over the past few weeks, I want to ask you for your prayers for the young soldier Gilad who has been taken hostage by the militant Palestinians in Gaza on Sunday.  This is a very intense situation and if you are not aware of the torture tactics of Muslim terrorists and militants, then I need to stress to you that they use severe forms of torture when they kidnap Israeli soldiers in particular.  In Israel's history in rescuing hostages, only two have been brought back alive.  The situation looks bleak but we must put our trust in El Elohe Yisrael (God, the God of Israel).  I plead Psalm 70 upon this young man's life.  Israelis are going to the Western Wall to pray and are even starting prayer chains via text messaging to pray for Gilad.  We are all on the edge of our seats here and the urgency can be felt.  

 

The past several weeks have provided challenges and blessings beyond measure.  I can say that I am becoming more and more flexible by the day and you might even be surprised at the things that I no longer get irritated by!  It's good when we can all laugh at ourselves occasionally.  

 

I had the chance to minister to my friend Julie last week.  I was on my way home after work and had already bought a bagel to eat for dinner when she called and asked if I could come over.  I brought my dinner over and sat with her and listened to her as she shared her thoughts and frustrations in life.  I simply listened and let her release the things that were on her mind.  I washed all the dishes and cleaned the kitchen as she got all four of her children ready for bed and then I just sat with her while she folded laundry.  Please pray for Julie, she is not a Believer and I know that what is missing from her life is a fulfilling relationship with the Messiah.

 

This past weekend, CFI staff were blessed with a three day retreat to Netanya and the Golan Heights for a time of rest, team building and renewal.  I enjoyed the beauty of the scenery, the beach and the excursions on the Golan Heights very much and I felt very thankful to visit some of the places I love so dearly.  I took many pictures and you can see them on my Brave and Unafraid blog site.  We also had the amazing and rare opportunity of visiting an IDF military base on the border of Syria where we talked with the soldiers, gave them candy and even got to pray!  Imagine that!  I never cease to be amazed at how God truly makes my life out to be an adventure.  I have to say, I can't even relate to the concept of a "normal life" anymore! 

 

Over the past three months God has provided me with a Messianic Congregation that I have been attending regularly on Shabbat (Saturday).  The majority that attend are Israelis and I feel very blessed to hear the meat of the Word in a challenging way.  This is a congregation that is sold out for Yeshua and constantly focuses on growing in the knowledge of the Word and actually applying it to our lives.  This is a great balance because most congregations lean one way or the other instead of balancing the two.

 

Volunteering at CFI has kept me extremely busy, as always!  But we are growing by leaps and bounds and the harvest is ready to be brought in.  So many are being blessed and provided for through supporters of CFI.  We continue to reach out to Holocaust Survivors, Terror Victims, Soldiers, Ethiopians, New Immigrants and many many other people groups within Israel.  As I am almost finished remodeling our Distribution Center, I am excited to see how many more Jewish people will be returning to their homeland in the coming years.  As they walk in the doors of our Distribution Center I pray that they meet God and feel His compassion and love for them as so many others have.  

 

I never thought the day would come when I'd actually be able to explain the difference between Kassam rockets and Ketusha missiles but well, now that we are being fired upon daily, it's time I know what's being launched in our direction!  As most of you have been reading in the news or watching on TV, Israel is being fired upon in all directions by such rockets.  Basics are that Kassams are home made short-range rockets and Ketushas are more sophisticated longer-range missiles.  The Palestinians are having a blast (no pun intended) with terrorising as many places as they can reach firing from Gaza.  Please pray for continued protection and safety.  No doubt that soon we will be reviewing emergency procedures here in Jerusalem.  The Palestinians came out yesterday saying they created a new chemical missile... that should be fun (sarcasm).

 

As I walked down Jaffa Street the other day after work, I saw the police block off the street and surround another bus.  Of course, being entirely curious, I stood and watched until all was clear!  I then called mom and told her the "cool" story... let me tell you, I have amazing parents.  Only my mom and dad would understand the thrill I have in living here!  Thank God for parents who instilled in me such a trust in God that they never held me back from the amazing adventures of a life lived for the Creator!  I love you both!

 

A new spiritual realization I had recently was when our CFI Director of Administration told us that the greatest way to reach out to the people around us is to simply be who we are!  This may already be obvious to you, but to me it was eye-opening!  I think for so long I was surrounded by a culture prior to Israel that always tried to change the core of who I was.  I never realized how debilitating that was until I came here.  I pray that you too will be free to be who you are without fear of what others say and think.  I now fully know that Yeshua loves us so intimately that He wants us to be free to be ourselves!  There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.  These may seem like elementary concepts but we may not realize how much we don't actually apply to our own lives.  I love growing in Yeshua... don't you?

 

As I close this update I want to thank you for your prayers and encouragement.  It truly motivates me in Messiah and I would not be able to do what I do without your support.  As I continue to work here in the land of Israel, your financial support is greatly needed for basic necessities.  If God is asking you to support me financially, please contact my mom at Kcmather3@aol.com for information.  Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated.  I pray that God will bless you abundantly!

 

This is Erin reporting LIVE from Israel!