Shalom Warriors,

 

"From the end of the earth I will cry to You,

When my heart is overwhelmed;

Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I."

- King David (Psalm 61:2)

 

That was the cry of my heart this past week.

It was perhaps my most challenging week yet.  It was intense, emotional, exhausting and yet very rewarding.  All of my friends and fellow volunteers here in Israel felt the same pressure I did.  I believe that the spiritual climate in Israel affects our work environment as well.  The climate here is, in actuality, a spirit of impending doom.  Though this sounds negative, I have to share both the negative and the positive to give a realistic view of what life is like here.

 

I want to start with the positive before sharing a more critical message that has been weighing heavily on my heart.  I received a promotion this week formally, even though I have been training for the position for several months.  I was promoted to "Human Resources Coordinator".  Ironically, that sounds like a secular position title from the States, yet at CFI it's a much different animal.  I am now the coordinator of the HR department and take more of an organizational and managing role.  As you know, CFI has approximately fifty volunteers.  I am responsible for all of their visas, insurance, apartment leases as well as administratively responsible for their IT issues and departmental needs. I work closely with Israelis in a business capacity, am responsible for managing all short term teams and general recruiting of all volunteers... and on top of all of this, I have the blessing of doing outreach work with any of our outreach departments at CFI!  In a way, I get the most challenging projects but can choose from the best outreaches.  I received this promotion on Wednesday when Lori, my supervisor, announced this and then prayed over me with the two founders of CFI.  I cried as I stood in our fellowship hall and looked out the window into the streets of chaotic Jerusalem and felt so humbled by the thought that God chose me to serve here for such a time as this.  In all honesty, I would be happy here even if I had to mop floors and clean bathrooms every day.  Just serving here is an honor.   

 

A mixed blessing occurred this week as well.  An issue that required late hours at CFI and many rearranged plans.  The family's home that the team from the States was going to renovate this coming week had to be cancelled.  We found out from a well-known contractor that the land was an illegal construction site.  On one hand, we were severely disappointed, on the other hand, God saved CFI from a potentially damaging situation.  Instead, CFI will provide a better living situation for this precious family using different means.  The team is still coming and will now repair homes for needy Ethiopian Jewish families in Jerusalem.  Living in Israel, we learn to expect the unexpected and trust God in His divine wisdom.  And there is freedom in that.  All things are ordained by Him and I know that God has things in store that I have yet to see!  Please pray as we arrange something for this sweet family and please pray for the team as they help Ethiopian families these next two weeks.

 

Though that seems like a lot to deal with in one week, there is yet a more impending issue at hand: a fast-approaching war.  With Iran testing it's strength and Gaza in a state of chaos, in addition to Syrian threats leftover from the recent Lebanon war, things are starting to intensify swiftly.  Many volunteers mentioned that they have been waking up at 3:30AM with a burden to pray each morning. Some of us "feel" it in the atmosphere and sense it spiritually (I am in that category).  There are also the obvious indications surrounding us in the news and media.  Even random letters sent by the government advising citizens to clean out their bomb shelters.  There is much talk of preparations that need to be made and the urgency to be ready.  Be ready?  What that means, exactly, no one truly knows, but we are seeking God's face for guidance.  Just hours ago, Israel received a warning from Fatah and Islamic Jihad that if we don't get the IDF out of Gaza in 48 hours, they will commit acts of terror and unleash suicide bombers rapidly. 

 

In the midst of this pressure, there is the personal annoyance I face daily by seeing what I see here and knowing that across the world people are hiding their heads in the sand and playing dumb.  Sometimes I consider the great threat that surrounds us and I feel almost inadequate because I can't convey the seriousness of what the world must soon be faced with.  Living in what will be the front lines of the end times leaves me biting my tongue and fighting the urge to go "Prophet Jeremiah" on everyone.  Each time I write an update, I think to myself, "This might be my last chance to warn them."  So be warned. 

 

I'd like to believe by now that everyone, especially you on this update list, know what the threat is.  I will skip being politically correct because I don't have the energy anymore.

I'll just be clear:

You don't have much time.

What does this mean exactly?

It means you need to know right now, in this exact minute, what you believe.  Because there is an enemy that knows exactly what they believe... and they are against you.  Islam is out to steal, kill and destroy, just like the Enemy himself.  They want you dead.

There is no more time for politics.

There is no more time for church.

There is no more time for church politics.

(the audacity, Erin!)

That's right... no more time for this stuff.  I'd really like to see people on their faces seeking God and interceding like a warrior.  I'd like to see people sit up and take note of the threat instead of thinking,"This will never affect me!"  I'd like to see people act.  I'd like to see people actually care. (If you are one that does, then don't be offended, I am talking to the other one hundred people on this list)

 

If you'd like to know what we are about to face, I'll summarize it for you:

 

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

 

and:

 

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"

 

My friends, there is not much time left.  The prayer of my heart is that you will be stirred within by an overwhelming desire to respond.  Just respond! 

 

Our deliverer is standing by, keep your eyes to the east.

 

 

This is Erin reporting LIVE from Jerusalem...

 

If you are interested in becoming a financial supporter of my ministry to the Jewish People of Israel, please contact my mom at kcmather3@aol.com for information on how to donate.  Your support in any amount is received with much gratitude and is used to go directly toward my necessities as I serve as a volunteer through Christian Friends of Israel www.cfijerusalem.org