Shalom Brothers and Sisters,
Last night as my work at CFI was ending, a giant storm rushed into Jerusalem and the much-needed rain began pouring down! The air became frigid and even though I was freezing, it felt good to breathe clean air and watch the city become cleansed from all the rain. Jerusalem is definitely not the cleanest city in the Middle East and we have been experiencing a bit of a draught this winter, so as soon as the rain came it washed everything completely.
This morning, in the very early hour of 3AM, thunder like I have never heard before tore through the hills of Jerusalem and woke me up. Another fierce winter storm came through and loudly announced it's arrival. It grew colder and colder and the wind picked up immensely when all of the sudden, hail arrived and continued to pelt my neighborhood in Mevasseret. Though it was a bit overwhelming being interrupted from sleep, I enjoyed seeing and hearing a storm. When I woke up to get ready for work at 6:30AM, the rain had only increased. Glimpses of sleet, waves of hail and all sorts of precipitation were blowing all around! Not so fun to go out into.
You would all be so proud of this Florida girl! I still got ready for work and walked right out into the fierce storm battling with my useless umbrella and ruining a perfectly good hairstyle. I managed to catch a bus, which was actually on time of all days! I went downtown and walked to the Ministry of Interior to renew visas for CFI volunteers and made it with fifteen minutes to spare! How is it that when all the elements are against me, I actually make it in better timing? If the buses can come on time on a day like today... why not any of the other normal days! These are the mysteries of Israel that will never be solved.
Tonight we are expecting snow which will be exciting!
I pray all of you had a wonderful Christmas with your families and loved ones. I had a lovely one myself. You can read about it here:
http://culturecrazy.blogspot.com/
Thank you all for your Christmas emails and cards... they truly made my Christmas not feel so far away from everyone!
As you all probably see on the news, things are only getting more intense here in the Middle East, with Israel at the center. Syria is trying to make shady deals with Israel. Hezbollah is back to full force again according to intel. Gaza is in a state of civil turmoil and Hamas will be a large threat by next year according to intel again. Iran is continuing it's foolishness while the world sits and twiddles their political thumbs. These events will eventually reach to a point where things will erupt... and I, as well as everyone I know, love and work alongside of here, feel it will happen in the Spring.
PM Olmert recently gave 100 million shekels to the Palestinians and opened up 27 West Bank security checkpoints. Not only is he sleeping with the enemy by funding their morbid acts of terror, but he has threatened the security of his own people by making it easy for suicide bombers to come and go at their will. I pray that he will be removed from office and replaced with a God-fearing leader who has a backbone and strong sense of moral leadership. I ask you to pray the same.
Are you ready for 2007?
I totally am!
I look forward to another year of reporting to you from the front lines, LIVE from Jerusalem!
I look forward to sharing more stories of the inspiring ways God is using us at CFI to spread his love and light to the precious Jewish people of Israel.
I look forward to sharing my point of view from Israel on current events and sharing messages that will inspire you to act now.
Will you accompany me again this year and continue to read my updates?
I also want to challenge you. If you have been following my updates and have been blessed by them and the ministry God has been using me to serve through for the past year and a half, will you now consider donating financially? I need your prayers and I also need your assistance. I urge you to take a step and consider a donation or a monthly support commitment. The time is now and the need is urgent. Please see the information at the end of this email on how to donate. I thank you in advance for your faithfulness.
May God bless you abundantly this year with the desires of your heart and the passion to pursue Him endlessly.
This is Erin reporting LIVE from freezing-cold-rainy 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 critical and 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