Blessing Israeli Believers August 2017

Update from Efraim & Jeannie, Northern Galilee:
Shalom - שלום. Blessings and peace to you all this summer. Here in Israel there is just one type of summer weather - hot and dry. The only change is from hot to hotter.

 

The Land of Israel has very few perennial springs and rivers. Most of the river beds or wadis are dry stream beds most of the year. In the height of the summer there is almost no moisture or condensation to be found. The words of Psalm 42 were well written for the dry parched land:

 

As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.

 

A deer didn't just stumble upon water, these animals know where to look for water or else they die. The sharpened instincts of these nomadic creatures lead them to the most likely places to find water. The spiritual application is simple to grasp. Yeshua told that we must hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). We too, as followers of Yeshua, should know where to turn in order to sustain our souls and thrive in the new life in the Messiah. My prayer for you dear friend is that you too will seek the comfort and provision only the Lord can provide.

 

On a sad and disturbing note; on Friday, July 14th there was another terrorist attack in the Old City of Jerusalem aimed at Israel security forces. This horrendous attack killed two Israeli policemen on duty at the Al-Asqa Mosque. Both of these young policemen were from the Druze community here in Western Galilee. One of them Kamil Shnan, a 22 year old man, was from the neighboring village of Horfesh.

 

The murder of these two police officers wasn't a matter of two Druze men being killed, but two of Israel's finest cut down before their time. In solidarity with the family, I went to join them during their time of mourning. I sat and wept with the family along with dozens of other people. Since I am not familiar with Druze customs, a friend in the village accompanied me and introduced me to the family.
The Scriptures encourages us to "mourn with those who mourn" (Romans 12:15).

 

There have been some fun times this month as well. As is the custom, I spent a day with the Massah Project that my niece, Liz, and some others are leading. This is a group of American college age Jewish believers who come to Israel to learn the Land and prepare for a ministry trip to Israeli travelers in northern India. Together we toured around Upper Galilee and the Golan Heights. Included in the day was a swim in the Hermon River, one of the tributaries to the Jordan River.

 

Here in Nahariyya, Jeannie and I continue to see our ministry expanding. The Or Hagalil Congregation needs prayer as we seek the Lord's direction regarding renewal of the rental contract for our meeting room and activities center. The current lease expires in October.

 

As we continue to preach the Gospel and encourage the believers through His Word, we thank you for partnering with us in prayer and support. It is such an encouragement knowing we are together in preaching the Gospel to those who need to know Yeshua here in Israel.

 

We want to thank Blessing Israeli Believers for their faithful and generous support of our ministry work here in Israel. We appreciate you partnering with us as we further the Kingdom of God and look for opportunities for many to hear about the Messiah Jesus.

 

May the Lord continue to bless you, encourage you, bring you closer to Him and enrich your lives daily.

 

In Him,
Efraim and Jeannie