Pam’s story – “Una and I slipped away and walked to an Arts and Crafts store. Ooh what fun! We now have a nice assortment of crafts to interest each child!

While in the store the proprietor was first cold and unhelpful, but as we continued to ask questions she became quite charming. She asked Una if we were sisters. When Una indicated we were friends she commented it was a very special friendship and Una had gotten the best part as, “That one has a heart of gold.” When Una told me, I cried! These people are so interesting. At first glance I was sure she would not help us at all and then she observed the specialness of our relationship! I am floored!

God you are teaching me so much about these native born “Sabra” (cactus) people! I love them more and more!”

Steve’s stuff  – On the way from Jerusalem to Netanya Una called a friend who was visiting from the States in Abu Ghosh. She asked if she could stop in and give Tina a hug. At the very same moment Tina had been praying, “Lord I would love to have Una come here and give me a hug!” We had a beautiful time visiting with Tina’s mother and daughter and Chaim and Ruti Singerman who run the Jerusalem Hills Inn.

The Bellas also met Nichol who with her husband owns TV stations in England and America. They hit it off and the Bellas were invited to come and do an interview!

It is too bad there are not more super expletives to describe the eerie, goose bump amazement you have when you suddenly realize you are standing on ground your biblical heroes once called home.

Joshua 9 tells the story of how four Gibeonite cities there put on a ruse to make a treaty with Israel in order to save their lives. “Curiously,” the Arabs who live there today love Israel and are hated by other Arabs for doing so. When Jerusalem was under siege in the war of independence in 1948 these Arabs actually helped save the new Jewish nation from annihilation by smuggling food to the besieged city where adults were being rationed a couple pieces of bread a day. Even today the people who live in the cities of the Gibeonites volunteer and serve faithfully in the Israel Defense Force. One wonders how spiritual moments keep reverberating through the centuries!

It is thrillingly remarkable that about one hundred meters up the hill from the Singerman’s home the Ark of the Covenant was set on the hill top. When David began to bring the Ark to Jerusalem there was an “accident” described in 2 Samuel 6:1-11 and the Ark “parked” at the home of Obed-Edom for three months. A large flat stone has been discovered at the Jerusalem Hills Inn that may have been the threshing floor of Nacon. The Singerman’s home may be located at the home site of Obed-Edom! God is so amazing I might believe the Singerman’s are his relatives.

Hezekiah’s Tunnel                                                               Sabra Cactus

Shabbat in Jerusalem….the families walk quietly, slowly to their place of worship. Our group 14 or so walked to a Reformed Jewish Congregation. They had already begun and the singing was wafting out over the air as we entered. They sat in a large circle, 5 or more chairs deep. Perhaps 120 people. The musicians were exceptional. Harpist, cello, 3 guitars, drummer and several vocialists. They sat in the smallest circle in the middle of the room. The harmonies and melodies, singing in Hebrew, were stunning. The songs sung between the leaders reading and dialoguing of thoughts regarding the scriptures. At times they clapped and danced vigorously. Women twirling with arms raised high.

They sang and danced blessing a woman who was soon to be married. Many women came up and danced with her. Then a baby dedication was sung and again a mother, perhaps the oldest woman in the congregation placed her hands on the parents shoulders. Our friend Michael was invited to lead the singing as the song of blessing he composed is used for all their baby dedication. It was riveting! So beautiful, so lovely, so filled with worship for Yahwah! We just entered in.

As we began to leave we immediately began talking to several people. One from South Africa and other making Alyh from Dallas Texas. They were invited back to the apartment for Shabbat meal. The small tables were moved about to allow as many to set as possible. The roasts ( 4 small) and vegetables were cooked to perfection. The chicken soup was offered in two varieties. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Shabbat begins with blessings, both spoken and prayed, Two candles lit and prayer blessings, then the blessing of the wife and the blessing of the husband. Tender and lovely!

The meal begins with a blessing of the wine! Some serve non-alcoholic (for the children always) Shabbat wine is mildly alcoholic. everyone gets a small amount and the blessing begins in Hebrew followed by song, then the bread is blessed: Hallah bread is always braided and sweet, (some like it with cinnamon & raisins or nuts). Again the prayer and a song. To show bread comes from heaven, and not man, pieces of Hallah bread are torn off and tossed around the room to each person. Its great fun for the kids and one gets to see how good a catch one is or not!

The meal is served in courses, soup and salad, then the heavier roast with potatoes, onions, sweet potatoes, carrots, garlic are served followed with dessert, either a cake or cookies or ice cream and ends with fresh fruit. Oophta When we sat at table the number of people had grown to 20 adults and children, what fun as the conversations rose and crescendoed over the amazing chicken soup Mic’hel, our host, had worked on for several hours! Then people began to get to know their elbow neighbors. The noise, the laughter, the joy, the tears as Holy Spirit ministered to us all. We tottered off to bed around midnight but others stayed later. God’s plan for pausing and rest are a national joy! Life in all of Israel stops! What a concept! And as I pointed out, you need Saturday off to recover from Friday night partying! Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat (Hebrew: שַׁבָּת‎, Ashkenazi pronunciation: Shabbos, Yiddish: שאבּעס, in English: the Sabbath, “rest” or “cessation”) is the seventh day of the Jewish week and the Jewish day of rest. On Shabbat, Jews recall the Biblical Creation account in Genesis in which God creates the Heavens and the Earth in six days and rests on the seventh.

Shabbat is a festive day when Jews are freed from the regular labors of everyday life. It offers an opportunity to contemplate the spiritual aspects of life and spend time with family. Shabbat observance entails refraining from a range of activities prohibited on Shabbat, such as lighting a fire and cooking.

Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until the appearance of three stars in the sky on Saturday night.[1] Shabbat is ushered in by lighting candles and reciting a blessing. Traditionally, three festive mealsare eaten: on Friday night, Saturday morning, and late Saturday afternoon. Friday night dinner begins with kiddush and a blessing recited over two loaves of challah.

Pam

Shabbot Dinner at Micha’el’s home

On the spiritual front, the battle over Jews is intense. We are having dreams of the day before: as in seeing the plans of the enemy and praying them down. Watching as God turns the tide in a conversation and people go from being a closed book to a open flower telling Una and Leonardo ‘everything’ in their hopeless lives.(ie. godless)

People here for the most part see G-d as very distant if they acknowledge Him at all. THey do not see Him as loving or caring for them personally, have rejected G-d as a guide and live wholly for themselves. Jerusalem too is seen as the long ago past and more religious than is good for the country, nationals openly mock its place in Israel. They are all very opinionated!!

Leonardo and Una have followed Gods lead so specifically and now have 1100 committed prayer partners, each with at least one 3×5 card with specific, loving, info. about each person or family they are praying for. If you would like to get to know the Bellas better and join in prayer for precious Israelis go to their web site at www.israelprayermission.com

When I saw first hand a very intelligent and professional family just simply go from frowning and closed to laughing and faces aglow as they looked at the pictures I was filled with awe at Gods simple plan. Much to pray about and seek Him as we travel from Jerusalem ( in land) to Netanya ( on the med. coast).

We have many late nights and the kids don’t give much on sleeping in, so we nap and keep going! The late nights are visits from Jewish friends and fmaily. SO many questions, such intensity for souls. Its like labor every day. I am often speechless as I try to pray, just lifting up names to Abba and watching as Una translates and listens to Yeshua and shares His wonderful love for them!

We really appreciate all your prayers. As I indicated previously I will not share names here. But look at the Bella website for updates and news. We all work hard to get out weekly updates. Its a full life with five kids and they are as sweet as can be. Requires much flexibility on all parts, the kids are the best (we lag behind a bit more ;~).

Ana graciously says I just hold them all together, I think its the other way around. Anyway I love hugging them and holding them up in prayer. Steve is Mr. patient teacher, in the pool ( they absolutely require it every morning) and Leonardo passes out fathers love each evening before bed. We all help with cooking and there are just happiness and emotional space to live by! God is so good in this boot camp for Israel! (I’m sure we too will grow and learn much as well)

You are so appreciated and loved each day as we meet in devotions!

How do you say thanks, Toda,

Pam for Steve and Israel Prayer Mission

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Pam [email protected]