YOED AND TALI
Yoed gave me his business card. “I’ve never had a conversation like this before! I would like to talk again.” The Bellas and Pam and I were visiting at Yoed’s apartment with his wife Tali and their three beautiful daughters. I was glad to do face to face sharing with this man who manages two plastic plants with five hundred workers. I shared my appreciation for the Jewish people because they are the channel for the message of the living God Who loves us and calls us to Himself. Yoed told me he was an atheist. I said, “True atheists are very rare.”
He learned that I was a “pastor” and wanted to know what that means. “It means, ‘shepherd’, one who cares for others.” I personalized a night dream that shows God had a Higher Purpose for him. He was intrigued. I spoke eye to eye with my hand on his shoulder telling him that God had created him intentionally and as he is attentive to God He will reveal purpose to him. Part of the purpose for the moment was for him to be a man of integrity and care for the welfare of those who were under his charge. He confided in me about the concerns and burdens of work.
I shared Theresa’s story with him and he listened attentively. Since there is are very tough parts to the testimony we have learned to speak the story in a somewhat detached way but I was blindsided with emotions as I shared the story of life returning to her body and Theresa’s first breaths. I choked up. He said that kind of experience would make him give thanks to God. What became of the atheist? Pray for Yoed and Tali that they may experience their Jewish Messiah and be a light in their circles. They are close to the Kingdom.
LIVING WITH HADAS
Pam and I have had wonderful moments sharing our love for Yeshua with Hadas. We have had the opportunity to share Shabbat dinner with her daughter and son-in-law. Another time we shared Shabbat with two of her friends. On both occasion I was able to ask questions about the Old Testament that got them intrigued. Please pray for Hadas. She is close to the Kingdom!
WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE
“When I tap you on your knee I want to see your arm jerk.” Imaging a Doctor telling you that! Since we are speaking to Hebrew people and since many of them have a negative taste about “Jesus Christ” due to persecution by “The Church” we use Yeshua Hamashia. Both the Greek and Hebrew mean “Savior oil-slathered One.” When you have fallen in love with Jesus and have worshipped him and preached him for 38 years it is hard to change the language, but it is important. I’ve slipped a few times. I have to be careful when my knee is tapped.
REDISCOVERING MIKVAHS
Pam and I walked with Angelo Bella to the Old City to the Davidson Center and Archaeological Park. When I was in college in 1974 I worked in a dig at the South side of the Temple mount. Down memory lane again as we looked at the area where our group had dug up mikvahs, the ceremonial baths the Jews went through before temple worship. The practice of baptism is a takeoff from the Jewish cleansing rite. See the park at
INTERACTING WITH SPIRITUAL LEADERS
I had the privilege to spend an afternoon with Pastor Wayne at King of Kings Congregation. We talked about ministry and the relationship between businesses and the fellowship. The congregation is in a large mall and is buying up a number of shops. Other godly investors are doing the same. Of many positive things that have happened, the congregation bought three spaces that housed sex shops. When the leases are expired all three shops will be gone and wholesome shops will replace them.
Connect with the Bellas at http://israelprayermission.com/
I you are not on the Bella’s mailing list you need to be. You can read supernatural, over the top, reports. Una’s old friend, Ariel, who is a chair at the Hebrew University had his box blown apart! Keren who was a “casualty of war” is finding miraculous healing and restoration. Powerful stories – people shaken for Good!
ARE YOU SAYING YOU DON’T LIKE ME?
Sheik Ahamd Bahr, deputy speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, delivered a televised sermon recently that called for the annihilation of every Jewish person and all those who support them. “Oh, Allah, destroy the Jews and their supporters” and “the Americans and their supporters,” Bahr said. “Oh, Allah, count them one by one, and kill them all, without leaving a single one.”
THE HOUSE OF PRAYER
We are often praying for our families and America back home. We are also praying for Israel and the special 100 plus individuals we are called to minister to here. We have visited a 24/7 house of prayer here. Please pray for:
Deeper personal knowledge and love of The Savior
Good health
Provision
Strong communication with the Bellas
Open doors and inspired utterance
That our travel Visa may be extended on September 6th
For Steve’s Mom who has had heart problems
The completion of the book Riverfront Property
Blessings to all from the City of the Great King!
Steve
Steve
Pam
Angelo and second use stones
A Mikvah
Steve’s Dig from 1974
Jerusalem Museum
Bellas at the Dome of the Book