It was a mild, late-Winter day in 1974 and I was shooting hoops. Mom came out and asked me, “Steve, how would you like to go to Israel?” Some friends of my parents had a daughter studying here with a group from Portland State, and there were openings. The three months of learning and adventure that Spring changed me forever! Thanks Dad and Mom!
Last week Pam and I walked up memory lane and I saw the apartment I lived in, across from the President’s home and kitty corner to the Jerusalem Theater. So many things to recall! When you walk through the land you see ancient cut stones. If you press your ear up to them they tell stories. New cut stones in modern buildings are like tape recorders that are storing up fresh stories including the wonderful exploits of today’s men and women of faith.
Adar and her son Aaron are hearing the testimonies of Yeshua’s goodness. They are amazed when they learn that they are being prayed for daily by believers in the US. Adar is an accomplished illustrator and she believes that the prayers being offered are opening doors for new writing and illustrating opportunities. She is excited! Aaron peppers us with questions about Yeshua and listens attentively. You can see Adar’s works at http://nadiadina.co.il/illustration.htm Pray the family may come to know Him!
Rafael is clean-shaven and his ear-locks are missing. Just a week ago he was a member of an Orthodox community! He was seeking Yeshua and was ostracized . Our neighbor Netanel has taken him under his wing but needs help financially to care for him. You see, most Orthodox are living on government assistance and have never been employed. It is a huge cultural shift to move outside the Orthodox community and into a new believing culture, a working world, and a secular environment. We are helping put him up in a room with another believer while he looks for employment. If you would like to help cover his rent and expenses, as we have, you can send a gift with a note that you wish to bless Rafael.
Netanel is a tour guide and Biblical Hebrew scholar. He shares Yeshua with hundreds of Jewish tourist. The man is loaded! It was amazing to sit with him on the site where Herod the Great had his palace and see a tunnel that Simon Gioras, one of the rebels, dug to try to escape from the Romans when the city was destroyed in 70 AD.
It is amazing to see how the prophecies of Zechariah are being fulfilled among us. Looks like we are now in chapter 12! What do you think?
Jesus said, “My house will be a house of prayer.” Let’s be the people that make that a reality as we worship Him and seek Him every day!
Steve Johnson
Photos of: Pam and Steve, Steve’s College apartment, Aaron and Adar, Rafael, Netanel
Financial support may be sent to:
2154 Little Valley Rd
Sevierville, TN 37862
Connect with the Bellas at http://israelprayermission.com/