Hi and welcome to this Sunday’s look inside Israel, through the eyes and heart of our sis in Jerusalem, J! This is the second half of the letter I posted last Sunday. God bless you and thank you as you read and pray for Israel, J and her family! Now, here’s J . . .
Although the weather is still oppressively hot, there is a sure feeling of changing season in the air. The seasons changing in nature ALWAYS speak to me of God’s seasons and His faithfulness. Yesterday I saw birds flocking for the first time since they arrived in the Spring. But what lies ahead of this small country in the season that approaches? God knows. To the rest of us it is only a question. I’m sure that you know of the changes in Egypt, Syria and Lebanon. Suddenly, all of the chatter about war with Iran, (going on for years now!) seems to be more then just chatter. ‘Something’ has changed. What is it? I don’t know. It is like the wind…where IS its source? Yes, recently there is a sudden pressure on the citizens to get our gas masks renewed and just as suddenly, new and remarkably easy to use distribution centers have opened all around. Also ‘suddenly’, we had a new emergency government ‘sms (cell phone) message system’ inaugurated and checked with messages going to all citizens in 4 languages…for the first time since we are here, one of those languages is also English! – It is awfully nice to have something ‘easy’ happen for a change (English! It will always be my ‘mother tongue I guess)! These and other subtle preparations are taking place ever so quietly, but none the less, they are taking place. And other trials rear their heads; the price of government subsidized bread rose a whopping 6% this week! That was immediately followed by an announcement that we needed to be prepared for a major rise in food prices…17% between now and the end of the fall feasts (end of Sept-beginning of Oct). That would include fruit and vegetables, milk products, eggs, chicken, and grains. Well…there you have our local diet! HOWEVER…we were warned that the prices may rise as much as FIFTY PERCENT before the end of the year! No one really said ANYTHING! We are just too much in shock. Belt tightening time. Again. And fires…there have been quite a rash of fires…over 1,000! They were intentionally set (by Arabs). On the other hand, a new phenomenon has arisen; there have been several awful attacks upon Arabs by Jews. This just ISN’T done. It goes against the heart of the people…the ethics of the religious foundation that the nation stands upon…and it shocks the people. ASSUR LANU! (This is forbidden to us!)
Change…instability at the foundations. I am SO THANKFUL that my foundation is The Lord Yeshua h’Meshiach, Jesus Christ, in whom I stand, but not me only! The very plans for all that lies ahead are also founded in Him! NOTHING takes Him by surprise!
Personally, we are smack in the middle of great pressure and change as our oldest daughter and family are in the final stages of moving out of their house to our apartment before their move to America for 5 years. L The movers are to come and pack their shipment on the 28th (our Granddaughter turns 7 on the 27th…same day school begins. The children plan to go to school for the week or two). Then they will move in with us for about 2 weeks until they leave. We are still short one bed…and…we have one bathroom…so…I am praying for grace peace, joy, unity in Him, LOVE and for Him to reign in our midst for His glory! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!
Our younger daughter, who was just married on the 20th of June, is in Orange City California now, however we have not heard from her in some time and I find a great need to battle for my soul to STAND FIRM in the command; “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Jn 14:27 – “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6,7
He KNOWS where they are, and I have been praying for Him to “pursue them unto Himself”, so there just IS NO PLACE for fear and worry. Boy, we just don’t get a break in this school of faith, do we? May we all mature into the gold and precious jewels that He desires!
THANK YOU for your love, your grace and mercy with me, and your prayers for our nation, people and even our family. Lovingly, your sis (please remember to NOT use our names when you write to us? THANKS!)
ani b’derek
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