May 21, 2007

• ISRAEL REPORT

  Oh my goodness, what a blessing this trip has been!!!!! I cannot believe all that God is showing me and doing while in Israel. I haven’t had a chance to speak with you for the past few days, there is only one computer in this hotel and it is hard to get on it.

  I don’t even know where to begin, perhaps with today which ended at my most favorite spot in the Bible – the Empty Tomb – yep it really is empty, I have pictures to prove it! - Praise God.

  Then we got back to the hotel and worshipped with some missionaries who moved to Israel from a place near our home town. They got an unction to move to Israel and have been here ten years reaching people for Jesus, but not converting, just enlarging the Jewish roots to include Messiah.  The ministry is part of Tikkun Ministries, P.O. box 2997, Gaithersburg, MD 20886. They gave such a powerful message.

  I promise to share in depth when I get back to the states, but some of the other places we visited was the cave of the shepherds, a stone cave where those who were out tending their sheep heard the news about the birth of Jesus and came to worship. The man leading us spoke about some of the characteristics of sheep relating them to the 23rd Psalm.

  At one point we went to look at the Eastern Gate and the dome of the rock – in order to get there we had to check all our religious items at the gate, they were disgusted that I was carrying my Bible – I felt so vulnerable and the Holy Spirit showed us that at some time we may be faced with similar situations if we do not watch out for that. I also learned that at the top of the dome, where people cannot see it is written the words, “God has no son.” I was ever so happy to leave that place for more spiritual places.

  I want to share that I put a prayer for you all in the Wailing Wall – both in the underground tunnel in a spot that is near where the Holy of Holies was, and I had someone put a prayer in the wall itself. I am not a stellar runner, so we prayed for the prayer requests in the bus and those who were younger than us ran to put them in the wall.

  I was taken to a place that makes prayer shawls and purchased one, which got blessed tonight in our service inside the hotel. This conference room at the hotel has some anointing in it after two nights of praise and  worship. We also heard what all the missionaries are doing here. They keep the Jewish feasts and many of those who are secular Jews come to their church for they learn more about their traditions and faith, and they get a good dose of the Holy Spirit. We were so profoundly touched by the Holy Spirit this trip. People were crying, laughing, and being touched deeply by God.

  Tomorrow we go into Jordan and view Israel as Moses would have seen it and go to the rock city of Petra the next day. I am so excited about this.

  I keep praying for the peace of Jerusalem, knowing full well that God will bring it about at the time He desires, but I am so surprised about the division between the various cultures, and even the churches who have placed their edifices over the places Jesus walked. I have found that I find more spiritual fulfillment in the sites that are more natural, and the best by far is the empty tomb.

  Well it is late, and I need to get up at 5:30 this morning to start the long bus ride. Bus rides are fun though, for we sing, laugh, and have grown closer together as a family.

  I praise God for His giving me this wonderful blessing of a trip of a lifetime.

  Have a blessed night!!

  Heather

  • 5:07 pm
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