Challenges

Dear Friend,

In my recent reading in Isaiah six, I was reminded that faith is never a certificate of immunity from the troubles of this world. Rather, it is the assurance of our hope for the one to come. This hope is based on our trust in the person and character of God who stands with us and our confidence that He will do all that He has promised.

When we arrived here in Israel 31 years ago, I thought we’d see numerical fruit quickly. Although growth hasn’t happened as I’d imagined, we’ve reached the limits of our physical space at Beit Eliyahu. In January, after much prayer and planning, we moved to two services. The transition has been much smoother than we expected it to be.

The maximum capacity for our meetings at Beit Eliyahu is about 250 people. In November and December we had several services that were crammed full. On our first Shabbat in January over 180 attended the first service and just over 70 the second. We’ve continued to see similar numbers in weeks following.

It’s important that there’s room for people to come and find a seat if we want to keep growing! A Canadian Jewish volunteer visited because he was curious about why a young woman who volunteers in the same organization is so different. He grew up in a Reformed Jewish tradition, and he commented afterward on how friendly people were and how accepted he felt even though his beliefs are different. He noted the contrast with how he felt in his synagogue back home. He related to the personal illustrations given in the message. So he came back again!

Small groups take an even greater role in keeping us connected as our numbers increase. We currently have 10 home groups which meet in 3 different languages – Hebrew, Russian and English. We are planning a congregational retreat for the Shavuot holiday, May 28-30. The focus of our retreat will be the role of fellowship in the process of maturing spiritually as well as keep us connected as one body.

While there is growth in numbers at Beit Eliyahu, we have curtailed some activities at home. The residual pain from the shingles virus that damaged the nerve to the left side of Heidi’s face has continued leaving her to figure out what she can and can’t do. The pain in her ear is most difficult. She has been told that managing the pain is all that can be done. There doesn’t seem to be any healing of the nerve itself.

She avoids loud, noisy places, and plans her personal meetings in places with little to no background noise. This has meant that she’s not been able to attend Shabbat services for the last few months since the noise was causing extreme pain that lasted for days following. She has seen God’s hand, though, continuing to lead her to be involved in shepherding women in the congregation and also being a woman of prayer in her times of quiet to calm the nerve in her ear.

In the fall she decided to try to be a part of a study program at Israel College of the Bible in Oversight and Leading of Women. She had no idea that her pain issues would continue. It has been a blessing and encouragement to her to be listening in a quiet environment (most of the time) and being with women of like mind and heart. The course has 23 women from Arab and Jewish congregations from around Israel. The coursework has encouraged her to think more deeply about the issues facing women and how wonderfully God has made His body to build each other and work together. She’ll be leading a women’s meeting in mid-March teaching what she’s learned.

Her pain has also effected our Friday evening dinners. The acoustics in our living/dining room are bad. Along with the planning and cooking beforehand, Heidi has found herself exhausted before the meal starts. It is hard for her to step away, but she’s gradually been giving herself permission to do so. We have chosen to begin limiting the number of guests we have in order to make the noise levels lower, but we’re also looking into acoustic solutions.

In spite of the difficulty, the Lord has blessed both of us with good conversations with our guests. A couple of weeks ago after Heidi had to leave, Dudy asked about my work and I shared that I’d be speaking at an English language congregation on the topic of the Messiah in the Tanach. This led to a discussion of Isaiah 53, a passage he (like most other Jewish people) had never read it. It was encouraging to be reminded why these Friday evening times are important as Dudy took another step in understanding what the Scriptures say about the Messiah.

Sasha continues to have problems concentrating and focusing which effect her reading and ability to complete tasks. Following further testing, her doctor concluded that it would be advisable to see if medication would help. Starting her on medication, however, requires the agreement of her biological parents. After her father vehemently opposed using medication, our social worker concluded that his opposition would create enough emotional turmoil for Sasha to negate the effect of the medication. The decision was made to forgo medication, so we are still working on how to help her learn to concentrate so she can enjoy reading and learning.

Please pray:

• The fellowship at Beit Eliyahu will continue to grow and that individuals will connect across the two services, keeping us united as one body.

• Heidi’s nerve will recover and that she will take the time she needs to rest and be healed.

• Michael and Gal will continue to pursue their walks with the Lord and grow in Him. Michael was in final exam period. Gal has been busy, but has joined a new home group where he lives.

• Sasha will be able to focus and develop her reading skills in spite of her concentration problem.

Heidi and I feel the need to make an extended trip to the Mid-West this summer, but we are in a bit a quandary regarding how to make plans. Sasha’s mother will surely object to an extended trip, and it is unclear if the judge would approve it. We’ve asked our social worker to begin the process, but we don’t know when we’ll hear back. Please pray for clear guidance, for a way to accommodate our needs as well as Sasha’s, as well as for wisdom in planning amidst the uncertainty.

We are thankful for the part you play with us in this ministry and for your faithful partnership with us in the Messiah. We appreciate you!

Yours in the Messiah,

Phil and Heidi