News Update!

Dear Friend,

Israel has been in the news this winter and spring with the recent elections and the more recent attacks from Gaza. Tensions were high as over 700 rockets were fired in about 48 hours, four Israeli’s were killed and several individuals were injured. Though we keep an ear to the news and pray, we have been able to continue to serve the Lord with our regular responsibilities.

Heidi leads a women’s group that is studying the gospel of John on Sunday evenings. I’m currently teaching three home groups, two of which are studying the Old Testament promise of the Messiah, and the third group is studying Colossians. We both continue meeting with individuals, guiding them in their spiritual growth and providing practical help. And of course, the Friday dinners continue. Please pray for these evenings as most of the young adults who come are dealing with difficult personal issues.

Over the past six months, the Lord has brought three non-believers into Heidi’s life who wanted to talk about life and faith. They’ve meet sporadically during this time. Sometimes the conversations are just about life’s frustrations and hurts, and at other times they are about who God might be and what it might be like to believe if He is real. All three of these ladies bear the scars of being unwanted and unloved by their mothers though they were raised by them. Heidi would like you to be praying for each of them:

Nina is a single mother in her early 40’s living in Israel without legal status. She felt alone and wanted someone to meet with her. We started meeting in December and she told me of her Catholic upbringing, which had not been a good experience. She decided to visit the congregation. And she listened, she watched and she experienced God’s grace toward her. She expressed her belief in Yeshua as her Messiah in February. We meet weekly and are going through basic follow up.

Nicole is in her late 20’s, lives in the UK and is healing from years of physical and emotional abuse. We meet periodically in a video chat. Mostly we talk about her feelings and what’s ‘real’ about life situations. At the end of our last conversation she said, ”I’ve been thinking of what Phil said to me. That I just need to believe. I do. I’m not sure that I want to because it really complicates things. But I do. I know He’s real. I see His love in you all.” Isn’t God amazing??

Atida, is Shay’s aunt. She called me and said that she’d like to talk to me about our faith. She wants to see what we believe because it doesn’t look “like a religion, but a real life.” So periodically, we meet and talk about life’s pain and frustrations and about how God relates to our lives. Her sister, Shay’s mother, is against her talking with me about these things. God is at work but there are many issues.

A few months ago, Michael, one of our young adults who recently finished his IDF service, shared with our congregation how the Lord had shown him a need for a work of the Spirit in his heart to produce fruit in his life. His testimony as to how the Spirit was stirring him to deepen his understanding of and desire for a close, personal walk with the Lord was encouraging to the whole congregation. Afterward, I asked him if he would like to meet weekly to study the Scriptures together one-on-one.

Michael has been faithfully engaged in an inductive study of the book of Romans as well as a program for Scripture memorization. He shows a real eagerness to dig into the word for himself, comes to each meeting with the answers prepared and brings his own questions. As we’ve met to discuss what the Lord is teaching him and to help answer his questions, it’s been a joy to see how he is growing in knowledge and understanding, and deepening his relationship with the Lord.

On the personal side, this time of year is complicated for us. In the days before the anniversary of Abigail’s murder, I had a lengthy phone call with the former principal of the her school. He again wanted to talk about our approach to life. On the day of the memorial, Abigail’s close friend Sarit sat with me and looked through the photo album of Abigail’s life as we talked about our hope. A few days afterward, we visited the Reali school to talk with this year’s 8th graders and show the video of Abigail’s life which Heidi prepared in the months following her death, a photo montage set to the music of Chris Rice’s song, “The Power of a Moment”.

Just over a week ago, Israel remembered our fallen on Memorial Day, which then gave way to the celebration of our independence on Yom Ha’Atzmaut. The next day, the annual school hike in remembrance of Yuval and Abigail was held. We accompanied Sasha as she hiked through nature with her friends, talking with their parents as we went. Naturally, the subject of grief and our hope came up as everyone anticipated the memorial program lead by the 8th graders for the entire school body.

We are so thankful for the many people who remember us in prayer during this time of year. In preparing to teach from 2 Corinthians, the message of 4:7 was a pertinent reminder: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” Indeed, we are unable to live out the life to which we’re called in our own power.As for our family, we’re grateful that Elishua has been able to find a spiritual home in College Station, TX as he studies toward his Ph.D. We’ve appreciated watching Noah enjoy his studies as well as grow personally and spiritually during this year of pre-university studies. Josiah and Dasha have a lot of challenges, but they are growing. Dasha has continued to do very well with her studies in spite of being a mother of two.Hannah has chosen to quit her academic studies and returned to Israel at the end of March. She moved home and is seeking the Lord’s direction for her life.

Sasha’s future is unclear, although it appears likely she’ll be with us for at least one more academic year. This week a court hearing is scheduled in which the issue of her father taking over guardianship is to be discussed. We are waiting to see what will be decided.

Please pray with us for the many things going on:

• That the people in our congregation who have shown little interest in connecting with other believers will be motivated to join a small group that would be a blessing to them.

• For Heidi to have wisdom as she meets with these women. May they know His love and care for them.

• That Michael will continue to be motivated to study and memorize the Word, that he will hear what the Lord wants to say to him and that his family will come to faith.

• For Hannah to discover the Lord’s calling and for her to connect with those here who care for her and can support her both emotionally as well as spiritually.

• That Elishua, Noah and Dasha will learn about the Lord and lean on Him while pursuing their academic endeavors.

• For the judge to make the best decisions for both Sasha as well as for Heidi and me in the current situation.

Know that we greatly appreciate your partnership with us. How grateful we are to have given us individuals like yourself who stand firmly with us in this ministry and the life to which we’ve been called.

Yours in the Messiah,

Phil and Heidi