jeremiah616

jeremiah616

As I watch events being played out across the world stage, particularly what appears to be the increasing marginalization of America and the daily ratcheting up of the outcry against Israel to make even more concessions to those who would destroy Her, I am left with an ever increasing sense that time is short. It is almost as if the "birth pains" are now increasing in intensity by the day.

As the world looks on with dismay and perplexity, we as Believers need to focus our attention more and more on the "author and finisher of our faith," the Word, and the need to take inventory of those things in our lives that may hinder us from "running the race that is set before us."

And as we focus our attention on those things that are above and not on the temporal, may our Yahweh instill in our hearts a sense of urgency to redeem the time, that we may serve Him boldly and that our lives may in every way glorify the King of Glory.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Update From Sderot 10/30/10

As I awoke early this morning, I got out of bed and went to the window. I stood there with a rare cool morning breeze upon my face. The morning sky was filled with clouds. As I stood there in the early morning silence I heard the words, “Baruch Ha’ Shem”; barely a whisper from my lips… almost as if no sound was made. It was raining. Baruch Ha’Shem!

The LORD continues to bless in regards to the shipped container for the “war boxes”. The financial cost of having a container sit in the port of entry while unforeseen details are taken care of can be outrageously high. Efforts to ask the right questions and seek advice have been met with positive response as Ha’Shem gives favor with those in the Port Authority office.

Elana, the new mommy of twin girls, is doing well as are the babies. The organization Be’ad Chaim has offered to come along side in the effort to help this family. Together we will be bringing a gift package of clothing, diapers, and formula to this new family.

Both Hope for Sderot and Hands of Mercy will be hosting volunteers this coming week. We lift them up in prayer and ask that their time with us will be fruitful and rich in blessings.

Shabbat Shalom

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Update From Sderot 10/16/10

A couple of weeks have passed since the last time I sent out an update, so I will try to get you all caught up. We have been busy of late making some changes in the food distribution area of the ministry here. A year ago, when I first came to Sderot the ministry was helping feed 140 families each week. We are now feeding 275 families every week. Baruch Ha’Shem. It is such a blessing for us to be able to bless almost twice as many needy families every week. With all those additional bags of food to pack each week, and the resulting increase in the number of home deliveries we now make, we found it necessary to add an additional packing and distribution day to our week. It does make for a longer week, but more importantly it affords us the freedom to slow down a bit on distribution days and spend a few additional moments with our families. The ministry isn’t about the 275 bags of food we hand out each week, but rather the 275 families to which Ha’Shem allows us the privilege of being conduits of His love and comfort.

The Save The Children (“war boxes”) project is moving forward. The 40 ft. shipping container has now left the States and is scheduled for arrival here sometime in November. The container contains tons of food items like nutritional soup mix and dried fruit which will be packed into the “war boxes”. It is also bringing building supplies that we will use in assembling a conveyor system which will be used to assemble the “war boxes”. The first few groups of volunteers are being organized and will soon come and help pack the boxes. There is still much we are trusting Ha’Shem to do on our behalf such as the dealings with the Port Authorities, and the Rabbi’s Kosher stamp which is required on all imports of food items. The items already have an approval stamp from a stateside Rabbi, but will also require one from here. As we continue to step forward in what Ha’shem has put in our hearts to do, we do so in faith and with the knowledge that all those details of which we have no control are His responsibility.

Recently, I was asked if I would take on the responsibilities of a volunteer coordinator for Hope For Sderot. I am working on a volunteer information page that can be linked to from the Hope For Sderot website. It will contain general information on how to volunteer as well as what to expect. It will also include an overview of our ongoing weekly ministries and special projects that volunteers can serve in. There are opportunities to serve whether one comes by themselves or with a group. Please keep me in prayer as I take on this new project. Shalom.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Update From Sderot 10/2/10

Well I just got back from four amazing days in Jerusalem. Every year thousands of Believers from over 100 countries come up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. They come to bless Israel and to stand with Israel and declare Israel’s right to exist in the land that God has promised her. The people of the nations come to honor the Lord in anticipation of the fulfillment of Zechariah 14:16. Zechariah speaking of the Kingdom Age tells us of a time to come when the people of the nations will…“go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Booths.”

A few of us from Hope For Sderot and Hands Of Mercy went up to Jerusalem to set up a ministry booth at the Feast of Tabernacles Celebration. Our ministries are working together along with City officials and rabbinical leaders to provide families across Israel with the essential items that they will need to have ready in their shelters when war breaks out again. We came to share about the project and raise awareness and support for the “war boxes” project. We passed out flyers in eight different languages, and were able to share with pastors, ministry leaders, and youth leaders from all over the world.

We are so thankful for God’s faithfulness to touch the hearts of His people all over the world. There were so many who came with a desire to bless Israel in real and tangible ways. Many asked if we would come to their homelands and speak in their churches and congregations. There were so many divine appointments that the Lord in His faithfulness had prearranged. And can you believe it, I was invited by several pastors from Spain, Nepal, Bolivia, Brazil, and Papua New Guinea to come and share about Israel, the situation here in Sderot, and the “war boxes” project. Baruch Ha’Shem!

On Tuesday, the second to the last day of the Feast Of Tabernacles Celebration, the nations paraded through the streets in Jerusalem as they made their way to the Old City. Nearly seven-thousand people from all over the world walked the parade route. Most were dressed in their traditional costumes and waved their national flags as they declared to Israelis that they love Israel and will stand with her and declare her right to exist.

For me one of the highlights of the parade was being able to stand with the young IDF soldiers as they came to the end of the parade route. We were able to walk among them as they gathered at the end of the route and shake their hands and pat them on the back saying, “Todah rabah” and “Kol ha’kavod” a phrase that means to sayall right, way to go, or a job well done”.

All in all it was a wonderful four days; we walked in the Old City, wandered through the various market quarters, and strolled down Ben Yehuda St. Baruch Ha’shem!