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 say “all 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!