February, 2006  

Shalom, shalom!  

We have just returned from an awesome, but exhausting, mission to Israel. May, JoAnn, Deborah, Marion, Shirley and I were all delegates to the International Prayer Conference in Jerusalem. It is needless to say there is certainly great need for intercession at this time. The conference was held this year at Ramat Rachel, and we were all blessed by their warm hospitality, as well as the delicious food they served us. It was a tremendous blessing just being on the Kibbutz with them.  

We arrived a day early so we had an opportunity to visit the Jewish Quarter in the Old City, the Kotel (Wall), the Cardo (Mall), and also Moshe at Shorashim. Moshe and his brother, Dov, have been long time friends to many of us. We value their friendship, just they value ours. We never visit the Jewish Quarter without dropping in to spend a little time with them, and they so look forward to seeing us each time.  

Throughout the week, we were in session almost every morning, and again each evening.  We did have several hours in the afternoon, which allowed us a little time to rest. Early on Thursday morning we went with a guide and driver, in an armored vehicle, to visit all of the mountain top communities in Judea and Samaria, which surround and overlook Ben Gurion Airport. We met some very precious people along the way, and in each community.  I might add that each one we spoke with commented on their concern for the airport, if they are expelled from their communities, and they are being threatened. From each one of those high places the terrorists could take down any airplane which is landing, or taking off, at Ben Gurion Airport. Each one of those communities truly is strategically placed.    

The very first community where we stopped, we were met by a lovely Orthodox woman who came to welcome us to the Community Center. As I walked in behind her, she turned to me and said, “I’m a sister in the Lord!” I was shocked for I didn’t expect to hear that from her. So she said again, “We worship the same Lord!”  I was so blessed to hear her say that, and so were May and Deborah who were coming right behind us. Deborah asked this dear sister if there were others coming to the Lord, and she said, “Yes, all the time!” She went on to tell us that there are three families of believers in that particular community, and they worship with a congregation of about fifty people. She said, “We were so excited to hear that you were coming!”  I must tell you that she made our day! And it was obvious that we made hers, for she did not want to see us leave. Before we did leave she gave us her email address so that we could communicate with each other. Is God good or what?  

It was a tremendous blessing to me to be able to visit the lovely community of Talmon. Those of you who contribute to Fair Havens Missions have had a part in purchasing all of their emergency medical equipment, and emergency security equipment. I was blessed to hear that because of the cameras we bought for them, several infiltrators have been caught before they could do any damage.  We had committed to $10,000.00 for the two projects, and just last month we made the last payment. PTL!

Next we visited the Derech Shalem Farm, which is located in the hills of the Benjamin region, on the site of an old abandoned community adjacent to Talmon, just northwest of Jerusalem. Surrounded on all sides by hostile Palestinian villages, there is a ray of hope and promise emanating from these isolated hills. It is a unique Youth Village, committed to helping and providing a caring, nurturing environment for runaway teenage boys, who were struggling to survive on the harsh streets of Israel’s urban centers.  

Through hard work, the Derech Shalem Farm is committed to instilling a sense of responsibility and self-esteem to these lost young men. Avshalom Ladani, a social worker from Talmon, his wife, and a very small staff provide the structure these boys so desperately long for, through a strict schedule of chores on the farm, and with the animals in their charge. The hard, satisfying work of running the farm enables them to develop the skills and self confidence to pull themselves up by the boot straps, and see the promise and potential in their abilities.  

Derech Shalem provides basic schooling. In addition to their regular subjects they have Bible Study presented to them in a new and inviting way. The boys live in mobile homes, with staff members near by at all times. As Avshalom shared with us, and led us about the farm, we were all blessed by his sweet spirit, and genuine love and concern for the boys residing there.  Thank God, that we were able to make a healthy contribution to this work, and we will continue to do so until their needs are all met. They receive no government funding at all for this vital project.  

From the farm we went on to Dolev, which is a medium sized community also located in the Benjamin region, just northwest of Jerusalem. They, too, are surrounded on all sides by hostile Palestinian villages. It is one of the few communities that has been practically cut off from Jerusalem since the outbreak of the Palestinian war of terrorism in 2000. Dolev was founded in 1983 by 17 families, and has grown to be a thriving community of 150 families.  

We visited the Dolev Ulpana, which is a vocational boarding school for socially and economically underprivileged high school girls. These are special need girls, aged 14 to 19, coming from dysfunctional families. The school was established to provide a warm and accepting atmosphere for the girls, who, for one reason or another, have fallen through the cracks of Israel’s social and educational institutions. The girls are referred to the school by educators and social workers, when the mainstream system has failed to help them. Some of them are referred by court orders, because they are not permitted to live with their biological families, due to severe abuse or unstable, and often violent, homes. Some of them are new emigrants who have not been able to readjust, and still others are suffering from learning or behavioral problems.   

The girls receive, along with basic studies, vocational training in various fields, such as: childcare, teaching, clerical work, cosmetology, and nutrition. Their academic program includes Judaic studies, Bible History, mathematics, Hebrew, English, geography, and gymnastics. They are all encouraged to take on responsibilities in the library, or helping out at the kindergarten. They also volunteer in homes for the elderly, and hospitals. They have quite a large staff, and in addition, they provide a family network program. Dolev families host the girls for their entire four years of high school, which gives them, for the first time in their young lives, an opportunity to experience how a normal family lives. It provides them a stable and nurturing model of a positive family environment. Dolev Ulpana has been remarkably successful in helping these girls to become confident, contributing members of Israeli society. They also set before all of us a lovely luncheon. Israelis are so warm and hospitable wherever you go to visit.

Last but not least on this particular day, we visited Shavei Shomron, which is a special community located in the center of Samaria. It is surrounded by the spectacular Samarian mountains. Shavei Shomron is just minutes away from Sebastia, biblically known as Samaria, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Israel. The name Shavei Shomron means “return to Samaria”. The people in this community have dedicated themselves to making this vital area of Israel a center of productivity and religious commitment. There are 120 families, lots of children, living there today, and they have an elementary school, several pre-schools, a daycare center, and a Yeshiva.  

Since the horrible outbreak of violence in 2000, Shavei Shomron’s location has become increasingly precarious. The Oslo Process created large areas of Arab jurisdiction in Northern Samaria, which virtually isolates Shavei Shomron from all of the other Jewish communities of Samaria. Because of it’s strategic location in the heart of Samaria, soldiers from the IDF are stationed there on an ongoing basis. The residents have opened their hearts and their homes, as well as their social center, to the soldiers who are  standing in the gap there.  

We visited this community close to sundown as the Palestinians were beginning their Sabbath.  It was a chilling, eerie feeling in the atmosphere. As we walked down the sidewalks, a chain link fence ran along curbside. On the other side of that chain link fence is the new road that we Americans are building for the Palestinians, which means that there will be only a chain link fence between the residents of this community, and their enemies, who are so anxious to kill them.  

A lone IDF soldier sits in a watch tower at the end of the walkway. He will now be a perfect target for the enemy. He will have no protection at all. Two other IDF jeeps sit at the other end of that walkway. The people do have a good security system in their command center, as well as in each home in that community, but I am here to tell you that it is a crying shame to see what has been done to these people, who just want to live in peace, and serve the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. If anything happens to this community, America will have even more Jewish blood on their hands.  

We spent Shabbat on the Kibbutz, and then on Sunday we went by armored bus to visit with Sondra Baras at her home in Karnei Shomron, the second largest community in Samaraia. In fact, it is a regional center.

This community was founded in 1977 by a group of families who were eager to settle the barren hilltops of Western Samaria. There are over 6,000 residents in Karnei Shomron, spanning every age group, from newborns to seniors. Two hundred of the families who have settled in this community are from North America. Visitors from abroad seem to be attracted to this community.  

Sondra and one of her friends met us at the bus stop. We went first to the CFOIC office, then they took us to some of the hill top communities in that area. Afterwards, we went to the heart of the city where we visited an Israeli super market, and then around to the plaza where we all had pizza, and a time of sweet fellowship, for we would not make it back to the Kibbutz in time for dinner. We all had a delightful time together until our bus arrived to take us back to Jerusalem.  

Monday morning, Amikan came and picked up Deborah, May, JoAnn, and I and we went in to David’s Citadel to visit the museum there. It is really a neat place to visit. If you have seen the DVDs of the Gaither’s Homecoming in Israel and Jerusalem, David’s Citadel is the very location they were ministering from. It’s such a beautiful place, and it holds so much history.  

We made it back to the Kibbutz in time to visit with Gary and Andrea Cooperberg, who came in from Hebron to visit for lunch. Then we began to pack for our long journey home beginning the same evening.  

On this trip, I was also blessed to be able to visit with Judy Gilliland, who is based in Israel now, and Elsbeth Bepler, who is still based in Jerusalem. It was wonderful to see them both. Israel has certainly agreed with both of them, and they have both been a blessing to Israel, each one in their own way.  Both of them came in for evening sessions.   

At the airport I asked the girls to write down for me what touched each one of them the most on this mission trip to Israel. Both Marion and Shirley are seasoned travelers to Israel, but May has not been back there since 1977, and Deborah and JoAnn had never been there before.  

May was deeply touched at Shavei Shomron. She said the thing that touched her heart more than anything else was the willingness of the ‘settlers’ to sacrifice their very lives to see the Word of the Lord fulfilled regarding God’s giving of the Land to the descendants of Jacob.  She went on to say that the Scripture that came to her mind was: “Greater love hath any man than this, that he would lay down his life for his brethren.”   

JoAnn said that the thing that touched her the most was our being able to visit the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. She marveled at the way they so willingly go through so much to settle the Land that God has given them. Land that is steep, isolated, and rocky, not to mention dangerous. She went on to say that it is such a privilege to support them, and stand with them, as they are coming home to Israel in fulfillment of Scripture, in preparation for the soon coming of their Messiah.   

Deborah said, “When I was preparing to go to Israel, I couldn’t imagine what it would be like. As I prayed concerning the trip, all I could see in my spirit was me walking into a large blank canvas. The Lord told me that He would paint that canvas for me in Israel.”  

“As I think about the last couple of weeks there I can see that He has painted it beautifully. I am reminded of so many things … the hospitality that was shown us everywhere we went … the young woman who turned to us to say, “I, too, am a sister in the Lord!”  Also the raw courage of people who carve out homes from bare rock and steep hills. People who persevere in the face of death by their enemies, and destruction by their own people, just because God has said, “This is your Land, take it!”   

“There were young people who only looked old enough to be going to their junior prom wearing uniforms and uzzi’s. Taxi rides that caused you to deepen your prayer life immediately, wonderful food, new friends, and ardent intercession.  These are what the Lord painted for me while I was there. My heart was left in Israel. Before I made the trip I had no understanding. Now, I know what it means to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem. I thank God that He allowed me to make this trip, and I thank all those who prayed for us, and sent us on our way. God bless and keep you! Deborah”   

I think the girls have pretty well said it all. Marion, Shirley and I are always blessed when we are sent back to Israel. We left part of our hearts there many years ago. There have never been two trips alike. Each trip is different! It is my prayer that many more of you will be able to make that trip, and soon. It always blesses my heart to take first timers, and watch the Lord set them free of all unreality, to give them fresh vision and understanding.  He loves to impart to us His heart, for His Land, and His people!  

A Voice from Hebron

Gary Cooperberg 

Everybody seems so surprised at the tremendous Hamas victory in Israel.  People really like to believe that life is a fairy tale. Hamas is no different than any of the so called “Palestinian liberation organizations.” All of them, as do all of our Arab neighbors, even from legitimate Arab countries, have as their final goal the complete destruction of the Jewish State. That the Jewish government has decided to negotiate with their would-be annihilators defies explanation. That Arab elections of any kind should be held in Israel is tantamount to admitting that we do not have exclusive sovereignty in our own Homeland. There is no country in the world besides Israel that would make it national policy to accept a murderous enemy as a mandatory part of their civilian population.  

It is simply amazing to listen to the self respecting Hamas leadership clearly telling us that its goal is to destroy the Jewish State, but it is willing to do it slowly, and even peacefully, by negotiating with Israel to get it to destroy itself. It is even more amazing to watch all of the Israeli political parties running to do so.  

Those who really believe that holding elections in a democratic fashion will change terrorists into paragons of brotherhood haven’t a clue as to what is going on here. First of all it must be understood that Israel was never meant to be a carbon copy of American democracy. America was created to be a haven for all freedom loving people to live together with a common identity as Americans. Israel was created to be a homeland for all Jewish people. It was not meant to be a homeland for any other nation. While certainly foreigners who wish to live here, and accept Jewish sovereignty, should be welcome to do so, but those who seek our destruction, and who claim that our homeland really belongs to them should never have been tolerated. One doesn’t welcome his murderer into his home in the hope that eventually he may be able to live with him in peace. 

There was a time when the concept of Zionism was understood to mean Jewish return to our Homeland. Today one is hard put to find anyone in the ranks of the Knesset who can be honestly called a Zionist. Instead, we are standing on our heads to deny Zion, and to become just like all other nations of the world, only more cowardly. Jewish leaders are the last to suggest that we are destined to become the example for all of the nations to follow.  Jews are ashamed to accept the role of leadership. It is undemocratic to be a light unto the nations. We seek to flee our identity as Jews, and instead have become democrats and humanists.  

Jonah sought to flee his identity, only to discover that one cannot escape identity. The Jewish people were destined to come home, and we are coming home. We were destined to become the example for all of the nations of the world to follow. It is hard to see how, but this, too, will come to pass. It is a waste of time and effort to predict how these things will come about. What rationalist could have predicted the rebirth of the Jewish State in the Land of Israel.? Who would have dreamed that Hebrew would again become a living language?  

What all of us must do, Jew and Gentile alike, is to believe the words of our Torah, and accept Biblical destiny. There is a darkness falling upon the world. Terror as well as “natural” calamities have taken countless lives in recent months and years. Anti-Semitism is growing all over the world. The nations are turning against the tiny Jewish State. And G-d Himself is being denied by His creations.  

No, Condoleeza, the PLO is not going to become a beacon of democracy in the Middle East. The Arabs hate the G-d of the Jews and Christians. Until you and your nation recognize that the War against Terror is really a war between the G-dly and the godless, and that Israel is the rightful inheritance of the Children of Israel, then your country stands on the brink of self destruction. You were surprised that Hamas was democratically chosen as the leader of the terrorists? You are surprised that Iraq is not blossoming into a new democracy in the Middle East?  Well, get ready for the biggest surprise of all! Israel will outlive all of our enemies, as we have done in the past. We are indestructible because our G-d watches over us here day and night. If the USA chooses to stand with the Arabs against this tiny nation, she will reap the same reward as her partners.

  

Rabbis warn Olmert over Hebron

    

A group of Israeli Rabbis have cautioned acting PM Ehud Olmert over his government’s rush to end Jewish life in Hebron, reminding the stand-in leader of the consequences paid by former premiers who dared to “disengage” from the Land of Israel.  They said, “All those who harm the Land of Israel declare war on G-d and His commands, and face the consequences.”  They reminded him of the fate of Menachem Begin, Yitzhak Rabin, and Ariel Sharon, pointing out the fact that PM’s who have harmed the Land of Israel never succeeded in completing their term in office. They went on to plead with him not to make the hasty move of abandoning the Land of Israel, bringing catastrophe upon the people of Israel and himself.    

 

Washington Interfering in Israeli Politics

 

The Bush administration has come out in strong support of acting PM Ehud Olmert, and the Kadima Party.  President Bush has said that he will do all he can to ensure that Olmert is elected as PM of Israel when Israelis go to the polls March 28^th.   He let Olmert know that he intended to make sure that the vision that he and Sharon shared of Israel surrendering more and more land for ‘peace’ would become a reality.  Olmert responded that if he were elected, he would work with President Bush to realize the birth of a Palestinian Arab State on the ancient Jewish lands of Judea, Samaria and Gaza. Let us pray that God’s perfect will be done in the elections to be held on March 28^th.

 

Passover

 

Passover is all about protection, deliverance, and salvation. This year will be a very crucial year for Israel. Lars Enarson is looking for those who can host a Passover Seder in cities world wide, with intercession for Israel. He said, “Let’s stand together in unity all over the world proclaiming a ring of the blood of the Lamb around Israel, praying for her protection and salvation.” 

 

Short Term Missions

 

From March 1^st through April 30^th, Barbara Wittbrodt will be teaching conversational English at a Bible School with Word of Life in Korea. She will be teaching college age students, and about half of them are Christians. She said that usually the others make the decision sometime throughout the year. Let us all pray for Barbara while she is on this mission, and pray that her mission be an extremely fruitful one to the glory of God.   

 

“Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matt. 7:1)

 

This is a portion of Scripture that is most often used to try to silence a Mouthpiece of the Lord! One who is bringing forth truth! However, if they would continue to read down through verse 5, they would find that it does not say that we are not to judge, but it does say that we should not be hypocritical in our judging. In other words do not judge others, if you are doing the same thing yourself.  Also, when the Lord gives you a Word to speak to another, first apply that word to yourself, and make sure that it does not apply to you as well. If it does not apply to you, then go ahead and share it.  

When the Pharisees brought to Jesus the woman caught in adultery (John 8:7b) the message was the same. He reprimanded them for hypocritical judgment, and then He told the woman to “go and sin no more.”  

We see in Mark 6:18 John the Baptist saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”  Also in Galatians 2:11 we see Paul correcting Peter publicly because he was being hypocritical.  

In Acts 7:51-53 we see Stephen calling the religious leaders “stiff necked,” and “uncircumsized in heart and ears.”  In Matthew 23:27 we see Jesus calling the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites, because outwardly they appear clean, but inwardly they were unclean.  

In I Corinthians Chapter 5, Paul is speaking to the Church saying, “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles – that a man has his father’s wife. And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I indeed, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed.” Paul goes on to tell them to give that one over to Satan for buffeting of the flesh, that his spirit might be saved.  

He goes on to remind them that he had warned them not to keep company with sexually immoral people. And he was not speaking of those who are in the world, but those who are in the Church. He said, “I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, covetous, an idolater, a reviler, a drunkard, or an extortioner.” And again Paul says that we are not to judge those outside the Church, but we are to judge those who claim to be brothers or sisters in the Lord. Those who are outside the Church, God will judge.        

 As God is bringing forth truth at this time, there are many sermons being preached across this country entitled, “Judge not that you be not judged!”  If the sermon is directed at you, because the Lord has used you to speak forth a word of truth, simply tell them to read the rest of that passage. They like to take that little piece of scripture and make a doctrine out of it in order to hinder the mouthpiece of the Lord.  

Thank You! Before I close this newsletter out, I want to thank you all for the precious cards and letters of encouragement that I’ve been receiving. Thank you for all of the notes of confirmation! What a blessing to my heart! Thank you, too, for the personal gifts, as well as the financial gifts you give to Fair Havens Missions that allow us to do so much for so many in need. I thank God for all of you, and pray that He will multiply all that you have given back to you many times over.                  Shalom & Blessings, Myrna                                                                     

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