HOUSE OF PEACE
Dear
Family and Friends:
For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many
adversaries
(I Cor. 16:9)
Greetings from Jerusalem!
Our Lord opens doors. He
stands at the doorway of human hearts and repeatedly knocks asking Will
you receive me? Will
you listen to my words. Will
you hear my Gospel. We
are his ambassadors and the Gospel we proclaim opens doors, despite resistance
from Satan, the world and even man himself.
Despite the violence and
the rampant secularism, the Gospel is penetrating the Middle East. There are now more Messianic congregations
in Israel than never before. The Russian Olim are open to receive Christ,
and there are now Jews who unashamedly call Yeshua their Messiah.
Persecution of believers
though is still a real force, but fellowships here are growing. The Arab community is also receiving Christ.
Though small in numbers, these believers chose the life of Christ
over the death threats of Islam. The sheep here are also scattered but
the chief shepherd is calling them back into the flock.
The House of Peace hosted
a special meeting of Arab believers this week. Brothers Basam and Zak
spoke to us on evangelizing Muslims. Zak is a Palestinian Arab and
a former Muslim who has now come to the faith. He challenged us to
change our thinking and to look for ways to build bridges into the Arab
community. Building bridges s is not easy. In order to
reach
these lost souls, you may need to change your cultural perceptions and political
viewpoints. This type of evangelization
is one on one, family to family, but hearts are open. Karen from Jericho
was also present. Karen has
been doing a pioneering work in Jericho in the refugee camp. Muslims are turning to Christ there, and
miracles are happening. We
cherish these new contacts. Pray
for this effectual door
The crisis in Gaza continues with Israel re-occupying its former
abandoned Northern settlements, in an effort to prevent the launching of
Hamas rockets. Even this limited
move has not dampened the rain of missiles falling on Israels southern cities. The nation was shocked this week when
a long ranged rocket exploded in the center of Ashkelon, a town of 120,000. This is the first time such missiles have
hit this far north. The city of Sderot is still receiving missiles hits
as well. Seventeen rockets
launched from the Gaza hit this city on Thursday and Friday. The Israeli government has been powerless
to stop this rain of explosive arrows.
The hostage crisis is still ongoing as well. Nineteen year old IDF soldier :Gilad Shalit
was kidnapped twelve days ago. He
is still held captive by Hamas. Prime
Minister Olmert has been seeking diplomatic ways to free Galid, but without
success. Militarily,
the IDF has also been unable to find his captors. Israels Interior Security Minister Avi
Dichter voiced perhaps a third approach to resolving this crisis, stating: Israel will release Palestinian security
prisoners in exchange for the kidnapped soldier. This prisoner exchange is what Hamas has
been actively trying to force Israel into since it abducted Gilad. Pray for this whole situation. Pray that Israel find ways to stop these
missiles from hitting its cities.
Pray for Galid Shalit for his safety and recovery. Pray that those who seek to work evil
against Israel be discovered and uprooted.
Thank you for your prayers for our safety.
Several suicide bombers who were on their way to wreak havoc inside
Israel were discovered and stopped this week. Two cars laden with explosives were also
uncovered and exploded before they reached their destination.
Marylois and I left Jerusalem yesterday and have now arrived
safety in Engeltal for the rest of the summer. The House of Peace continues
its ministry in Jerusalem under the care of ETH Teresa Simila and Ethne
Koshman. We will continue our
reports from home. Stand with
us this week and declare Isaiah 62:6 and 7
I have set watchmen upon thy wall, O Jerusalem, which
shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the
Lord, keep not silence. AND GIVE HIM NO REST, TILL HE ESTABLISH, AND TILL
HE MAKE JERUSALEM A PRAISE IN THE EARTH!
Shabbat Shalom
Gene and Marylois