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Well as promised I have also included some more photo's of the area I live and work in.
IN ISRAEL
Well we have just had the new centrist party , Kadima, that was formed by Sharon, winning the most votes in the election just held. They have still to organise and successfully get together a coalition, but it is significant that another party in which neither Labor or Likud has been dominant. It is a party that is following a policy of "divorce". The feeling is that if there is no peace with our partner then we divorce and part ways (hence the separation fence).. Sharon still has not come out of the coma he has been in since his stroke in January. There were those who really believed that January was going to be a hugely significant month as far back as October November last year and it certainly was with the stroke of Sharon and the election of Hamas to power in Gaza. My new flatmate (Margo)has unique opportunity to go into that area and will be doing so in the next few weeks. Please pray for her. Please pray for the Church in Gaza. Yes there are some very strong believers there and there lives are under threat. The situation there is that Hamas has been elected into power in the Palestinian Authority area. The sad thing is that in actual fact the vote for Hamas in these areas was very small, infact in Jericho it was 0 but they were voted in by the Israeli Arab vote. Those people who are not even living under their administration.The party that recieved the majority vote by far in the West Bank and Gaza was Fatah. Also under threat of their lives are 2 young muslim young men from Bethlehem who recentl came to the Lord. They are on fire for the Lord and going well, but are under sentence of death for leaving Islam.
The financial situation in Gaza is that the UK, USA, EU and some banks have all cut off aid and broken contact with Hamas and this has resulted in wages not being paid, which will almost certainly lead to unrest, riots and harder times for those in those areas. The Christians in these areas will be feeling the result of this just as much, if not more that others in the area. Many of my Israeli friends are expecting that the world will soon start to put pressure on Israel to talk with the Hamas led Palestinian Authority even though they have not changed their call for Israel's destruction and infact they have re-iterated their intention to see Israel disappear. I guess we will see, but already there are Rockets being fired into Israel from Gaza and from the North which have a much longer range. We have also had several major attempts of terrorist attacks stopped. One involving several men heading to Jerusalem for a suicide mission, found with large amounts of explosives in the car they were travelling in in Israel proper. It is so important to be able to share the hope that we have in the Lord in these times...open opportunities.
The feast of Passover begins this coming week which is another time that is traditionally a dangerous time as far as terrorism. It is also a time when all things with leven (raising agents) are not eaten........Matza (flat crisp bread) takes the place of bread for the duration of the feast. The last crumbs of leven will be burnt on Wednesday evening as the feast begins. Water is flowing in the streets as people literally swill out their houses, shops cover up or remove those items that you are not to eat during Passover and therefore are not sold, and dogs are shaved in preparation for the feast. People greet you with "Hag Samaech" (happy holiday) and ask where you are going to have the Seder (the Passover meal). Helick had wanted me to come and have some time with his family during the holiday but I have already arranged to have it else where. Effie and Sheli also are waiting for me to visit, so please pray for opportunities to share Yeshua and how He is shown through this feast.
PERSONAL NEWS
I thought I was losing my new Egyptian born / Australian flatemate, Margo, to Silwan, a village just outside the old city walls near the side of the western wall but she has decided that she wants to stay with us. Yeah !!! She is very special, and has a love for Israel but is happy to be in a home where she is not battling any anti arab feeling at all and where she can feel free to share all that is on her heart. She is encouraging me a lot though on growing in love for both peoples which is important when you live and work in this land. She works with an organisation called Sukkat Hillel (tabernacle of Praise) which is a Praise watch team here in Israel. Please pray that the Lord will really establish our friendship.
I have been so busy with the clinic over the last week just cleaning up the back log so they knew what they had and what they needed. Have included some before and after photo's of the clinic storeroom. I have more pictures of the shuk (market)which is near me, on the second and third pages as well. So please take the time to look at my photograph pages. :)
As I said earlier I have started back at the restaurant for the poor. Certainly is as busy as usual. First day back there and someone had forgotten to put the Shabbat cooker on and the food had gone off. : 0 This cooker runs at a heat that keeps food hot from Friday till Saturday Evening.
Speaking of which I am hoping we will soon have a refridgerator. We have been without since last September, and it has been quite an experience. During winter was one thing but it will be getting alot warmer now and so we really will need one.
Helick is back safe now from his reserve duty in the North. Thankyou for your prayers. Will be visiting all my Israeli friends in Rishon LeTzion (near Tel Aviv) either this next week or the week after. Looking forward to sharing with them again as I said earlier, about the way Passover shows the Lords sacrifice and work in Salvation.
Prayer
-Please pray for the safety of the country as we come up to Passover this next Wednesday. For safety and the thwarting of any plots that might be being made.
-Please pray for my starting at the Hospital once again. I am waiting to start back there when the roster comes out after Passover (Pesach) Akiva has already called me for the holiday and to say hello and welcome back. I told him I would come and see him soon also.
-Please pray for us in the apartment. For Betty (for direction) for Margo (her work with the Arab people and the Tabernacle of Praise, for safety as she goes to Bethlehem, Gaza, Jericho.
and that this place will always be a place of rest and refreshing for us to come back to.
-Please pray for Helick, and his family as I get to spend time with them during this significant and special feast.
-Please pray for my time with my friends in Rishon...for the right timing and the opportunity to share again with them. For open hearts and ears. Limor, Effie, Yigal, Sheli, Adela.
Enjoy the pictures :) Lots of love to you all ....... Jenny