The Dumari people (middle eastern gypsies). I had the privilege of going with a friend (Paul) to a Dumari people's craft festival, to meet some of the people of this 8000 strong community, here in Israel anyway. This is a particularly needy group.They live mainly around Jerusalem, in the West bank and Gaza strip. They are hated by the Palestinians and are persecuted by them. Paul is 1/2 gypsie himself but of the Romani line (European Gypsies). His grandfather was the king of a gypsie tribe. He is going to be starting a ministry amongst this people when he returns from the UK in January. He is going home (to the UK) to try to raise support. He has been asked to work with them in the area of literacy. We met a man at the festival, who was working with them. He told us of a group of 400, near Gaza City, who are living in a cemetery. There are cases of the children and babies amongst them dying, because of manutrition. The mothers are in such poor shape in some cases that the milk is totally inadequate in nutrition for the baby. They are totally destitute. I have spoken to Meytal, who takes care of the families, about this particular group of people, and am wondering if there is anything personally that I could do. I will have to pray about it.I don't know if I told you this but we gave some equipment to an organisation in the last week or so that has aided over half of all Israeli families with medical equipment to help care for relatives in the home. This is an incredible statistic and a huge job. We were just so glad to be able to help them. I am talking with a few hospitals at the moment and have had thier representatives out to look at what we have and what we can help them with, so I have certainly been busy. Some important news as far as the country is concerned. They are talking a national unity government here at the moment. Sharon is having problems getting enough backing for his disengagement plan and is looking at national unity to try to get it past, if that is the only way to do it. This could have tremendous implications here. Not just with the disengagement plan, but in general because the religious parties want a lot more power if they are to join a national unity government, in an effort to counter the changes that the secular party (Shenui) has made since being in government. I have to wonder what that means for the Christian and messianic communities. At the same time there is a definite seeing of the need to develope understanding and freindship with those who love Israel. Things had been quiet up to the bombing the other day, for quite a while. Jerusalem has been on high alert the last couple of days, along with the Shomron. I was convinced, as was Irene my flatmate, that a security guard at one of the bus stops, was going to question me the other day. He stood almost on top of me and looked like he was about to say something. I have to say it was a little intimidating. First time that has happened (or nearly) to me personally on the street. I remember 3 plain clothes security men approaching me and a friend as we were walking in my neighbourhood, and wanting my friends identification, but not mine. They are also talking of, and in some cases already have made, changes to some commercial flight patterns for security reasons. Anyway I had better go. I do thank the Lord for all of you, for your prayers and support. It means a lot to me and I do love hearing from you, so please keep the emails coming. Let me know your news. Mary, my sister, had her operation on Tuesday. Thanks for your prayers for her. I am waiting for news on how it all went.
lots of love in Him
Jenny