A Certain Woman in Eastern Europe

Truly, a New Testament Church "and when you come together everyone should bring a song, a revelation (testimony in this case) and a teaching....let all things be done for edification." 1Cor 14.26 God really blessed the message of the first day of His last week and His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt 21:1-11). Bogdan was an excellent translator (also a pastor in training) and I really enjoyed this church. Everyone came together eager for the Word and many shared scriptures and song and testimonies of God's healing touch. At the end of the service we prayed for the sick and any other needs. God gave a number of Words of Knowledge and we believe we will hear many good reports. This village church even blessed me with an offering as they are being taught to be tithers and givers. The church built on a new room for the children (usually around 50 of them) and have a youth group of about 20. They are experiencing growth in every area.

Mary Jill (Certain Women) and Jackie R (Romanian Children's Relief) Agi B (Hu)translator Vio, Marte Z (Hu) Saturday's ladies meeting in Arad, Romania was a great success and marked the launching of "Women for Women" a ministry to and for women. Over 50 ladies attended (and 2 men :-). Jackie R was the host for the event and MJ, Agi and Marte came in from Hungary as the guest speakers. This was the first time for Agi and Marte to minister to ladies and they did a great job! Agi spoke of the importance of forgiveness and Marte spoke of the loving heart of Father God. Jackie's co-worker and neighbor Vio, stepped up to translate Hungarian into Romanian for her first time,too. God is stretching us all these days. The meeting brought together women from a number of different churches, ministries and nations.....Romania, Hungary, Scotland, Roma and America. Everyone seemed eager for our next gathering. We were very encouraged by the response. Jackie has been in Ro...

L Here I am loving the Mediterranean Sea while visiting with my Ukranian friends Rita and Gena, in town square with Gena and my Shabbat flowers, next my South African friend Susan with a guide in the Garden Tomb and one of us together in the garden of Christ Church Guest House and then enjoying dinner out with my Hungarian friend Timea who is living south of Tel Aviv doing research. I wish I had discovered lemonade with fresh mint earlier in the trip :-)! Thanks to all for making this the best trip ever!

My first Shabbat in Israel Luanna & Diane - Iowa Anne & Terry - Iowa Jill - England & Mary Jill Janet & Kathrin-Wales

The "Faith Boat" The group from Iowa

A special day of dedication of "Garden of Life".

Prayer day in Jerusalem

Nazareth Village Mediggo Prophet Elijah on Mt Carmel

Despite the sounds of "bomb practice" it has been a restful, prayerful day - just what I needed! Tomorrow we start out at 5.30am to travel by bus to Jerusalem. Susan has lived there and knows the ins and outs of the city and really wanted to treat me to a guided tour. (She being the guide) It should be a great day!! We will stay for 2 days and then I will take a bus to Netanya a Mediterranean seaport town. I will miss the 88 degree weather but it will still be very nice weather. I am blessed!! I also will get to spend Shabbat with my Ukranian friends Rita and Gena. God is so good!!

Today I spent the morning in Tiberius at the bus station, enjoying the sights and sounds as I waited for my bus to the Golan Heights. Two mini vans traveled from Karei Deshe to drop people off at the station but everyone else is going to Jerusalem. I remember now the prayer to travel on the paths less trod and know that God heard me! :-) At last it comes and I ask the pretty blonde girl sitting next to me if she speaks English. She does and says she will make sure I get off at the right stop as it is her stop, too. I am amazed as her manicured hands pick up her rifle, sling it over her shoulder and head for the bus! she is dressed as a civilian but she is armed! Many soldiers are here at the station, men, women, young and not so young. Somehow, the guns seem right. I pray for their safety, the country's safety...and mine, too. We travel around the north side of the Sea of Galilee and up the hills. It is almost an hour and a half whenI see Mt Hermon and I know I am close. I am...

The last day of the conference is full with worship, sharing of testimonies, meals and meetings. We start sharing addresses and see a montage of all the photos taken. You will really enjoy some of these photos. I have had a number of divine appointments/connections. The only thing that has been lacking is time to reflect, process and pray privately. We have had some really pivotal times praying corporately. I can't imagine a better introduction to Israel than this conference, this week. I was able to travel from the north to the south and the west traveling by bus and boat :-). I think it was important that "Certain Women" stayed in Galilee for this first visit and first week. Galilee - where Jesus called the first disciples, calmed the stormy sea, fed the multitudes, healed the sick and preached the beatitudes. Suddenly the pages of The book become almost three dimensional. Will I ever be the same? I pray not!

Today, the attendees had a choice of seminars or an outreach to Haifa. I went to the port town of Haifa, beautifully situated on the Mediterranean Sea. Haifa is a Jewish, Arab city where people seem to live peacefully together. I was glad to be with my new English friend, Jill who spoke enough Hebrew to allow us to have some good discussions with shoppers and store clerks. It was a beautiful day and we got back in time for my first Israeli Shabbat. The weather in Israel is very nice - mid 60's to mid 70's. It is the time of citrus harvest and we all are really enjoying the fresh oranges and grapefruits. It is also the time of the almond tree blossoming. The poppies are out, also boganvillia in bright and vivid colors. "Certain Women" are loving being in Israel.

This was the favorite day for many as we traveled to Latrun to dedicate "Ganei Chaim" (Gardens of Life) for the Be'ad Chaim (Pro-Life Ministry). Here we planted cypress trees in honour of the unborn. The centerpiece of this new garden is a cedar of Lebanon brought from the border of Lebanon. "Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the Lord for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." After the dedication and planting of the trees, we traveled back to Galilee to enjoy a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee. It was a beautiful night, a beautiful sunset, the boat was called "Faith" and as soon as we shoved off the worship music started, the deck chairs were pushed aside and the dancing began!! It was a wonderful time of rejoicing!

A fulfillment of a promise as my eyes saw Jerusalem for the first time! What an awesome time as we traveled "up" to Jerusalem. We visited the wailing wall, and the Davidson Center, prayed over the Valley of Hinnom from the porch of "Succat Hallel" (24 hour Prayer Center) and prayed at a maternity hospital. Pictures will be posted next week. We returned to the Karei Deshe guest house in time for dinner and then wonderful worship and a fiery message by Peter Tsukahira who has a ministry and worship center on Mt. Carmel. This is a very high quality conference with wonderful people attending.