Turn, backsliding children, says the Lord, for I am married to you…I will bring you to Zion, and will give you pastors after My heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. - Jeremiah 3:14-15
Calvary Chapel Houston has left it’s mark in Israel and set the bar high for its perseverance, boldness, and desire to share the message of Hope, to a people without Hope. Like King David, men and women “after God’’s Heart”, who fed the lost with “knowledge and understanding”, and fulfilled the prophet Jeremiah’s words.
Everyone was fair game…IDF soldiers, people we were serving with, street people, Arab men and women, waitresses, waiters, people on the train…nobody was safe!
I honestly lost count of the opportunities the team had to share in quality conversations.
The IDF Outreach at the Central Bus Station went well. Many cards were distributed to the soldiers, challenging them to read Isaiah 53, Isaiah 9:6, and Jeremiah 31:31.
We had opportunities to share everywhere we served.
The Alliance Church Cemetery was day one. Was not able to raise anyone from the dead, but did have several quality encounters.
Day two was at the forest in Ein Kerem. We have been working with Alon for three years, and he was more receptive to hearing about the Lord this time than ever before. Several of the team members gave him their personal testimony. Please continue to pray for Alon and his wife Noa.
Day three, Saturday, Shabbat, we were at Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea.
Sunday was our outreach to the soldiers, followed by the worship service at King of Kings.
Monday we split the team up, and those who had been to Israel before served at the Soup Kitchen of King of Kings, the remaining team members making their first visit got to experience Jerusalem’s Old City.
On Tuesday we traveled to the Logistics Center of Leket, Israel’s largest food bank. We were sorting Cabbage. Not very exciting, but the Lord didn’t disappoint. A young man, Hagai, was doing his National Service there instead of serving in the Army. A very bright young man who got an earful from several of us. Bess is pictured below with Hagai trying to make her point. Please pray for Hagai. We spent the afternoon enjoying the beautiful beach in Rishon LeTzion.
Wednesday was our day to serve with The Beautiful Land Initiative, picking up trash on one of beach’s at the Sea of Galilee followed by taking in many of the sites you read about in the bible
Thursday we served a half day at The Joseph Project, a humanitarian organization in Bet Shemesh. We were sorting clothes supplied by a large, national retailer in Israel. The clothes were headed for children living well below the poverty level. We journeyed up the road a bit to the Valley of Elah, where David and Goliath had their memorable encounter.
Friday, we went to Yad VaShem, the Holocaust Museum, and then relaxed and got ready for Shabbat.
Saturday we drove to the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemene(Gat Shemen), the place of the olive press. We finished the day at the Garden Tomb. Later that evening, the team was on their way back to Houston.
Do not want to forget Beth Blythe from Calvary Truth in Littleton, Colorado.
Beth was with us for almost a month, helping Bess with the housework, as well as serving with Calvary Houston. You are a true servant of the Lord, thanks Beth.
Prior to Houston’s visit, we hosted two pastors from Mission Hills Church, also in Littleton, Colorado. They wanted to get a first hand look at what we do. It was a short visit, but when they returned home, we got an email wanting to schedule two teams in 2020. We are praising the Lord, and very excited about the new connection.
If you are interested in serving with us, or have any questions you can email us at: LarryandBess@Gmail.com
If you wish to support our work in Israel, your tax-deductible gift is facilitated by:
House Of Compassion International
House Of Compassion is a registered 501(C) (3) Non-Profit, Organization #84-4256898
You can DONATE HERE
Blessings From Jerusalem,
Larry & Bess