“I call the heavens and the earth to witness about you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore choose life so that you and your descendants may live, by loving Adonai your God, listening to His voice, and clinging to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days, that you may dwell on the land that Adonai swore to your fathers—to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob—to give them. - Deuteronomy 30:19-20
Making a Difference
As we await the arrival of “Team Two” from Mission Hills Church of Littleton, Colorado, our first Spanish speaking mission team, we sit in the Druze village of Issafiya, atop Mt. Carmel in the Carmel National Forest, about twenty minutes from the port city of Haifa.
Fourteen incredible members of “Team One”, all visiting Israel for the first time, except one, poured their hearts into the half-dozen ministries we had opportunities to serve along side.
After hearing about and researching the only Pro-life organization in Israel. Be’ad Chaim, established and run by believers, Mission Hills had already committed to a sizable donation. While visiting the ministry on our first full day in the Land, we were treated to a “Divine Appointment”, when we had an opportunity to meet and pray with a young single gal, not a believer, due in two months, who had just stopped by the office.
The team members decided that she would be the one the Church would support for one full year. Her decision to keep the baby, as a young, single secular Israeli, was a miracle all by itself.
We have hosted about 50 Mission Teams. This was the first team in which we had worship leaders, with instruments. Danny and Rayna Oertli. Their presence was felt the entire week, But none more when we visited the trauma center of Sheba Hospital, the largest hospital in Israel. The pictures and video below do not come close to expressing the impact the Music had on these soldiers and civilians who were there.
We sorted and packaged 7,000 pounds of potatoes and onions, which were distributed to 1,500 families in need throughout Israel, with the largest Food Bank in Israel, Leket, which we at House of Compassion have been partnering with for 7 years.
We had a similar assignment for the Joseph Project, the ministry of the MJA, (Messianic Jewish Alliance,) as we joined another team from the States and packed 124 boxes of healthy food items, 13 items in each box, for the disadvantaged throughout Israel. The other team was preparing kits for children for use in bomb shelters, when the need arises.
We of course had our one-half day at the Jerusalem Central Bus Station, interreacting with the young men and women of the IDF (Israel Defense Force).
We found time between ministry opportunities to visit The Old City, Western Wall, Mt. of Olives, Garden Tomb, Valley of Elah where David and Goliath fought, Road to Emmaus, all the sites in the Galilee, including a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, En Gedi, Masada, the Dead Sea, Yad Vashem (Holocaust Museum), and two worship services at King of Kings Assembly.
It was a busy & full 10 days. We know the team left with a love for Israel and the Jewish people, and a desire to share the Good News with the Jewish community of greater Denver. Mission accomplished.
If you have any questions, or desire to schedule a team, you can email us at: larryandbess@gmail.com
If you wish to support our work amongst the Jewish people in Israel & the U.S.
You can do that here. DONATE
Blessings,
Larry & Bess
