Monday, July 12

We are becoming more and more like Jesus at least in one way – we are walking everywhere we go. We just back from walking several miles over to Narkiss Street and back. Baptists have a property there so went over to see the missionaries. We met Jerry and Brian and had a nice time of sharing and fellowship with them. We (Southern Baptists) own two properties in Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Prayer Center near where we are staying and the Narkiss St property where the main offices are and this location also has an area where several congregations meet for worship. It also has an apartment and we painted that apartment when we came in 2007 on the mission trip here.

Jerry shared that they are having camps last week this week and next week at The Baptist Village. I believe he said that 16 were saved last week. He also shared that it is illegal to share with a child without parent’s permission so anyone who send their child to camp has to sign a paper that says that they understand that Christianity will be taught. Many who come are from Messianic Jewish families but he said they bring other Jewish friends with them.

Jerry also works with a house church in Tel Aviv and he just recently baptized 9 converts in the Jordan River.

It is difficult to share here because the Jews and the Muslims are so strong in their own beliefs. Most believe Jesus was a good prophet just not the Messiah, the son of God. Pray for those here. We are praying as we go out among the people that God would break through this stronghold of religion and let them see Jesus for one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess.

Our morning was spent at the Garden Tomb. We got there early today to water the flowers as Rosalind who normally waters them has a mission project this week in Bethlehem. We watered the many pots of flowers, sifted some compost and did some cleaning. We spent some time listening to an Indonesian group worship and worshipping along with them. It was awesome. I will try to post a video but no promises as it takes about 30 minutes to upload videos. It was a blessing to be a part of that worship time.

We pass by Abraham’s shop several times a day. He is so friendly and nice and always speaks to us. I pray for him as I go by – he is Muslim. We also pass by the US Embassy several times a day, it is just up the road as well. Just around the corner the other way is the American Colony Hotel where Horatio Spafford and his wife lived after their children died. He wrote “It Is Well With My Soul”. Go to these sites and it tells the story in more detail than I have ever heard. After this tragedy they came to Jerusalem to live a simple life and their charitable door was open to to Jewish and Bedouin.

http://www.biblestudycharts.com/A_Daily_Hymn

http://www.americancolony.com/History/tabid/56/Default.aspx

In that link above you will read about a daughter that was born to the Spaffords later, Bertha and she actually lived in the house that is now The Jerusalem Prayer Center at one time.

Tomorrow we may try something new so pray for us.

Shalom