May started off full force. We had our first Dr. appointment for the baby. We found out the baby is about a week older then we thought. Then I (Samantha) rushed to a friends bridal shower. It was a blessing to be able to bless a young bride to be who has no family in Israel. I helped her organize and plan the wedding. So the next week was spent finishing the wedding organizing, celebrating the birth of the country I love and live in, and then pulling off a wedding. Just to give you a quick picture of the week, which with being pregnant I felt better for; Sunday and Monday we finished wedding details. Tuesday was Independence Day. Wednesday was another friend's wedding, as well as one last party for the bride and groom to be that same evening. Thursday was an all day event for our friends wedding of setting up, wedding and then tearing down. Then Friday and Saturday was the annual Pro Life Conference in Tel Aviv.
We both love Independence Day in Jerusalem. It goes from a somber day of remembering and grieving the lost soldiers that gave their lives for the country which started the previous night and then flings into independence day celebrations the next night. So Monday night, just as the ceremony for the beginning of the celebrations was ending on live TV we took off to join the huge celebration down town . The celebrations include circle dancing in one area while in other areas of town there are stages with live music and some famous musicians. You buy inflatable hammers and bats with the Israeli flag on them and hit each other. What is really common here though is the use of snow foam spray (shaving cream like). People buy these large spray cans and spray each other. In recent years the streets downtown would be white as after a snow storm from so much foam. The amazing thing is that it is not rude to bat and spray people you don't know. For that evening only, everyone is one big family and no one gets offended. You literally spend the evening together rejoicing as one in the fact that we have a nation we call our own. You also enjoy cotton candy and munchies from sale stands all over the street. And you hope you are able to catch the fireworks that you don't know when or where they are. We were on our walk home when the fireworks started and I sat down in the street and enjoyed the colorful light show, or to be more accurate, the part of it that made it above the one tall building in the way. Then Tuesday is a day of picnicking in parks and hanging out with family and friends.
The Pro Life Conference in Tel Aviv was very enlightening. I (Stefan) believe that for us at this time of expecting a baby it had a more personal impact on the issue. We found out that abortions in Israel are illegal but can be legalized if you can get a counsel to grant that your case is worthy of one. Also you can have an abortion in Israel up until the day before the child is born. And if there is any "problem" or "possible problem" with the fetus the mother and father are encouraged to abort the fetus. It was very sad to hear about the reality of abortion in the land. We had meetings about abortion, about the stories of babies rescued and we had times of prayer for the issue. We also went out and did two seiges, one on the boardwalk and one infront of the abortion clinic. Just to explain the term, "doing a siege"; we basically stand for as much time as is decided, normally not less then an hour. We stand in silence with a piece of red tape on our mouths which has the word life written on it, which represents the silence of the babies that can't cry out for themselves. It's not a demonstration, rather a place of standing in the gap for the unborn. I (Stefan) knew the next day when we went to do the siege at the clinic that God was loudly speaking to us that we were on the right track with His heart in what we were doing. Half way on our walk to the clinic we came across a bench which to our amazement had two pairs of little children shoes. They were just sitting there with no one to claim them. I pulled out my camera to take a picture because of the significance and my camera highlighted the shoes and automatically went to the "Human" setting for the picture. Yet, there was no human being in the frame! I took that as a sign for us from the Lord that He was saying, "Well done! You're on the right track. Keep doing what you're doing, I'm watching and listening. Cry out for My silent beloved ones." On our way back I pulled my camera out again for another shot of the shoes. Again the camera went for the "Human" setting. That was the last time it did. We were aware that what was done was in the Spirit. Even in the issue of abortion we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities in the heavens.
After that the month seemed to slow down, or at least go back to normal. As we wrote earlier we figured out what was missing for me (Samantha) to get health insurance and one of our pastors went with me to translate and I received my insurance. This was a major breakthrough since this would cut down the costs of Dr visits and medical test a gross amount. I was able to register for and get the insurance of the Dr we had already visited. It is a blessing to not have to pay for Dr visits.
We finally finished Mike Bickle's book The Seven Mandates of a Forerunner with the youth. So as of now we have gone out to the streets the last two Thursday nights. The first week was great. In my opinion (Samantha) it's because there was not much youth out and we were able to just hang out and worship. The vision is to create a Kingdom Culture among the lost, just be who we are in private out in public. I (Stefan) believe that as we do that we pull on Heaven and create an atmosphere of His presence where He comes and touches people. In past times we've seen people healed and deeply touched by the Lord. The second week was good too. Unlike the recent week though, there were way more kids on the street this time. We normally see kids as young as 14 and 15 get drunk, throw up, get into aimless fights and all kinds of trouble. A big prayer request is that as we as a group go out we would be focused on the streets. That we would be listening to Holy Spirit to know what to do and when. We are excited about being on the street. We need wisdom in how we act and what we portray. While believing for the supernatural realm of Heaven to penetrate our midst we want to be in step with what the Father is doing just as Jesus was. Even as He himself said, "The son can do nothing without the Father". It is so imperative that we are in fine tune with Him in this.
As usual we have been at Succat Hallel every week on Sundays and Tuesdays. We still enjoy the youth and young adult watches. God is definately moving and has captured the hearts of these few young and faithful. We are looking forward to the summer when more youth can come because school is out and they will have some extra time. The last Tuesday of the month Jon Mark asked me (Stefan) if I would like to share on what has been on my heart. It was a small crowd that night but it was very good. God's been speaking to me about repentance as not just turning from sin but out of the context of John in Revelation the first chapter, hearing the Lord and then turning to see the voice that spoke to him. In turning John saw Him and from that moment of seeing Him there was nothing that could distract John's focus. Interestingly turning is repentance. Repentance is realigning whatever is out of line so that we do not miss Him. It's crucial in this season that we get this and allow our lives to be in a daily pattern of turning toward Him. So that we do not just walk in purity from sin, but we also don't miss where He's going. We knew that last week this message of turning toward the Lord really hit home for those in the room. We wait now for God to show us what is on His heart, where He will go and what He will do so we can join with Him just like Jesus did.
We both love Independence Day in Jerusalem. It goes from a somber day of remembering and grieving the lost soldiers that gave their lives for the country which started the previous night and then flings into independence day celebrations the next night. So Monday night, just as the ceremony for the beginning of the celebrations was ending on live TV we took off to join the huge celebration down town . The celebrations include circle dancing in one area while in other areas of town there are stages with live music and some famous musicians. You buy inflatable hammers and bats with the Israeli flag on them and hit each other. What is really common here though is the use of snow foam spray (shaving cream like). People buy these large spray cans and spray each other. In recent years the streets downtown would be white as after a snow storm from so much foam. The amazing thing is that it is not rude to bat and spray people you don't know. For that evening only, everyone is one big family and no one gets offended. You literally spend the evening together rejoicing as one in the fact that we have a nation we call our own. You also enjoy cotton candy and munchies from sale stands all over the street. And you hope you are able to catch the fireworks that you don't know when or where they are. We were on our walk home when the fireworks started and I sat down in the street and enjoyed the colorful light show, or to be more accurate, the part of it that made it above the one tall building in the way. Then Tuesday is a day of picnicking in parks and hanging out with family and friends.
The Pro Life Conference in Tel Aviv was very enlightening. I (Stefan) believe that for us at this time of expecting a baby it had a more personal impact on the issue. We found out that abortions in Israel are illegal but can be legalized if you can get a counsel to grant that your case is worthy of one. Also you can have an abortion in Israel up until the day before the child is born. And if there is any "problem" or "possible problem" with the fetus the mother and father are encouraged to abort the fetus. It was very sad to hear about the reality of abortion in the land. We had meetings about abortion, about the stories of babies rescued and we had times of prayer for the issue. We also went out and did two seiges, one on the boardwalk and one infront of the abortion clinic. Just to explain the term, "doing a siege"; we basically stand for as much time as is decided, normally not less then an hour. We stand in silence with a piece of red tape on our mouths which has the word life written on it, which represents the silence of the babies that can't cry out for themselves. It's not a demonstration, rather a place of standing in the gap for the unborn. I (Stefan) knew the next day when we went to do the siege at the clinic that God was loudly speaking to us that we were on the right track with His heart in what we were doing. Half way on our walk to the clinic we came across a bench which to our amazement had two pairs of little children shoes. They were just sitting there with no one to claim them. I pulled out my camera to take a picture because of the significance and my camera highlighted the shoes and automatically went to the "Human" setting for the picture. Yet, there was no human being in the frame! I took that as a sign for us from the Lord that He was saying, "Well done! You're on the right track. Keep doing what you're doing, I'm watching and listening. Cry out for My silent beloved ones." On our way back I pulled my camera out again for another shot of the shoes. Again the camera went for the "Human" setting. That was the last time it did. We were aware that what was done was in the Spirit. Even in the issue of abortion we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities in the heavens.
After that the month seemed to slow down, or at least go back to normal. As we wrote earlier we figured out what was missing for me (Samantha) to get health insurance and one of our pastors went with me to translate and I received my insurance. This was a major breakthrough since this would cut down the costs of Dr visits and medical test a gross amount. I was able to register for and get the insurance of the Dr we had already visited. It is a blessing to not have to pay for Dr visits.
We finally finished Mike Bickle's book The Seven Mandates of a Forerunner with the youth. So as of now we have gone out to the streets the last two Thursday nights. The first week was great. In my opinion (Samantha) it's because there was not much youth out and we were able to just hang out and worship. The vision is to create a Kingdom Culture among the lost, just be who we are in private out in public. I (Stefan) believe that as we do that we pull on Heaven and create an atmosphere of His presence where He comes and touches people. In past times we've seen people healed and deeply touched by the Lord. The second week was good too. Unlike the recent week though, there were way more kids on the street this time. We normally see kids as young as 14 and 15 get drunk, throw up, get into aimless fights and all kinds of trouble. A big prayer request is that as we as a group go out we would be focused on the streets. That we would be listening to Holy Spirit to know what to do and when. We are excited about being on the street. We need wisdom in how we act and what we portray. While believing for the supernatural realm of Heaven to penetrate our midst we want to be in step with what the Father is doing just as Jesus was. Even as He himself said, "The son can do nothing without the Father". It is so imperative that we are in fine tune with Him in this.
As usual we have been at Succat Hallel every week on Sundays and Tuesdays. We still enjoy the youth and young adult watches. God is definately moving and has captured the hearts of these few young and faithful. We are looking forward to the summer when more youth can come because school is out and they will have some extra time. The last Tuesday of the month Jon Mark asked me (Stefan) if I would like to share on what has been on my heart. It was a small crowd that night but it was very good. God's been speaking to me about repentance as not just turning from sin but out of the context of John in Revelation the first chapter, hearing the Lord and then turning to see the voice that spoke to him. In turning John saw Him and from that moment of seeing Him there was nothing that could distract John's focus. Interestingly turning is repentance. Repentance is realigning whatever is out of line so that we do not miss Him. It's crucial in this season that we get this and allow our lives to be in a daily pattern of turning toward Him. So that we do not just walk in purity from sin, but we also don't miss where He's going. We knew that last week this message of turning toward the Lord really hit home for those in the room. We wait now for God to show us what is on His heart, where He will go and what He will do so we can join with Him just like Jesus did.
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