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April 2007 |
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And the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Matthew 28:5,6 NAS |
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Dear Friends: Greetings in Jesus’ mighty Name! Shalom! I am home from Israel and there is so much to tell. It was both a humbling and inspiring experience. Being in the Holy Land makes the Bible come alive in a way that is hard to explain! I arrived safely in Israel but without my suitcase, which was held in security for almost my entire stay. They released it one day before I left. Security is tight in Israel and you do not argue with the security police! I learned how much you do not need all the clothes you pack! I also learned to be flexible. I was scheduled to talk on “A Christian Worldview” on Saturday afternoon. Each night a pastor from Israel spoke and led us in worship. On Monday night Pastor Tony (one with the mike below) gave my whole presentation and did it better than I could. I laughed and told him he had done better than I could and asked the leadership of the conference if I should prepare another presentation or let them fill the time with another presenter. There were many people who felt they should have more time. They said no so I prepared another. On Wednesday night I went to look for Ted (one of the leaders of Be’ad Chaim) to ask him to call security again to check on the progress of my suitcase. He and Tony were praying so I waited for them to finish. They noticed me and called me over. They had a problem and asked me if I had any ideas on what to do with the ladies on Thursday morning when Tony planned to do “purity” with the men. There were rumblings from some of the ladies because they were not included. I don’t know why—who wants to be in a group of men talking about purity? Any way, I said I could do “modesty” with the women. It was decided and I prepared thinking I had my newsubject for the conference. Thursday morning went well with many of the women from other nations, particularly those from the former Soviet nations, dealing with issues that had long been buried. This meant I spent almost all of my free time for the rest of the week ministering to different women. I though I was finished with presentations but Ted reminded me that I still was to speak on Saturday. I thought that “love your enemy” would be a good subject in this war torn land. We passed mine fields and bomb craters on the roads when we went to the borders of Syria and Lebanon to pray for peace. We also prayed in the Golan Heights, the West Bank, Gaza and at the “wall” that separates the Jewish and Palestinian areas. Enmity is all pervasive in the land so I was intending to use Matthew 43-46. You have heard that it was said, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? Matthew 5:43-46 NASB On Friday night Tony led worship again and guess what scripture he used—yep, Matthew 5:43-46! And he did it better than I could have. He used as his example how he, a Jewish pastor, had to learn to love his enemy, the Arab! The other people in the picture are Arabs that he has won to Christ! How do you follow that? I realized this is the answer to thie ages old enmity—Christ! It began with Isaac and Ishmael and will only end with Christ. What an awesome work these people are doing! I met pastor after pastor, Jewish pastors, working among the Arab population and bringing them to Christ! I told Tony he had done my presentation and better, again! He said he still wanted me to speak on Saturday so I asked him not to speak before me. He laughed! On Saturday I spoke on “It’s Not About Me!” It went so well that they begged me to come back and “spend some time in the land” and encourage believers. I promised to come. On Friday night, at sundown, we celebrated Shabbat with a Messianic congregation. On the last day, Palm Sunday, we held a sunrise service with Baptism on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Three people at the conference, including our tour guide and a friend who traveled with me, accepted the Lord, and two others, one from India and another from the Netherlands renewed their commitment to His will. Much of Israel is a desert and rain is a blessing. We prayed all week for rain It rained Sunday morning and we all rejoiced! Right after the Service the sun broke through. In the picture you see the sun through a cross made of palm fronds by the group from India. Israel was an awesome and humbling experience. I learned that our plans are not always His plans but He will use us if we stay ready to respond to His guiding. Thank you for your prayers for me in Israel! Would you please pray for timing for the next trip? Thank you for your support. You have chosen to support Life Coalition International with your donations and prayers when you have many worthy causes and ministries to choose from. Thank you!! A servant,
Pat McEwen |
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From the desk of Pat McEwen, 4/14/07 |
