The Happenings of Late

Hello, dear reader. How are you, and what have you been up to these days?

So, if you're wondering what I've been up to, never fear, I'm here to fill you in. I finished working the Toilet Paper Brigade (if you'll recall: cut, bag, stack) and graduated to painting trellises. I finished that project yesterday, so I'm currently waiting for my fearless leader (aka Batman) to return from his hofesh (vacation).

While I'm waiting, I have been busy. One couple from the congregation, lives on a moshav (Israeli ranch) in the Galilee area. They have set aside some land to use as a retreat place for different believing groups. I went up to help with one of the camps for a few days last week. It is quite incredible. The groups are usually small, but this allows for more team building type activities. And also, they learn to cook certain foods over the fire. All of this, while learning about Yeshua's love for them. Of course, the owners are hoping that this is only the beginning of something more huge. I have no doubt that it is. When you choose to dream with Yeshua...nothing is impossible.

Also, I have been helping a lady from the congregation with her four children (that's right, more working with children. The irony continues.) The family is also getting ready to move, so life is more hectic than usual.

I have been thinking much lately about the call on our lives as believers to love. We are supposed to love the unloveable. We are supposed to love people where they are. Why is that so hard? I think we have in our minds a picture of how everything "should be". That just isn't the case; that's not the world we live in. Sometimes we meet people we don't agree with. They leave a bad taste in our mouth, and we want nothing else to do with them. Yet, we are called to love them.

My prayer while I'm here is that Yeshua would teach me how to love people well-the people I see everyday, the people I'm closest with, and the people I may only meet once or twice. I'm learning, that just because other people don't live/walk/move in a culture of honor, doesn't mean that I can't.

I realize this blog hasn't been as revealing as past blogs have been. Understand, that I'm pondering a few things in my heart, and it's going to take time to sift through them all, much less write them out. But, don't worry, you will be let in on the goings and comings of this heart.

If you are wondering what you can pray about, here are a few things:

-I can always use prayer for courage and grace. I can always use prayer against fear.

-Prayer for vision in the coming days.

-Pray that God would begin, even now, to work in the hearts of his people as the holidays are fast approaching (more on this later). Pray that he would already begin a work in the hearts and minds of the people.

-Pray for the family that I'm helping with their move, that everything would run smoothly as the children transition to new schools. Also, for energy for the parents (moving, 4 kids, you get the picture).

-Pray for the family that lives on the moshav, and that they would continue to dream and walk in time with the heartbeat of Abba. That he would continue to prove himself faithful as they strive to walk out their dream.

-Pray for all of those that serve in the Israeli Defense Forces.

-Pray for the peace and stability of the Middle East.

-Most of all, pray that Love would find it's way into the hearts of the people of God. That the veil would be open and that the heavens would come down.

Grace and peace to you friends.

More soon.

Sarah

"What does it sound like when we sing heaven's song? And what does it feel like when heaven comes down? What does it look like when God is all around? Let it come."

What It's About

I realize I'm writing twice in one day, but I felt like what I'm about to tell you deserved it's own space set aside.

Last week my dear friend suggested we attend the youth meeting that happens once a week. She has a passion for youth, and so do I. I long to see believers walking in the fullness of what we have been called to. Don't get me wrong, evangelism is great. But my heart, my deep burning passion, is the discipleship of youth. I was excited to go. Even more excited because the youth group from this area was going up the mountain (Mt. Carmel) to join with another youth group. There may have been a hint of nervousness since I'm still floundering at the language, but my gusto outweighed that by far.

Now, I've been to Israel a few times and have managed to meet some of the youth and talk to them. I will admit that it has been frustrating to know if I have had any impact. This is my heart we are talking about. Since the last time I was here, I had been praying for one girl in particular. I don't know why, I just couldn't shake her from my mind. I would ask my friend, periodically, to ask this girl how she was doing and to tell her that I was praying for her. I had no idea if she even remembered who I was, or if she was even receptive in finding out I had been praying for her. And then...

She was there at the youth group. I was met with such warmth. I was actually stunned, and thought it was just out of excitement of seeing someone who had once been here. But, in the quiet of worship, she approached me. I was sitting on the floor, my back against a column enjoying his presence...and maybe wrestling. Then there she was, kneeling on the floor next to me, asking if she could pray for me. What's more amazing, is she basically prayed about everything I had written in my journal the morning before...everything I had been wrestling with, everything I had been praising God for, and here she is breathing life and truth into it.

After the prayer, she began to tell me that she'd just come through a rough season. She said that somehow she knew, she could feel that someone had been praying for her. And then my friend began to relay my messages to her. She said it was so good to know that she wasn't alone during this last season. That there was someone warring for her. She said something like, "God fills me up. I am always hungry and always thirsty for him, but he always makes me full. I'm full and I still want more of Him."

We sat together a long time, hands intertwined listening to the worship music and talking ever so often about how good Yeshua is. And we left that night with a promise to get together while I'm here.

This is what it's about.

Box Cutters & Toilet Paper

Shalom, dear reader. How does the day find you?

Beginning yesterday, I started doing some work for one of the messianic congregations here-Ohalei Rachamim (Tents of Mercy http://www.tents-of-mercy.org/) They do humanitarian aid and also pro-life counseling. It was last week that I offered my services to Sasha (who I am thoroughly convinced is Batman). I'm not really sure what Sasha's title is, but you name it he can probably do it. I've seen him doing maintenance, while talking on the phone switching between speaking Hebrew, Russian, and English.

Sunday morning, I presented myself to Sasha. With a smile, he said he had a special job for me. Oh my! He lead me over to a pallet of toilet paper and handed me a box cutter. My job is to cut the plastic in half (32 rolls in each, so each half has 16), bag them, and stack them on another pallet. You went to Israel to cut toilet paper in half? No. I came to Israel to love the people. If that means that I spend the day cutting, sacking, and stacking toilet paper, bring on Your Kingdom! Let's do this! So, yesterday morning that's what I did. Cut, cut, cut. Bag. Stack.

Breaking for lunch, I ate with some of the people who work at the Kehila (congregation). The entire conversation, the majority anyway, was in Russian. And let me tell you, I enjoyed every minute of it. I don't understand Russian, however I can't seem to get over how much body language and voice inflection are the same on a human level. I'm also proud to say, I've picked up 4 Russian words so far.

After lunch, I helped to make some emergency boxes (which actually contained some of the toilet paper I had worked on).

Today, it was basically the same as yesterday-cut, cut cut. Bag. Stack. Now, I know you're wondering what I'm getting out of this. Nothing. I don't even get to have a farmer's tan to show for it because I'm working in a warehouse-sweat, dirt, and more sweat. Actually, what I'm getting from it is bonding opportunities with people. And, more than that, I'm getting to walk in obedience. I'm getting the opportunity to walk in my destiny...and it has only just begun.

Just a Taste

Hello there, dear reader. I know it has been a while since I've last written, but I've been busy since the minute I landed in Israel.

This last week I spent helping with a children's camp for all the congregations in this network. The camp was wonderful, and the kids seemed to grasp the theme for the week: planting seeds, growing, producing fruit. However, I have no "awesome camp stories for you". I can't tell you if any of the kids made a decision or had some sort of an "ah-ha" moment in their lives. Why is this? Because my job at the camp was completely under the radar. I was the camp nanny. Basically there had been a few minor problems when it came to gathering camp counselors/leaders for this year. Many of the families in this community stepped up to take on leadership positions. Naturally, then, they had some kids who just weren't old enough to be in the camp, but who had to be there anyway. So, I spent most of my week chasing around a 4 year old and a six year old-playing in the water, taking them to the pool, getting them ready for bed, and playing a game called "spiders", meaning I tickle them as much as possible. Sometimes I think I have to have an actual title or position in order to validate who I am and what I am doing. I forget that Yeshua doesn't call me to validation. He calls me to be a servant, to be obedient. For the least of these. That was the vision he gave me when I groaned (ever so slightly) about having to be a nanny, and not getting to be as "involved" as I felt I should be. And yet, when I saw those little kids again after the camp they were so excited to see me. And when I tried to leave the building, they wouldn't let go. 

So now what are you doing? I suppose this question comes from a good place when someone asks. But, honestly, I'm to the point where I want to kick them in the shin. Honestly, right now is pretty much day-to-day living. I may or may not know what the next day holds. It's kind of like the validation issue I spoke of earlier...because I should have to put a label on this, right? If I can't give it a name or a title or a brief synopsis, it's not right? Wrong. 

I am called to love people. I am called to build relationships. I am called to observe and take in the parts of people no one notices. Whether it's volunteering in a congregation putting up camp stuff or helping with the daily household stuff where I'm staying, I am called to just be whatever they need.

When I was in my college lifegroup, we'd play a game called highs and lows. It's not really a "game", it's an opportunity to talk about your day-the high point, the low point-a time to be vulnerable so as to receive encouragement. So, let's play.

High: Yesterday I took a bus...by myself! Now, to some of you, that may not sound like such a big deal, but to a girl who grew up in a place where there was no public transportation this is a very terrifying experience. But, I did it! And I felt like superwoman!

Low: I just feel inadequate. How in the world am I supposed to meet these people where they are? And, am I "doing the right thing", even though I can't put a label on it? Validation. Fear. That's what it comes down to.

Please continue to pray for victories, even in the small areas like public transportation. They are extremely encouraging, and pave the way for even bigger victories.

Pray against fear and inadequacy, because he knew what he was getting into when he called me. He knew it, and he called me out of the boat to walk on the water anyway. Pray against the need to validate, because his grace really is sufficient.

That's all for now. It's only just a taste of what is to come. And, hopefully, what is to come will include pictures very soon:)

"I took you from the ends of the earth, from it's farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.'"