Shalom, Shalom!
A couple of years ago we told you about our Israeli-born friend
Ron, who recently accepted Yeshua as Messiah through our ministry.
Recently he wrote down his story; so we thought we'd share it with
you.
"1979 was a year of opportunities for my family. We landed in York
on the 4th of July, as fireworks exploded. We all thought: 'What
a country!' I was 12 years old.
"We quickly settled into a normal life in Providence, Rhode Island,
where my sister and I attended the 'Jewish Hebrew Day School.' The
thinking was that public schools would be too hard from a language
point-of-view. The idea was sound, but in practice English was not
the problem. The Hebrew was. There was some animosity toward the
Israeli boy who could outclass the Hebrew teacher in her skills.
For some strange reason, I failed Hebrew!
"In 1980 I went through my Bar Mitzvah. Shortly after, I started
receiving invitations to attend a number of synagogues in the community.
I guess hearing that I was a Levy, everyone wanted a piece of me.
I enjoyed the attention. Life was good, but I really did not think
of religion or God much at the time.
"In late 1989, my family and I moved to Florida, where I started
the normal 9-5 routine. In late 1993, I was employed by a case manufacturing
company. It was there that I met one person who would have a profound
influence on my life.
"The first time I met Tim Brownell, I recognized him, not for being
himself, but for looking a whole lot like somebody else. Tim had
an uncanny resemblance to David Crosby of the singing group Crosby,
Stills, and Nash. I, for my ignorance, could not figure out why
someone like David Crosby would be working for a living! But, of
course, Tim Brownell was, after all just Tim, and we soon became
good friends.
"Tim was the first to bring out religion in conversation. We talked
for hours. Soon, I realized he k something about the Jewish side,
and our conversations improved. He told me of a synagogue where
the Rabbi also preached about this 'Yeshua' guy. I was fascinated
and felt I needed to learn more about him. At the same time I hesitated
to attend their synagogue.
"I finally agreed to go to a Passover dinner with him (a MAJOR turning
point for me). There I was introduced to some of the synagogue's
most colorful members. It was there that I met Rabbi John Fischer
for the first time. He did not strike me as the type of Rabbi who
was stiff and rigid with people, especially after he held his thumb
to his nose, and gave both Tim and Gary Kolosey a royal raspberry!
It was also the night I met my future wife. Again, life was good.
"Soon, I started attending services; I also made a commitment to
attend the Rabbi's Bible study of which Tim was a part. In my walk
toward God. I feel I have come a long way from the person I was,
but I still have a long way to go. I am thankful to God that He
has sent us Rabbi Fischer. Our congregation is unique among others.
And, I treasure this uniqueness.
"So, in short, this is my story. It is not an adventurous story,
nor is it full of wonder. It is, however, a never-ending story.
And, it is one that I have just begun to truly experience. I don't
know where I will go or what the future has in store for me. What
I do know is that I have found a home in Yeshua, and I plan on staying
for a long time."
You have helped make this "story" possible; and we thank you!
Love in our Messiah,
John & Patrice Fischer
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