Av - Elul 5764
SUMMER REFLECTIONS (or ODDS AND ENDS)
Summer is rapidly drawing to an end, so it's a good time to reflect
on what God has been doing, and to look forward to what's in store.
But first, an important request: As we mentioned in our
last letter, Patrice's job was terminated at the beginning of the
summer. That means we no longer have any health insurance. Nor do
we have the extra income that in the past has enabled us to make
up for shortfalls in contributions to Menorah Ministries, and to
help us put the kids through college. (Seth is beginning his senior
year at Emory University in Atlanta.) Up to this point, Patrice
has not been able to find a new job to supplement our income. In
addition, the normal summer slump in giving to Menorah Ministries
has been worse than usual, and the ministry finds itself facing
some large, end of the summer bills. Please pray for us and for
this situation, and ask the Lord how he might want you to help out.
A couple of weeks ago we returned from the annual conference of
the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) in Boston. During
the conference the UMJC ordained ten new rabbis (many of whom studied
with John). In the past, and to some degree even now, there has
been a real lack of properly trained leaders in the Messianic Jewish
movement. This is why one of the purposes of Menorah Ministries
continues to be the training of leaders around the world. So, it
was exciting to see this many people reach a new, higher level of
equipping for leadership.
At the conference, Patrice taught a crash course in beginning Hebrew,
which was very well received. Her course equips people to begin
to read not only the biblical text, but also to follow the Jewish
prayer book that is essential for sound Messianic services. We recently
received an email from a student who had previously taken her mini-course.
My husband and I are members of B'rit Hadasha
[a Messianic synagogue] in Memphis. We had the honor of taking the
Hebrew immersion class at the Conference last year. We still go
over our workbooks weekly and are reminded of you every time we
look at the pages. We were both touched by your teaching.
At the conference, we also shared a seminar session on "Why
all the passion about 'The Passion'?" A lot of people told
us how much they appreciated it. Many of those who attended said
that the session had really helped them more clearly understand
the movie and the issues related to it. (Yes, our book on "The
Passion" is out. :-) It's called THE
DISTORTION [published by Lederer].)
Positive responses immediately after a seminar are always gratifying.
However, it is even more encouraging to hear later from those who
had attended a seminar one of us had taught in previous years. It
lets us know that God has used us to make a more lasting impact
in someone's life. We received such a note recently from one of
our previous "students." It read:
God has opened the door for me to do some
teaching at First Baptist Church. I've been hoping and praying about
this for years. I've used your materials, and the feedback I'm hearing
is very good. You know, of all the teachers I've had you (both of
you) I consider the best of the best.
One of our seminary students wrote us:
I want you to know that I have learned so
much, and have been reminded of why I exist on this earth and do
not merely get whisked away by the Spirit. We are here for the Kingdom
of God, to tell people about Him, and to be salt and light.
The Israel trip earlier this summer was also wonderful, everything
we had anticipated! The people in Israel--both Arabs and Jews--were
very friendly, and we all felt very safe and secure throughout our
entire time there. As one of those who went with us put it: "I
felt safer in Israel than in Illinois."
It was a deeply moving and enriching experience for all who went,
so it fulfilled an important purpose we have for these trips. We
intend for the time in Israel to be a unique opportunity for significant
learning, as well as a place of deepening relationship with God.
Just before we returned to the States, one of the others on the
trip said: "It was life-changing! I will
never be able to read my Bible in the same way again."
When she got home and was asked to reflect on her experience, another
person responded: "When the opportunity
comes for you to experience Israel, take it. Your life will be changed;
you'll never be the same...I promise."
These are the responses that make it worth all the time, effort,
sacrifice and cost involved for us to lead people to Israel.
Now, in closing, "back to the future" and to training
leaders worldwide. During the latter part of August, John is back
in Cape Town, South Africa. As you may recall, he spoke and taught
there two years ago and was very well received. As a result, he
was invited back to be the main speaker at the annual Messianic
conference this year. After the conference he teaches an intensive
yeshiva [Jewish seminary] course for leaders and potential leaders.
The course is "The Epistles from a Jewish Perspective."
Please keep this time in prayer. Perhaps in the next letter we will
share about the time in South Africa as well as some of the other
African "connections" Menorah Ministries has been able
to help establish.
Thanks so much for being such a strategic part of this ministry
we share together. Your prayers and contribution enable us to carry
on in these very significant ways.
Most warmly in our Messiah,
John and Patrice |
