Nessim Muse December 2008

Hello again to all our friends and Shalom from Israel!

This past  month  we had had a house full of visitors, among them a Jewish believer from Kenya, Ann Lipson, who has spent years in Africa in the service of the King, and Morris Alex, a pastor from Australia, who came to serve as a volunteer in various places in Israel, and helped also with some painting and decorating in our home and for another sister here in Nahariya, as well as in Carmiel. Thank you Morris, and both Ann and Morris enriched our lives by sharing theirs! We also had a visit from Derek and Gail Rous of PFI, and Derek White from CFI. We should not forget to mention that Rabbi Joseph from Los Angeles was frequently visiting us over a period of about three weeks, and added to our colourful variety of guests. We enjoyed having all these dear people and the input they gave us. But now the visitors have all gone and we have a few days before the next ones arrive!

Last month, I reported that Shoshana had fallen and was hospitalised and then spent some time in the Ebenezer home in Haifa. She is now home and much better, but this time it was my turn to fall!  I fell backwards over the dish washer, hurting the whole of my left side, and injuring some of my ribs, and two days later, while visiting a friend, the chair collapsed under me and my head smashed against the wall injuring my neck and back. Eleven days later I am still hurting, taking much pain relief, but fortunately still functioning. My eyes are also not doing well, but in spite of all, we know that God’s presence is with us.

In my last letter, I mentioned the Arab taxi-driver. Bulos, whom I came to know when I hired his taxi. Last week, on the day of the fall, Pastor Najeeb from Haifa, and several of us from Nahariya, went to his village, and held a meeting in his house. As it was of course mainly in Arabic, I did not understand much, but it was very lively as Pastor Najeeb  talked and they fired questions at him. Bulos, then asked us to come back every week, but sadly Najeeb is already looking after three assemblies, so we agreed we would try once a month to start with. This time my Arabic cleaning lady came with us, she was glowing as she herself only came to faith about four weeks’ ago, Her face literally shines! Yesterday, she was presented with a daily readings book in Arabic by M….., our teacher, and she was thrilled. Coming back to Bulos, he begged to join us on our two day trip to Bethlehem with Najeeb’s congregation, so a place has been found, and we are also expecting ABDM to join us there with his wife and three children. He still has not got his permission to come and see us here, but we go on praying for a break through!

We were also able to fit in another visit to Bella and Natasha in Gadera, Bella’s brother Alik also joined us. I had looked after Alik when he was a young teenager for two years, and he calls me his second mother. Bella is so ill with her back that she has to take morphine, and after her operation next month, she will have to be weaned off of it! This is one of the poorest and most afflicted families we have come across, but they love to see us, and they need to come to know the Lord.

We are continuing with the weekly Shabbat meetings, and one of the themes we follow mid-week has been the Book of Daniel. This is not only a learning period, but also a challenge to us, as we see the Day approaching. Things look very bleak, and we see much trouble ahead of us in the Middle-East, as well as wondering what will be with the new American President, and how we will fare in our own upcoming elections.

Last week, the Yad L’Achim (Anti-mission group) put warnings through all the doors in our neighbourhood  that the “Plague of Messianic Jews has arrived in Nahariya!” Whether this is aimed against us or just a general warning we do not yet know, but pray for us. They say terrible things about us, and unfortunately, a lot of people believe it.

We want to thank all those of you who have prayed for us so faithfully, and those who have written to encourage us, (alas often with no reply as our time does not stretch to this) and also to all of you who have given so generously to keep this work going and help with the general running of the congregation and the assistance to the poor. YOU have been part of this work and the reason we are able to carry on. God bless you all,

We did hear that some question why we have to pay rents. Unlike the rest of Europe,  Israel has been classified as having the largest number of really poor people, in what is considered Western Europe. Soup kitchens have been in operation in a number of cities, especially in Jerusalem, and many would not survive without this help. As far as we know, there are no soup kitchens available in many places, and certainly little to absolutely no rental help! The Social services here are very poor compared to most places in Europe!

And now its time to wish you all a blessed celebration of Messiah’s birth and a joyful New Year even if times are not so good, and dark clouds are on the horizon.

Please continue to pray for:

• Our new Jewish and Arab contacts
• For our upcoming Christmas visit to Bethlehem to fellowship with the beleaguered brethren there.
• That ABDM will be able to join us for the celebrations with his family.
• And last but not least for the situation in the Middle East,as Katyushas continue to rain down on the Western Negev

With  greetings in Yeshua,and God bless,

Ruth, Avi and Esther