If you click on the above underlined link, you'll find some familiar faces (including ours!) and a very interesting story of the family and the land that we mentioned in our last blog update. We appear harvesting wheat around the 17 minute mark, but it's all worthwhile and very educational, as it prominently features Daoud Nassar, who is such a humble follower of Jesus and a living stone of the Body of Christ in this land.
Just a few days ago we had an incredible experience at the first ever joint Arab and Jew Global Day of Prayer here in Nazareth. We couldn't help feeling we were witnessing history in the making as Christian Arab pastors washed the feet of Messianic Church leaders from Israel. One Messianic leader, who had earlier publicly repented for slandering one of the Arab leaders, began to weep uncontrollably as this Arab leader who had forgiven him washed his feet. As soon as they finished and exchanged a long and tearful embrace, the Messianic leader insisted on washing the Arabs feet and wouldn't stop until he washed several more! We were all a mess of tears as we witnessed this miracle.
Another highlight was when a long line of people joined in a Jewish dance for worship as the Arabic worship team played on. (I have a hunch that the Arabs will lead worship a bit more than most in heaven :) Wow!) Such freedom to worship together in each other's different styles was also unprecedented until the other day.
The event ended with both the Messianic and Arab worship teams joining each other on the stage for a medley as those in attendance gave thanks and praise to God for the overwhelming success that had taken place and email addresses and phone numbers were exchanged between the groups.
Pray that the seeds sown yesterday would fall on fertile soil and a harvest would be reaped of deep and lasting relationships between the Arab and Jewish churches - Leaders and congregations included. Thank God, who alone was able to accomplish this victory and the many to come!
A few more highlights of our time in Nazareth: Going to (both) sites of the angel's annunciation to Mary, walking through the quite old city, having an excellent time of prayer within the site of the synagogue where Jesus opened the scroll of Isaiah 61 to announce his ministry(Wow!), going to the Mediterranean yesterday, where I did some great body surfing - who knew there were decent waves? I should've had my surfboard - and we also got some wicked sunburns, and this morning we led the chapel service at Israel's only registered evangelical school - Christy and I led worship and Mike shared a bible story, which we all did our best to act out, and Steffi from Germany gave a testimony.. The response from the 150 students was overwhelmingly positive.
Tomorrow we're going to Nazareth Village to volunteer for the day. It is a place where archaeologists uncovered a first century village and is now operated as a regular workplace where people dress, live and work (from 9-5) as people would've done during Jesus' time.
Thanks for taking the time. :)
Many Blessings - Much Love, Joey and Christy
No comments:
Post a Comment