France

So sad to leave Israel! I could have used another week at least. But God filled me to overflowing, and it was time to move on.

After finally connecting with Megan in Frankfurt, Germany we headed to the Frankfurt Judengasse, or the Jewish Ghetto, which was initially build in 1462. Initially Jewish ghettos were the outgrowths of segregated ghettos by surrounding Christian authorities.Later, the Nazi's used ghettos for the purpose of segregation, persecution, terror, and exploitation of Jews, mostly in Eastern Europe. This ghetto in Frankfurt was one of the oldest ghettos in Germany, and was completely demolished in World War II by the Nazis.

The decision to build an administrative complex in the same area triggered a public discussion as to what should be done with the archaeological remains, leading to an excavation in 1977. The foundations of 19 buildings were found and five of these can be seen at the "Museum Judengasse" which was incorporated below and into the new building. This is what Megan and I were able to see, and it was absolutely sobering. The map below shows the street the ghetto existed on before the Jews were driven out and taken to concentration camps. It was the poorest, most deplorable place anyone could have lived, in regards to availability of water, drainage and sewage. The second picture is from the 1800s.

 The next photos show the actual rock foundations of rooms, as well as ancient mikvehs (mikwe in German),baths used for ritual cleansing in Judaism.

The pictures below shows a memorial in the back of what was the ghetto, a memorial to the 11,134 Jewish Frankfurt citizens killed during the Holocaust. Each block shows the person's name, and which concentration camp they were taken to. Ann Frank's name was among those on this wall, but we didn't find that out until later and didn't know to look for it.

That night we trained to Arcy, France, and stayed with the Bridgette and Lucien Castera. Arcy is a tiny village on the outskirts of Auxerre (Au-Sair). The Casteras minister to people in this area of France, which is a spiritually dark place. They welcome families into their home for meals and Bible Studies, while running a bed and breakfast, specifically open to Christian groups, pastors and ministers as well as to the general public. It was an absolute joy to be loved and taken care of for two days by this sweet family, and I learned much about the spiritual condition of this part of France.

Then, we were off to meet Guy Athia, who is the director of Chosen People Ministries, France, for another Shabbat dinner. There is too much to write of what I learned about the situation in France regarding the Jewish people and anti-Semitism. It is on the rise at an alarming rate. Jewish families are increasingly buying property or flats in Israel. According to Guy, it is pretty clear there are thousands among the French Jewish community who are planning to emigrate to Israel at some point in the near future -- if they haven't already left.

Scripture speaks of a time when the Jewish people will return to the land, initiated by God alone. The prophet Isaiah spoke of God's plan to bring His people back to the land of Israel, saying: "He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel, He will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth" (Isaiah 11:12).  Although terrible, these anti-Semitic activities intended to harm the Jewish people, whether in France or the rest of Europe, in Israel or anywhere else in the world, are only happening because God is in control of all things. As Joseph assured his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Gen. 50:20). It is because of persecution that the Jewish people are fleeing France, and returning to the land promised to them by God through Abraham: "Now the LORD had said to Abram (Abraham): ‘Leave your country, your family and your father’s house and go to a land that I will show you’. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12:1-3). 

God is beyond words.

Tonight, Christmas Eve, Megan and I are in Nuremburg. Everything has shut down for the next two days. We hit the Christmas Market (beautiful!), and then the grocery store, stocked up on some food, and are relaxing watching a movie tonight.

I am so thankful for each of you and hope you are enjoying this season, celebrating the birth of Jesus -- Immanuel, the "with us" God.

Karen (& Megan)

Tiberias and Nazareth

Hello, friends!

There is so much I want to write – I’m not sure where to start...

Saturday, I was with a new friend named Bill who has lived in Tiberias for the past 20 years, working with the Jewish people in that region. He serves at a church in a village called Poriya, which sits at the very top of a mountain overlooking the Sea of Galilee.  His church is primarily filled with Russian Jews. 

Between 1989 and 2006, about 979,000 Soviet Jews and non-Jews eligible under the Law of Return emigrated from former Soviet Union, when the liberal government of Mikhail Gorbachev opened the borders of the USSR and allowed Jews to leave the country for Israel. I have been constantly reminded while I've been in the land of the Old Testament prophets who spoke of a time to come when God would bring his chosen people who are scattered to the four corners of the earth, back to the land promised to them. "The days are coming,' declares the LORD, 'when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land I gave their forefathers to possess,' says the LORD." (Jer. 30:2). Bill has a very large area pinpointed on a map circling Tiberias that he and his team have been praying over for many, many years – and God is blessing those prayers with many Jewish people who are now back in their land coming to faith in Christ. Amazing. 

While near Tiberias, Bill took us to see Capernaum, which is right along the Sea of Galilee. We saw Peter’s mother-in-law’s house, which is immediately next to ruins of an old Synagogue dated to the first century AD. “He [Jesus] said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.” (John 6:59). Below is a picture of the Synagogue at Capernaum, and the Sea of Galilee (where Jesus calmed the storm, and walked on water).

The v-shaped area between the two mountains is called "The Valley of the Doves," and is likely where Jesus traveled by foot to enter Capernaum.

Sunday we traveled to Nazareth, to an Arabic Baptist church. Nazareth is 100% Arab, and certainly does not look like it probably did when Jesus was a child growing up there.

One year ago, the church was near closure with five faithful Arab Christians who met weekly to pray. A man named Bashar, an Arab Christian, along with his wife were called by God to go to lead that church – to outreach and share the good news with Arabs in Nazareth. When we visited, the church was full of people, all new believers, and alive with music and hearts fully worshipping the Lord. They host outreach events for the locals – who aren’t overly welcoming initially of their presence in the area – but who are loved on and cared for (so different from Islam) and many end up putting their faith in Christ.

Below is a picture of Bashar and his sweet wife Noura, Lubna who was our translator, and the team members I was with from Operation Mobilization.The second picture is a sweet missionary named Sara with an Arabic friend from the church.

God has provided above what I could have ever planned or expected, in opportunities, teaching and learning. One highlight for me was praying at the top of Mount Carmel over the city of Haifa, at night, for the people who live in the land of Israel.

Monday I was finally able to get into Jerusalem. Public transportation was not running at all to that point because of the record-breaking snowstorm. Their has been great damage to the land, including to crops. News sources said nothing quite like it has hit in Israel in 70 years. Prime Minister Netanyahu called it a "once in a century phenomenon." Fortunately I was still able to connect with with Eugene with Chosen People Ministries Jerusalem.  Nurit and Mike joined us later to tour the Old City. Below is a picture of the Old City covered in snow, with the Dome of the Rock.

 The Western (Wailing) Wall (below)

A picture of the Mount of Olives, where Jesus was arrested, is below. If you look closely you can see it is covered with sarcophagus' which are stone box-like funeral receptacles displayed above ground (a cemetery).

Met Megan on Tuesday in Frankfurt (wonderful!) and then the next morning we were off to France to meet our friends Lucien and Bridgette Castera. More to come from France...

Love you all!

Grace & Peace,

Karen

Kfar Sava and Re'ut

Made it to Israel!

I arrived Tuesday morning and was picked up by Nurit Amir, my dear friend Gali Kinel's mom who lives in a Kibbutz about 30 minutes north of the Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, in Kfar Sava. "Kibbutz" is the Hebrew word for a communal establishment. The first kibbutzim (plural of “kibbutz”) were founded some 40 years before the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. Their founders were young Jewish pioneers, mainly from Eastern Europe, who came not only to reclaim the soil of their ancient homeland, but also to forge a new way of life. Overcoming many hardships, they succeeded in developing thriving communities which have played a dominant role in the establishment and building of the state. Below is a picture of one of the childcare providers at the kibbutz. Next is a picture of one of at least three bomb shelters I saw walking through the kibbutz. The last two are of a new friend, Kelly, who is Jewish but from India. Kelly and I had lots to talk about, as he loves Israel and the history of the Jewish people as I do. Last is a picture of Nurit, my host. 

I've attached a map of Israel so you can get a better idea of how very small the nation is, and where some of the places are that I'll be visiting. Note that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank are Palestinian territories. If you would like to learn more about the middle east crisis, watch this five minute video (click HERE). I'd also encourage you to watch this beautiful video on Israel, and why what is happening in our day is so profound from a Biblical worldview (click HERE).

(click the map to enlarge)

We were supposed to head to Jerusalem on Thursday, but evidently I brought the rain and snow from California with me to Israel -- It has been snowing in Jerusalem for two days (NOT usual this time of year) and in fact in Re'ut where I am staying tonight with Irit and Lewis Pasco and their three sweet daughters, Leah, Mika and Priel. The roads to Jerusalem have been closed; no one can get in to the city. Instead, I will go to Jerusalem on Monday when the sun is supposed to be shining bright. :)

Below is a picture of the Judean hills surrounding Jerusalem. If you look closely the far hills are covered in snow. The second picture is the valley where Joshua defeated the five Amorite kings after entering the Promised Land (Joshua 10). Wow.

The last picture is of Shabbat (Sabbath) dinner with the Pasco family. Friday night at Sundown, everything closes -- supermarkets, malls, businesses. Observant Jewish families spend the afternoon preparing dinner, so right when the sun goes down no more work needs to be done (until Saturday at Sundown). 

Tomorrow I am heading north to Galilee to attend church at Peniel Congregation in Tiberias and work alongside a friend, Sean Cole, with Operation Mobilization.  For now, Toda! (Thank you) and Baruch HaShem! (Praise the Name - God) and Laila Tov (good night).

Karen