Hello All!                                                                                 

Limited access to the internet and limited time to update my blog have prevented me from updating as I would have liked.  Hopefully, I will be better able to do so going forward.

While I was at the Jerusalem House of Prayer for All Nations, on the 31st of December the group there (about 35 people altogether) brought in the New Year with a lovely late evening meal, and from there went up to the Prayer Tower to spend a couple of hours in worship and prayer.  That was a very

special time. 

Someone leaked to another that it was my birthday that day, and I was presented, after dinner, with the most beautiful Jerusalem roses from their garden and a birthday song, which made my heart melt. 

The following day, Jan 1, was a laid back day at the house, fellowshipping with others there.  People come from all over the world to stay a while and pray from that place.  I met ppl from Sweden, Russia, Columbia, Zambia, etc.  Americans were in the minority.

I also spent time that day getting to know a young man from Zambia who recently resigned his position as a Senator in that nation, as he felt the Lord telling him to do so in order to run for president of his nation.  So, Saviour (his name), has started his campaign to run for the presidency in 2011.  That was a great joy for me to be able to get to know him better and pray and bless him.

The following day, a Russian group was scheduled to take a tour to the Dead Sea and had an extra seat in the sharut (shuttle bus) and I was asked along.  The majority of them spoke no English and the rest of them very broken English.  So I spent the day with them.  It was so much fun.  We “played” in the water, then went to one of the mineral mud pits and doused ourselves with the black mud, then jumped back into the water to rinse off.  That was an experience I will not soon forget.  We then traveled to another spot on the Sea about 20 minutes away that was more touristy in nature.

I have never been known to be much of a people watcher (ask my Mama), but I have become one here. 

There I sat at the end of our day together, on the shores of the Dead Sea, with a group of people from Russia, laughing and eating pomegranates.  So many thoughts going through my mind….  Took us about an hour to get back to the house.

From there, on the 3rd of Jan (Sun), I moved from JHOPFAN to be with Karen Dunham and her ministry team.   They have a couple of facilities inJerusalem.  One is a huge 4 story building where guests and offices are housed and another is a beautiful old building where they hold services of various types. The latter is called Damascus Gate Church.

I took a taxi over to the church to meet Karen the first day I came over here.  We went immediately to the church as it was almost time for the service.  As soon as I walked in the doors, I sensed the strong presence of God in that place which was so sweet. She and I spent time together that day getting caught up a bit, and she filled me in on what has been going on and a bit about what to expect during the internship.  The Holy Spirit agenda continues to unfold from day to day.

Amongst other things, we (Karen and her team) have been busy preparing for the Prophetic School (I have been referring to this one-month long event as the ïnternship”).  We are expecting anywhere from  25-35 people here over the next month.  There will be a group of YWAM people here from Sweden (they were also at JHOP while I was there) and a group of American young men and women from the Burn School in OK.  There will also be a couple of others joining us.

A lady came a couple of days ago to join the Prophetic School from Plano, TX and she and I are in a room together.  Small world – as I lived in Plano for many years.  She and I visited the Garden Tomb today and went to the Western Wall.  It was a very blessed day.  The Lord kept us safe and we did not get lost (hardly) at all.  I was our tour guide as it was my second time there.

My days here at Living Bread Ministry start with a walk of about 1/2 mile or so from the ministry house to the church where we participate in corporate worship.  Everyone in the house, staff and guests, participate.  We start at 9a and go to 10:30 or 11:00 usually.  It is a very blessed time and the presence of the Lord is very thick during our times together.  From there, we generally head back to the house, eat lunch together, and then go about whatever work we may have on the agenda for that day.

On the 4th, I had the awesome opportunity to go to Jericho with Karen and some of the Arab men who come to the church most mornings joined us.  They refer to these men (and other Arab belivers) as MBB – Muslim Born Believers.  This term is new to me, but used by many.  Also along for this trip were 4-5 of us on Karen’s team. We took their van to Jericho which is about a 20 minute drive from the ministry center (where we are staying).

We drove to the Prophet’s House (they call it) there in that city – a small house that Karen rents in Jericho, where they meet from week to week to disciple young believers.  These young believers are leading Bible studies during the week in their homes for other new believers.  That was such a special time.  The whole property where the house sits is very anointed.  When one walks onto the property, there is an orange grove on one side of the path to the house and banana trees, rose bushes and other beautiful plants on the other side of the path.  The aroma there is amazing.  We all sat together in the house while a friend of Karen’s brought a little lesson on holiness and had some interaction with those who were there.

We went into the small business section of the city and purchased fruit and falafel sandwhiches.  My first pitas and falafel.  Oh my goodness – were those good.  The food here is amazing.  We have all been participating in a Daniel fast, and drinking no coffee or tea.  The fruit and vegies are amazingly tasty, and we eat lots of fresh pita, hummus, olives, nuts, etc.  Yesterday someone gave me the most wonderful dates I have ever eaten!  From Jericho.  Also, the honey from Jericho is unlike any I have ever tasted.  I have a new favorite fruit to add to my list….Yummy persimmons.  Oh, and not to forget the beautiful avacados.  Ok – you get the point about the food.

I loved Jericho.

I just find myself very much in observation mode while here.  Looking, listening, watching a LOT.  Looking with my eyes, and listening for the Lord to speak to my heart about the things I am witnessing.  Everything is so new to me, and I really do not understand a lot of what I am seeing and hearing.

I find that my heart just hurts for many of the people here who look so empty.  You can see it in their eyes.  This is an amazing place, and I am so thankful for this experience.  Thanks to so many of you who have made it possible.  The “work” I have come here to do really starts on Monday, so I would appreciate your prayers.

Well, it’s late here tonight so I will finish updating you all hopefully tomorrow.

With Love to All,

Val

Today was an adventure for sure. Up early – 3am.  Heard above me the sound of music and praying and was unable to go back to sleep.  So laid there and talked to the Lord for long while.  Was thanking Him for the gift of being here for my birthday, amongst other things, and for those who have supported me along this journey. He is amazingly good and gracious to us.

I love something Bill Johnson said recently, “God is better than we think, so we need to change the way we think.”  I say yes – God, please reveal to me the truth about Who You are!!

The Big House, where I am staying, is 4 stories – thus its name.  Lowest level – offices, 2nd level – kitchen, dining areas, other rooms where staff live, 3rd level – a day room, many small rooms with bunk beds for guests, bathrooms, and 4th level – Prayer Tower ( they call it).  Octagon shaped (I think) and glass walls, overlooking Jerusalem on all sides.  Located at top of Mt. of Olives.

Watched the sunrise this morning, and saw the most AMAZING FULL RAINBOW.  I will try to upload px soon.  It was God’s way, I believe, of reminding me that He is a God who fulfills His promises to His ppl.  I look fwd to watching this year as He surprises me in ways beyond my imaginings to fulfill promises given long ago in my life.

After breakfast, traveled to town with my roommate from France.  She is a bit more experienced than I at navigating the city, so she guided me around to some sites.  Wow.

The bus ride in and of itself to the Damascus Gate area was a trip and adventure.  The roads are SO narrow, and drivers impatient.  This house is locatd in the Arab Quarter, so traveled through here to get to Wailing Wall, where we stopped first.  They were having some sort of a large barmitzva celebration for many young boys (men) so there were many people there.  A proud mother even shared the most amazing cake with us.  I took it and ate it as my birthday cake.    It was SO good!

We then walked through a museum, and saw many other sites.

The underground Shuk was quite amazing.  It is an outdoor market of sorts.  Much activity and many people.  buying and selling.  I did not get anything today, as I plan to return another time.

We found our way home before dark, for which I was grateful.  NOT good to be out after dark here – understatement.

We stopped for food at little restaurant we visited, and I had a cappuccino.  YUM!  Food at the place where I am staying is prepared by staff here, who are from all over the world, so we get quite an assortment.  Very nice.

Am not sure what tomorrow holds.

Have been somewhat overwhelmed as I contemplate the fact that I am walking in the very heart of the region where Jesus lived and walked.

Thank you all for your love and prayers.  I am preparing in my heart for my work with Karen next week.  I do not know what to expect, but know it will be good.

This is an intense, but beautiful land.  I have to pinch myself every once in a while – hard to believe I am here.

Val

If you count my afternoon arrival yesterday, today is day 2 of my trip, or 1st full day in Israel.  Abt 22 hours total.  Flight was interesting – Safe, thankfully.  After delays, a near missed connection in Denver to Phily where boarding had ceased and doors were closed to any more passengers, and a bout of bad turbulence during our last half hour before Tel Aviv, I am thankful to be on the ground in the Holy Land.

I am not normally a people watcher, but that changed yesterday as I witnessed an interesting crowd in Philadelphia and many Orthodox Jews on the plane.  I watched as they performed their ritualistic prayers on the plane in the aisles and tried not to be blatant in my observations.  I wanted much to engage one of them in conversation, but did not get the opportunity.

Once to Ben Gurion Airport, I finally found a shuttle to a Jerusalem hotel, and from there a taxi to the Big House….aka Jerusalem House of Prayer for All Nations.  Met those I have been communicating with prior to my arrival, and enjoyed a bit of dinner and fellowship with them.  I think this place accomodates aprox 30 guests plus staff.  I am sharing a room with a young gal from France.  Have yet to meet an American.

Spent today here at the House as wanted to recover a bit, though jet lag very minimal.  Thankful for that. Spent some time in the prayer room, called the Prayer Tower and met some of the interesting people staying here from all over the world.  

May be attending a rally tomorrow.  Will write more if indeed that happens.  

Am writing from a computer here at the Big House, and keyboard very tricky!

Sights, sounds and everything here fascinating.   Looking fwd to an awesome adventure with the Lord.  

Tomorrow marks my birthday and I anticipate something special, as it also marks bday 49, when I enter into my 50 year – the year of Jubilee.  Very significant for me.

Bless you all!  I will write again soon and hope to post px.

Merry Christmas One and All! 

This girl is thankful today that Jesus chose to come to earth and I love the fact that we have the opportunity to celebrate the birth of this One – fully God and fully Man, Saviour of all mankind. 

I attended Christmas eve service at John and Mom’s church last night, and spent  today at Mom’s, serving dinner to and fellowshipping with family and friends.  Tomorrow, Matt is coming with family and Rob should be here as well.  I look forward to getting my hands on my grandchidren.                           

Almost through with preparations to leave for Israel on Monday 28th.  Will leave Mom’s on Sunday for Colorado Springs, where I will spend the night with my special friend.  Early Monday morning, she will drive me to the airport in CS.  From there, I fly to Denver, change planes and then on to Philadelphia where I have about a 5 hour layover.   From Phily, will fly to Tel Aviv.  22 hour trip total. 

Will post as I am able while I am away.  Thank you for keeping me in your prayers while I am on this journey.  I anticipate a life changing experience and set of encounters with Marvelous Jesus and those I meet there.  

Wow!  This is my first post ever.  Yea Val!  My friend David has been helping me thus far, but I am now becoming the Word Press expert.  Blessings to you all! 

Val