merry hanukkah

the holidays have crept up on me like a thief in the night.
it's a lot more subtle here in Tel Aviv especially, because there is no such thing as Christmas.

but anyway, merry Christmas !

as a team, we decided that we would not journey to Bethlehem during the holiday season, because we discovered that it is transformed into a total tourist festival. because we have journeyed to this land in order to reach out to the Jewish people & to respect their culture, we chose to instead spend time as a family near our home.

so today, Christmas Eve, we set out to reach out to the Sudan refugees who have found it difficult to find their place in this land. teaming up with the local Korean church (it's so crazy to see so many Koreans here !), we sang Christmas songs & celebrated the birth of Jesus at a park where many of these refugees call their home. just showing them the love of Christ by singing & handing out gifts was so fun & encouraging. millions of miles away from home, I was able to realize that there really is more to Christmas than what the world has to offer.

tomorrow we are going to have a picnic at a park where Michael Jackson supposedly had his wedding, & have a family dinner with our team.

although this new culture is fascinating & fun, I do miss the comforts of home, family & friends. I really hope you are all having a most blessed holiday season!

sending you love from Israel,
r.

the above is a jelly donut that many eat during the hanukkah season. they sell them in almost every store !

שלום

shalom.
I have arrived in the land flowing with hummus & falafel.
the weather is surprisingly nice here & I love taking a stroll down the various alleys & streets. or the beach--sand soft as powder & water clear as glass.
and the food. absolutely amazing. seriously loving it.

we had the opportunity to do some street worship & it was cool because people were so intrigued by us. I would catch them watching us or stopping as they walked by. we'll be doing various ministries as the weeks go by. I'm seriously excited for all that God has to give us.

just walking down these streets, I can't help but be in awe. so much history was made on these paths !

prayer requests:
1. that I would be more in tune with the Spirit so that I could more clearly hear His voice
2. overcoming jetlag
3. to be bold & courageous, but also very loving with the people here
4. that I would be mightily used for His kingdom
5. that I would love my team more & more each day

I'll update again soon. with more pictures.
love you all !

r.

here we go

within the next hour, I will be heading to Tel Aviv, Israel for two months.
thank you all for being so interested in my journey.
I'll be updating during my time there.
I love you.

see you later alligators.

r.

the final countdown

we're in single digits now--9 days till I leave for outreach. it's surreal.

I'm seriously eager with anticipation for what God has planned for me & my team in Israel. the enemy has definitely been tugging at our team, using disunity & discouragement to break us apart. but I see now that these hardships show just how much more glory is waiting for us in Israel.

last week, God showed His sovereignty through finances: our school needed over $100,000 in funds for outreach & it all came in within 5 hours. not one of the students in our DTS are being left behind. isn't He amazing? still astounded by His grace.

spending thanksgiving here was such an experience. away from the family & friends that I was familiar with, I found joy & peace in spending the holiday with new loved ones.

side note: I'll be celebrating Christmas in Israel !! how awesome is that?

anyway, the fact that it's my last full week here on this island startles me. these past ten weeks have been so fruitful, faith-stirring & fast. our fire&fragrance dts has gotten so close that we really feel like a big family. I already miss them.

prayer requests:
that God would continue to have favor on our team so that we could be used effectively in Israel.
that He would continue to pour out His blessings & mercies on me--I want more of Him.
that I would grow even more on outreach--that He would stretch & bend me further.
to trust Him more.
to spend my time wisely & efficiently.
to fall even more in love with Him.

I can't wait to be able to update this during my outreach phase. thank you for all your love, concern & encouragement. hope this day finds you well.

r.