Casey's Israel Journal 2008

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Monday, April 28, 2008

Well, I think it’s Monday. I only know the date because my computer fills it in for me. Gosh….tired….so tired. The prep for this campaign is grueling….but I know the campaign itself will be grueling as well, and they are doing their best to get us ready. Yesterday, we did a lecture on the history of evangelism in Israel, all the way back to Matthew Chapter 10, and the book of Acts. And, our instructor told us, our times here might be very similar. They set the precedent. We can expect persecution, threats, arrests, hassles, and yet we also can expect that some will listen, that some are ready. Somehow, it just made that come to life for me. The realization that what I get to do here is exactly what the disciples were sent out to do….what they did. And yes, it was hard. And yes, they were hated, but the gospel advanced. It’s eternity after all.

So, it took on a whole new meaning to me on a deeper level. Oh rats, I only have 5 minutes. Ok. So, today, bigger outreaches planned. Oh, and pray for Israeli man by the name of Gavrael Efael. He is going to read the New Testament. He agreed that he should. Pray his heart will be touched. There are so many Israeli’s who are agreeing to receive it and read it…perhaps because they can talk to us about it in the privacy of their own home (from phone calling outreaches). I pray so hard for this outreach to be fruitful. Our teacher spoke this morning on the fact that if we are in Jesus, it is impossible for this work to not bear fruit. The only thing is whether or not we will see it with our eyes here, or in heaven. But, it will bear fruit.
I found that vastly encouraging.

6:30pm

Ok, BEST OUTREACH EVER!!!! It was just the most fun and exciting thing I have ever done! My little team of 4 worked a 4 corner intersection at a university. (We have to all be within view of each other at all times). So, everyone was so interested and fascinated! I’m serious! It was amazing! Everyone you talk to practically is Jewish….some Muslim, very few Christians, so it’s WIDE OPEN! Gospel, gospel, gospel, with every conversation! I had cab drivers honking for me to bring them a tract, because they read my shirt (I’m not sure what my shirt actually says, now that I think of it, I should ask!!!) It’s in Hebrew. Usually they say Jews for Jesus. At any rate, I had so many great conversations about Jesus, and got a lot of good information out, a lot of people will be searching their scriptures for themselves, I pray. And, I got a very open Muslim contact named Achmed, who wishes to truly know if Jesus is the One we say he is. He was a sweet fellow. He sincerely desired to know truth. Wow! It was going so well, all up until some group of Palestinian protesters showed up and a mini riot broke out! We decided to leave because it looked as if it could only get ugly from there. So, in about 25 minutes, our tiny team of 4 passed out almost 150 gospel tracts (not big numbers for regular campaign but considering where we are, I was pleased!!) and got 4 contacts of people who desire follow up and more information! We had 6 teams of 4 out for that half hour. So, who knows what all the stats will be. I’ll find out later.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

I did well on my test yesterday. Thank God. My brain doesn’t wish to cooperate with the rest of me in intentions regarding studies.

In just moments, I’m going out with a team on an outreach again. The other teams from yesterday experienced all manner of the persecutions we have been role playing for. I think our team was blessed in our sortie. I pray today we are all safe and blessed again. I pray for a great and exciting sortie with much fruit. Let there be open hearts today and bring them to us with no interference, Jesus.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Well, I do not know what happened to the 30 minute sorties, but they aren’t in place any longer… we were out last night for 3 hours. My little team of 4 arrived on site and immediately, Ofer was attacked… kicked... hit… etc . He de-escalated immediately, but then the gentleman (?) went for Sarah. We left the area.

While this was going on, my partner and I were in actual conversations with interested Israeli’s….I had just finished getting the contact information from a sweet guy, when I noticed two orthodox guys now following us. We crossed the street. They crossed the street. We put on our cover shirts and tried to window shop. They stood right behind us calling for reinforcements and taking our pictures. So, we had to leave that area… for about 20-30 minutes. We came back and then had some wonderful interest in what we had to offer… NT’s, scripture prophecies about Messiah and etc. It all ended well, and our little team alone ended up with 17 Jewish people who do not yet know their Messiah interested in hearing more about Jesus and gave us a way to meet with them! Praise the Lord. We also had our very first Israeli pray to receive the Lord, and we have not even officially started yet the outreach yet! We are still in training mode. This is GREAT NEWS!!! And a good start.

This morning, after quizzes, we had lectures again, and then 3 hours of role play. Each one of us had to test the other with a street outreach scenario.

When we go out into the streets, really, the Holy Spirit does take over….and so, I think there is no way to fully have an answer for just about any imaginary scenario. We do our best to prepare and we trust Jesus for the rest.

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