Monday, November 28, 2011

Prayer Updates

I updated the 'Prayer' page, but I'll list the updates here as well. We're blessed to have so many people standing with us and appreciate your repeated inquiries for our specific prayer needs. How are you all doing? We'd love to pray specifics for you. E-mail us at leah@remember-jerusalem.org

We have been praying for the funds and so far we've received about half the support we need -- for the first year. We have received donations through monthly donors and one-time gifts and trust the L-rd will continue to speak to people about partnering with us. We would love to stay in Jerusalem for at least three years. We will be leaving Kansas City mid-February, right after Cassidy's 5th birthday, to start our work in Israel. Two and a half months to go!

-We want the L-rd to put us in the right home and ask for His strategic placement and timing when looking for a place. Tom is going in January for 10 days and will look at several places throughout the city. We hope to have enough space for visitors from the States!

-Cassidy will be leaving her preschool here and we're hoping that by next Fall we will have a great school for her to attend. Cassidy loves being in the classroom and learning, so finding a great school (whether it's public, private or home-schooling) is very important to us. This will also enable Leah to connect with and reach out to moms. In the meantime we need prayer for Cassidy's continued studies at home as well as opportunities to meet other little kids, and their parents.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Teaching on the Farm

For the last two weeks Tom has taught a group of servant-hearted followers of Jesus at a place called Harvest Home. Their ministry is to bring restoration and healing to women and children specifically. Through their tight-knit community they provide a safe place for this healing to happen and we are thankful for their ministry. It's an honor to be partnered with people that live out what it means to be the hands of G-d, and this community does so much work to bring new life and hope to many who were hopeless.

I went out with him this last Tuesday and recorded his message on covenant. He spent over two hours teaching and I think the people would have sat through more, but everyone has their limits. He will return to the Farm next week to teach on the New Covenant and to tackle any new questions as they journey through this teaching.

I plan on breaking this teaching into segments and then posting it here for all of you who would love to get a first-hand experience of Tom's teaching. Since finishing his thesis on Covenant he has uncovered more information and we know our time in Israel will only add to his understanding.

Blessings to you all for your constant support and encouragement. Only 3 more months and we'll be moving to Jerusalem!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Ordination


Last Sunday evening our local congregation, Kingdom Living, and our international covering, Tikkun International, laid hands on us and blessed us by ordaining us into ministry. The wisdom, love and power of the people involved Sunday night is almost unspeakable. Throughout the last 5 years we've journeyed closely with Paul Blake and Eric Simon and others to better understand the importance of Israel, and how G-d desires us to function within His Body of followers. One of Kingdom Living's board members and the man who ordained Paul, Hal Linhardt was there to lay hands on us as well. Additionally, Tikkun America leader and prophet John Glueck laid hands on us and blessed us into the ministry. During the ordination, we could feel the tangible presence of G-d and were filled with encouragement and support from others within the Body of Messiah.
Eric, Hal, John and Paul, with Tom and me
We see how G-d is moving us to Jerusalem, by giving us confirming words, providing a buyer for our home during a difficult market, bringing along men with wisdom concerning the finances (thank you Dad and Brenton!), and providing the finances themselves. Ordination was one more step of commitment that brought along encouragement. They ordained Tom as a teacher, and it's been made apparent that this is what he should be doing as he prepares to give two more teachings this week to groups hungry to connect with the importance of Israel. The L-rd used study to bring hope to Tom in the last two years and he is bearing fruit from that time. His education at UHL will further his own understanding of the Scriptures and will allow him to impart more to others.

It's hard to grasp how much there is to study and learn, yet as Tom gains clarity on one issue he sees another topic to dive into. We're blessed by the partnership of so many and thank you for giving of your time, energy, words and finances. Your partnership with the L-rd and with us makes this all possible. If you have questions or are curious about Tom's studies, please contact us. We can meet with you or send you his thesis, which seems like only the tip of the iceberg now that a few months have passed since he finished it. We are blessed that the L-rd is infinite and that He desires us to know Him. We pray He draws each of you closer to Himself as you journey with us.