Unlike your cousin Merv’s postcard from the beach resort that ends with the obligatory “Wish you were here,” I really DO wish you were here! I wish you could experience the energy and listen in on the hundreds of conversations with Israeli travelers who are staying at our various free facilities. I wish you could see the skepticism melt away to reveal searching hearts and enquiring minds. And as we are now in the thick of the “Israeli season” here in New Zealand, I wish you could share in the joy of seeing God do what only He can do: usher Jewish souls from death to life.
Case in point: Let me tell you about Ori, an Israeli guest at our Zula Lodge. Like thousands before him, Ori attended one of our weekly evangelistic Sabbath celebrations, enjoyed a “Hummus Night” at the Zula, and connected relationally with our staff and volunteers. But Ori was especially responsive to one of our Israeli volunteers, Yonatan, and a friendship was struck.
After returning from New Zealand to Israel, Ori continued to Whatsapp Yonatan with questions: Who is Yeshua, really? Who wrote the New Testament and what’s it about? Why do modern rabbis reject Yeshua and His followers? Clearly, Ori was moving past casual curiosity into sincere examination.
In the midst of these digital conversations with Yonatan, Ori’s father passed away. Often we find that crises distract the seeker from his quest, but not so with Ori. The death of his father only served to accentuate the profundity of the Kingdom he was examining, a Kingdom whose King has conquered the grave and paved a pathway to Eternal Life.
Praise God, I’m delighted to report that Ori has yielded to the King and is now firmly planted in the Kingdom of Light and Life! He is now meeting regularly for discipleship with an Israeli believer who formerly volunteered at the Zula, and is growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.
I hope you see how vital your prayers and support are to this ministry. Thank you so much for making it possible for me and my staff to reach into the hearts and minds of Israeli travelers here at the ends of the earth!
Yours in Messiah,
Scott and Margie B