Stories From Israel

Stories From Israel

Hello everyone, I am back from another great and blessed trip to Israel. This three week trip, as other trips, the Lord has blessed Covenant Ministries with more opportunities to share the gospel and developed new relationships and strengthening the current ones. The Lord has also expanded Covenant Ministries area of operation in regards to supporting more men and woman of the Israeli Army (IDF). This is a great blessing, opportunity and responsibility.

Most of my time was spent with the incredible men and woman of the Israeli Army (IDF) on Lebanon and Syrian boarders. In addition, time was spent in training with the Ruff Shots. These are the civilian community security officers that are responsible for protecting their communities from terrorist attacks. These communities are on the boarders of Lebanon and Syria. The IDF keeps them trained up and ready. I am blessed to be apart of this. This gives Covenant Ministries the opportunity to develop relationships with them and people within their communities.

Yes, for everyone wondering. I was able to work on the ranch again. This time with new ranch hands whom I have not met. Not only did I have a wonderful time but doing this and sharing the gospel is a special treat for me from the Lord. Do not get me wrong it is hard work but enjoyable.

Actually, I have been back for about a week now but just now getting around to posting some stories from Israel. That is because I got sick a few days after returning. Fever, coughing, body ache and just sick as a dog. But I do feel better now enough to say hello and thank you everyone for their prayers while I was in Israel.

I guess this would be a good time to start a story. Which was the last thing that happened on my trip.
The flight back from Israel to the states was on time and smooth. I had no one next to me so I had an empty seat to my left next to the window and I was on the seat on the aisle. I said Lord thank you I will be able to stretch out and hopefully sleep real good. Well as good as you can on a plane. There was a couple about four rows in front of me to the left. The lady was coughing up a storm and sneezing. I said Lord I am glad I am not next to her. Thank you Lord.

We flew into New York JFK my connection was on time I was in an exit row with extra room so all was good. I slept good on the flight from Israel. I ate and I said Lord I think I will take a little nap and not sleep when I get home. As the plan was boarding I seen the same couple on the plan that sat four rows in front of me and to the left. I said you have to be kidding. Then I began to say oh Lord do not let them sit here please do not let them sit here. Well guess what they put their luggage over head and sat down right next to me. I was on the window she was in the middle and the husband was on the aisle.

She was a very nice and talkative woman. As the plan took off she said I will be glad to get home and get to bed because I am tired. I did not respond. She then followed up and told me she and her husband just came back from Israel. I then told her yes I know. With a quizzical look on her face I told her she sat four rows in front of me to the left. She smiled and said you were in Israel also. I said yes. She told me her and her husband are Jewish and he is from Israel so they went to go see family. By this time her husband was out like a light. The only time he moved was when the plane bounced up and down.

She then asked me what I was doing in Israel. So, in between her coughing her lungs up and sneezing, I told her about Covenant Ministries and how we Love and support Israel and the Jewish people. This prompted her asking me how I started doing this. I was then provided and opportunity to share my testimony and the gospel to her from the Old Testament to the New Testament. She responded by telling me wow you know my God more than I do. How do you know so much. Romans 11:11 came to my mind “So I ask did they stumble in order that they might fail? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the gentiles, so as to make Israel Jealous”

I responded my telling her I read the Word of God both Old testament and New Testament and the Holy Spirit teaches me truth. I then asked her if she would like to know God and if so I will pray with you and ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and to reveal Himself to you and His truth. She looked at me and I know she wanted to say yes but she looked around and looked at her husband and she said maybe I will do that when I am alone. Although I was sadden that she did not want to pray then I did encourage to not wait when you settle in at home today she start asking God to open your heart and reveal Himself and Truth to you.
Although I am sick, I am thankful for the opportunity to share the gospel and I am glad the Lord sent her to me because I would not have sat next to her. 😊

More stories to come!
Thank you
Edward
www.covenantministries.org