Dependent Baptists – for when I am weak, then am I strong!
December 2016 Ministry Update

Shalom,

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.  2 Corinthians 12:9-10

As historical Baptists by conviction, we stand against any so-called “church” or organization that would impinge upon a believer’s soul liberty of conscience via coercion, compulsion or pressure to believe or do anything that is not able to be done in faith through a good conscience.  This is where we get the term Independent Baptist.  As such, we have found one of the greatest lessons we will ever learn is to learn humility through dependence upon God and His people.  This is exactly where God has us -- dependent-independent Baptists here in a foreign land where we don’t know the language or the culture.

We have been so blessed to see God’s mercy and grace through the kindness and selfless love of the brethren assisting us in our transition to life here in Israel. Simple things we take for granted in America are much more challenging in a new world with a different language.  For example, reading and negotiating our apartment lease, setting up our utilities, acquiring a car, getting health & car insurance, getting a passport and the list goes on and on.  That said, it feels like we haven’t gotten much done; but by God’s grace we have fumbled through the language barrier and the Israeli bureaucracy to get through many, if not most, of the basic necessities in reestablishing our life here in Israel. 

Speaking of humbling, the concept of learning a new language is one of the greatest challenges we will probably ever attempt.  If we look with eyes of flesh rather than eyes of faith, we will give up before we start.  We know God has us right where He wants us but if we are to be effective ambassadors for our Lord to the Israeli people than we must learn and communicate in the Hebrew language.   

We have been taught the only way to get better at something is to practice it.  Well, when it comes to speaking a new language that is very difficult because we must become like a child starting at the beginning of our schooling.  The Scriptures tell us that unless we become like children we will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Meaning unless we learn to trust in our Messiah for salvation no matter how foolish or crazy we look to the world we cannot enter the Kingdom of God.  We must come to God on His terms and that means to trust Him for our righteousness and salvation like a child trusts their parents without question and is never concerned what people think of them.   In a lesser sense, the same idea goes for acquiring a new language.  We must try to speak and learn without being concerned with how we sound and what people think.  We must fumble through saying the correct words in the right order with the right inflection and of course in the proper accent.  We Americans don’t do well with other languages much less acquiring it as our own.   A verse that has come to mind in this process is Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  

Please pray for us that God will supernaturally give us the gift of learning a new tongue.  We have begun the process but will officially start Ulpan (Hebrew language school) in January.

Our Israeli Thanksgiving dinner.
Our family in front of a gift from Holland to the people of Israel. (this is especially for our Dutch family).
Discussing the differences between the Bible and the Koran with a Muslim man and his family.
Thomas giving out Bibles in Athens Greece.
O pportunities to share the gospel...
The reason we are here...  

We had an encounter with one Jewish women who, when she saw Beth and Abby, thought we were practicing rabbinic Jews and asked what I believed.  Since Beth and Abby dress conservatively many Orthodox Jewish people assume we are practicing Rabbinic Jews but when they see that I am not wearing a Kippah they are confused and wonder what we believe. This gave us a great opportunity to speak about our Savior.  We explained to her that we believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob but we also believe the Messiah has come and His name is Jesus (Yeshua) and He is the only one that could have fulfilled the prophecies and you must come to God the Father through Him.  She thought we were crazy to believe in that person associated with all the pagan traditions.  She than asked where my cross was and wondered if I keep all the Catholic traditions.  I went on to explain that we don’t believe that way and we believe in the simplicity of the Bible alone and the person of Jesus Christ to save us.  I challenged her on her beliefs and asked if she believed in the Oral Law and the Rabbinic traditions.  She paused and told me she agreed there is only one authority and that was the Tanakh (OT).  We had more conversation and I encouraged her to read the New Covenant to see if indeed Jesus is who he said he was and if so to repent and believe for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. It is amazing how God can use our whole family to bring opportunities for the gospel.

McDonald's

We had another amazing encounter with two Muslims and a Jewish Couple we ran into at McDonald's.  A friend of mine and I were witnessing to the Muslims and a Jewish couple overheard us and agreed with some of our apologetics with one big exception – that Jesus is indeed the Messiah who is both God and man.  The Muslims were very knowledgeable and sincere but were arguing their beliefs and not asking questions.  The Jewish couple were also somewhat argumentative but the man was genuinely asking questions especially how I could be Jewish and believe in “J” and what that meant.  Amazingly the Jewish couple didn’t leave or cut me off but rather gave me the opportunity to give my testimony and bring them through the “Jerusalem road”.  The man was genuinely listening and asking questions but his wife was less open.  The fact that we could get into a lengthy discussion with both the Jewish couple and the Muslims in a public restaurant in Jerusalem was amazing.  When it got late and we had to go and we looked up and realized the whole restaurant was listening and hearing the gospel – to God be the glory!

Government Agency

Another incredible encounter happened in a government office of all places.  We were getting our new immigrant benefit card and had an amazing discussion with one of the administrators.  To make a long story short, what was supposed to be a 15-minute meeting ended up being a two-hour discussion about life, philosophy and most importantly about Yeshua – salvation in the flesh.  One of the questions we asked him is how he, an orthodox Jewish man, can be right with God and his answer was “I think about that question everyday”.  We were able to lead him through the “Jerusalem road” showing his hopeless condition without faith in the Lord Jesus Christ our Messiah.  This man certainly seems like he is genuinely being led by the Spirit to seek answers to his questions.  We exchanged phone numbers and hope to meet with him again.   

Samaria

We had other remarkable opportunities.  One such time was in Samaria of all places.  My friend who has been witnessing there for many years invited me, Thomas, and David to go with him on a couple of different occasions.  We went to Mount Gerizim where the Northern Kingdom, through Jeroboam, perverted the Jewish religion.  I always wanted to see the area but we got there after dark so I didn’t get to see the sights but I quickly found out why we were there at that spot at night.  Samaria is one of the few places in all of the West Bank for Muslims to find Alcohol. So, in a very strange circumstance, location and conditions we could pass out Bibles to Arab men looking to escape the legalism of Islam through buying alcohol.  In a real twist, they came to find an escape and we could provide them the way to eternal life.  We found that many were genuinely interested in hearing the gospel and finding a way out of Islam.  Many wanted to believe but had the reasonable objections in that if they believed their family would kill them.  We told them not to be afraid of those who can kill the body but to be afraid of your Creator who can kill both body and soul. We were even invited into a practicing Muslim’s home for tea and snacks.  We got into very deep discussions on the differences between the Bible and the Koran.  This family was genuinely seeking answers to their deep questions about life and how to be right with God.

Tel Aviv & Athens

The list of opportunities for the gospel are endless.  We can tell of the opportunities my sons and I and others had in Tel Aviv to speak with many about the gospel.  Thomas also went with our friend to Athens, Greece for three days handing out Bibles to Syrian refugees, Greeks, and many other nationalities.  He was able to get into many detailed discussions about the gospel.  He made many new believing friends including a local Greek family and an Iranian who are ministering among the many refugee groups. Thomas indicated this experience is greater than anything he would get at college and his faith has been increased along with his love for His Savior.  Tom was truly able to follow Paul’s example in going to the Jew first and also to the Greek…

Much to be thankful for & Looking ahead to 2017
God allowed us to find all the fixings to have an American style Thanksgiving with our family and friends here in Israel. 

We are most thankful to God for giving us the opportunity to serve him.  The best part of this year’s Thanksgiving was our little Jewel from the Lord in the birth of our granddaughter Juliet Elaine.  She was born November 23 and weighed in at 6.0 lbs. and 17” long.  She is our little jewel and bundle of joy! 

We are especially thankful to our children for their willingness to live with us by faith in having their lives in a state of flux for the cause of Christ.  Our children have not only made great sacrifices for us but also for the Lord and have done so with a willing spirit and faithfulness.  They have not only made our ministry easier but they help to validate it. 

Looking forward...

Paul tells us in Philippians 3:13-14  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

As we approach the end of 2016 and look forward to 2017 we don't want to waste precious time thinking about what could have been but rather look forward and have great expectations from our gracious God and Savior the Lord Jesus Christ to see Him glorified and many come to a knowledge of the Messiah.  We hope and pray for all of you that you will complete a successful 2016 and have a prosperous New Year unto the glory of our great Creator, Sustainer, and King. We are truly thankful to all of you for your prayers and support. 

"If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him." — C.T. Studd


Bl essings,

Scott, Beth, Thomas, Abigail, David, Mark, Levi
לוי   ,מארק    ,דוד    ,אביגיל    ,תומאס   ,ג'יין    ,סקוט  

Prayer Requests, Praises & Updates 
  • Pray for our extended family back in the US for their health needs and salvation for those who are not yet saved. Beth's dad is doing better but still needs prayer as he recovers from heart surgery.
  • Continue to pray for us as we work with believers who have been here and know the culture that we would be patient to learn from those who have gone before and gain the wisdom and experience necessary to be most effective for Christ! 
  • Praise God in that we are slowly but surely getting through much of the Israeli bureaucracy as we meet with many in the various government offices to comply with all of the requirements and benefits for Olim. We still need to get our health insurance set up. Please pray we find the right plan and English speaking doctors.
  • Praise the Lord as we have found a seven passenger car in a 2011 Ford Galaxy van.
  • Continue to pray for Abby and David as they prepare to serve in the IDF for safety, boldness and the opportunity for the gospel.  
  • Continue to pray for our adult children in the US --  Robert and Ashley as the raise their new born baby girl Juliet and Casey and Annie's wedding preparations.
  • Pray for Thomas as he prepares to head back to the US at the end of January.  He is planning on living and working in Pensacola by Robert & Ashley.  He is hoping to save some money as he prays for the Lord's leading in his life.
  • Pray for those we will and already have had the opportunity to minister the Word to, that they may have prepared hearts to receive the gospel.   
  • Praise God the fires are out and the rainy season has finally begun.  We miss the warm sunny days but we are thankful for God's provision of life giving rain.
  • As always, pray for the peace of Jerusalem -- Sha’alu Shalom Yerushaliim Psalm 122:6

    Isaiah 40:1-2

    Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins.

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