Christmas Caroling

Pictures by Royce


















One thing I was hoping to do,
while being in the states for Christmas, was to go Christmas Caroling. It was so cool to hear in the Wednseday night announcements at church that they were going to have a Christmas Caroling Night Sunday night. We had a great time going house to, trying not to let the candle wax burn our fingers, singing CHRISTmas Carols for the Lord. It was a wonderful being able to praise Him together, shining His light throughout the houses.

Sunday Church

Pictures by Royce















While Pastor Jerry was on vacation, Pastor Tommy has been able to share with us twice this week. He has blessed us in the word both on Wednseday night and Sunday morning. As you can see the church has gotten into the CHRISTmas spirit. It's been a blessing to be back in the states for Christmas and spend time with all the love ones and family.

The Ministry

Being here in one weeks time, I've already been hit with a side of ministry I haven't seen in a while. I remember in Pastoral Ministry class, being trained and taught, that ministry includes hard time like funerals, and others like wedding. In the first 5 days of being back I was able to help Pastor Cisco in a funeral Thursday and Wedding Saturday. Looking to Cisco, I can tell that it was just the Lord continuing to strengthen him in this already super busy week. It's so cool to just remember that no matter how hard the things God calls us to in our weeks or how overwhelming they might seem, He will strengthen us in no matter what circumstances. He always gives us strength, and will make us soar in His wind and continue strong for His glory. Thank you Lord.

Re-Gathering

Going back to church Wednseday nights is always something to look forward too. It's always so fun to come back and meet again with the family. Last week really cool though too, because I was able to see all my family, from all around the world, that I haven't seen in a long time. It was a blessing to see everyone and hang out with them once again in church and ofcourse in a food fellowship night reuinion/celebration of Jake's birthday. Amazing night, amazing time, and through all the praise reports seen and heard always an amazing God.

Last Goodbyes

It was sad, but also a fun time spending our last days officially with the S.E.N.D. team. We went there last week as soon as I got in to spend with S.E.N.D. on their last day of their de-briefing retreat. God definitely blessed both Nick and I so much through this team. It was amazing to see God's provision and sovreignty through the plans He unfolded in housing, fellowship, and ministry with us and the team in Israel. Thank you S.E.N.D. for all your obedience unto the Lord. God bless you guys!

Shalom LIthro

Well the unofficial official last semester of CCBC Jerusalem Fall 09 is officially over. It was such a blessing to serve the Lord and be learning in Israel for these last four months. It was a priviledge to be the last unofficial/official CCBC student or Left behind Bible College Student...I like took both titles. It's sad to say but even talking with Bryan, it's really finished, but God is just starting to do the great things He has already had planned. It was such a blessing, thank you all who were obedient to the Lord and allowed this student to come alongside in the ministry He has you in. I'm already half way back, and am now in Philadelphia. I should be arriving Tuesday afternoon but will really not be back in Corona untill Wednesday afternoon/eveningish. Praise God for His goodness, and gift of being able to serve Him. He has been so faithful and taken care of me so much. Thank you guys for your prayers, I'll see you guys soon. Praise God so much for all his grace, mercy, and Love. Thank you Lord!

The Continuing Soldiers

Well I could not leave without getting some good poses of my good friends still there. Well Beto and Ashley(S.E.N.D ministry leaders) were supposed to be leave Saturday night but were unable to, due to some theif problems. Lord willing they'll be able to get there stuff settled through at the American Embassy soon, so they can hang out with us before they continue on. Please pray they everything will get finished and they'll be in the air quickly. Hopefully see ya soon. The person to left is Proffesor Bryan. He was originally suppose to leave 3 months ago but has continued to be obedient to the Lord as He keeps Bryan serving there. He will be taking care of all the things in Tel-Aviv for the next month and then will be going up to the North Coast of the country to help with a new work God is doing. Please pray for Bryan too, as He continues to serve the Lord in whatever service God calls him to; professor, pastor, dishwasher, and friend. Lord bless you guys, keep going strong!

Burger Bar hang out

So for our last night hanging out together, our good brother "Moshe" took us out to my favorite hamburger restaraunt, Burgers Bar! It was really cool to be able to enjoy the burgers one more time. Afterwards we shared His love with one of the guys around, and then hang out and jumped on the city famous local iron horse. It was a blessed being to hang out again with such good brothers. God bless you guys!

S.E.N.D.ing them back to the states

After 4 months or so it's now time for the S.E.N.D. team to go back home. They left last night and should be arriving in the states right about now. They were a definite blessing out here and a vessel God used to shine His light. I'll be seeing them Tuesday and Wednesday for the debrief retreat, so I'll get a better group picture in the daytime then. Thank you S.E.N.D. for your obedience to Him, see ya soon.

Korean Feast Round 2

Pictures by Beto

Well today we cotninued our feasting and fellowship one again at our beloved Korean families house. We were able to enjoy a belt busting Korean feast, with belting Christmas carols afterward it was a great time to just be encouraged and join in prayer for the family in the things God is contiually doing step by step in Israel. God bless you guys!

Focaccia Bar

Pictures by Beto

Coming to an end of the trip comes the last of the dinners and going a way feast. Wednseday night we went out on the town for a team dinner. S.E.N.D. starts leaving Friday night and I leave Monday night, so since we have only a few nights left to spend just as a team, we ate out. We went to one of the popular places of the town, Focaccia Bar. No it's not that kind of bar, it's an italian restaraunt with delicious food. We had blessed time just hanging out over dinner for one of the last times. We all pigged out, headed back for a house movie night, and ended the night with some intense ministry. God has been really good, and no doubt will be especially on this trip to the very last second. Thank you for your prayers guys!

Lunch at the River

Today I was abel to go out to lunch with one of my brothers out here in Israel. It was really cool to spend jsut some time before I leave with a pre-orthodox(very religious Jewish person) believer. We were able to just spend time sharing in His word and just enjoying the writings He has recorded for us. It was cool to learn how in the original Hebrew in the Psalms David say playing with God's word was his amusement. It was fun to just spend a wonderful time eating a cho bueno Japanese meal being amused in the word of God. The Jewish believers have it rough here. Yes they have many blessings in the Lord, but to the rest of the Jews they're cursed, pretty much. Lord we lift up our brother to you and ask that you would bless Him and keep Him always strong in Your wonderful word, especially in the hardness of land of Israel-Amen.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA!

Today, December 7th, is my mama's birthday. Going to Bethlehem I knew I had to get her something, no matter what on her birthday. So I got here this sweet Bethlehem mug. It's Mediteranean style and I know it will go good with her collection. Looking forward to giving it to you soon, Happy Birthday Mama, Love ya!

Bethlehem

Today I was able to make my first trip into Bethlehem. We went a little late, so I was only able to get a limited amount of pictures, but it was still fun. As you can see the day pictures are of the, pretty much, border check between Israel and the Arab inhabitant Israeli areas. There's a huge wall divided them that was built only a few years, and due to it, has dramatically decreased terrorism in the country. It was a really cool time being able to spend in Bethlehem, we visited the catholic navitivity church(bottom left picture, "Jesus manger"), had fun in some of the arab taxis, saw some Christmas lights, and munched on some awesome falafel. Total good day in Him.

Worship at the Gates

Ps 9:14 That I may tell of all Your praise In the gates of the daughter of Zion. I will rejoice in Your salvation. One thing we wanted to do as an outreach was praise His name in spirit and in truth throughout the gates of the old city. So we were split up into teams of two and went to the gates praising His name. We weren't able to get to all the gates, but the original one were pretty much covered. My team got to go to the Damascus gate(one fo the arab gates), it was a blessing to be able to sing a joyful noise unto Him. God definitely opened doors for sharing in word as well. We got surrounded by tons of kids and different age adults. It's sad to realize the spiritual hold the enemy has on so many of those guys, but God definitely shined in wisdom, boldness, and protection. Praise Him for His faithfulness.

Operation Tel-Aviv Drop

We have continually stayed busy here in Israel. God continually opens doors for us to serve Him in all types of outreaches. With the team from oceanside, a different team from Horizon School of Evangilism, and the S.E.N.D. team here we were able to go out into the streets of Tel-Aviv and hand out His word. It's always a fun time in doing these New Testament drops, but no doubt they are fueled by prayer. We were able to pass out around the whole city and share with people His truth and love. God we pray for the seeds cast out, and ask that you would allow them to fall on good soil, and be obedient to You in faith to grow for your glory,-Amen.

Ceasarea Maritime

Pictures by Abel

One of the places I haven't been able to visit has been Ceasarea Maritime. It's the Herod's wonderful getaway beach resort, and where Paul was improsed for most of his ministry years. The place was actually really, really beautful. It was amazing to finally see the architecture I've heard so much about from the bible college classes. It was cool to just have everything click. It was a great trip and a blessing to be able to tag along with Pastor Able and the crew.