The year 2016, filled with many challenges, has almost run its course. Meridel’s brother, Don Fowler, a Jerusalem Vistas Canada Society board member, had a word from the Lord for our family. “…you are being poured out; from the broken alabaster box, the perfume fills the house. John 12:3-8.
I believe this timely word is for each one, near and far, you included. Amen!
The same is true of Israel and her peoples. Created first as a family, then tribes, then slaves in Egypt, then a nation with two dispersions among the nations. Today we make up the ingathered exiles…never a smooth path. But we choose to rejoice and give thanks because we are secure in the Way… His way. Photos Lt Jay Canada/Aug/16. Rt. Jay & Meridel.
Thankfully we have completed the TV Special called You CAN Make a Difference that highlights the work of our friend, Indira Ghale rescuing trafficked girls and boys. The film is available only in English at this time. We are setting up the Board for the Change Action Nepal Foundation in Canada, to give Canadians tax receipts for donations for that work. The ignorance and depravation they face is so enormous we find it over whelming at times. WE must have your address to send you a copy. Our thanks to you for standing with us in the challenges of making this broadcast quality documentary into a reality!
Israel was engulfed by raging forest fires the last days of November. Fierce easterly winds drove 250 different fires into cities and villages. Palestinians and Israeli Arabs have been charged with arson. The rural Israeli village of Nataf just 3 kms from us burned to the ground. Volunteer firefighters from France, Croatia, Greece, USA, Russia,Turkey, Cyprus, Romania and the Palestinians came to our aid. In Haifa alone, 90,000 men, women and children were evacuated with only their clothes on their backs. In spite of the hundreds of homes lost and thousands of acres of land burned up, a sense of unity grew as Israelis took the evacuated, into their homes for hospitality and succor. Israelis standing together, brought calm peace for a chaotic Sabbath. The nation will rebuild and wait for sometime to replant the lost forests.
On December 2nd Israel strongly countered ISIS terrorists on our northern border with Syria. The Middle East is in tragic foment with unbelievable suffering in Aleppo and Mosul. Pray for the innocents caught in it.
We pray daily for the US President elect Donald Trump. Its time for ethical sanity to triumph! The still small voice gave Meridel a mandate to pray for him to be President 1.5 years ago. Change is here. Let us ALL stop criticizing and judging. We MUST PRAY for our leaders and speak the truth in love to everyone we meet. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE in your nation!!! After all, The earth is the Lords. We are just visitors here! Our prayers and actions are more valuable than we understand.
Last night the drought was broken by the first snow fall on Mount Hermon. Strong rains are washing over the entire land. We actually look forward to winter, with its relief from the intense sunlight. It allows us time to write and script. Meridel and I and our sons are grateful, and I can honestly say contented with our lot in life. We all ‘have something to do’ having a purpose brings contentment. Because I love what I do, you could say I have never worked a day in my life. Praise God! The LORD has made us all secure and anchored in Him. Can you say, AMEN!
We were in the process of sorting through a lifetime of productions kept in the boxes and files behind us.
We love your newsy notes and this year Hanukah and Christmas arrive on exactly the same date of December 25th. So…let us all rejoice!
Dr. Jay & Meridel Rawlings