Ordination
Much has happened since our last update and we want to take the time to fill you in on what has been happening with us in Israel. The congregation is growing and we are seeing God doing a wonderful work brining us deeper in his word and in fellowship with one another.
In February, we were blessed to spend time with some representatives from our US supporting churches, MaCayla and Alex, and show them around Israel and our ministries for the first time.
February was also a special time as the congregation officially ordained me (Matthew) as an elder and installed me as a pastor. This is a heavy weight of responsibility and God’s grace, and I am looking forward to giving my life even more fully for his purposes.
New Baby
In March, our family welcomed our daughter into this world, Amalia Danielle. The surgery and experience in the hospital was very smooth, and baby and mother have been doing very well. We were blessed to have both our mothers visit us to help take care of the newborn, and the congregation here has been so supportive in helping take our roles and making a meal-train to help with food for those first critical weeks.
We also have seen God provide miraculously. I stated in our last newsletter that we found out that we would have to pay for the entire prenatal care, birth, and hospital stay completely out of pocket (rather than insurance). God gave us favor with the hospital and we were only charged the much lower Israeli rate for the birth and the hospital stay which we were able to pay in cash as we left! Then, we were offered (accidentally) a rate far lower than we should have to pay for the prenatal care. As of writing, all our medical expenses are fully paid off, and Amalia is completely covered under Israel’s national health insurance!
Baptizing our friend MaCayla in the Jordan River
Matthew (in the back) with worship team for the Garden Tomb Easter Service in Jerusalem
Ministry
We host a weekly community group, a group of believers that meet weekly to encourage one another, pray, and study God’s Word. This group is growing and we are working with another Israeli couple that have begun to help co-lead, since we now have a majority of our group that are either Israeli or speak Hebrew! Even some that joined us for the first time during the Alpha Course have now become integrated in our community and have begun growing in their faith!.
On Resurrection Sunday, I (Matthew) was privileged to play with the worship team at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, where Nicky Gumbel delivered a powerful message on the living Jesus. Such a privilege to be in this special city, worshipping the living God at the very threshold of where he raised Jesus from the dead!
This has been a very eventful year so far, and we know that it’s only the beginning. We have a lot of question marks on the year right now, such as trips to visit the US, continuing our Hebrew language education, and any possible events for our album release at the end of June. We believe that God is providing guidance on this soon and we hope to update you when he does. Thank you for all your continued support and prayer. None of this would be possible without your partnership and covering us in prayer.
Prayer Requests
- Managing life with new baby
- Thank God for providing financially for our baby needs!
- Growth in our Community Group (numerically & spiritually)
- Salvations and souls!
- Production team FINISHING our album by June
