March 1

Today we had two intensive Bible studies by the elders. Every message seems to be a message of the heart. The Father desires to fill the heart and when it becomes filled with Him, there is no room for anything evil. He puts so much effort into changing our hearts, because He wants to dwell there. He wants to place His dynamite power within.

The service concludes with prayer. One of the sisters had a word for us – the love of God is burning within us. Take this word back with you, keep His Word and bring many back with you.
We found a very lovely fruit stand near to us. Margalite is a sweet Jewish woman that sells her own organic fruit. We love buying such sweet, ripe strawberries, bananas, and even some pomegranites!
For the families who first came in 1882, it was very difficult. Many of their children died in the first few years of malaria. Their graves can be seen in the cemetery here. It is a sobering thought that to come here often meant the sacrifice of your children.

This grave is of a small three year old. Judging by the number of stones on the grave, this child's relatives are probably still in the city. Stones, as eternal remembrances are placed on the graves instead of flowers.

You may recognize the hand forming the Hebrew letter shin for the Aaronic blessing.

Fruitfulness in one of the yards!

Tonight we were blessed to visit in one of the community homes. We learned that in the last four days there have been 200 millimeters of rain to fall in Jerusalem! That is about 8 inches! Baruch HaShem! The family we visited came in 1965. It was difficult and required much perseverance and love. For many years, they were required to come in, and then leave because of visas. Problems made them more humble and stronger. They stayed during the many wars of Israel. The Jews wondered why? They told them…to be with you, to love you, to stand with you. Throughout the wars, they helped as much as they could – often transporting food and supplies to those in bomb shelters.