This week has been unlike any week I've ever lived. It's a good thing too, because I hate to get board. Every day has been physically and spiritually taxing. My trust in God is constantly being tested, and I pray that my faith in Him has grown.
For those who don't know, a group of 37 young ladies have been sent to Miami, Florida to reach as many Jewish people as possible. Miami has a very high population of Jewish families. This project is founded and funded by Tom Canter, a Jewish businessman who loves his nation, his people, and his God. He is using the finances God has blessed him with to reach into the homes of thousands of Jewish families across this country. We get to be his hands as he, and in turn we, invest in eternity. We are taking the gospel of salvation to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.
Our first priority is to get the information he has prepared into their hands. Often they will refuse it. Like most Americans they are content with where they are in life and, in there minds, nothing we have to offer could possibly be of any worth to them. Other times, they will graciously take the packet of information and we can only pray that they will actually watch the DVD or read the booklet.
There are also those who will insist that we summarize the message in the packet before they consider accepting it. This demand opens up an opportunity for us to personally present Jesus Christ as the crucified, risen, and returning Messiah for all men.
This occurrence is actually quite rare. It is also very unlikely that in such a case, we will ever be able to persuasively argue someone to Christ on their doorstep. However, the opportunity to present the gospel and the prophesies of the old covenant fulfilled through Jesus Christ is an amazing responsibility. Please pray that we will be studied up and ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us. Pray that we will remember to present the gospel with the same grace with which it was given to us.
This summer ministry is an amazing one but certainly not an easy one. We need your prayer. Israel needs your prayer.
I talked to a very kind Jewish gentleman named Dave who explained to me that what we are doing is incredibly offensive to them because they view it as a modern day crusade. At first we may scoff at this accusation, but he explained that if he were to become a "Christian Jew" his children would be much more likely to marry non-Jewish Christians. If this were to happen, his grandchildren would be half Jewish. Which in the opinion of most Jews, would make them not Jewish at all, thus silently destroying the Jewish nation in a few short generations.
I explained to him how very sorry I was that he felt that way. I then explained to him how our identity cannot come from our heritage, our culture, or our color. Our identity comes from within. God sees the soul, and it is the spirit of man that God loves and sent His son to restore.
We parted on friendly terms and he was even willing to keep the packet from Brother Canter. Please pray that the seed that was sown will grow, and that Dave will understand his need for salvation.
Many other interesting things have happened in the last week including a broken down car, a couple of pit bulls, compliment, and complaints. But, lest I run the risk of boring you, I will conclude now. Thank you for your prayer as we continue to try to love people to Christ.
Sincerely Serving the Savior,
Rebekah Tracht
