Week 11 - Still Breathing!

It's almost Tuesday and I am just now finding time to write about last week. Last week was crazy but fun. We've got a lot more nailed down, which lightened the stress load, and made getting up each morning seem a little less daunting.
This last week flew by! Any girl in the group will tell you the same. Week one seemed more like three weeks and week two seemed more like three days. For this we can only thank God. Our bodies are adjusting to the heat and humidity, our muscles are getting used to the exercise, and our minds are getting more accustomed to talking to people from all sorts of nations and cultures.
It makes me smile to think of all the humorous stories we all will have to tell when this adventure comes to an end. For instance, the Armenian man who hollered at us for coming to his door. It went something like this - (notice: insert heavy accent) "Why you come to my door? I tell I not believe in God! I tell you not to come to my door! This is free country! You not allowed to knock on my door!" When I tried to explain to him how sorry we were, but that we'd never knocked on his door before, he yelled at us more and told us that he recognized us. Pretty wrapped up in his tirade, he forgot that he was supposed to keep his daughter's dog inside. "Chester" ran away and then his daughter started yelling at the man who was yelling at us. He stormed inside and we helped find the little dog. The nice Christian neighbor lady we had talked to only minutes before witnessed the whole thing and told us that he was always grouchy that way, that he hated Christian, but that our helping find Chester was "a point for Him."
The highlight of my week was talking to a Jewish man named Chuck. He was incredibly friendly and spent several minutes talking our ears off about his work and how unfriendly people in Miami are. We told him that we were Baptist and instead of throwing the packet back at us, he told us that he was very intrested in reading it and he invited us to come back. Pray that this man's heart will be opened to the gospel and that when we go back we will have a wide open door to present the gospel. Also pray that we will be ready for any questions or acusations that he might have. We're excited to see what God will do, knowing that He makes no mistakes. Thank you for your prayer!
In Christ,
Rebekah

My Day by Day and Door to Door Friend

I have a friend they know not of.
He's with me all the day.
He gently bids me to keep on.
He lights the darkest way.

They mock at me, They scorn His name,
They hope to see me fall;
But lovingly He hold my hand
And bids me love them all.

The doors may slam, the words may cut,
Yet as I face the next
I turn to Him and remind Him that
He's promised His Word to bless.

I have a friend they know not of.
I'm holding to His hand.
And with His heart so close to mine
I'll fear not any man.

Psalms 31:20-21
"Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
Blessed be the Lord: for he hath shewed me His marvellous kindness in a strong city."

Jewish Outreach: 1 week down - 11 more to go

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

Puzzle Pieces

"Our experiences resemble a jigsaw puzzle...
When it is all ready, we shall find that the dark pieces of the puzzle were as important in the completion of the full beauty of the pattern as the bright sections.
The dark background will only bring out in bolder and more gorgeous relief the figures in the picture, in the center of which will be His lovely face..."
- M.R. Deltann

"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than man." - 1st Corinthinas 1:25

Who are we to question God?

I Forgot - But He was Holding Out His Hand

Oh Lord God,

How dimly now the path is lit before me.
How darkly now the trees and shadows loom.
How quickly now I try to find my own way
By groping down a path that leads to doom.

But then my ears pick up Your still small whisper
When finally in defeat I humbly lay.
"Get up, My Child." And gently I am lifted.
Shamefacedly, I turn to You and say:

"I forgot that You were walking right beside me.
I forgot that You had offered me Your hand.
I forgot You never took from me Your goodness.
I forgot - until I fell in shifting sand."

Oh God, how often I forget Your tender mercies.
How often I refuse Your daily care.
Until brought low by toil and by trouble,
How often I foget that You are there.

Lord, please pick me up and I will humbly follow.
I will follow, Lord, wherever You will lead.
I will hold Your hand and trust Your gentle whisper.
I will love You, and Your charges I will heed.

"I forgot that You were walking right beside me.
I forgot that You have offered me Your hand.
I fogot You never take from me Your goodness.
I forgot - but now in Your grace I'll stand."

Make a joyful noise, O lands. Rejoice!

With joy and gladness lift your voice.

Come to the Lord with love and song.

Lift up His name for He is strong.

The Lord alone is God of all.

He made all things, both great and small;

And yet He gently leads His sheep

To rest and safety in His keep.

His court room doors stand open wide.

He bids us in Him to confide.

With praise and thanks approach his throne.

With thanksgiving let His name be known.

The Lord is good, His mercy long,

His truth is faithful, ever strong.

I will not fear, but will rejoice.

To Him I'll make a joyful noise.

Oh! The Matchless Grace of Jesus!

Who am I that God Should look upon me?
Who am I that He would care and meet my needs?
After Everything I’ve done
To God’s most precious Son,
Who am I that God should look on me?

(Chorus)
Oh how matchless is the grace of Jesus,
Who would say that I am precious in His sight!
Oh how great is the mercy of the Master,
Who would come to where I was
And give me life!

I was wretched, I was lost, and all alone.
I had no grace or goodness of my own.
But He chose me and He changed me,
And claimed me as His own!
Now I know I have a Heavenly home.

Why have I found grace in Your eyes?
Why have You every need supplied?
I stand amazed where grace has found me.
I’m overwhelmed by Your great love.
I rest secure since Your grace my soul restored.