Testimony of God's Faithfulness
 

Israel 2007 hospital stay and nursing home

In March of 2006, the Lord was gracious enough to send me back to Israel, the land I love.  I might add that although it had always been my hearts desire, it wasn't until I had let go of this and was willing to never go back, that He opened the door.  I lived at a compound owned by the Presbyterian church, called Beit el Baraka (check out the 2006 photo album). 

After a year, I attempted to live on the Jewish side where I had more freedom to see friends and take the local transportation to run errands or go to church.  It was heavenly, until shortly afterwards, I developed an ear problem and ended up in the hospital due to an allergic reaction to penicillin.  I was in Intensive Care for a week and I believe on the brink of death.  This was literally and figuratively the 'shadow of death' experience as I was very alone with little to no support.  I had a small glimpse of how Jesus felt at the Garden of Gethsemane when all his disciples disowned him and ran.  Thankfully, however, there was one faithful sister in the Lord, my Florence Nightingale', who made a weekly visit.  I was blessed by a few other concerned sisters but for the most part I was very much alone.  I needed to go to a nursing home in order to have enough time to get my strength back before returning to the states or the government would take over and I would have to come back by stretcher, taking 3 seats instead of the one.   My family, most of whom do not know the Lord and do not support nor ever have supported my 'faith walk' to Israel, did not help me.  Nor did the ministries in Israel that I had been an active member in, come to my aid.

I wonder if they thought I had gotten myself into this mess, so I would have to get myself out.  I'm sure they're not happy about my telling of their lack of support but the truth shall set you free.  They have nothing to fear.  They should not fear what man thinks but rather what God thinks, as the word of God says, 'the fear of God is the beginning of all wisdom'.  I see this experience as being similar to Jacob being thrown into the pit and sold into slavery by his brothers. He not only forgave them, but He said that what they had meant for evil, God had intended for good.  If they hadn't acted the way they did, they and their family would never have survived the upcoming famine that was unseen at that time.  Yes it hurt him, Joseph, and he cried, but he went from the pit, to prison and ultimately years later to the palace.  My palace experience is coming.

Perhaps my colleagues and family thought that my going to Israel in a wheelchair wasn't rational nor could it be of the Lord.  Unfortunately being on a 'faith walk' doesn't make sense to the average person as faith is being sure or things unseen, like the afore mentioned famine Joseph's brothers knew nothing about but God did.  I don't know why I had to go through this, except I do know I now have a deeper appreciation for Jesus loneliness and suffering at the hands of those who judged Him.  I'm just thankful He was faithful to God's will in spite of their lack of understanding.

BUT GOD.......

delivered me from this tragedy by having a man of God, who is now considered a true spiritual father, help me go to a very nice Arab nursing home (check my 2007 photo album) for a month to get my strength back.  I volunteered at a ministry for a year until my apartment (check the photo album called 'Present') came available where I am now on the mend still trusting for my miracle and subsequent calling to Israel to be manifested.  God is faithful and when He said "I will be dancing in Jerusalem again", I believe Him.  What a witness to the Moslem and Jew that will be, that Jesus heals, especially if and when they face a war. 

"Help me Lord to be the witness you need me to be not only to the Moslem and Jew, but to the rich and poor, the African American and the White, to my family and to anyone else who needs your loving touch to help them make it in these difficult times they face or will be facing.  May my testimony be one of encouragement, hope, healing and love letting them know there is an answer to their problem and it is you, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the one and only true son of the living God".  Amen.

I feel like Paul whom I quote, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (KJV Phil 4:11)