* Please pray for our time in the States, for fruitful labor and for safety in our travels

* Please continue to pray for Israel and her peace

* Please continue to pray for our office staff in the States as they are facing increasing challenges in their families and work!

* Please pray for wisdom for Dan and Patty as they work through a season of transition. God is expanding the work of Tikkun and with growth comes new challenges


Jan 23-25:
Dan paticipating in UMJC Theological Committee meeting, Chicago, IL
Jan 26-28:
Ministering at Shomair Yisrael, Knoxville, TN
Jan 27:
Ministering at Tennessee Leaders Institute in Nashville, TN
Feb 3-5:
Ministering at Beth Shalom, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Feb 6-8:
Dan teaching MJBI courses at Kings University, Van Nuys, CA
 
January 2012

Beloved Friends and Partners in Ministry,

It has been quite a fruitful year and we are so grateful that you are partnering with us by your contributions of prayers and finances. When I look back over 2011 it seems to have flown past and now the memories seem like foreshortened shadows.

Dan has taught several college level courses, the equivalent of a full academic teaching load at a university. It never fails to amaze me how he can teach a full theological course without any notes! We have also had the privilege of ministering in a number of different countries in the process. In the States we traveled to almost all of our eighteen Tikkun-related congregations and renewed many long term relationships. We also were blessed to meet with influential church leaders to whom God had already given a heart for Israel. I believe that God is making these deep ties for his end-time purposes. We all sense that we are working to hasten the day of the Lord's return.

This last month we had the joy of spending time with our family in Memphis. I think we have the most awesome grandchildren! While we were there we ministered at Brit Hadashah congregation and were amazed by their beautiful new building. Unfortunately the place was not quite ready to hold services, but by the next time we visit it should be complete.

During the year, Dan participated in the annual Messianic Jewish Bible Institute board meeting. The board is made up of many men of high integrity with plenty of vision and passion for the future of these Bible schools around the world. One of their major projects is to produce high quality DVDs of the major courses that MJBI has to offer. These taped courses can then be dubbed over in different languages. This will open the door for many more students to take these excellent courses than would otherwise be possible. So far we have schools in Argentina, Brazil, Ukraine, Ethiopia and Israel as well as a joint program with The Kings University in California.

Now we are beginning a week of visits with our Maryland and Virginia based congregations. This is always a pleasure as this area is where we spent 27 years of our life! We have many dear friends that we are excited about visiting.

Recently God gave me a word for our home congregation in Florida. We had the privilege of participating in the setting in of a young man to the position of assistant Rabbi. That week the Parsha reading (the weekly scheduled reading from the Torah that Jews all over the world read on Shabbat) for the week was from the story of Joseph. It related the time that Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers. He wailed loudly as he hugged and comforted his brothers saying, "Do not be too hard on yourselves as it was not you who sent me to Egypt but Gods so that many lives might be spared." God showed me that there were certain foundation stones that God has laid down in the history of our people. We have the "stone" of Abraham sacrificing Isaac and this major event of Joseph's godly response to his brothers' betrayal. He no longer lived his life as a victim but as a victor. He saw that God was ultimately in control. He had to suffer as a slave in Potiphar's courts, and as a prisoner who was unjustly accused. God was working in him a type or foreshadowing of what his ancestors were going to go through. One day they too would live as slaves in Egypt for many years. However, history has proven that many of our people are still living their lives as victims, blaming the nations for their troubles. The good news is that God brought Joseph through to victory and he will bring his people Israel through to victory where they will proclaim that all of God's ways are just and true.



A network of emissaries in
Israel and around the world
working toward the
restoration of Israel and the
unity of Jew and Gentile in
the Body of Messiah


 

Joseph's prison years and maltreatment was leadership training. Great leaders are made in the furnace of affliction. One day Israel will fulfill her God-given destiny to be the head and not the tail and to be the leader among the nations. But first she must wrestle with God and come through like Joseph who had his eyes opened and his heart cleansed from bitterness and unforgiveness. All of God's ways are loving even though at the moment we might not understand.

These foundation stones line up with Yeshua, who is the chief cornerstone. His life sets the boundaries and alignment of all the other stones. Yeshua left us an example of true leadership, one who has come to serve and to lay down his life for the sheep. He did not retaliate when he was insulted and ultimately spoke those incredible words when he looked down from the cross, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." He had the power to come down from the cross and call upon thousands of the heavenly host to rescue him but he knew that love and freedom came with the price tag of suffering. All those who build on this holy foundation must be careful. There must be alignment and agreement with what has already been laid. Will our fruit remain? Will what we built survive the trials of fire?

"Papa's" favorite ministry - loving his grandchildren

We are so grateful that so many of you who receive this prayer letter already have a heart for Israel and are among those watchmen on the wall. Israel would not exist today if it wasn't for the faithful prayers of people like you. Your consistent support is always so appreciated. You are a blessing!