A Tour Of Roses Israel, Day 15 (Extra Innings)

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The final Rose of 5,000 long-stemmed beauties handed out by ATOR in Israel , 2024

 

Dear Friends Of Improbable People Ministries and A Tour Of Roses,

Thought you’d finally heard the last of me? Not hardly. Not so long as there is breath in my lungs, electricity surging through my computer and, most importantly, there are ATOR TEAM Members stranded in Israel. Like the US Marines–“We Will Leave No Rose Person Behind!”

Having missed yesterday’s update–because there was simply nothing fresh to report–there is now new information about flights leaving the Middle East. And there are even new testimonies from the gang you won’t want to miss. First, let’s catch up.

You’ll recall when we last left our intrepid  heroes, those weary road warriors, they had finished handing out roses in Haifa and were looking to head home to comfy beds and their first McFlurry in almost 3 weeks. (I feel for you Dave, I really do!) Do you remember back in Update Day 4 when I reminded you of that great saying with a headline that read:

WE MAKE PLANS . . . AND GOD LAUGHS  

Do you remember? Well, the ATOR agenda got knocked on it’s metaphorical tuchus when Air France, just hours before the Team was to be lift off from The Holy Land, sent an email to Sally informing her  their flight was cancelled for security reasons. She always knew this was a possibility, but somehow you’re always surprised when the worst scenario comes to pass. So the next morning, Saturday, they headed back to Tel Aviv leaving behind fond memories of those special moments spent together in bomb shelters and the distant thunder that reminded one of the phrase “rocket’s red glare.”.

Sally was able to secure lodging for 11 at the place they originally stayed at during their first week. The 12 had been whittled down as Evi had been scheduled to leave a day early anyway and was able to beat the airport closure. On Sunday Robert and Ingeborg also hightailed it out of Dodge on Saturday, while Sunny and Lura  on Sunday were able to secure seats on a airline that hadn’t yet been co-opted.

So the Team is now down to 7. What’s amazing to me–and it speaks to God’s faithfulness–is that there is still money in the budget for all the unexpected expenses so far. Of course, they aren’t home yet. And if the last ATOR Tuesday flights are cancelled, they could be in for a long wait. News services are reporting the European Union is encouraging the shutdown of ALL AIR TRAVEL for 30 days because of the extreme unrest in the Middle East. What strikes me is that these funds should have by all rights and Sally’s careful budgeting been just enough to get the TEAM home with $1.50 in the account. But God seems to have taken His provision and stretched it, knowing what was to come. No other way to explain it.

Like the Maccabees of old, who had just enough oil in the menorah for one day and yet had oil for light the entire eight days, so too are we looking to God and seeing the potential for a similar “miracle of the oil.” We are grateful for God’s continued provision on this trip. And we are asking each of you reading this to pray for two things:

●  The ATOR flight on Tuesday would leave Tel Aviv at its scheduled time and for safe touchdown in Houston from which the 7 will disburse back home
●. While the Team remains in country, please intercede for divine appointments, opportunities to minister–even without roses–to the hurting but hopeful people of Israel. Pray for open doors.

With that bit of business out of the way let’s share some testimonies:

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TESTIMONIES

SALLY:

Had a great time of worship in Hebrew and in English—with Elisheva and me playing piano as needed. Singing It is Well and You O Lord are a Shield About Me, Kadosh, and Hodu in Hebrew via transliteration, of course. And we prayed—and it was good, very good.

As we spent time with the Lord He reminded me that we are the roses. That we should be present to those we encounter and minister to them—maybe even pray for them.

A few of us wandered down to the nearby shuk to look around for some more gifts, and we visited various shops. One shopkeeper had been sick and just reopened that morning. Annie and I went in. Turned out he was a Syrian Jew, and was still recovering. I found some things in his shop for my intercessors and then asked if I could pray for him. He spoke some English and was willing—so we prayed for his healing and restoration.

KHALIDA:

We went into shop to buy some gifts for friends and family who supported us on our trip to Israel. We started talking to the shop owner and told him about ATOR, and he was so grateful for that. And then he told me about his story, how he was a Syrian Jew who left everything and moved to Israel. They had 4 stores and homes that they left to come and be in Israel. So, they established themselves here and the love living in Israel, and the Israeli government. By the time I was done shopping Sally came over and we prayed for Salim. And when I explained to him about praying for him, he thought we needed to go to church to pray for him. But I explained to him that we don’t have to go anywhere, that we could stand right here and hold hands and pray right here, which is what we did. Toward the end he pointed at his arm and said he had goosebumps. And, as we walked away, he said no one ever blessed him like that. We prayed for many other shop keepers today, especially the Abulafia bakery and they were very blessed to see us again. Again, they gave us gifts.

YARA:

Even though we don’t have roses to give out, Sally told us that we are the roses. So, as we were out on the streets, going to different shops, we were talking with people and some of the team even asked if there was something we could pray for, and got to pray for some of the people.

I got to speak to a young lady and told her why we were here in Israel. She looked at me surprised and said, “Wow! During this time?” I told her we have experienced just a tiny bit of what you experience every day. She had tears in her eyes. I told her we were here to pray for the peace of Israel, and that we were able to give out roses as a gift of love to God’s people. And also I said, “we love Israel and will be praying for the peace of Israel.” She looked like she wanted to cry, and she said, “Thank you, that’s what’s needed right now,” and then she quickly walked away.

DAVE:

It was nice to go down and walk among the people of Jaffa. I decided as I walked I would pray for peace for Israel, and that God would send workers for the ripe harvest here. I enjoyed walking the streets and praying. Felt to bless the people there and I tried to do that by smiling and being kind and trying to engage. Felt like the Lord was showing me that I could walk out in the open and remain in His peace.

I felt like the Lord gave me this scripture:  Isaiah 41:10-13

So I felt like I should go out, walk and not be afraid.

During my devotional time I also read the scripture where Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves because the disciples were afraid. And, during worship time today, which was later, Sally sang the song, “It is Well” (the Bethel version), and when we got to the lyric, “the waves and wind still know His Name” I felt like it came home to me in such a powerful way that all the elements still know His Name, still worship and obey Him.

ANNIE:

We had a beautiful time in the morning in worship in both Hebrew and English with our hostess, Elisheva, and then a time of sharing together and  praying for Israel and for our day. That we might be the rose to be passed out today.

Then we hit the outdoor markets. We went back to one where a gentleman was who reminded me that I had given him a rose last week, so we engaged in more talk. He told me that he loved what we did and we talked about why we were back, with the canceled flights and where we were staying. This led into an opportunity for me to tell him about Jacob the Iraqi convert, whose house we’re staying in, and how Jacob Damkani had met Yeshua and written a book. I told him that I really would love to give him something also,  and it would be the book about Jacob’s story if he would like it. He said he would be very interested and graciously took the book and thanked me.

I got into a conversation with another vendor and Sally came up and joined us. After he talked awhile, we began sharing with him. Sally asked if he believed in God and he said he did and the Hebrew Bible, but he doesn’t pray to God. So Sally asked if he would like prayer, to which he said yes. It seemed to him like a surprising idea to pray right then and there, but he waited and he thanked us afterwards.

We had another similar encounter with another vendor, this man had just gotten out of the hospital. He talked about how hard this period of time was for Israel, it was, he said worse than other times with the attacks in Israel- and how good it was for us to come. Again, Sally asked and he agreed to receive prayer. I also got to share with the “American Chicken” workers, where Dave talked us into getting lunch. The one guy said where are you from? I said America. He said where? California, Chico, Northern California.

So, he asked why are you here? and I tried to explain, to show God’s love. I told him we passed out flowers, but he looked very confused so I found a rose card and I handed it to him. He spoke Arabic, and the card has a message of God’s love in Hebrew and Arabic. He read it, looked up and was still confused, and said are you working? so I said no I’m just trying to show God’s love and pointed to God and put my hands on my heart. Well, he still wasn’t completely registering this, so I ended up saying but right now I’m here to buy American chicken and he laughed.

Although I haven’t read Jacob’s book myself, his wife, Elisheva says people read this book–Jewish people–and they end up accepting Jesus ‘cuz he breaks it down so well and proves that he is the Messiah. (and of course because of the Holy Spirit.) I did feel led to give it to one other vendor after we talked well and hugged. He kept saying you come back- make sure you come back.

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CLOSING THOUGHTS

You may have noticed the unusual reference in the title of this Update. It seemed apropos–to use a French word which I won’t be doing much longer if Air France doesn’t bring my wife home to me soon–as today was the final Game of the regular baseball season. Game 162 always sends me on a nostalgic tear to the days of my youth when it was a long cold, winter for all but 2 teams who made the post season.

We live in a much more “enlightened” era these days as a full 12 teams are now in the playoffs and “inclusivity” reigns. Sadly, my Giants are not one of the 12. So, however cheesy, I had to sneak in an homage to the greatest game ever invented–except, of course, playing tag with the girls.

I plan for this to be the last regular ATOR Update, assuming all goes well and the Team is able to travel home Tuesday. I will send out one final post-ATOR update letting you all know when all have landed safely in the States or are already at home.

Beyond that, all that’s left to say that is has been a true privilege to bring you the highlights and lowlights, the commentaries, the pictures, etc. and to have been your tour guide on this journey. All these reports would not have been possible without each member of the team giving up their “personal” time on this mission so you could be along for the ride. Like you, I felt a part of the Team too. I think that was God’s plan for the Updates when all is said and done. That we could all play the part we were able and enjoy the scenery through the eyes of others.

So thanks for coming with us on this incredible adventure. We know you have many options when choosing your missions travelogues, and we thank you for Flying Air Rose. Until next time, Brothers and Sisters . . .

May the Lord bless and keep you
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you
and be gracious unto you
May the Lord turn His face toward you
and give you peace

–Michael O’Connor

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