Letter From Emily 1/7/25

Shalom from Israel!

I am happy to report that my arrival was safe and smooth (aside from an extra security check before I boarded the plane to Israel). Jet lag has always been an arch enemy of mine and made no exceptions this time around, however, after a week, I believe I’ve acclimated for the most part.

Instead, my exhaustion and relief as we enter Shabbat (Sabbath) has more to do with my job at Bridges for Peace (BFP). I get to serve on the Food Bank floor, which has involved lots of packing pallets of food, taking inventory again and again, and keeping the warehouse clean. It also involves operating a forklift. Although I had hesitations at first and even currently will not claim perfect skill at it, I enjoy the chances to use it.

This week was not an entirely typical work week, however. I made it to Israel in time for a two-day emergency training event led by Olive Branch Strategic. This group has come in three different times now since October 7th to teach BFP volunteers how to handle emergency situations. This time, we specifically worked on medical training if ourselves or someone else is in a severe condition. After learning all the steps, we got to test ourselves with scenarios they created. I feel much more prepared now, and had so much fun in the process.

Bridges for Peace & Olive Branch Strategic

On Shabbat (Saturday) morning, I went to Jerusalem Assembly. This is the church I had been a part of before, and it was nice to be back. It’s within walking distance (no buses run on Shabbat), has people of all ages, and it’s in Hebrew and English. I love attending the congregation there.

Overall, being in Israel is a gift and I try to soak up the time I have here. In the very same breath, I have been significantly more homesick than I recall being last time. I look forward to having a better and better rhythm here, especially after I start Hebrew classes. I should start on February 16th (Sundays and Wednesdays) as long as they have enough people sign up.

Thank you for being a part of this!

Emily Jobe December 2024 Update

Delays, Doubt, & Devotion

Shalom! It is great to be sharing an official update with you all, my partners in this season of supporting God’s work in Israel.

At this point in time, I was anticipating writing my third monthly update on how things have been going in Israel. However, this evidently was not part of the story God has written. For reasons only He fully knows, my visa was delayed in being approved for my return to Israel. Instead of being back by the beginning of October, I have spent October-December here in the U.S..

Although this has been discouraging at times, I have continued to wait and have tried my best to trust in God. I had to let go of my plans and my hopes for being in Israel when I wanted. I had to let go of being back in time to celebrate Sukkot (Jewish holiday in October I was especially excited to celebrate again) and getting to share the experience with you all. I had to let go of being in Israel for ten months since it was likely once I did finally get approval, it would only be through July.

Then at the beginning of December, God showed up in ways I hadn’t even thought to ask, ways in which fellow believers were willing to pray for on my behalf, but I had not expected. My visa was approved! Not only did they approve me to return to Israel, but they approved me to stay through October 2025! Even the little hopes and desires of being there during Sukkot did not go unfulfilled!

On the 7th of January I have an appointment with the Israeli Consulate in Houston for them to approve my visa on this side. I have my ticket to fly to Israel on January 21st, 2025 and stay till the end of October! I had the opportunity to spend the holidays with my family and now have 10 months to spend with my Bridges for Peace family to look forward to! Praise God!

Next time I will write to you, it will be from Israel!

Blessings,

Emily

Letter From Emily 7/11/24

Shalom Good Hope Family Fellowship, 

I'm terribly sorry for the delay on this June letter. It was only in my excitement to prepare for July's letter (which I'll be able to share in person) that I realized June's had never come to exist.

Before I continue, I want to say there are multiple people in Israel lifting Amy and the Becker family up in prayer, and we will continue to do so.

June was a wonderful month filled with sweet opportunities. 

One in particular was handing out stuffed lions and lambs to displaced families from the north. Many are living in various hotels in Jerusalem, and we visited one of them the week of Shavuot.

Shavuot (Pentecost) is the celebration of the Torah given by God to the people of Israel on Mount Sinai. It is tradition to stay up all night reading Exodus 19 and 20 along with the Book of Ruth. It is also tradition to eat dairy without meat as a reminder not to mix the two. Most bakeries have cheesecakes made in honor of the holiday. 

In honor of Shavuot, the group of elderly evacuees were having an event which included a wonderful, comedic skit discussing the celebration of Shavuot. Those of us from Bridges for Peace then got to hand out the lions and lambs which they were eager to have. Many of them were collecting for their grandchildren, and it was heartwarming and, I must admit, very amusing to see the elderly so eager to receive the stuffed animals. One lady from Bridges stood at the front and tossed them into the crowd as they waved for more.

The Bridges Family got to enjoy a retreat all together. We stayed in a kibbutz outside of Jerusalem and enjoyed a weekend of worshipping, eating, swimming, and stargazing together. Before we headed home at the end of the trip, we visited a farm and got to pick fresh tomatoes and carrots and herbs. The man who ran the farm shared the heavy story of what him and his wife's son and his family went through on October 7th. 

They hid in the bomb shelter with a chair adjusted in such a way that it made a makeshift lock. All throughout the day and night, Hamas members would try to get through the door. They even claimed to be IDF soldiers, but fortunately didn't know the code the true IDF recites to let people know they're safe. His wife's sister had not answered her phone all day. Eventually, they called her neighbor to find out what was happening. The neighbor answered and explained that he could hear her sister's twin babies crying, but couldn't go out to them or else he'd be shot. 

In the end, the babies were saved, and the farmer's son and his wife have taken them in as they're own children.

The farmer showed us these beautiful, miniature statues shaped as roses, Eagles, and a series of chimes that play "Ha Tikva" ("the hope"), Israel's national anthem. They also had necklaces in the shape of Israel. These were all made out of the Iron Dome and Rockets sent to destroy Israel. The farmer explained, "You say Lemons into lemonade, we say rockets into roses."

It is such a beautiful and powerful message, and I now where this necklace proudly.

Thank you all for your support, that has made these opportunities and discoveries possible. I look forward to sharing how July was in person.

Blessings,

Emily

Letter From Emily 6/1/24

Shalom Good Hope Family Fellowship, 

I hope and pray you are all doing well. I'm looking forward to seeing you all in person in just a couple months now!

I was privileged to have several very special experiences in the month of May, and I have been looking forward to sharing them with you as each event happened.

The first is Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day). Late morning that day, the BFP staff stood outside our building facing the streets with Israeli flags in hand. Right at 10:30, a siren sounded and silence fell over the busy streets. Those that were driving stopped where they were, stepped out of their vehicles with their hand on their heart. We all stood there, alarm sounding and all thoughts on the victims of the Holocaust. As soon as the siren ended, the business continued as if it had never been paused. 

The very next week there were two days that took place one after the other, but are so drastically different. First is Yom HaZikaron—sorry Dad, you're doing great— which is Israel's Memorial Day. This is a day that is always spent mourning all those who have been lost in the many persecutions Israel has faces throughout history. As we can all imagine, there was a lot more mourning this year. So many lives lost. People of all ages. Once again, we stood outside the BFP Building with Israeli flags and banners. The siren sounded, business ceased, thoughts united and then life continued. 

The very next day, Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day) begins. You see family and friends get together to barbecue, throw Frisbees and balls around and celebrate their freedom. It was fun to see them celebrating just like we would back home. 

Finally, I had the opportunity to visit the Knesset (Israel’s Parliment). It was a really neat experience getting to be there. They had a copy of their Declaration of Independence and many beautiful art pieces that we got to learn about. The best part was sitting in the very room where they discuss and vote on issues. 

All in all, I have felt so privileged to have these experiences. Thank you all so much for your prayers and support! I can't wait to see you all.

Blessings, 

Emily

Letter From Emily 5/5/24

Boker Tov Good Hope Family Fellowship, 

I miss you all very much, and I'm very happy to be writing to you.

This month was very busy. The days were long, but the month as a whole felt like a mere couple of days.

We had our second and last Prehike for Jesus Trail. We hiked where the two disciples walked with Jesus, telling Him all about Himself not knowing who He was. It was eye-opening to walk along green and rocky terrain rather than the desert roads I had always pictured when I read the story before. The team and I discussed what it would be like to not recognize Jesus after spending every day with Him. We had the thought that, like us, they were busy keeping their eyes on the path to avoid tripping and falling. 

We celebrated Pesach (Passover) this month as well. The BFP National Director and his family were kind enough to host the team and other young adults from Bridges. The Passover Seder dinner is a very long one with a retelling of the Exodus, many songs and many blessings of wine and Matzah. As we mentioned the plagues, there were toy frogs tossed onto the table and stickers stuck on us to represent boils (something for every plague). It was a lot of fun. Leading up to Passover, it was especially neat to see how all the bread aisles in stores were blocked off and the flour taken off the shelves. I continue to admire how dedicated everyone is to these Biblical celebrations.

During the rest of Passover break, we were hiking the 40+ mile Jesus Trail. We faced many challenges with this year's Jesus Trail, including record breaking heat. We were told after we had finished the trail that the hardest day we had was the hottest day in April that Israel has had in 100 years! It was very smart of them to tell us at the very end. I had really bad blisters. I had blisters on every toe, underneath both big toes and both heals. Praise God, I was able to power through, and I've healed very quickly since it's been over. 

In between there has been Bible study, worship sessions, Jesus Trail prep and cleanup and more. 

Looking forward to seeing you all again.

Blessings,

Emily

A post after Iran's drone attack - 4/14/24

Around 7:30 this morning, I was standing at the kitchen counter looking outside the window. The sun had risen beautifully, and the birds were singing. I laughed to myself, thinking nature clearly didn't get the memo. My roommates and I had just run to a bomb shelter a few hours before.

Then I had a contrary thought. Nature did get the memo. There is still an almighty God sitting on His throne who made the sun to rise and the birds to sing. So the sun rose, and the birds sang.

As I pondered these things, I realized I had done the same. I was standing at the kitchen counter making crepes (for the first time, btw). We woke up to the sound of rockets failing to make it past the iron dome and the sound of sirens. We stayed in a bomb shelter for a few hours. Eventually, it was confirmed that it was safe enough to return to the apartment. Then I made crepes.

I'm not immune to the fear or oblivious to the caution I should take. I just believe in God. We prepare for these circumstances, but we are not bound by fear when they happen.

Some of you may be thinking that I'm "so brave" and intensely lifting me up in prayer. While I do appreciate and request those prayers, I encourage you to pray for those who live here. The girls and I met some of our neighbors in the bomb shelter. There is a Jewish couple with a child between 4-5 years old. The mother shared how she and other moms sometimes question whether they should raise their children here. Ultimately, she and the other moms know they are standing up for what they believe. They know this is their home.

Please lift the people who live here up in prayer. Please praise God and pray with confidence in Him and not fear.

Letter From Emily 3/30/24

Shalom and Boker Tov Good Hope Family Fellowship, 

I pray you are all doing well. I am so thankful for the letters I received from several of you. They encourage and strengthen me every time I read them.

As you all are very aware at this point, my parents visited at the beginning of this month. It was wonderful to be with them in person and surreal being able to share my little world in Jerusalem with them.

It was very impacful for me to revisit Biblical sites I'd been to at the very beginning of the Zealous program alongside my parents as they experienced it for the first time. Being just over halfway through the program, it was insightful to see those places again having grown and my desires changing since I had last been there.

I had two opportunities to go out and serve this month that I'd love to share with ya'll. First, I got to go with a large group of BFP staff and pick avocados. Most of the workers that would have done the picking have fled since the war started and they're are very short-staffed. They were very impressed by and thankful for the work we did.

The second opportunity I had was joining the Feed a Child Department as they visited schools to deliver Purim baskets to the children Bridges for Peace gets to support. During the celebration known as Purim, it is common to exchange sweets and other treats. If the Feed a Child program didn't support these kids, they would most likely be left out of this tradition.

More than having treats, Purim is a celebration of the story of Ester. I'm sure it brought a roller-coaster of emotions for many people this year to celebrate God's faithfulness and protection of the Jews while they're in such a similar position once again. Hope and mourning at the same time. 

For our excursion this month, we went to Ein Gedi, where it is believed David was when he hid from Saul. We hiked there in preparation for the Jesus Trail (40mi hike) we're doing next month. I really enjoy hiking and very much enjoyed being outdoors for the day.

This past Friday we enjoyed more outdoors by having a Shabbat picnic. We enjoyed fellowship, Challa and burgers, and sang worship songs.

I miss you all.

Blessings,

Emily

Letter From Emily 3/3/24

Shalom and Boker Tov Good Hope Family Fellowship,

I hope you are all doing well. I've gotten to see a video of the progress made on the new food bank recently, and I'm blown away and excited about how it's coming along. 

This month the our team was hosted for our first Orthodox Jewish Shabbat dinner. Leading up to the dinner, we were told several rules including not being on our phones at all and having a handwashing before the blessing of the Challa. We were even told not to turn off the light when leaving the bathroom because the family could not turn it on or even ask us to turn it back on because it would be the same as lighting a fire. Despite the many rules, the dinner itself felt very relaxed and we had great discussions about faith and everyday life. 

We also had the opportunity to plant trees in honor of Tu B’Shevat (the new year of the tree). We did this alongside displaced families that have had to evacuate their homes up north since the war started. They were very thankful to those of us at Bridges for Peace coming from all over the world to stand with Israel. We've met many Israelis that have been surprised that there are people outside of the country that support Israel. 

For our excursion this month, our Zealous team went on a retreat. We booked an Airbnb near the Mediterranean and enjoyed resting and diving deeper into God's love for us. Myself and a few other members of the team went to the beach at sunrise and it was beautiful. 

As much as I love being here, I still miss you all so much! I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone in person when the Zealous year is finished.

Blessing,

Emily

Letter From Emily 2/11/24

Shalom Good Hope Family Fellowship,

I pray you are all doing well. I’m happy to report that I’ve gotten to join the livestreams a couple times this month, and every time is refreshing and encouraging, including getting to hear Keitron rap about GHFF. I feel I can guarantee no other southern Baptist Church does that.

For this month’s excursion, we floated on the Dead Sea and hiked up and explored Masada (a 2,000+ year old fortress). It was quite an experience floating completely upright on the Dead Sea with such a breathtaking view. Masada was fascinating and provided some spectacular views as well. I highly recommend looking up pictures and the story of the Siege of Masada. It’s tragic, but with our knowledge of how far God would bring the people in the future, it’s really a testimony of God’s faithfulness and power.

I also had the privilege of attending (crashing) an Orthodox Jewish Wedding. During the reception, the men and women are separated with a temporary wall put up. The men dance and celebrate on one side while the women do the same on the other. I had so much fun. Knowing the person you were dancing with was irrelevant. We all danced together with so much joy. Another girl on the team and I even ended up with the spotlight on us and the women circling around us. The mother of the bride informed us later that she had to get up to see why everyone was gathering. Safe to say, we made an impression.

This month we also celebrated Tu B’Shevat—the new year of the trees. We got to visit the schools with children Bridges for Peace supports and decorate planting pots with them. At one of the schools, we were there during their recess time. Since it was rainy outside, they had a dance party indoors. We got to jump, dance and sing with the kids. A teacher got emotional seeing the children, in the midst of the weight of war and their loved ones fighting in it, dancing with unreserved and innocent joy. It was such an honor to be a part of that.

This month has been filled with lots of dancing, exploring and being challenged to dive further into what God has planned. 

Thank you for your prayers and support! I miss you all!

Emily

Letter From Emily 12/30/23

Shalom Good Hope Family Fellowship,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope you all have had a wonderful and refreshing Christmas season. 

December may be my favorite month so far. What that truly means, I believe, is that this Zealous Project and all the opportunities it provides gets better and better.

December in Jerusalem:

Back in mid to late November, you’ll notice donuts (or suffganiyot) showing up in all the bakeries. That is when you know the time of Hanukkah is arriving. It’s tradition to have food cooked in oil during Hanukkah in remembrance of the oil for the Shabbat candles that by a miracle lasted 8 days, enough time for the Maccabees to make more oil. (Feel free to look up more of the story of the history of Hanukkah for yourself.) That is why donuts, along with what’s similar to a hashbrown patty are served at most Hanukkah meals. You’ll also see all the Hanukiahs lit up in all the windows as you walk the streets of Jerusalem. 

For me, the Hanukkah celebration was a reminder of the light Yeshua brings along with how we carry that light of the Gospel to others. Not only that, but for those who already know the Gospel, specifically my team members, we carry each other. At times, one of us will be struggling to keep the light burning, but praise God He gave us community. On days like those, each team member has at least the six other people on this project to burn bright and steady. And it’s the same for this church. You carry each other’s burdens and worship and pray with and for each other. Thank you guys for being the Church. For being the community that has prayed on my behalf and Israel’s.

Within the first week of this month I had the opportunity to help deliver our Feed a Child packages to several schools in Jerusalem. People from all over the world can choose to support a child in Israel through Bridges for Peace so that the child is guaranteed a lunch, school supplies and even extra curricular activities. We also deliver birthday baskets, which is what I got to do on this particular occasion. At one of the schools, the children I met were between 1st and 3rd grade. One of the boys had on a dog tag and distanced himself from the group. We were told that both of his parents had been at the music festival on October 7th and were killed. I can’t even begin to imagine that kind of pain and heartbreak. Please pray specifically for the children who have lost their parents or have parents fighting right now. And thank you for supporting me so that I had the privilege of bringing birthday baskets (and suffganiyot) to these kids.

The rest of this month has been filled with Bible studies, Christmas parties, FaceTimes back home, day-trips outside of Jerusalem (safely, of course), and lots of fellowship.

Praise God for His abundant grace and the answered prayers! 

Blessings,

Emily

Letter From Emily 12/3/23

Shalom Good Hope Family Fellowship,

I pray you are all doing well. I miss you all and I was very encouraged to join the service a few weeks ago and see everyone waving at the camera. I may or may not have shed a few tears then.

The beginning of November was pretty busy for me. Our monthly Zealous excursion was a big one. It’s an overnight excursion that is opened to other volunteers at BFP as well. There were 21 adults as well as kids to prepare meals and pack sleeping bags for, etc. As the Zealous assistant, I was fully submerged in helping put it all together. 

The trip itself was wonderful. We traveled four hours down to Timna Park. We had a wonderful time climbing mountains, watching the sunrise and spending the evenings worshipping around the campfire. On our way back we got to stop at the Dead Sea.

I also got to help clean out bomb shelters this month. After going so long without sirens, people tend to get overly comfortable. They use their bomb shelters for storage. The things we found in the bomb shelters had been there so long they went straight to the garbage. I was so thankful to be a part of making sure people had a place to go for safety.

Another opportunity I had recently was planting onions. A group of us from BFP went to a farm that has been very short on workers since the war. Our group planted around 9,000 onions. It was an honor to bless the family that runs the farm.

The community here is such a blessing. For Thanksgiving, we had the day off. Not sure why we got off for an American holiday, but I’m not complaining. The Z8 team was invited to a big Thanksgiving dinner. I missed my family, but I also loved celebrating with the people here.

Since we got back from the Timna excursion, I’ve had a deeper level of joy being here with these people and a part of this ministry. 

I’m so thankful for you all and your prayers for me and for Israel. God bless you!

Emily

Letter From Emily 10/28/23

Shalom Good Hope Family Fellowship,

I hope you are all doing well. Writing this letter is the first time I feel I’ve been able to think about you guys this month. Know that I’m lifting you all up in prayer now as I write. 

The first week of October, we celebrated Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). This has been one of my favorites of the holidays so far! (Please bear with me as I try to do my best to describe it and feel free to check me on the information I provide). Everyone sets up their Sukkas (a simple square frame of wood covered in palm branches on top and blankets and sheets on the sides). They are all unique in size and decor depending on the family. During  Sukkot, they have dinner in these tents every night. Aside from the natural excitement of putting up a tent and eating with friends and family in it, there are deeper joys it brings me. This is the 7th Feast, the one feast that is not only a celebration of God’s faithfulness in the past (guiding the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to freedom in Israel), but a celebration of God’s faithfulness in the future. Sukkot is preparation for the Wedding Feast. One day, the joy of this holiday will be fully experienced as what we’ve been celebrating comes to pass. We eat in tents during Sukkot as a reminder that this is temporary. We have a greater joy to look forward to. 

Another important event we celebrated here this month was my birthday! My concerns for having a birthday an ocean away from my friends and family feel silly now. I had no idea before I came that I would find friends and family here. We had some of my favorite food, watched good movies, and they were even able to surprise me with a party in the evening. I felt very seen and celebrated. 

I don’t tell you these things to ignore what’s currently going on— the war, Hamas, sirens, rockets, etc.. But if I’ve learned anything from the people of Israel, it’s that life goes on. Celebration, mourning, joy, desperation— it can and does happen all at once. The people here are amazing. Of course they aren’t known for their southern hospitality and I have apologized to people saying, “I’m so sorry! I totally Israelied you just now,” after I’ve pushed past or cut someone off. But they have a resilience that is unmatched. It reminds me these are God’s chosen people. There’s still traffic on our way to work. All the shops we frequent are open. There are more Israeli flags and banners up than ever before. And at the same time, people from other parts of Israel are fleeing their homes, mourning loved ones who’ve been captured or killed, dealing with the unimaginable. And they all stand together.

For me personally, I can honestly say I’m okay. Yes, it’s heavy. Yes, my heart drops every time the siren has gone off. Yes, I miss you all, especially my family so deeply. But I’m where God has called me. I’m safer here inside of God’s will than I ever would be back home outside of God’s will. I have His peace that surpasses understanding. 

Thank you for your prayers. It works. It gives me strength to know y’all are praying. Keep praying desperately. If God leads you, give to Bridges for Peace. You guys are a part of this story right where you are. I miss you all.

Emily

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Follow Bridges for Peace or Zealous 82 for glimpses of Emily at work like this one!

Sunrise in Israel

“Praise Yah!

Praise, O slaves of Yahweh,

Praise the name of Yahweh.

May the name of Yahweh be blessed From now until forever.

From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of Yahweh is to be praised.

Yahweh is high above all nations; His glory is above the heavens.

Who is like Yahweh our God, The One who sits on high,

The One who brings Himself low to see The things in heaven and on the earth?

Who raises the poor from the dust And lifts high the needy from the ash heap,

To make them sit with nobles, With the nobles of His people.

He makes the barren woman of the house sit As a glad mother of children.

Praise Yah!”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭113‬:‭1‬-‭9‬ ‭LSB‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/3345/psa.113.9.LSB

My Daughter is in Israel and War Just Broke Out

Our first two kids have graduated and moved out and I couldn’t be more proud. The first went to work for a mission organization and travels all over the country. In her first two years of adulthood, she has logged more air miles than I have in TWENTY-two. We have fielded many questions and concerns about her travels—“Aren’t you worried about human trafficking?” “What if she misses a flight and can’t get home?” “What if she meets someone and moves there?” “I don’t think I’d get any sleep if it was my daughter.” Then comes the next daughter, and she applies for and is accepted to an 11-month service internship in Jerusalem. Now they really thought we were crazy. She landed in Tel Aviv on September 1, 2023 and on October 7, Hamas launched the largest and deadliest terrorist attack on Israel in fifty years. Now we’re getting more questions, and I have some thoughts I’d like to share.

First of all, Emily was called to this. She has had a strong walk with the Lord for years and has developed a sensitivity to His leading voice. She didn’t go to Israel on whim or for a sightseeing vacation. She followed the call of God to live among and serve His chosen people. Had I known that war would erupt a month after her arrival, I might have found a few Christian college brochures to lay around the house, but we didn’t know. God DID know and He still called her to go. I’m reminded of another young girl living in a foreign land when hatred for the Jews boiled over. Esther acknowledged in spite of her difficult situation that she was most likely uniquely positioned for a purpose for “such a time as this.” What better time to be in Israel to serve the needy than at their greatest hour of need?

Secondly, Emily belongs to Him. While her mother and I have made a significant investment in her life, only Jesus could pay the price for her and she belongs to Jesus. We have known that her whole life. Our role as parents has been that of stewards of a precious daughter of the King. We were not trying to press her into some mold we designed for her. Rather, we have been equipping her to recognize how God made her in His image with plans and purposes of His own. If Israel-during-conflict is a part of that plan, who are we as stewards to argue with the King? Besides, His purposes for her will be far more fruitful than anything we could dream up.

We are only 2 days into this conflict as I write this and for now Emily is relatively safe. In fact, during the first few hours after I learned what was going on, I was unable to reach her because she was napping so deeply that she didn’t hear 4 text alerts or 2 phone calls. But there are no guarantees that won’t change. I would be lying if I told you the thought hasn’t crossed my mind that she could be killed or captured while this conflict continues. I can’t pretend to know how that will feel if it comes to that. But I do think of Job from the Old Testament. He was a righteous man (a title I could not claim) who lost everything in a day including his 10 children. His wife encouraged him to curse God and die, but Job said, “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” I want that kind of faith. And I know Emily aspires to have the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who said “our God is able…but even if He does not…” God is able to shield her from harm no matter where she goes in the world, but even if He allows her to suffer, we still choose to follow Him.

For now I will leave you with one last thought about how my perspective has been shaped by this already. The news of this attack on Israel has, for obvious reasons, struck me a little differently than it would have in the past. But I think maybe it shouldn’t. Emily has already been learning so much about Jewish history and how Christians ought to find their roots in the same story. Their history is our history. We all have daughters and mothers and brothers and sons being killed or kidnapped by terrorists in Israel. Paul explained to the church at Rome (and to us today) that we have been grafted in to the family tree of Israel. This terror is not against “them”; it’s against “us.” Now is the time to stand with Israel, to pray for Israel, to be a blessing to Israel—because they are our family.

Bridges for Peace is an excellent organization working to be a blessing to Jewish people in need. If you have ever considered how you might be a blessing to Israel, please consider starting with them. They have been actively meeting needs for over 50 years and are rightly positioned to help where it is most needed. https://www.bridgesforpeace.com/learn/bridges-for-peace-in-action/

Yes, please pray for Emily. And pray for the whole family there in Israel. And if the Lord leads you and provides you with the means, be a blessing to Israel.

Blessings to You,

JP Jobe

Psalm 46

September in Israel

Shalom Good Hope Family Fellowship,

I hope and pray you are all doing well. I miss you all and am always encouraged when I’m able to join the livestreams on Sunday. Know that I’m in prayer for this church, especially for Richard and Eveleen (and Miss Betty), and Dominic and Windy.

I cannot thank everyone enough for the financial support, prayers, Scripture, and the encouraging notes and text messages.

God has truly watched over and provided for me every step of the way so far. My anxieties for navigating an airport alone, potentially losing my luggage (my guitar especially), and missing my family have subsided as God has shown up in ways He doesn’t have to, but does out of His incredible kindness.

My traveling here and all that entails could not have gone much smoother.

I’m able to FaceTime throughout the week with my family, which eases my missing them more than I expected it to. Even more than that, I’ve found comfort in praying for the people I miss and that brings about a peace and hope that can only come from God.

I can honestly say my apartment mates are easy to get along with. Not only that, but I can already see some of them being long term friendships.

Now for living in Israel:

There are random things that are very common here— cigarettes, cats and roundabouts. This doesn’t have any significance other than I want to help paint a picture of everyday life and these are things that have stood out to me. The cigarettes obviously can give you an idea of what Israeli streets tend to smell like. It is almost impossible walk on these streets and not see at least one stray cat. And finally, if your bus is going to turn left or right, a roundabout is the solution.

While I’m on the topic, I must say it takes great faith to move all the way to Israel for 11 months; it takes a whole other level of faith to trust the bus drivers here. The rides are anything but smooth, but I’m adapting and honestly it’s kind of exciting to me. At least one of the girls I’m living with does have a bruise from riding the bus though.

I enjoy the volunteer work I’m doing at Bridges for Peace. They have a food bank that makes deliveries to different people and I’ve gotten to be a part of that. For Rosh HaShannah (Jewish New Year), I got to help pack honey and apples (it’s a tradition to have these things to start your new year off sweet) and deliver them to people in Israel.

My volunteer job title actually has nothing to do with the food bank floor, however. I work at a computer, planning and putting together the various excursions and events that I and the Zealous team take part in. I also help with the finances for the Zealous team and putting together the posts for the Zealous social media page. The job involves details and, as I said, planning which are things that do not come naturally for me, but it is a great learning opportunity.

Our monthly excursion for September was in Galilee! The sunrise on the Sea of Galilee was incredible. We visited several places around the Galilee where Jesus had been. The one that stood out to me was Capernaum. We saw what was left of potentially Peter’s mother-in-law’s house, where Jesus may have stayed when He settled in Capernaum. As we walked down from there to the edge of the Sea of Galilee I knew I felt something in my spirit. I wept there as Jesus became so real and near to me. Safe to say, the excursion was an amazing experience.

We’ve gotten to meet with many people, including Jews, and learn so much about the Jewish culture and their hard history. My eyes have been opened in so many ways already— more ways than I could list in a letter. I’m excited to be able to share all of it when I come back.

Blessings,

Emily