Sick and Tired of being Sick and Tired

This morning in worship, the room was half empty.  A stomach virus has been making its way through our community, rendering many of us ill - unable to get out of bed.  And this morning we decided that enough is enough.  We are sick and tired of our community being sick and tired!  We are the children of the King if Heaven.  He has purchased us with His blood and by the stripes of Yeshua, we ARE healed!  Sickness is not our portion from the Father today.  This is not a "name it and claim it" mentality, it is renewing our minds with a right understanding of who we are (children of the Divine Healer) and who God is (The Almighty One).  Nothing is impossible for Him.  We are aligning our minds with the kingdom of God.  If the Kingdom is at hand (what Jesus said), then we are going to reach out and grab it!  In the kingdom there is NO sickness, or disease, or pain.  We won't accept it any longer.  Believing that people just get sick and that's life is exactly what the enemy wants, not to mention completely contrary to scripture!  Yeshua prayed "Our Father, who is in Heaven, hallowed be Your name.  Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."  God is a good Father and no good father likes to see his child ill.  We say, "Come Abba Father and let Your good, perfect and pleasing will be done!"  The realities of heaven are available on earth.  As believers we are to live in the reality.  That means telling sickness to take a hike.  This may sound strange or a little too aggressive for you, but in case you haven't realized...we're in a war.  We realized that this morning in worship.  We are putting on the armor of light and saying "Sickness, you have no place in our lives!"  End of story.  It's amazing what can happen when we take God at His word.

This was our battlecry:

I have decided, I'm gonna take a stand.

I have decided, I'm taking back my land.

I have decided, this far and no more.

I'm gonna take up the sword and fight in the name of the LORD.

Blessing

The Lord often desires to do specific things He in individuals and in generations.  Something that we have seen over and over again in our generation here at Gateways, is the divine reconciliation between our German and Jewish classmates.  Last Tuesday (Feb. 10th) the Holy Spirit did a mighty work during our morning worship time.  There was reconciliation from the Germans to the Jews and from the Jewish believers to the German students.  There is such a heaviness that remains from WWII that the enemy would love to maintain, but the light of Yeshua (Jesus) is shining through!  It's so powerful to see people get set free by the power of forgiveness and take on their true identities in the Messiah.  At the end of this amazing time, Asher Intrater, along with other Jewish believers spread the Israeli flag over all the German believers and pronounced a blessing over them.  It was amazing.  God's love triumphs all.  

AFRICA!!!!!!

This morning we found out that we are going to Ethiopia for our one month outreach at the end of the school.  We couldn't be more excited.  From the moment we arrived in Cyprus, our whole class has felt Ethiopia in our hearts.  Many of us have had dreams and felt strong impressions in our spirits that Ethiopia would be our destination.  When our leadership told us that they had decided to take the team to Africa, we couldn't stay in our seats!  There was lots of jumping, screaming, hugging, and crying.  The senior leaders decided yesterday, after what they said was an intense Holy Spirit moment.  They felt that if they didn't take the school to Ethiopia this year, they would be grieving the Holy Spirit.  Our expectancy is high for this outreach!  Keep checking in, because there will be MUCH more to come!!!

Reconciliation

So, last week, we were honored to have Asher Intrater come and teach us.  He is from Israel and a widely respected leader in the Messianic movement.  He always comes to Gateways with new revelation that inspires passion within all of us.  This year, we took advantage of his visit for God's work in Cyprus and scheduled one of our "Streams in the Desert" conferences during that time.   We started the Streams conferences last spring with the vision of bringing together the Body of Messiah on the island.  All denominations are not only invited, but welcomed!  Our groundbreaking event last spring (hosted by Gateways Beyond, a Messianic Jewish ministry) was the first gathering of believers organized by Messianic Jews on the island in 1,800 years - since Paul and Barnabas.  So, we've been excited to see how God has blessed these events with His presence and moved among the people.  The theme of our event on February 11th was "God's Heart for Israel."  There is a considerable anti-semetic presence in Cyprus and even many of the believers do not have the revelation of God's heart for His chosen people.  We were pumped!  We had a great turn out and people were eager.  You could see the expectancy in their eyes, knowing that God had met them at our events before and they were back for more.  Many don't come from what we would call a "spirit filled " background, but they know something is different about the worship, the speakers, and our team...and so they keep coming back.  

God poured out His beautiful presence during worship and His Spirit was thick in the room.  We were gathering in a meeting room at the Ajax Hotel in Limassol.  The sign in the lobby to direct people to us, read "Religious Meeting Upstairs".  If only they knew that the Lord of heaven was in the building, touching lives, transforming hearts.  If it's "religion", it's in it's truest form.  After worship, Asher got up to speak.  He did not teach a deep theological message against replacement theology or anti-semetism.  He shared his testimony - a young jewish man, raised in the synagogue, but searching for more.  He shared about meeting Yeshua and being baptized in water and the Spirit.  He showed them that he loves the same Jesus they do.  And although I believe God spoke to many hearts about Israel that night, He did so much more!  As people heard this respected man share his life story in humility, their softened hearts were touched by the Holy Spirit.  As he shared his love for Jesus and how that enables him to love others, including Arabs, people's own walls of prejudice began to crumble.  You see Cyprus has a very large foreign worker population, and they endure much persecution.  Racism runs rampant and the people are broken.  What followed after Asher finished speaking was a beautiful time of repentance amongst the church in Cyprus.  Cypriots got up to represent their country and repented to the different nationalities who have been mistreated on the island.  And in return, immigrant workers stood up to forgive and embrace them.  This went on and on and on.  Cyprus is a divided country.  The south side (where I am) is Greek and the north side is controlled by Turkey.  There is a lot of animosity between the two sides.  Living in a divided nation is never easy.  Countries like Germany are still recovering.  A sweet woman stood up and confessed that she had been harboring anger and hatred in her heart towards the Turkish people.  She confessed her sins (James 5:16) and repented.  It was so powerful, and God's grace flooded the room.  

Asher also gave the gospel message and two women made a decision that night to reconcile themselves to God and trust in Jesus!!!  God is so good.  There were also healings and other awesome works of God.  What a night!  We were all tired, but it was so worth it.  This is real life, the way it was meant to be lived.  

The room was packed!

Prayer ministry

Forgiveness

The woman who repented for her attitude toward the Turkish Cypriots - so powerful!

Will You Be My Valentine?

So, our sweet brothers (guy classmates) surprised us girls with a Valentines Day Chocolate Extravaganza!!!  First Tony (the only boy in my class) treated us five girls in our class to amazing chocolate that he brought all the way from the states just for this occasion!   It was so good and we had a nice time together as a class.  Little did we know that it was just the tip of the iceberg!   That evening, the chocolate really started flowing!  Matti (an intern) headed up the event, showing all the young men in the community how to be gentlemen.  We were completely surprised when they walked into the lounge with chocolate chip cookies, hot chocolate, coffee, and chocolate in every shape and size (including REALLY good German chocolate!).  They served us all with love and humility.  We are on a bit of a chocolate overload (I think it's in my blood!), but it was soooo good and we were very thankful:)  We have such sweet brothers and we were so touched by their thoughtfulness.  There was a lot of phileo love flowing around here on Valentines day!

Xaundelle and Marie enjoying the evening...

Our brothers were so sweet!

Daniel (1st year), Matti (the ring leader) and Caleb (1st year) serving the ladies hot chocolate:)

2 I'd Vision

This week has been so rich. I can't believe everything that God is already doing. I love truth so much, so when it comes and touches my heart, conforming it to God's, I am so delighted. I've caught myself tearing up a few times in class - it's just that God's goodness is so real to me and no matter how many times I hear and know in my head that He is good, it still baffles my heart. On Wednesday morning, in worship, God gave me a greater revelation of His heart for the Arab/Palestinian people. I've always had a heart for the Jewish people - it was easy for me to love them. I identify with them so strongly, because Jesus was Jewish, but the Palestinians, I had a harder time with. I would never have said that I didn't love them - I know better than that. God has a deep, heart love for them - I just couldn't fully grasp it. And I'm not sure that I fully do now, but I definitely have more!

God showed me, in a picture, His sadness as Hagar and Ishmael were sent out into the desert. He showed me His love for them. And He took me through history - showing me how His heart broke for both Isaac and Ishmael. Then He showed me Yeshua, when He was ministering in Israel and how He loved the descendants of Ishmael. For this conflict has been going on for millennia. When He addressed the crowds "My brothers..." it was to Jews and Arabs. Seeing His love for them in my mind's eye, penetrated me so deeply. I long for a greater two I'd vision. The two I's of Isaac and Ishmael.

I've known for so long that I was to be in the nations, but I've never known exactly where. I always say that I'll go wherever He tells me to. But, as I examined my heart, I realized that I was deceiving even myself. If I were to be really transparent, you would find in me, a deep fear of going to an Arab nation. I repented at that moment for not trusting my Abba and being truthful in my commitment to HIm. And I promised Him, "I'll go where you tell me to go." It was not that He wanted me to commit at that moment to spend the rest of my life in Syria or anything, He just clearly said that He wanted me to be completely open and surrendered to His will and plan for my life. And as I did that, He (in His great grace) gave me another picture. It was me, dressed in combat fatigues. He said, "It will not be easy. It will be a battle. But I equip those whom I call" And at that moment, He placed a strap of bullets over my shoulder and across my chest. I looked down, and written of every bullet was love, love, love, love. One after the other. If He does choose to place me in any nation, He will equip me with love for it.

I once heard a missions speaker say "All the easy places are taken." It's so true. If one day to God is a thousand years on the earth, we are truly in the last hours. The bridegroom IS coming back. Come Lord Jesus, do not terry! We long for you, and will do what ever it takes to hasten Your soon return.

The Journey

Well, it was a long haul, but after 65 hours of traveling, I arrived in Cyprus early Wednesday (January 28th) morning.  But to back up a bit, I arrived at DIA at the beginning of my journey to the island and discovered that there was a problem with my ticket.  I was flying a small Hungarian airline (because it was cheap!), so we were on the phone with Budapest at 5am in the airport - praying that we could get it straightened out before the calling card minutes ran out!   We did get it worked out and I made my flight!  But as a result to the problems, I had to spend 36 hours in Zurich.  Lay-overs can be great fun, or sheer torture.  The difference normally depends on whether or not you can go out and experience some of the city and culture you are in.  In my case, I had all my luggage and belongings for 9 moths abroad - I wasn't in an adventurous mood.  But my mom wasn't crazy about the idea of me just hangin out in the airport for 2 days and trying to sleep, so she contacted some missionaries we knew in the area.  It was so awkward and I didn't want to be a bother to anyone, but after several hours of trying to sleep in the airport and jolting awake every 45 minutes afraid someone was stealing my stuff...I relented.  Dennis (the missionary)  came and picked me up and took me back to their mission house about 40 minutes away.  I had a warm bed, yummy dinner, and hot shower!  As I was going to bed that night in an unfamiliar room, I was talking to God and thanking Him so much for His goodness.  I was so in awe of His love for me.  He made His presence very tangible that night and tears streamed down onto the pillow as we partook in a divine conversation.  I can't help but think that this is what the Christian life is supposed to be like.

I love being in the family of God.  I was able to stay in someone's house, who I've never even met before, in Switzerland, and feel totally safe!  They had such a genuine love for me (although it was the first time they had net me!) and served me with such a totality that I was overtaken.  I will admit, there were times in those 65 hours that I felt frightened - that maybe I had bitten off more than I could chew - but God was so faithful to come and comfort me in a way He knew would sooth my heart.  I was completely alone in foreign countries and all I had was Jesus  - but He was more than enough.  He is so faithful to meet us where we are and guide us the rest of the way.  He gave me sweet little gifts throughout my journey and I was so overcome with love for Him.  After I left Zurich, I had a short layover in Budapest, and then I came home to Cyprus.  As soon as I was on the island, a peace came over me that was so deep.  It's knowing that you are right in the middle of God's will for you.  There is no question or shadow of doubt in your mind.  At that moment, I was exactly where God desired I would be when He formed the world and I was but a thought in His mind.  Shalom.  Thank You, sweet Jesus.  

This was the little nest that I had built in the Zurich Airport when I thought I was going to be there for 36 hours!  I was hiding out under the escalators trying to get a little sleep free from paranoia about people stealing my stuff!

A New Year

For the GTS II students, the beginning of the 2009 school year has been a happy homecoming. The reuniting of class-mates previously separated by nations has been sweet and we all feel that we have, in a sense, come home. Our small class of six (with just one male - poor Tony!) is expectant for our portion from Abba this year. Many of us found new freedom and identity last year, and it has been amazing to start this year walking in that fullness. Our GTS I ceiling has become our GTS II floor. We are building on the foundation the Lord has already so skillfully laid.

Beautiful memories of last year's revelations and breakthroughs are already being mingled with those of this year, for we have hit the ground running! Matthew Rudolph has been teaching us this week on our life's purpose and calling. The second year program is focused on honing in on God's purposes for each of us in our generation. We have been discovering what these are by looking at the longings and desires that God placed in our hearts, even as children, through the lens of Heaven. This enables us to see how they were designed to further the Kingdom of God. There are also several unique aspects to the second year program that are new to us. We are privileged to take part in Living Room Sessions this year. This is a time when the senior leaders in the Gateways Beyond community graciously invite our class into their home to share with us the wisdom they have acquired over years of life in ministry. We also have our weekly Romans class, in which we will be digging into Paul's letter to the believer's in Rome, looking for it's purposes then and application now. This will include discussion, study, and committing the Word to memory. We are all very excited about this new year and eager to grab hold of everything God has for us. We stand surrendered, letting the truth if Yeshua form us into instruments of the Kingdom, moving from glory to glory. Come Holy Spirit.

Home Sweet Cyprus

I know many of you have been wondering, so to quickly update you all....

I am in Cyprus!

I had a few unexpected difficulties getting here, but I now feel at home and at peace.  I don't have time to write much tonight, for it's the first week of classes and I already have quite a bit of homework due tomorrow, but I wanted to let you all know that I'm alive and well.  God is so good and has been so gracious and beautiful on my journey here.  I love and miss you all, but couldn't feel more shalom than I do right now on this island.  More updates will be coming soon....