We leave for NY early tomorrow morning.

Let me start with an update from last week when I had no access to internet.

Last week we had interactions with people who were to busy doing drugs to care about anything we had to say.

However that being said the L-rd made us available to a few key people who really had questions about what we believed, and we ended up giving out multiple new testaments.

This last week we were on an All guys team. Hiking all around, it was a really great growing experience as well as a very difficult and dark time for us as I mentioned the people who didn’t want anything to do with us.

I will try to give more details in a different blog post, right now I want to talk about how amazing this trip has been after I tell you about this morning;

This morning we arrived in Delhi and I went to bed around 6am because our bus had just dropped us off. When I woke up I felt really Ill and cold, even though Delhi is a extremely humid and hot place. Thankfully I went back to bed, turned off our AC and Fans and put on really warm cloths and got up around 3ish, being all sweaty, and no longer being cold, but needing to put something in my body to give me energy because I felt very weak. So Praise Y’sh’a that this illness hasn’t been a very long ordeal (I think) I still feel a bit ill.

Now onto the partial unpacking of what happened on this trip.

This 10 week Journey has been a wonderful and great ride and I am really appreciative of the fact that it exists, and all the people who have helped it become what it is right now, I also look forward to where this trip will go in the future…

Many difficult and wonderful things have taken place on this trip, and through it all the L_RD has provided for me in each and everyone.

From the long grueling hikes we were on last week, to the adventures we had in Israel and the people we met and friends we’ve made both on this trip with me and the people we encountered along the way. I am truly glad that Y’sh’a called me to this trip this summer.

Although this trip is over, The season that follows when I arrive home will be another journey that I am excited and ready for, and I know it too has hardships along the path but I look forward to tackling them as they appear.

I am sad to be leaving the people who have become such an amazing family to me in these past 10 weeks but also and happy to part ways from them that I might see how this trip will allow their changed lives to bear fruit in the different paths all of us are about to go on.

I am happy that we are going back to the states but saddened by knowing that I will be leaving 6 wonderful friends I have made behind. As they continue on with the call that G-D placed on their lives for these next 4 months.

This trip has really opened my eyes and helped me gain a new perspective on evangelism, life, living a life of evangelism, and also shown me what I need to work on next in my LIFE LONG journey to knowing and growing closer to Y’sh’a.

It gives me great joy to know I have such an encouraging community behind me. And as hard as this trip has been looking back on all the things that have been accomplished for “The Kingdom” and in my life, make all the hardships that my community and I have been through, worth it.

Before coming on this trip I knew that I would be changed when I went home but I didn’t know that it would be so drastic, the next issue on this journey will be not falling into the boxes and routine things that I used to do.

I want to thank all of our Supporters who have been praying for us and helped us come on such an amazing Massah Trip.

I pray that all of you will be blessed imensely for all the support you’ve given us.

This post seems very unorgainized but I hope that joy I have from this trip and appreciation I have for you helping us on this trip comes across.

In HIS Divine and Perfect Mercy

~Jonathan

So I have had many conversations since being here, but one that I wanted to write about really quickly was one that I had with a guy and his mother a couple days ago. The funny thing about these two was that I randomly met him one day at the coffee shop that we hang out in all the time, and then the next day I met his mother, without knowing that it was her! How funny! So later on in the day, of meeting the mother, I saw him and his mother and with the prompting of Jon and REmy, I went to have coffee with them.

So as we sit down and start having drinks, the conversation is really not going anywhere. SO after about 5 mins, I pray and ask the Lord that He would open up the discussion we were having in order that I coud present Y’shua to them. Well a couple mins later, the conversation turns toward spiritual things and for about a 1/2 hour I discuss with them spiritual things. They got to share what they believed and I got to share the Gospel and what I believe. It was a very good conversation that I had. At first I was a bit apprehensive to go and have coffee, but at the urging/dumping off by Remy and Jon, I guess the Lord had other plans! Be praying for them!

Until next time,

Josh

Well we’ve been in India for about 5 days but it seems like a month.

Last night there was the heaviest rain we’ve been through yet. But lets back up earlier in the evening.

So last night we made ourselves available to talk and be around the large Israeli group who was here. A few of them wanted to Jam so Sterling jammed for a little bit, then Remy and Sterling played a couple of their songs last night. But we just didn’t have good interactions the Israelis who were around. It may have been that they were smoking drugs heavily I’m not sure. So we decided to go back to one of our rooms and have some prayer and worship time and talk about the day and unwind a little bit. on the way out there was a girl who had spoken with Lea and Sarah who wanted to hang so we told here we would be back in a little bit

The worship and prayer was great and refreshing I am really happy to be on a musical team during my first week in India. Praise Y’sh’a.

After we finish we went back out to the cafe, to see this girl and see if people are more willing to talk and hang after we got back but the scene had died a little bit and it was late so Josh, Sterling and Remy went to bed while Sarah, Lea, and I went to a cafe up the street a bit.

Once we got there we saw alot of Israelis there but the seating wasn’t very open so we took a table in the back near a couple who were playing (sheshbesh/backgammon) so we strike up a conversation with them. They happend to be from south africa and here in india for the drug scene and to have fun. One of their friends showed up, who also joined us and so the 4 of us played cards while the couple continued their game and took pictures of things they saw as really trippy, because of the “food” they were eating and things they were smoking.

as we played cards with this guy he asked us questions and commented on the fact that the rabbis tried to hide any information and make it unavailable to anyone who even wants to look at it. which he found odd and we had the opportunity to share what we believed and he was ok with what we believed, not really interested in it for himself but found it interesting.

After 2 games I was starting to think that it was time to call it a night because the people we were talking with didn’t seem responsive. there was also an indian man staring at me and it made me feel akward/evil/strange/uncomfortable the only way i could describe how he was looking at me is lustfully.

so I wanted to leave, but didn’t voice it to the girls yet because i was hoping the rain would stop. (it didn’t) There were a few other guys who when they looked at me give me an evil/uncomfortable look. they were looking at me but it wasn’t them looking at me I believe it was the drugs they were on that made the spirits involved with the drugs looking at me/us seeing that we belonged to the L-RD. These things tagged with loud obnoxious techno music, strange looks from people, feeling trapped because of these things and the place where the table was since it was packed. I was starting to feel overwhelmed and just then the people we were playing cards with needed to go. (praise the L-RD) so we left also.

I was glad that I didn’t become overwhelmed it was just starting to happen.

However earlier today we ran into the guy who started playing cards with us last night and spoke with him again.

Today we also met with 2 people who have a spiritual work/ministry here with travelers/israelis they encounter and it was good to hear about how it has been going for them and how we can pray for them. They were very interesting to meet.

Well that is all for now. Be Well

Pray that the people we are interacting with will see the peace and love in us, and ask us how they can reach that “enlightenment” (since we are in india)

In His Mercy,

~Jonathan

God has been making it so very clear to me how he does not need me.  He may use me, but he does NOT need me.

Yesterday was my team’s first day on site in Bahg Su, we arrived early yesterday morning.  Bahg Su is the rainy, spiritual, beautiful, somewhat secluded, Israeli backpacking area that had been so fruitful for my team last year.  When we were here a year ago radical things had happened, where through my and Sterling’s music, we ended up directly evangelizing to a community of Israeli trekkers of about thirty or forty.  This is where God showed me what he could do through me to reach people,  and where it became clear to me that I was supposed to pursue God further through this ministry.  That week here, we made such deep friendships with those Israelis and we were able to sit and discuss the the Gospel with them, and love them; they were touched, and we were stirred by it all.  That team a year ago was made of myself, Abe, Chelle, Sterling Stephanie, and Sarah; with Abe and Chelle as leaders.  Today I am here in Bahg Su with both Sterling and Sarah, and the three of us are now leading a team.  It is somewhat surreal.  We are now the leaders, encouraging and affirming and challenging and providing for a team of people who are new to this and have never experienced lifestyle evangelism here in India. 

And I am so proud of this team.  They are so willing and receptive, and I am so blessed by the three of them.  Our first day was yesterday and they have already initiated an incredible amount of conversations and have  made meaningful connections with israelis who keep coming around and wanting to be around us.  It is an honor for all three of us leaders to have the responsibility of guiding them.

I bring up the unique success of last year also because we came here knowing that could not come back and expect for things to happen the same way; that we have to make ourselves accessible for God to use us in any way that he wants.  We did come back to the same guest house to find that there were even more Israelis there then when we had left.  We found within our first meal or so that Israelis were receptive, and we were making connections.  What we had used last year to bring people to us was our music, so we decided to try that angle again and set up in our old place, invite people, and talk through our songs. 

 Well some people came inside to listen, and people liked the music but it was completely different.  We sat and played our songs and Jonathon, Lea, Josh, and Sarah sat in mostly deep conversations with Israelis.  We became back-round music.  Lea sat there with Sarah and three Israeli girls we had met earlier that day and poured over the messianic prophecies and the Brit Hadasha with them; while Josh and Jon discussed spirituality with our reappearing Israeli friend Adam.  We (Sterling and I) were almost completely dispensable, and that is when it hit.  God doesn’t need me!  It was such a beautiful reminder of his power and authority.  It was so perfectly and maybe ironically appropriate.  So, Sterling and I took our cue to intercede on behalf of their conversations and began playing worship to encourage them along.  They did such a great job.  God moved through those conversations.

Please pray for my team and  all the ways we could be used by God here.  Pray for encouragement, boldness, stability, and humility.

Things are going well, and we are asking God to surprise us more.

Much love. Remy.

So we flew to india what feels like 4 days ago but was only about 36? or 48hrs ago.

we tried to catch up on sleep and get acquainted with india culture, how things work and of course take a little time to purchase some garb to wear.

Then the first night we had some worship rested.

The next morning we split up in our groups (my group is Remy, Sterling, Sarah, Lea, Josh, and myself) and had some break together and during that time we met a girl from England who was traveling and had a good conversation with her. She wasn’t jewish but enjoyed all religions and saw herself closest to buddhism. she mentioned that it may not be time for her to be called to G-d, she used to goto a religious school and sunday school when she was younger but lost interest when a tragic experience in her life happened and she cried out to G-d but she didn’t see HIS answer

After breakfast we met for more worship and a devo from Jesse, which was really great, he spoke a bit about being light in a dark place and other things that I can’t remember right now because of our 15hr bus ride +lack of sleep.

so after we worshiped with the whole group, we all went our separate ways and we first took a bike powered rickshaw to the bus and crossed a street where I thought I might die because of the cars flying towards us…

then when we got on the bus and started on our journey there were mosquito’s on the bus only about 20 total but about 10 minutes in and trying to kill them and then trying to open the window and shoe them out, roughly 60+ more showed up so we opened the windows again trying to shoe them out but each time we did it seemed that there were more and more in the bus. and the sun was going down so we could no longer see the bugs.

During this time I was praying and asking that the L-RD would remove them from us.

after about 1 1/2 or 2 hours and the sun setting the mosquito’s just disappeared, it was wonderful. Of course it took quite a while to notice they were gone because I just tried to shoe them away and couldn’t kill enough of them.

The bus we road in had seats that were like spring boards that always bounced and the shocks on the bus in combination with the poor roads here made it difficult to sleep. However when I did fall asleep The bus driver would stop the bus for a bathroom break which generally entailed just the side of the road in the dark so we weren’t sure where we were stepping and the first stop like this they almost left without Sarah, Lea and Me.

I’ve never felt more disgusting in my life from the sweat of the heat, to the cramped bus, with bugs, and squating as my bathroom.

BUT! the L-RD pulled us through the 15 hours and did bless us during the dinner break where the bus pulled into an india “rest” stop where we encountered 2 of the other groups riding on a seperate bus which was encouraging to see them.

During the breakfast stop we started having a really good conversation with an Israeli girl sitting behind us (after we loaded into the bus again). She could also use some prayer as she had never heard of Jews who believed in Y’sh’a it was good talking with her (mostly Lea and Remy were in the conversation and I sat and listened)
but good nonetheless

We arrived at our destination at 8am(ish) and took a couple cabs with one Israeli guy we met up to the area of the guest houses. Where we had “breakfast” (we didn’t really have meal food) while waiting to see if the guest house has enough rooms to hold us. Which come to find out they do. So we settled into our rooms and then gathered together to have a time of prayer and worship which was really good.

During the prayer and worship my heart just cried out to Y’sh’a that the people we meet would have the veil over their eyes torn off that they might see the Messiah who was sent for them. and the Love HE has for them.

Now I am here blogging about our travels and soon I will be going to take a nap until dinner. As I mentioned above the bus was really uncomfortable and I am not sure how little of sleep I had during the ride but I am exhausted.

It is great that all of you are praying for us during this time, Thank you so much.

I pray G-D will Bless you as you lift us up in your prayers, and you will be drawn closer to HIM day by day AMEN!

here are the prayer requests from above and some that I am adding

English Girl -from breakfast
Israeli Girl -from the bus
Israeli Guy – from the bus

Also
pray that the Holy Spirit will manifest in us and our ears, hearts, and eyes would be sensitive to HIM, and that we would speak love to our people, and that we wouldn’t use human wisdom but wisdom from G-D, when speaking about Y’sh’a; also that if it be G-D’s will that the Gifts of the Spirit would be used/manifest in us in this spiritually dark place.

Once again I thank you all for caring, loving, encouraging and praying for us during this trip.

In HIS Mercy,

~Jonathan

***this is officially yesterday***

We have been given the wonderful opportunity to lead a morning devotional. Each person has this same opportunity. So this morning we heard from Joshua N.

He spoke about, 2 Chronicles 7:14;

14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Josh spoke about how the Jewish people are open to everything but Y’sha’, and how HE is the only way to the father yet, they stand and pray trying to speak to him but are missing the key “Piece”, and how every interaction we have with them is important.
it was a really good devotional, however I don’t really remember details right now as it is 1:20am two days later.

*today!*

We are placed in different groups each week with a team leader to help learn team dynamics and understand what our different skills are. So Today my group (Tamar (team leader), Rachel, Barry and I) were on dinner detail we cooked it and I thought it was very well made, details aside, something about the portion that I helped create, didn’t seem to be a big hit with people at dinner or at least that was my impression.

Time and time again so far on this trip different insecurities have been coming to light that I was unaware of. This happens to be one of them, so I found out tonight.

Being an artist when I work on a piece of art, if it is not well received it is a wound to my heart and soul since in my eyes it is a part of me, that I have poured part of myself into, no matter how small the project.

Rambling aside, I was trying to rebuke this insecurity after dinner because I find it to be a ridiculous and childish thing, (or at least the logic and reason side of me does).

In my life when insecurities appear or come to light, others that I am already aware of come back and they swarm me, so I start to think of myself as the victim. Which turns me into an introverted overly self analyzing person, who I don’t even want to be around.

And soon after dinner we are supposed to go speak with people about Y’sh’a. So I’m “trying” my best to rebuke these insecurities and we are soon leaving to go talk with people about our Y’sh’a, but I am attempting to keep myself stable.

Long story short G-d really provided as I didn’t want to talk with people tonight because I was trying to rebuke my insecurities, but my last conversation of the evening, went really well.

I spoke with a russian girl named Isabella, who told me a very interesting story about her going to an island just off Thailand, on a plane from a company who just had a plane crash 2 weeks earlier, and her jewish friend read to hear from the Psalms to help calm her down. She read that G-d will send an angel to guard you. So the plane landed, and they went to this motel, where this dog came and tried to Attack them. However another dog, came and interceded and protected them, but stuck around for 3 days at the door of their room just guarding them, it didn’t beg for water or food, it just sat there and guarded the door.

This led her to believe that there is something out there, but she doesn’t believe in G-d because she can’t see HIM. She had to run to meet someone but I just ask that you would pray for her and ask that Y’sh’a would reveal HIMSELF to her.

Thanks for your time and bearing with my rambling.

I know I say this every time but your prayers are very appreciated!

In HIS Sovereign Mercy and Grace,

~Jonathan

Please lift us up and ask that Y’sh’a and the Holy Spirit would help us overcome our cultural boundaries of jumping out of our comfort bubbles and talking with people. Also that G-d would show us the skills, giftings, and talents HE has sown into us that we may use them for HIS Glory! Todah Rabah!

*side thought*

Todah La EL (Thank the L-RD)
For putting this team together, and having your love and support on our Massah (Journey)
as we become broken and rebuilt in the mercy and grace of our L-RD Y’SH’A!

In case the title didn’t give it away the computer the Aleph guys were using, was broken, or so we thought. Aaron T. fixed it today for us, non computer savvy people.

I have been wanting to express my thoughts and revelations… but seem to have slowly forgotten them.

Hebrew is very hard! Or at least I feel that way, I learned the alephbet before I came but that is nothing compared to the Opon we are taking. I am learning alot but it is hard to grasp, I feel like a struggling 1st Grader, OY!
So that is one of my prayer requests that the Holy Spirit will help me grasp Hebrew quicker and more efficiently

Last week we did so much! it was jam packed! We met with a speaker who showed us places in the Old Testament, where we can find Y’sh’a and the Trinity, and encouraged us to search it out. We went to tents of mercy ministry and met Eitan and Marty, who told us all about what they do, and how the ministry started. Which is a wonderful ministry that is caring for the physical needs and the emotional needs of people. So often we forget to care for the physical things that people need. I know I am guilty of missed opportunities to help people in the physical. Meeting and hearing about their ministry was a blessing.

We also had a Sticker sortie where we went and placed stickers around the city, which was cool.
However I injured my toe, and dropped all my gum on the ground… so it was funny and lame all at the same time. That is alright it was still fun placing Y’sh’a Stickers around the city.

We also visited the Western Wall, which was sad, to see G-ds people think they are seeking after HIM, when they are missing the key component, Y’sh’a.
2nd prayer request would be that G-D would keep us bold, and clear a space for HIS word in the hearts of the people we encounter.

A few evenings ago, we had an amazing Night of worship after returning home from, traveling to Caesarea, Haifa, and Tents of Mercy. Which was full of worship and we also paired up and prayed for each other, I think everyone went to 2 or 3 people each for the prayer portion, which was Blessed, and Amazing, and then we continued to worship, what a wonderful and renewing time it was for Massah as a whole.

Thank you for the prayers thus far and the prayers you will offer up in the future as well!
We can’t thank you enough for your prayers! More prayer requests to come.

In HIS Mercy,

Jonathan

Today has been very busy, tiring, amazing, fun, uneasy, faithful and a great start to Massah thus far.

This morning, we got up had an interesting breakfast adventure with our team. Where we were given small bags with instructions on how breakfast was going to take place. Details were as follows, we were to take the directions and find a breakfast joint around manhattan, then eat while getting to know each other (because the group was divided into groups of 3 people). We also had to create a short story with 6 small magazine pictures. (it was a fun team building exercise)

After our breakfast we scoured our rooms to clean up and pack to prepare to leave that afternoon. Once we finished packing Melissa M. Showed up and gave us a great devotional “You are not so great” was the title.

It really struck a cord that I should, be humble because it has been nothing that I have done to earn that which Y’sh’a has given me.

After our devotional we had lunch and received prayer from some friends at the Manhattan Branch. Then off we went to the subway to travel to JFK and ship out into the blue abyss on the steel bird.

The journey on the subway was almost a problem because we weren’t watching the stops, but the L-RD provided, in helping get to where we needed to go.

Then we got to the airport, checked our bags, and took off to London, where we had a layover and jumped on the flight to Tel Aviv.

Once we got to Tel Aviv, we started to make our way through customs and everything went fine, until I got up to the Passport person, and they asked me if I was traveling with anyone and I replied “yes”. Then it started to go down hill and things started to get “sticky”. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be delayed or some sort of problem(s). The questions became more and more in depth trying to get information from me, how much did you pay? where are you going? what are you doing here? how long will you be here? where is your itinerary for this trip? I didn’t have all the answers to these just basic things to answer. Then she told me to sit and wait because she had to go talk with people. At this point I am starting to wonder how long this will take, and remembering that the L-RD always shows up, and doesn’t call you, ship you out and let you get there and send you home. Just a side note there were other people who were a little nervous to go through this and I told Josh N. that same statement G-D called us don’t worry about it. So of course I am the only one who gets in depth questioned and such. OY! However G-D Always shows up. Praise Y’sh’a!

She goes to talk with a security guard, and there are many looks passed back and forth as well as hebrew spoken, and looks shot over at me. By Now time seems in my mind to have slowed down and of course the whole time I’m just praying and “sharing” my “thoughts and ideas” with G-D in the moment. Eventually she headed back towards me, and had a grim look on her face. Handed me my passport and said “you are free to go”. I was a little confused but figured there was nothing she could stop me from doing, because I didn’t have any information for her.

I walk over to the rest of the group over at the baggage claim and they mentioned they too were praying for me.

Todah La EL!

So its been going around that I was the person who was “detained” it was only 5 or 10 mins but it seemed to last longer. This is just the first bump in the road. Please pray for us that we will be bold, and wise with discernment in all situations.

Thank you for your prayers thus far.