Page 2, Gratefully Grafted Newsletter, Vol. 1 No. 4 Oct. 2004
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One of the problems for Eastern Arab Christians in Israel today is the lack of job opportunity, and the tense political atmosphere. Being Christians, they feel that they stand between two peoples the Jews and the Muslims, and see themselves as being potentially a bridge between the two. However, they are rejected by both sides, and life is not easy for the typical young Christian growing up here. The lack of hope in a professional future, the lack of housing opportunity makes the temptation to leave the land sometimes too great, and in the last years we have seen hundreds of families leaving for the shores of western countries such as the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The local church leaders are very concerned and are struggling to find ways to create possibilities for young people in their parishes. The same kind of temptation exists in the community of born again Arab Christians to leave the country for “greener pastures”. This means not only a drain on the community itself, but also a drain of really capable leaders and ministers of the Gospel in the future. One possibility that exists and has yet to be tried is the possible greater involvement and relationship of messianic Jews together with Arab Christians.

Once some of the “sticky” questions about the end times are addressed, there is an endless possibility for mutual enrichment…We as Messianic Jews need the input of our Arab brothers and sisters to help us better adapt to the ways of the Middle East…(most of us come from a western background) and the Arab Christians need our input regarding their own Jewish roots and issues concerning the Kingdom coming here in this Land. We each have a part to play in the field of evangelism to both sides, and we could very well be the strength that each side needs to move forward in growth and development. There are many obstacles in our way, however, left over from the past….old mission ideas which separate the brethren and keep us stuck in our own ethnic communities…and high powered western church agendas which don’t take into consideration the needs of the local people both Jews and Arabs. We pray for the development of co-ministry especially in evangelism and discipleship for the future. It could be another fulfillment of Ephesians 2:14-15…“the middle wall of partition broken down“….to create in Himself „one new man“ from the two, thus making peace. All things are possible through Yeshua the Messiah, and this land needs to see the impossible becoming possible. As you, our friends, consider these three people groups in Jerusalem, remember that the Lord longs to see all to come into His Kingdom, the Jew first and then the Nations. As we are entering the New Jewish Year we send you our dear friends our blessings from Jerusalem this New Year in Yeshua our Messiah & King. May God graciously bless you from Zion, the city of the Great King in Yeshua our Lord!!!

We remain your partners in the gospel of our Lord & Saviour Yeshua our Messiah. Yours, Shmuel & Pamela & Chazon Yerushalayim Team

Shmuel Suran, Pastor/Director
Chazon Yerushalayim, P.O.Box 29340, Jerusalem 91293, Israel
***Pamela’s web site
www.jerusalempropheticart.com

Prayer and Physical Needs

1. Personal Finances
The fact is that Cheryl and I desperately need your help friends. The ministry opportunities are great but the bottom line is, without meeting our basic needs i.e., our housing, food, utilities, etc., we just cannot sustain the workload of Gratefully Grafted Ministries Int’l. We’ve prayed about abandoning our post and getting a 9 to 5 job (which we have both done before) but the Lord has given us a NO! He continues to say that the laborer is worthy of his wages. Still, the workload continues to grow and we just cannot do both.

2. Ministry Needs
We need to hire much-needed staff. We are greatly inhibited by the lack of hands as we embrace all that God has for us to do. I know that we all think of funds and help going directly into the land of Israel but often we do not realize the cost of doing the work in the trenches in order to get that help into the hands of well deserving Messianic Ministries. It is a pleasure to serve you, Israel and the Lord. We need partners to stand with us in this honorable work.

PLEASE saints, would you consider making a commitment to send a monthly contribution to Gratefully Grafted Ministries? You can make your check to Gratefully Grafted Ministries Int’l or GGMI and designate it to “HOME” (Homeland Operating Ministry Expenses). Please partner with us, that together we can carry on the expanding work that the Lord is laying before us.

Shalom and thank you! Rick and Cheryl

I want to thank the SWAT 17 team for their courage and resolve to pray, praise and declare Jesus as LORD over the land and over God’s people. Thank you also for confirming the heart of Gratefully Grafted Ministries Int'l, as you displayed Christlike humility and a grateful spirit toward the Israeli Brethren with your gifts, prayers and encouragement.

God graciously chose you, as select arrows for such a time as this. Your tender hearts of sincerity showed compassion and your fearless spirit was exemplary as you held up the arms of our Jewish brothers and sisters, co-laborers in the trenches.

Like the Olive tree even now is heavy laden with fruit, its limbs bowing to the ground, so you were bowed low by the weight of the fruit of the Spirit bore in humility. Your sacrifice of obedience spoke volumes both in the heavenlies and on earth. I personally witnessed Heaven touching earth in response to your worship and believing prayers. Your praises and declarations made from border to border and from ministry to ministry released life and holiness to all those around you. Thank you!

Our next trip to the Land will be February 17 – 28, 2005
Join us as proclaim God's word to worship the Lord and to stand with the local saints in prayer and praise. This tour is for those who have traveled to Israel at least one time. It will consist of 24/7 intercession and worship at Emmaus Way Worship Center in Tel Aviv. Call our office for more information.