* Answered Prayer: Great fruit from our travels this summer!

* Increased financial provision for the ministries of Tikkun

* Wisdom for Israel dealing with the impending threat of war with Iran

* Continued grace for the ministries of Revive and Ohalei Rachamim in Israel


September 17-18:
Participating in Ahavat Yeshua Yom Kippur observance
October 5-10:
Participating in Toward Jerusalem Council II board meeting in Jerusalem
October 22-24:
Ministering at the joint Israel tour with Ohalei, Tikkun and Revive
November 3-5:
Patty ministering at women's conference in Jerusalem
 
August 2010

Dear Friends:

Patty: For years Dan has been exhorting me to enjoy the process instead of pushing forward to obtain the goal, to cross the finish line, or to just plain get there, wherever that may be. By not enjoying the journey it opened the door to stress as I repeatedly glanced at my watch or calendar. My soul would cry out, "How much longer? Are we there yet?" However, during our travels this summer Dan and I have had so much joy and experienced the least amount of stress, even though there were many opportunities for me to fall into the trap of: "Hurry up, I want to get there now." What changed?

I think the way we do ministry has changed in two dimensions. First, as I have continued with my job of planning our trips and ministry venues I now schedule times for exercising at the gym in the cities we visit. Also, we have maintained our new lifestyle of healthy eating. These two changes alone have given our bodies renewed energy and vitality. But, in addition, I have learned that just because we are on a ministry trip does not mean that we have to change who we are. There are certain life rhythms that need to be incorporated even on the road. So, this summer I scheduled time to get my nails done with Sherry, the wife of one of our congregational leaders, went to visit a riverside park with Amy, another leader, then Dan and I went to a baseball game between the Pirates and Phillies in Pittsburgh with Shoresh David's leadership team. At the UMJC conference in Seattle we played hooky for a day with our son, Ben, to do some sight seeing plus other times of breaking out of the usual pattern of ministry.

Are we fulfilling our job of being ministers? Perhaps more than ever we are teaching by example that the way to build ministry teams is to build relationships. Our task of building up the body is not just done in front of the pulpit or sitting in a restaurant or living room, but is accomplished as we go, as we walk by the way, as we work out together at the gym, or enjoy God's creation together. As we have given more attention to taking care of our body, soul and spirit, so too we are giving more attention to encouraging our leaders to take time to replenish their bodies, souls and spirits. God is not into burn out. Even though our job can be hard and tedious there is no reason why we cannot have joy and receive life from what we do!

The other breakthrough came as I took up doing watercolor painting while flying. One of my girlfriends bought me a travel art kit so I can express my creative side. I put on worship music and paint away! This has made my travels so much more enjoyable and I actually look forward to flying so that I can get in some extra creative time. Since taking up painting, my senses are more awake to the beauty around me and I find myself looking at people, things, and God's creation, with an eye to how I would paint it.



A network of emissaries in
Israel and around the world
working toward the
restoration of Israel and the
unity of Jew and Gentile in
the Body of Messiah

 

Dan: As our summer in the U.S. draws to a close, we look back on our time in Chicago with old friends and elders from our ministry time there in the 70s and with a new supporting Church under the leadership of Rev. Jerry McQuay. This was followed by time at the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations conference in Seattle, where I moderated seminars, and gave a plenary message on foundations for renewal in the Messianic Jewish communities in North America. We have visited several of our congregations in the Maryland, Pittsburg, and Allentown, areas with good effect and are finishing this August with visits to our contingent of New York area congregations which will include our inter-congregational institute on Family and Heritage, and how to pass down our spiritual heritage.

Patty: Yes, it has been a great summer and we are now packing up our office files, books and goodies from the States in preparation of our return trip to Israel. We already have a full schedule planned for our three-month stint in our other home. Thank you for your continued love and support. I never tire of mentioning this at the end of our letters, as we are so grateful for you. We have met many of you during our travels and this gives us a sense of connectedness. We (along with you) are expanding God's kingdom on earth together as we long for his return! One day we will all truly see that our labors for our Lord have been worth it all! Oh, to finish the race with joy.

With love,

Dan and Patty

These are pictures from this year's UMJC conference in Seattle, WA.
 
The ordination of Robert Bloch, a young man who grew up in the congregation we pastored for 22 years. Dan speaking at one of the evening sessions.