Shalom everyone! We’re ecstatic to be back home and in the land! We finally arrived on April 17 after a grueling airplane experience. We had quite an odyssey these last almost 3 weeks, with many blessings and adventures. Our only complaint was our flight to the U.S. which included arriving in Rome, having our connection to NY cancelled, having to fly to London, and then connecting to a different airline to JFK airport in New York City. All three of our suitcases went missing, and we had to wait a whole week to receive them!
Our first stop was the home of Jessica and Jerry Park, the mission’s directors of Brooklyn Tabernacle. They always host us with the most gracious hospitality – and we always have a great time with them and their two beautiful daughters, ages 5 and 3. Jessica had been saving some clothes for Ami and David that were brand new, and had been given to her by a brother who had too much and wanted to clear out his closet! The clothes fit them perfectly and they both received brand new wardrobes, which included a suit that David would need for the conference in San Diego which was much more beautiful than the suit he had in the suitcases. Ami received 7 pairs of designer jeans!
A friend of mine came over with a late birthday present, which consisted of 3 tops, which with a few things I had in my carry on tided me over for the next couple of days. It was a miracle supply and again proof that the Lord provides abundantly and on time!
The next day was the Brooklyn Tabernacle Prayer meeting, which is an experience, with 3,000 plus people crying out to God for the tremendous needs of the congregation and the city they live in. They have cried out to the Lord for Ami this whole year, and the BT kids, the young people of the congregation have dubbed him “Our Hero”. The week before we got there, the BT kids had done a moving tribute to Ami which was very powerful, telling the story of the many miracles that the Lord has done in response to prayer.
No one knew we were going to be there for the prayer meeting – and so after meeting with our Pastor Jim Cymbala in his office, we went down to the meeting. Pastor Cymbala talked a bit, and then began to share about the bombing in our home. He showed the picture taken of Ami after the blast, and then said – and for the first time in a congregation in North America – Ami is in the house!! Ami went up on the stage by himself – and I thought the rafters of the building were going to fall! The applause, praise, tears and joy thundered up to the heavens! Ami spoke, telling people how he appreciated everyone’s prayers, love and support, and that we wouldn’t have made it without them. He said that he would keep on going forward with God’s strength.
Then David got up and spoke for about 20 minutes, and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house. We were able to help in serving communion, and it was an absolutely beautiful time with our wonderful brothers and sisters in Brooklyn. The next morning we flew off to San Diego, still without our original suitcases, but with a new suitcase filled with the Lord’s provision.
There, we met with Joel Rosenberg, his wife and children, his mother and father, and his fabulous staff of totally dedicated workers for the Lord. We had the sweetest time of fellowship with them, in a beautiful hotel, in beautiful surroundings. The ladies of the team took me out shopping, and I was able to buy exactly what I needed and more for the week, and for the conference. This included shoes and other necessities. Another problem was Ami’s and my medications which I had packed into the suitcases and not the carry-ons. BIG MISTAKE, but again the Lord was Jehovah Jireh (or Yahweh Jireh), and a member of their board who is a doctor was able to write us prescriptions, and we were able to purchase them.
The Epicenter 2009 conference was one of the most riveting and unusual events that I’ve ever attended. Joel Rosenberg is a fantastic speaker. His unique experience in the world of politics, his vast knowledge of the inner workings of government and security in the U.S. and Israel, all put together with the Word of God makes for a unique message. He has a great sense of humor, which balances his somber message of the imminent dangers Western Civilization faces, and which he clearly spells out in a manner that is simple enough for all to understand.
Guest speakers were General Boykin, former commander in chief of the Green Berets and also head of army intelligence in the Pentagon. He is a strong and upright believer, and powerful speaker with inside information rarely heard from the pulpit! Pastor Chuck Smith also shared on Israel’s modern day history. It was a privilege to meet these men, and to hear their messages.
Joel invited 3 of us from the Middle East. Taysir Abu Saada, a good friend of ours. He is a former Arafat man, who was a sniper for the Fatah movement. His salvation story is inspiring and amazing. The media coordinator for the Barzilai hospital in Ashqelon also spoke. She is not a believer in Yeshua, but a good friend of Joel’s. She was there with the director of the hospital and another doctor , and she gave a very compelling message about living under missile fire and the response of the Israeli medical facilities. This includes treating “the enemy” as well, which is not a well known fact outside of Israel, and should be known. I’ve written about the children from Gaza who were being treated in the rehab hospital where Ami underwent therapy for 3 months. Even during the Cast Lead War which took place earlier this year, the wounded from Gaza were treated in hospitals in the south of Israel. Patients from around the Muslim Arab world are also treated on a regular basis in every Israeli hospital. It is the medical profession’s way of making peace in the Middle East.
We were the last speakers, and David spoke first. He had spoken at the first Epicenter conference in 2008 which took place in Jerusalem, just a few weeks after the incident. Ami was still in very critical condition at the time, and we were still in shock. David showed the picture of Ami after the blast, and then introduced us. The crowd again went wild! Ami received a standing ovation as 9,000 people and those viewing the conference by satellite hook up all around the world saw the living miracle, and the victory that only faith and prayer can accomplish. He also spoke to this crowd, thanking them for being with him and our family every step of the way. Then I was able to share with the crowd the specific miracles Ami has experienced as a result of answered prayer. The website is www.epicenter09.com They are selling CD’s and DVD’s of the conference.
After a trip to the San Diego Zoo and “Old Town” which is a Mexican style neighborhood with authentic Mexican restaurants and shops, and tearful goodbye’s to our friends from the Joshua Foundation which is Joel’s organization, we were off to Miami. Our suitcases arrived the evening before we left San Diego.
We arrived in Miami the night before Passover, and had a joyful reunion with my elderly, 86 year old mother. She was overwhelmed with tears of joy when she saw Ami looking so well. She has been suffering from severe pain in her spine, gets around only in a wheel chair at this point. She might be elderly and frail, but she has a will of iron and can’t be stopped! We had a wonderful Seder with her, my brother, his wife and daughter and his wife’s mother. It was very poignant to again celebrate the Passover without my father, but we felt the joy of the Lord just being together. Over the few days that we were in Miami, we had visits from cousins and an Aunt, who said that they had come to see Ami, the “walking miracle”. My family are not believer’s in Yeshua, but this has been a testimony to them all, and a great demonstration of the power of God, and the love of Yeshua that exists in the Body of Messiah. I told everyone about all of you, and about our fellowship in the Spirit, your faithful prayer, and the answers we’ve received as you have labored in prayer for Ami and everything related to this incident. It has turned into an amazing testimony of the Grace, Love and Power that we have in Yeshua.
David’s brother, wife and two children ages 15 and 11 came to visit us the last day we were in Florida. It was a great reunion, and a blessing for Ami as he connected with his cousins who have been praying for him as well. There was that instant connection that kids have with cousins that is hard to explain, and especially for our kids who have grown up very far from natural family. They have a deep need to be with extended family and enjoy themselves so much when they get the chance to be with their cousins. It was amazing to see the instant connection between them.
Our last stop was Puerto Rico – another beautiful spot on the earth. David’s mother is 77, and underwent lung cancer 2 years ago. She had an operation to remove half of one lung, which was successful. The cancer was encapsulated, and had not spread, so she didn’t even need chemotherapy, Praise the Lord. However, she developed very bad asthma from that time on, and has still not fully recovered. The doctor’s said that she had too many x-rays, and this is impeding healing. Please pray for Regina. David’s immediate family are all believers, which is a blessing.
The family’s home is next to a rain forest which is located on the mountain of El Yunque. His sister and their family took us on a trip through the rain forest, where Ami and his cousin Steven were able to climb all over the rocks of the water falls we stopped to see. David’s youngest brother now works in the tourism industry, and took us on a tour around the perimeter of almost the whole island, which took about 12 hours with several stops. David’s sister, husband and two children live next door to his mother, and again, Ami had a wonderful time with all of his cousins. They bonded very strongly, and it was hard for them to say goodbye. God willing, our families will come to visit us in the near future.
We flew back from there to Israel – again arriving with one suitcase missing which still hasn’t been recovered, but Hallelujah! We are grateful for going out in peace and coming back home in peace.
Thank you for participating in the testimony that has powerfully gone out to all the earth. We’ve been together in this for the past year, and what can I say? God’s purposes have been accomplished and will continue to be accomplished as we continue to bond together in the Love of the Messiah and in prayer. This is greater than anything we could have imagined would result from that fateful day of March 20, 2008. Up next for Ami is the ear drum graft. April 21st we go for his pre-op appointment, and the operation should be taking place on May 13th. In between we also have appointments with the head doctor of the rehab facility, and an appointment with the Burn Specialist who will access the progress of the scar recovery. Ami also has some very important tests coming up in school, and needs prayer to be able to finish this scholastic year successfully. THANK YOU!!
Love to you all in Yeshua,
Leah
Our first stop was the home of Jessica and Jerry Park, the mission’s directors of Brooklyn Tabernacle. They always host us with the most gracious hospitality – and we always have a great time with them and their two beautiful daughters, ages 5 and 3. Jessica had been saving some clothes for Ami and David that were brand new, and had been given to her by a brother who had too much and wanted to clear out his closet! The clothes fit them perfectly and they both received brand new wardrobes, which included a suit that David would need for the conference in San Diego which was much more beautiful than the suit he had in the suitcases. Ami received 7 pairs of designer jeans!
A friend of mine came over with a late birthday present, which consisted of 3 tops, which with a few things I had in my carry on tided me over for the next couple of days. It was a miracle supply and again proof that the Lord provides abundantly and on time!
The next day was the Brooklyn Tabernacle Prayer meeting, which is an experience, with 3,000 plus people crying out to God for the tremendous needs of the congregation and the city they live in. They have cried out to the Lord for Ami this whole year, and the BT kids, the young people of the congregation have dubbed him “Our Hero”. The week before we got there, the BT kids had done a moving tribute to Ami which was very powerful, telling the story of the many miracles that the Lord has done in response to prayer.
No one knew we were going to be there for the prayer meeting – and so after meeting with our Pastor Jim Cymbala in his office, we went down to the meeting. Pastor Cymbala talked a bit, and then began to share about the bombing in our home. He showed the picture taken of Ami after the blast, and then said – and for the first time in a congregation in North America – Ami is in the house!! Ami went up on the stage by himself – and I thought the rafters of the building were going to fall! The applause, praise, tears and joy thundered up to the heavens! Ami spoke, telling people how he appreciated everyone’s prayers, love and support, and that we wouldn’t have made it without them. He said that he would keep on going forward with God’s strength.
Then David got up and spoke for about 20 minutes, and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house. We were able to help in serving communion, and it was an absolutely beautiful time with our wonderful brothers and sisters in Brooklyn. The next morning we flew off to San Diego, still without our original suitcases, but with a new suitcase filled with the Lord’s provision.
There, we met with Joel Rosenberg, his wife and children, his mother and father, and his fabulous staff of totally dedicated workers for the Lord. We had the sweetest time of fellowship with them, in a beautiful hotel, in beautiful surroundings. The ladies of the team took me out shopping, and I was able to buy exactly what I needed and more for the week, and for the conference. This included shoes and other necessities. Another problem was Ami’s and my medications which I had packed into the suitcases and not the carry-ons. BIG MISTAKE, but again the Lord was Jehovah Jireh (or Yahweh Jireh), and a member of their board who is a doctor was able to write us prescriptions, and we were able to purchase them.
The Epicenter 2009 conference was one of the most riveting and unusual events that I’ve ever attended. Joel Rosenberg is a fantastic speaker. His unique experience in the world of politics, his vast knowledge of the inner workings of government and security in the U.S. and Israel, all put together with the Word of God makes for a unique message. He has a great sense of humor, which balances his somber message of the imminent dangers Western Civilization faces, and which he clearly spells out in a manner that is simple enough for all to understand.
Guest speakers were General Boykin, former commander in chief of the Green Berets and also head of army intelligence in the Pentagon. He is a strong and upright believer, and powerful speaker with inside information rarely heard from the pulpit! Pastor Chuck Smith also shared on Israel’s modern day history. It was a privilege to meet these men, and to hear their messages.
Joel invited 3 of us from the Middle East. Taysir Abu Saada, a good friend of ours. He is a former Arafat man, who was a sniper for the Fatah movement. His salvation story is inspiring and amazing. The media coordinator for the Barzilai hospital in Ashqelon also spoke. She is not a believer in Yeshua, but a good friend of Joel’s. She was there with the director of the hospital and another doctor , and she gave a very compelling message about living under missile fire and the response of the Israeli medical facilities. This includes treating “the enemy” as well, which is not a well known fact outside of Israel, and should be known. I’ve written about the children from Gaza who were being treated in the rehab hospital where Ami underwent therapy for 3 months. Even during the Cast Lead War which took place earlier this year, the wounded from Gaza were treated in hospitals in the south of Israel. Patients from around the Muslim Arab world are also treated on a regular basis in every Israeli hospital. It is the medical profession’s way of making peace in the Middle East.
We were the last speakers, and David spoke first. He had spoken at the first Epicenter conference in 2008 which took place in Jerusalem, just a few weeks after the incident. Ami was still in very critical condition at the time, and we were still in shock. David showed the picture of Ami after the blast, and then introduced us. The crowd again went wild! Ami received a standing ovation as 9,000 people and those viewing the conference by satellite hook up all around the world saw the living miracle, and the victory that only faith and prayer can accomplish. He also spoke to this crowd, thanking them for being with him and our family every step of the way. Then I was able to share with the crowd the specific miracles Ami has experienced as a result of answered prayer. The website is www.epicenter09.com They are selling CD’s and DVD’s of the conference.
After a trip to the San Diego Zoo and “Old Town” which is a Mexican style neighborhood with authentic Mexican restaurants and shops, and tearful goodbye’s to our friends from the Joshua Foundation which is Joel’s organization, we were off to Miami. Our suitcases arrived the evening before we left San Diego.
We arrived in Miami the night before Passover, and had a joyful reunion with my elderly, 86 year old mother. She was overwhelmed with tears of joy when she saw Ami looking so well. She has been suffering from severe pain in her spine, gets around only in a wheel chair at this point. She might be elderly and frail, but she has a will of iron and can’t be stopped! We had a wonderful Seder with her, my brother, his wife and daughter and his wife’s mother. It was very poignant to again celebrate the Passover without my father, but we felt the joy of the Lord just being together. Over the few days that we were in Miami, we had visits from cousins and an Aunt, who said that they had come to see Ami, the “walking miracle”. My family are not believer’s in Yeshua, but this has been a testimony to them all, and a great demonstration of the power of God, and the love of Yeshua that exists in the Body of Messiah. I told everyone about all of you, and about our fellowship in the Spirit, your faithful prayer, and the answers we’ve received as you have labored in prayer for Ami and everything related to this incident. It has turned into an amazing testimony of the Grace, Love and Power that we have in Yeshua.
David’s brother, wife and two children ages 15 and 11 came to visit us the last day we were in Florida. It was a great reunion, and a blessing for Ami as he connected with his cousins who have been praying for him as well. There was that instant connection that kids have with cousins that is hard to explain, and especially for our kids who have grown up very far from natural family. They have a deep need to be with extended family and enjoy themselves so much when they get the chance to be with their cousins. It was amazing to see the instant connection between them.
Our last stop was Puerto Rico – another beautiful spot on the earth. David’s mother is 77, and underwent lung cancer 2 years ago. She had an operation to remove half of one lung, which was successful. The cancer was encapsulated, and had not spread, so she didn’t even need chemotherapy, Praise the Lord. However, she developed very bad asthma from that time on, and has still not fully recovered. The doctor’s said that she had too many x-rays, and this is impeding healing. Please pray for Regina. David’s immediate family are all believers, which is a blessing.
The family’s home is next to a rain forest which is located on the mountain of El Yunque. His sister and their family took us on a trip through the rain forest, where Ami and his cousin Steven were able to climb all over the rocks of the water falls we stopped to see. David’s youngest brother now works in the tourism industry, and took us on a tour around the perimeter of almost the whole island, which took about 12 hours with several stops. David’s sister, husband and two children live next door to his mother, and again, Ami had a wonderful time with all of his cousins. They bonded very strongly, and it was hard for them to say goodbye. God willing, our families will come to visit us in the near future.
We flew back from there to Israel – again arriving with one suitcase missing which still hasn’t been recovered, but Hallelujah! We are grateful for going out in peace and coming back home in peace.
Thank you for participating in the testimony that has powerfully gone out to all the earth. We’ve been together in this for the past year, and what can I say? God’s purposes have been accomplished and will continue to be accomplished as we continue to bond together in the Love of the Messiah and in prayer. This is greater than anything we could have imagined would result from that fateful day of March 20, 2008. Up next for Ami is the ear drum graft. April 21st we go for his pre-op appointment, and the operation should be taking place on May 13th. In between we also have appointments with the head doctor of the rehab facility, and an appointment with the Burn Specialist who will access the progress of the scar recovery. Ami also has some very important tests coming up in school, and needs prayer to be able to finish this scholastic year successfully. THANK YOU!!
Love to you all in Yeshua,
Leah