tag:amiortiz.org,2005:/blogs/newsNews2017-02-03T19:40:36-07:00The Ami Ortiz Storyfalsetag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/42486102016-06-24T09:00:00-06:002016-06-25T11:18:34-06:00June 24, 2016First of all, we are all well, praise the Lord, God has been very good to our family. Ami is 23 and this past May he graduated from college in the U.S. He was going to a school in Florida, and it was very challenging for him to study on a college level in English. His major is Psychology. Even though he was on the basketball team he never actually played in the games very much, I think his injuries really did affect his game when it came to the level that sports are played in the U.S., but he was required to practice and do everything else the team did, and it was a major commitment requiring hours of practice a day. In his senior year he quit basketball in order to concentrate more on his studies! He graduated well, and overall worked very hard and enjoyed his time there. After graduating he got a job in Florida as a case worker, working with the families of children who have been removed from their homes by the State because of abuse and neglect. It is a very challenging job, he works with the police, the courts and a very rough segment of the population. The job can also be potentially a little dangerous at times in some "bad" areas of town, so we appreciate prayer for safety. It can also be very emotionally challenging for the case workers, so prayer would be appreciated for that,also. In the future he would like to get his Masters degree but he has to know in which direction he wants to go with Psychology, if at all.<br><br>Ami in the last couple of years has been honestly dealing with some of the hard issues with God resulting from the incident. He has been left with a level of disability, low level pain in his left hand, slight hearing loss, and of course the ever present scars that cover his body. He still has all that shrapnel in his body and eyes, and he doesn't know how that will affect him physically in the future....however he has no bitterness or residual trauma, he is an emotionally healthy and vibrant person, has many friends who adore him, and is a mature, dependable and balanced guy, and we are grateful for that.<br><br>David and I were able to attend his graduation, after which we took him on a trip around Florida visiting family. Most of our family on both sides are living in Florida, so that is good for Ami as well.<br><br>At this time, he won't be returning to live in Israel, as he wants to complete his education in the U.S. He is dealing with all of these issues and hard decisions, plus the calling on his life. He has been left with a very big responsibility before God and all of this he is dealing with.<br><br>We are very proud of him and all his accomplishments.<br><br>As for the rest of the family, we have been blessed by children returning to the Lord, getting married to godly spouses, and many, many other blessings plus the challenges and battles that go on this life as we go forward to continue to share the Gospel with whomsoever will. In the past few years, the Lord opened up the opportunity to help 250 very elderly Holocaust Survivors in Ariel with distributions of food, clothing and of course Bibles and Gospel literature. We have worked on both the social and spiritual level, have seen at least five come to the Lord. But many are reading and dealing with the question of whether Yeshua really is the Messiah!<br><br>In the past few years we have also been functioning as the chaplains to the Israel branch of Jews for Jesus. Our congregation is also growing by the grace of a God, and the outreach to the Palestinians continues as well. They continue to face impossible challenges in their lives as believers in the areas under Palestinian control, but continue to grow in the faith and to share with others. An unprecedented number of women are coming to the Lord now, in one village there are a group of 17 who believe and meet together underground of course. This has been a work of the Holy Spirit, and the believers who are there are functioning as a Body, and it has all been a sovereign work of God.<br><br>This is an overview, thanks so much for praying for us. David and I have also faced some health issues, but we are pressing forward as even though we are getting older and feeling it :) yet the work is expanding. Thankfully the younger generation is stepping up and beginning to take responsibility and so this is wonderful.<br><br>We have many opportunities to share about the bomb hidden in a Purim package that was delivered to our home in 2008 and that changed our lives forever. The prayer that continually went up for our family over the following three years is one of the most vital parts of the testimony and we are forever grateful for each one that prayed for Ami and our family. The Lord has answered those prayers in many amazing ways, and our family has come through and continues to battle through to victory by the grace of God.<br><br>Together with you in the Messiah,<br><br>LeahThe Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/36484722015-04-07T13:00:00-06:002015-04-08T18:50:22-06:00April 7, 2015In late 2014 we had the privilege to be invited to visit Yakov Damkani's studio in Tel Aviv and to be interviewed for his Trumpets of Salvation Satellite TV program. It has been seven years since the incident that changed all our lives forever, and our outlooks have not changed, but rather deepened as we have walked through the many doors that have been opened and the opportunities to glorify the name of Yeshua that have resulted through this tragedy, not only for Ami but our whole family. Despite all the pain and hardship that especially Ami endured, and the scars and remaining discomfort he has to live with, Romans 8:28 has truly been realized in our lives, and we are grateful.<br><br><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/awJKBOTvA2w?rel=0" width="533"></iframe>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/28742912014-04-15T23:52:33-06:002014-04-15T23:52:33-06:00April 11, 2014Shalom to all! It has been a long time since we communicated, but we just wanted to let you know that all is well. Ami is doing well in school, but is trying to transfer to another college. When he contacted coaches in many different schools, a coach in a college in Florida expressed interest in him. He went to see the school over Spring Break, liked it and is applying.<br><br>As soon as the basketball season was over this past semester in the school where he is currently, (which was a rather disappointing season) Ami tried out for the Track team and was accepted. He has been practicing for the high jump and is having a great time. He said it is challenging and is going to keep him in shape for basketball! This summer he will travel with the school for a summer term to Honduras to get two college credits in scuba diving! Then he will work for 3 weeks in a camp that ministers to underprivileged children in Guatemala. God willing I will be able to see him in the U.S. when he gets back from these activities. Please pray for his next steps.<br><br><strong>Powerful Video</strong><br><br>Below is a link to a very powerful film by Jews for Jesus called "That Jew Died For You". There is the option to see it with subtitles in several major languages. On this website, believers and unbelievers can also chat and ask questions concerning Yeshua. A video called "Survivors Stories" is also featured on the website with powerful testimonies of Holocaust survivors who, through all the tragedy, put their faith in the Messiah. Also on the website is a video about Jewish artists who saw a link between the suffering of Yeshua the Messiah and the suffering of the Jewish nation.<br><br>Here is the link: <a contents="http://thatjewdiedforyou.com/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://thatjewdiedforyou.com/" target="_blank">http://thatjewdiedforyou.com/</a><br><br>We believe this is a good tool to present the Gospel to the Jewish people.<br> <br>There is much that we don't write about in our updates, because of surveillance by anti-missionaries. We don't want to sabotage the work of the Lord. However, we have been rejoicing in all that the Lord is doing in Ariel and all over Israel, especially for new believers, both Jew and Arab who have put their faith in Yeshua in the past months.<br><br>Yours in the Messiah,<br><br>Leah and DavidThe Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/15702012013-09-06T13:00:00-06:002013-09-08T05:16:04-06:00September 6, 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">I just returned from the US in time for the beginning of the Jewish Holy Days. These are indeed holy days in the yearly cycle of life in Israel; the time of celebrating the Fall Feasts of Trumpets (now called Rosh HaShanna or the jewish New Year), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and Tabernacles (Sukkot). The 10 days between Rosh HaShanna and Yom Kippur are referred to in Judaism as the "Days of Awe". Jewish people around the world go to synagogue after sundown at the beginning of Yom Kippur to hear and pray the "Kol Nidre" or the famous prayer annulling all vows made to God, hoping that He will annul His against them. Jewish people believe that during these 10 days it is determined who will live and who will die for the upcoming year, and therefore many spend the Days of Awe in retrospection, repentance, and reconciliation. I remember as a child and teenager attending this service with my family and hearing this prayer sung in a haunting but beautiful tune.<br><br>On Rosh Hashanah will be inscribed and on Yom Kippur will be sealed how many will pass from the earth and how many will be created; who will live and who will die; who will die at his predestined time and who before his time; who by water and who by fire, who by sword, who by beast, who by famine, who by thirst, who by storm, who by plague, who by strangulation, and who by stoning. Who will rest and who will wander, who will live in harmony and who will be harried, who will enjoy tranquillity and who will suffer, who will be impoverished and who will be enriched, who will be degraded and who will be exalted.<br> <br>I remember that the prayer always impacted me into thinking about my own mortality. It was the synagogue and my exposure to the Bible in the religious instruction that I received in the synagogue which started me on my spiritual quest to know God, to hear His voice, and to know the purpose for which I was born.<br><br><strong>ATMOSPHERE OF HOLINESS</strong><br><br>This year, in the days before Rosh HaShanna, I felt an atmosphere of holiness settle over the nation. Israel is an interesting place to live. At times you can clearly sense in the spiritual realm what is going on in the natural. I mean, everyone feels it - it is something like I said that settles on the nation, and it is so clear that if you mention it to people they will agree that they feel it too. I was talking to Ami about this and he said he had exactly been thinking about it - it is very unique. It was definitely something from heaven that descended, perhaps because of the impending holy days before us, coupled with the threat of U.S. Airstrikes on Syria with the inevitable kickback onto our nation. It was a good time to pray for the nation. I found myself asking for Israel what the Apostle Paul prayed for the believers in Ephesus in Ephesians 1:17-18<br> <br>17 that the God of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, (believers made holy by His righteousness)<br> <br><strong>TRIP TO THE US</strong><br> <br>The trip to the US was for the purpose of bringing Ami to Miami for his second round of laser treatments on his scars, and then to bring him back college for the next school year. By the grace of God, we were able to achieve all of our objectives while there One of our objectives was to prepare for and get through the laser treatments, which took a lot of pre-planning, mental and physical fortitude on Ami's part, and much focus in the face the many stressful challenges going on around us. My 26 year old son Natan, who had left one job for an advancement to another job told them he would begin September 1st so he could help me with the formidable tasks that lay before us, and traveled with us to the U.S. He was a tremendous help. He and Ami have similar senses of humor, and really can set each other off. I was laughing the whole two weeks we were there which was actually good because we were reading and hearing of the U.S. President's intention to bomb Syria because of Assad's chemical weapons attack on the rebel forces and ordinary citizens, and we were staying in touch with David and his recovery as he was in no condition to travel.<br> <br>We arrived in the US five days before Ami's treatments. We were staying with my 91 year old mother who is amazing. Although she is wheelchair bound, she plays bridge several times a week, gets her hair done, has lunch every Saturday with girlfriends in the mall, and keeps herself busy. She rises to every challenge with a healthy dose of spunk and vinegar, and is mentally sharp. She also maintains a healthy sense of humor. We had a wonderful time with her, and are grateful for her willingness to care for and always feed our horde as we descend on her for these treatments. The care and feeding of a 6'6" basketball player is a formidable task, which requires planning and lots of food shopping and cooking!! <br> <br>The treatments went well, but were more intensive this time, which resulted in more pain in the recovery period. However, Ami went through it all in his brave and uncomplaining way, and we were on our way to NY State and college before we knew it! With Ami successfully installed in school, Natan and I returned home to what seemed like flying into the eye the storm. The army had called him several times as there was a partial reserve duty call up, but by the time we got back the attack on Syria had been postponed.<br> <br><strong>PRAYER REQUESTS</strong><br> <br>Please pray for Israel, for protection, wisdom of leaders political and military, for victory, revival, and salvation.<br> <br>Please pray for our meetings and outreaches which are continuing.<br> <br>Please pray for Ami's upcoming school year - he is encouraged by some new, good players who are on the team this year. Please pray for his studies, as English isn't his mother tongue. He is doing very well conversationally, but expressing himself in writing is difficult still, and he says the papers are endless!<br> <br> <br>Thank you for praying for David's recovery, he is getting stronger but still has a way to go. His last checkups have been very good, the blood test results seem to make the doctor's happy....<br> <br>Thank you for standing with us. Below are two links to videos, both from CBN. The first is from Chris Mitchell and is an excellent, gripping and inspiring report on the viscous persecution of Egypt's Christians and their responses to it. They need our prayers very much and to know that we stand with them.<br> <br><a contents="http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2013/August/Egypt-Christians-Forgive-Attackers/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2013/August/Egypt-Christians-Forgive-Attackers/" target="_blank">http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2013/August/Egypt-Christians-Forgive-Attackers/</a><br> <br>This is a link to a series of reports on Israel's innovations and discoveries that are blessing the world! It is called "Made in Israel".<br> <br><a contents="http://www.cbn.com/special/made-in-israel/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.cbn.com/special/made-in-israel/" target="_blank">http://www.cbn.com/special/made-in-israel/</a><br> <br>To end, a promise for all who call upon the Lord<br> <br>Psalm 145:17-19<br> <br>The Lord is righteous in all His ways,<br>Gracious in all His works.<br>The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,<br>To all who call upon Him in truth.<br>He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;<br>He also will hear their cry and save them.<br> <br>Yours in the Messiah,<br> <br>Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/13804822013-08-11T07:18:10-06:002013-08-13T10:57:59-06:00August 11, 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">We are nearing the end of our summer with Ami at home, and it has not been an easy one as you all know.<b><br><br>
BEHIND THE SCENES</b><br><br>
Behind the scenes when David was going through his operations and emergency, Ami was very ill as well. In Israel this summer many people fell prey to some extremely virulent stomach flu/viruses that even put them in the hospital, and the night before David's second emergency operation, Ami began vomiting and having diarrhea non stop for 9 hours. I had fallen asleep and was awakened at about 11:30 PM by my cell phone ringing. It was Ami calling me from his bedroom, too weak to even get out of bed, to let me know he had called the ambulance for himself! I threw on some clothes, ran downstairs and opened the locked gate and door to our house to let the paramedics in who had already arrived. We traveled to the emergency room of a large hospital about ½ an hour from Ariel, and sure enough he was suffering from dehydration!<br><br>
Between blood tests and receiving two large bags of IV fluid, we finally got back home at 6 AM. We both went right to bed, but two hours later at 8 AM I began getting phone calls that David had been taken back into the operating room. One of my sons, also named Ariel, drove me to the hospital where David was, an hour drive from my house. My daughter and son-in-law also met me there. My daughter was able to stay with me the whole day until the evening as we struggled to find out what had really happened to David. Her husband took the day off of work (he is the owner of a meat business) to wait until the operation ended, and then went home to pick up their children from kindergarten and nursery school and take care of them. On top of the trauma of the day, in the back of my mind I was also worried about Ami, but could only place him on God's hands.<br><br>
Ami doesn't even remember that next day and for the next three days he slept and woke up only to to use the bathroom and drink water. It took him a week to begin to feel better, but in the meantime he struggled to help me as much as he could as I was struggling to help David. I would be at the hospital for 12 or 13 hours with David, and then rush home to try to ensure that Ami wasn't getting dehydrated again, and to try to get some nutrition into him. He lost a lot of weight, and then actually had two relapses of the virus throughout the next month, albeit less intense but still debilitating. Bottom line, it was a storm.<br><br><b>MORE NEWS</b><br><br>
However, this too has passed! Ami, myself and Ami's brother, Natan, will be flying to the U.S. this Wednesday for another round of laser treatments. After that we will God willing bring Ami back to college for his Fall semester. David is recuperating, but slowly. We are understanding that this will take much patience, wisdom and most of all prayer. In the meantime, we are slowly getting back to work, and to a more normal routine. <br><br>
We received a notice that there was an update to a file that is made available on the internet by the Israeli police for crime victims, called the "Mena" File. In English it stands for the "Information Network for Crime Victims" and it updates the progress of the legal proceedings and important facts of your case. Well, it was finally updated to include the sentencing of Jack Teitel, and it stated that he was sentenced to 99 years in jail! (We thought it was 80 years, but apparently it is a 99 year sentence). It also said that he was divorced, (a new development), and that he would be eligible to request a pass to leave jail for a holiday and to ask for parole only after 2/3 of his sentence was fulfilled, which is 60 years from now. It gave the name of the prison where he is incarcerated as well.<br><br>
Meanwhile, as you know, the situation in the Middle East is unprecedented, with war, violence, turmoil and uncertainty in Syria and Egypt, as well as the beginning of new "peace talks" between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. No one on the ground here expect these talks to accomplish anything but a new intifada. We are reminded of this truth:<br><br>
Deuteronomy 33:26-27 <br><br>
There is no one like the God of Jeshurun,<br>
Who rides the heavens to help you,<br>
And in His excellency on the clouds. <br>
The eternal God is your refuge,<br>
And underneath are the everlasting arms.<br><br>
We trust in that refuge and in God's loving care, expressed here as His everlasting arms, ready to catch us when we fall, enfolding us in His embrace.<br><br>
Yours in Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/11069292013-07-10T22:42:30-06:002013-07-10T22:42:30-06:00July 9, 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">Backtracking a little bit, I wanted to add something about the brother that recently passed away from colon cancer. Besides having to forgive his ex-wife, the other battle which he said was so important was the need to forgive his father, even though he had already passed away. He said the Lord asked him, "when in your mind and heart are you going to be ready to bury your father? You can't leave the world without that". He knew it meant he had to forgive and put the enmity to rest. Secondly, which might be the biggest battle, he had to believe that the atonement of Yeshua was enough to forgive himself.<br><br><b>BACK TO MY STORY </b><br><br>
By the third day that I was in the hospital, I was already beginning to feel that I was not recovering, I was actually feeling worse. I started to sweat profusely, in a way that I never had sweated before in my life. Then I began to experience pain in my abdomen that was so intense I was rolling and thrashing in my bed. It increased steadily and I reported it to the nurse on duty. She brushed it off and told me, "it's to be expected, you just had an operation, you will feel better later on." She gave me an injection for the pain, but it didn't help. It was already noon when Leah and my son Natan arrived. I began to feel that I was suffocating, and that my abdomen was on fire, and I again told the nurse that I needed oxygen, but she insisted that the monitor read that my oxygen level was 100%! She gave me another injection for the pain, but it didn't make any change at all in the pain level. I sensed that speaking to the nurse was not going to accomplish anything, she was convinced I was fine and I was just experiencing the normal results of the operation. I began to lose focus and I was so weak I couldn't even communicate. Even short conversations exhausted me completely. It was Saturday (Shabbat) and I told Leah to call my doctor at home, to tell him my symptoms. He in turn immediately called the doctor who was on duty who came quickly. As he was examining me, the nurse insisted that I was just exhausted and needed to rest, but when he looked at my eyes, he shouted at her and told her, "stop with your theories, there is really something wrong here, we have to find out what it is". By this time it was 4PM and they rolled me into a different room on the same floor which was a partial intensive care room. They put a Nasogastric intubation tube down my nose and they hooked me up to a heart and oxygen monitor. They rushed my blood and other samples to the lab which was running on a skeleton crew because it was Shabbat. The doctor said that there would be a meeting early the next morning to determine which direction to take with me.<br><br>
They gave me medication so I could relax and sleep, but that didn't work either. At 7:30 AM the next morning, the head surgeon came in. He checked me for five minutes and after checking my tests which had come back from the lab - he said, "I have to inform you that you need another operation. We have to find out what is happening, your abdomen is not supposed to hurt like this." All of a sudden, the activity level in the room increased. Someone came behind the bed and began rushing me towards the elevators, racing me down a very long hallway into the operating theaters. The first theater I went into, the nurses and technicians said, "this room isn't prepared yet for surgery". They rushed me into the next operating room where the nurses there said the same thing. At that point the surgeon shouted, "If it isn't ready, make it ready, we need it now!". The other surgeons rushed into the room, but they were not even yet in their operating gowns, they had to prepare themselves. It was very distressful seeing the confusion that was ensuing, and I had a feeling like I was thrown into a washing machine; everything began to spin around.<br><br>
They put the mask over my face and the next thing I knew, I woke up in the Intensive Care Unit. The doctors around me were discussing whether they should take out the breathing tube, and I signaled to them with my hand to take it out. I made signals to them that I could breathe without it. When they took it out, they looked relieved that I was able to breathe on my own.<br><br><b>LEAH</b><br><br>
We had received an SMS from David early in the morning saying most probably he was going into surgery again, but no one even called us from the hospital to let us know what was happening. When we called the nurses station they informed us he was already in surgery. We all rushed up to the hospital, I got there first with another son, Ariel, and we went straight to the floor and to the nurses station - they told us where the operation was taking place. When David came out of the recovery room after the operation he was still under sedation. By that time, my daughter Chen was with me, and we followed the bed up to the ICU unit. They rolled him in and told us to wait outside. However, we still hadn't received a full explanation of exactly what had had happened to David, and we lost our patience and demanded to speak to a doctor. The head doctor of the ICU came to speak to us, and told us that an area of the colon that had been operated on had opened up, and the contents of his large intestine had spilled into his abdominal cavity, causing an infection called peritonitis. Later, we read that if untreated this condition is always fatal. They had made a 6.5 inch (16.5 cm.) incision down the middle of his abdomen from the bottom of his sternum to below his navel. They repaired the opening, and cleaned the infection out of his body. A second incision had been made also on his right side which was 3 inches long (7.5 cm.) Whereas in the first operation not only had the tumor been removed, but also the surrounding lymph nodes and 21 cm. of large and small intestine. The valve that connects the small intestine to the large had also been removed. The two intestinal tracts were now directly attached to one another. In the second operation an additional 10 cm. (4 in.) of intestine was removed.<br><br>
We noticed that the doctors and nurses were trying to avoid us and give as little explanation as possible. It began to dawn on us that a terrible mistake had been made, and we were facing an extremely dangerous situation. A good friend of mine, Mary Jean, who is a highly skilled and extremely experienced nurse later explained to me that the membranes surrounding the organs had been infected. She said it is the same kind of clear, slimy membrane you find under the skin of raw chicken.<br><br><b>DAVID</b><br><br>
When I woke up again, Leah and my daughter were by my bedside. I just stared at them, wondering what was going to be. I was flat on my back and unable to move to the left or to the right, totally helpless. As night approached, I felt my spirit being elevated slightly out of my body and the Lord asked me, "what do you want to do? Do you want to stay or do you want to leave?" I told Him, "I will gladly leave, there is not too much on this earth compared to the world awaiting me, but for my childrens' sake I want to stay, they are not stable enough.". Later the Lord shared with me the many blessings He will bestow on them and on my grandchildren, now and in the future.<br><br>
The Lord told me that He would give me a second chance, but that I would have to stop my complaining and murmuring. He said, "if you are going to serve Me, serve with gladness". I knew if I would be allowed to stay in the game I had to draw closer to the Lord and serve with a willing heart. After that I knew it had been granted to me to live. I was questioning within myself if the operation had taken place in a different hospital with a different doctor, at a different time, would I have had to go through all this? Then I realized that it was all predestined, that the Lord had purposed that I should be brought closer to Him and become more like Him. The verses came into my mind and made more sense to me, or should I say became crystal clear -<br><br><b>Romans 8:28-30<br><br>
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.</b><br><br>
I was in the ICU for two days, and most of the time I didn't sleep, as my lungs were full of phlegm. The doctor told me there was nothing that could be done, but he told me "don't give up". Throughout the night, every four hours the nurses would turn me over from my back to my side because I was unable to do it myself. I felt like a pancake being flipped over. Since I wasn't sleeping, I spent most of my time in pain from the operation, cramps in my legs from not moving and back pain, and dealing with the phlegm in my lungs which lasted for the whole two weeks I was in the hospital. In fact, there was not one night that I was able to sleep throughout the night, yet, it catapulted me closer to the Lord. I felt His presence close to me and heard His voice clearly, and I began to understand many things.<br><br>
While in bed, I was thinking about several visitors who had visited us in the months before the operations who had made negative comments against organizations or individuals that are engaged in direct evangelism to the Jewish people in Israel. They were saying that they refused to associate themselves with such people because it upsets the Jewish community and the way they felt it should be done is without mentioning the cross, (Gal. 6:12; 1Cor. 1:17) They said that reaching out to the Jewish people should be done only through charity, nursing homes, and different projects showing the love of God. They said our purpose shouldn't be to win them over to belief in Yeshua, that God would take care of that because the Jewish people have a special covenant.<br><br>
I was slightly dumbfounded by those statements, because how could they have a covenant without the fulfillment of the New Covenant? How could they live with the shadows and not the substance? How could they have Moses without Yeshua? (John 5:46; Hebrews 10:1-25; Hebrews 8:5-13; Col. 2:16-17). David Wilkerson once called this a Christ-less Pentecost. He said we were heading towards a Gospel experience , where everything looks OK, the songs, the verses, and the preaching, but without the message of the cross. (2 Cor. 11:3-15) Pastor Cymbala from the Brooklyn Tabernacle said, when talking about the Samaritans and the Israelites who had fallen away into idol worship, that they invoked the name of the true God of Israel, but it was the false worship of the True God (2Kings 17:29-41)<br><br>
I began to think about the military, and how it is made up of different units, Navy, Air Force, Infantry (ground troops), Intelligence and many more. The Navy can shoot their most sophisticated smart missiles to soften the ground from a relatively safe distance and not even feel the impact of the war. Everyone can be serving on the ship and when their tour of duty is finished, go home. The Air Force sometimes can feel a greater impact of what is taking place on the ground, but still at a relatively safe distance. They also prepare and soften the ground and remove imminent threats but with all the units and with all their technology they can never replace the soldiers whose boots are on the ground. The war can never be won without the ground troops. Once the units in God's army stop working together and begin to criticize and compete against one another, the Good News of the Messiah will never make an inroad into Israeli society. They will never know that Messiah has come and that He has brought a better covenant that has ripped the veil in two, that all might enter.<br><br>
In light of these things, I was completely conscious of these facts:<br><br>
1. God is giving me a second chance to live<br><br>
2. He wants to shape me more into the likeness of Yeshua and<br><br>
3. out of all the hospitals in the land, the Lord predestined that I should be in this particular hospital at this particular time, to be a part of the ground troops. There were people that I had been sent there to reach out to, but among those people there would be one particular person who was to be reached. So I waited with patience.<br><br>
Finally I was moved back to the surgical ward where I had been before. There were many Jewish and Arab nurses both male and female, that I was trying to reach out to. One of the doctor's was honest with me and explained what had taken place. He answered some of my questions but he let me know that more time had to pass until they could make a final assessment. He said, "don't think about when you can go home, just think about getting better."<br><br><b>I WAS UNDONE...<br></b><br>
One night as I lay in bed, I started listening to Ezekiel chapters 8-10 on my Bible program which is on my phone and I must have fallen asleep. All of a sudden,I saw a great land mass and I saw two groups of people on either side. On one side were religious people, very well groomed and dressed, very articulate in their way of speaking and looking like they had it all organized and together. On the other side were people who were loud and disorganized. They were speaking street language, stealing cars, they were drunk, and were very undisciplined in the way they walked and the way they talked. They weren't the kind of people you would want to meet at night on a dark, desolate street. I saw a ball of fire coming towards the earth and both groups saw it coming.<br><br>
Then I saw Yeshua on the cross, and I saw how willingly He had allowed Himself to be there and how much pain He voluntarily took for the people. As I looked closer I then had to look away because I felt so ashamed of myself. As I gazed on Him, my faults and who I really was were revealed to me and I was able to see my unfit condition as a person. I was undone. He gave an invitation to everyone to come to Himself but certain people on both sides defiantly said "No!" As the ball of fire was approaching, the people that were religious were happy because they thought the fire was going to hit the other group, the street people. (Amos 5:18-27) They said, "Good, it's about time. They deserve it."<br><br>
Even though I wasn't rejoicing that they were going to get hit by the fire, and I knew that the Bible says in:<br><br><b>1Peter 4;17-18,<br><br>
17 The time has come for judgment to begin, and God's own people are the first to be judged. If it starts with us, how will it end with those who do not believe the Good News from God? 18 And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?</b><br><br>
It also looked to me that the fire was heading in their direction, but it didn't hit them first. It hit the ones that professed to know Him first, and when it did, everything that was not made of precious metal burned up. I saw that even though many professed to know Him, not everyone had the same motives and purposes for what they had done for the Lord. Some had conducted their charities and their works to be seen by men, to have their names mentioned and to receive applause. Someone once said that the biggest and most powerful ministries for the Lord are not carried out in front of the TV cameras but deep in the Amazons where there is no audience and applause, carried out by people who are wondering if they will ever make it home. I saw so clearly that everything that was not done exclusively and only for God's glory will burn.<br><br><b>1Corinthians 3:10-14<br><br>
10 Because of God's grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have-Yeshua the Messiah. 12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials-gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person's work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. (Ecc. 12:14; Matt. 10;26; Romans 2:16; 1Cor. 4:5; 2Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:10)</b><br><br>
I saw very clearly that the reason the fire hit the Body of the Lord first was because the believers held the key of knowledge; they knew better, while the others, no matter how degenerate they were, didn't know their left hand from their right.<br><br>
At the very end, the fire consumed people from both groups, and it was like a stream of lava. Those who were in the congregation who professed to know God but were not living for Him and were living double lives and a lie,who were living by their own religious philosophies and not the Word of God, and the unbelievers who rejected Him, were both like dry leaves that when a wind came just blew them away. (Psalm 1:4-6; Job 21:18) They were powerless to choose at that point and they were being swept into the red, liquid lava where eternity began for them in the place of hot torment and darkness.<br><br><b>Rev. 20:11-14<br><br>
11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.<br></b><br>
When I woke up I understood the atonement of Yeshua in a way I never had before. I understood how undone I was, and I was filled with more compassion for the unbelievers who have never heard the Good News of the Messiah even though their decadence is so difficult to deal with. I understood how quickly the world is racing towards judgment and how critical it is to pray for them and to declare the Good News to whomsoever will.<br><br>
I will end here and next week I will write the final chapter on the key people that were witnessed to and how the believers that came to visit me played such a key role in bringing the Good News of the Messiah to them. I will share also about how I was divinely placed near to that one particular person who was to be reached.<br><br>
Many Blessings,<br><br>
David</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/8360972013-05-28T21:55:04-06:002013-05-28T21:55:04-06:00May 29, 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">Shalom, may the peace and presence of the Lord be with you today!<br><br>
First of all, we want to thank those who wrote to the Ministry of Defense on Ami's behalf concerning the National Insurance issue, it is bearing fruit. We have had responses from officials who are supporting our request to make an amendment to the law to categorize incidents of Jewish terrorism against Jews as a hate crime, thereby making the victims eligible for compensation. We also want to thank those who responded to the needs for Ami's medical costs, we are so very grateful and encouraged.<br>
<br><b>LASER SURGERY!</b><br><br>
Ami's recovery since the tragic incident five years ago that changed his life forever, has been characterized by many struggles and many miracles. The latest miracle has been the discovery of the best laser treatment probably in the world to improve the scars that cover his body from his neck to his toes as a result of the burns and resulting skin grafts, and the shrapnel and blast wounds caused by the bomb that exploded in his hands on Purim Eve, March 20, 2008.<br>
<br>
This miracle began when David saw a video on Fox News about a laser treatment being used in the U.S. to treat soldiers who were victims of bomb blasts in Iraq and Afghanistan. We sent it to Ami, and he said that if we could find a way, he would want that kind of treatment. I was able to get in touch with the hospital where the doctor who developed the method works, which is in San Antonio, Texas, but because it is a military facility, Ami couldn't be treated there. I begged their PR department which was handling my request, to give me the doctor's email that we had seen on the video, and after some hesitation they did. I wrote to him, explaining who we were and some of Ami's story, and I asked him to tell me if he knew if this technology existed in Israel, and if not to recommend another doctor anywhere in the world who could treat Ami. He answered us back within 10 minutes! He told us that there were only two other doctors on the planet that he would recommend who do this treatment on the level that he does it - and one was in Miami where my mother and brother and his family live!! I got in touch with the treatment center there, and found out that this doctor has a passion for what she calls "burn survivors". People come from all over the world, including Israel, for treatment at her center. As It turns out, she and the doctor in San Antonio worked together to develop this unique and effective treatment. Ami was able to visit the center during his Christmas break from school, and we arranged for his first treatments to begin this May.<br>
<br>
The laser treatments are very intensive, but are nothing short of miraculous. We can see that we will need patience, but this process will greatly improve the scars which cover his whole body, and will make a difference in Ami's life. Basically, the lasers vaporize the scar tissue layer by layer, at the same time punching microscopic holes in the skin so the collagen which lies beneath the skin's surface can come up and cause new skin to grow. The procedure was done in two stages on two different days because of the large area that needs to be treated. The first day the doctor worked on the large skin grafts that cover his stomach and inside of his left thigh, which is also slightly concave because muscle was blown out of his thigh from the blast. She injected something into the thigh which can puff up the area to make it look more natural as well.<br>
<br>
The second procedure took place a week later on both his upper and lower arms (shoulder to wrist), where he has extensive scarring from shrapnel, and his whole right thigh down to his knee, also badly scarred from shrapnel wounds. She also worked on his left foot where he is missing parts of 3 toes and which is very badly scarred.<br>
<br>
The doctor works with 32 lasers, but she used three lasers on Ami so far - one to lighten the color, one to vaporize the scar tissue, and the 3rd, which works at 100 degrees C (212 F), to smooth the area. It is an amazing process - after his treatment in August, the scars will continue to improve for a whole year, as the collagen which is activated below the surface continues to produce new skin.- but as always, it is a process of seeing how the body will heal itself over time. The doctor told us that one of the lasers is manufactured in Israel, but is not used for skin surgery here - Israeli patients are referred to her all the time. She said it is so powerful that if calibrated differently it can be used for military use.<br><br><b>FAMILY EFFORT</b><br>
<br>
Here is Ami getting the first laser procedure. They put numbing cream on him, and wrapped him in saran wrap for an hour! Then he was given oral pain killers and was awake for the whole procedure, watching the process with interest. I was allowed to be in the room and watch also. Afterward, we went home and had to carefully follow a detailed procedure to keep him completely sterile for two days to avoid infection, which included showers several times a day, vinegar and water compresses, oral antibiotics and topical creams, which he will have to use for a year. He will be wearing compression garments for a year also for as many hours a day as he can as this helps to flatten the affected area and prevent further scarring.<br><br>
Ami and I returned home to Israel last week. We had a wonderful, blessed time with my family who all pitched in and helped us sacrificially, for which we are eternally grateful. My Mom (90 years old) opened her home to us, providing us with a non stop love, moral support and generously feeding the whole gang that descended on her home. My brother who lives in Miami with his family took us back and forth to the treatment center, an hours ride each way with ever present traffic and delays. He took many hours out of his schedule, with his full support and good will. He is so happy that Ami is getting helped in this way, and we are so grateful for his love and positive, helpful attitude. And my older sister came all the way from upstate NY to help us for five days before and after the first treatment, providing prayer, moral support, and cooking! She is a world class cook, specializing in healthy, whole food so we ate very well. She has also developed a course for healthy eating for diabetics, and another on eating healthy on a budget! It was truly a family effort which made it even more precious and memorable.<br><br><b>PRAYER REQUEST</b><br>
<br>
At the end of last year, David began having trouble with gall stones. He had his gall bladder removed by laparoscopic surgery and recovered well. My otherwise healthy husband who has never taken any medication and hardly ever saw the inside of a doctor's office, was then advised to get a colonoscopy. The results showed a tumor which the doctor said was more than a polyp, and when the biopsy came back showed that it was one stage before cancer. He has to have it surgically removed which will take place God willing on Thursday June 6 - we would appreciate prayer for this. It is also laparoscopic surgery. We are thankful that it was discovered early, another miracle!<br><br>
Also, we received word that Jack Teitel's lawyers have submitted an appeal to the Supreme court to appeal his sentence on the grounds that the District Court that sentenced him didn't respond to some of the psychiatrist's conclusions that he is mentally ill and was not responsible for his past actions. Of course, there were also psychiatrists whose conclusions were the opposite, that he is mentally fit and is accountable.The court hasn't accepted the appeal yet, as far as we now. Our lawyer explained to us that Teitel's lawyers are appointed by the State of Israel, and it is in their interest to appeal and continue to be paid for dragging the case on. If the lawyers were hired privately, it would be too expensive to appeal. Please pray for continued grace, and for Teitel's sentence to stand.<br><br><a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4382315,00.html" target="_new">http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4382315,00.html</a><br><br>
As always, we thank you for standing with us in love and prayer, and for your prayers for Israel and the Body of Messiah - please check out our website - <a href="./home.cfm">www.amiortiz.com</a> for the latest updates and articles.<br>
<br>
In Yeshua the Messiah,<br><br>
Leah<br>
<br>
"But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." Colossians 3:14-15</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/5431352013-04-16T10:45:00-06:002013-04-16T10:45:00-06:00April 16, 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">Request for Intervention and Prayer<br><br>
We are horrified and shaken by the Boston Marathon bomb blasts that have killed and maimed so many. Our prayers are lifted up for the victims, with whom we can identify closely with. This is a terror attack not only against Americans but against humanity, and the values that are the foundations of our society.<br><br>
WE ARE GRATEFUL<br><br>
for the responses to our update concerning the sentencing of Jack Teitel to 80 years in prison. However, as you know, we have written that although justice has been served in the sentence of Teitel (for which we are also grateful), for Ami justice has not been completely served because of the inhumane and discriminatory decision of the Israeli Ministry of Defense to not recognize Ami as a hate crime victim of terror, even though the Arab families, who were attacked by the same terrorist, in the same string of terror attacks, have been recognized as such and very justly so. We rejoice with them. <br><br>
We have begun initiatives with our lawyer to try to fight this. We know that the most effective way to do it this is through the media and public opinion, and so after the sentencing we did emphasize this point in every interview we did in the Israeli media, including a morning talk show on Israeli Channel 10 in which Ami was interviewed by Skype. However, the most effective way to turn this decision around will not only take pressure domestically and internationally, but strategic prayer. Thus far thank the Lord, we have had some Members of Governments and journalists raising up their voices for us.<br><br>
Ami has 60 years ahead of him in which he will need the assistance of National Insurance to deal with the ongoing issues he faces as a result of his injuries and handicap. For instance, this summer he will begin a series of laser operations to improve the scars which cover his body from his neck to his feet, as a result of the 100 pieces of shrapnel which pierced his body and the skin grafts to cover large areas on his stomach and thighs where the skin was burned and blown off. These will take place in the U.S.<br><br>
We remembered a tragic case in Israel from November 2011, in which Rabbi Mertzbach from the Otniel settlement near Hebron was killed by IDF gunfire when they mistook him for a terrorist. At the end of the article, it states that the Ministry of Defense recognized the deceased as a terror victim so that his family could receive benefits and assistance from National Insurance! So exceptions can be made, why is it not being made in Ami's case? In this case the exception was already made two days after the incident. We are now five years after our incident.<br><br>
This is the link to the article:<br><a href="http://%20http://www.jpost.com/National-News/IDF-probes-tragic-shooting-that-killed-West-Bank-Rabbi" target="_new"><br>
http://www.jpost.com/National-News/IDF-probes-tragic-shooting-that-killed-West-Bank-Rabbi<br></a><br>
This is again, an important precedent to be set, as Jewish violence against believers and vandalism and even fire bombings of churches and congregations have occurred many times in the past five years since the bomb was sent to our house in 2008. There have never been any arrests made in these cases, and God forbid, if any other Messianic believer is every injured again by a violent attack of this kind, it is important that a precedent be set which would enable them to be compensated justly by the State of Israel, and to be used as a deterrent to force the hand of the State to make arrests.<br><br>
We wonder if you would consider writing an email to the Minister of Defense, Moshe Ya'alon, to speak up for Ami. His email address is: myaalon@knesset.gov.il<br><br>
You can send a copy of your letter to the Prime Minister of Israel as well:<br><br><a href="mailto:bnetanyahu@knesset.gov.il">bnetanyahu@knesset.gov.il</a><br><br>
If you would consider having those on your mailing lists, in your organizations , lawmakers, etc. to write as well, this would be a very helpful and positive step in our quest for full justice for Ami and the Messianic Body in Israel, and we would be very grateful.<br><br>
And please, if you could add this matter to your prayer lists, we would be so very grateful, as the prayer of the Body around the world has accomplished the impossible and won great victories up to this point in Yeshua's Name.<br><br>
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (James 5:16b NLB)<br><br>
Yours in the Messiah,<br><br>
David and Leah<br><br>
Below is an example email:<br><br>
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon<br><br>
Ministry of Defense<br><br>
The Knesset<br><br>
Dear Mr. Ya'alon,<br><br>
We rejoice with the Ortiz family and the other families involved, that justice has been served in the conviction and sentencing of Jack Teitel. The just decision to incarcerate him for life was an example of the democratic system in Israel which protects every citizen regardless of his race, religion or ethnic background.<br><br>
However, at the same time we are shocked and even horrified by the inhumane and discriminatory decision of the Defense Ministry which refuses to recognize Ami Ortiz as a terror victim, even though the Arab families who were attacked by the same terrorist, in the same string of terror attacks, have been recognized as hate crime victims and very justly so.<br><br>
We see this as a grave injustice for Israel to reject the completely justifiable claims of this young man. He is today 20 years old, and he will have to deal with the ongoing issues he faces as a result of his very serious injuries and the handicap he suffered in the monstrous attack against him on Purim Eve, March 20, 2008. We have been informed that for five years he has received no help or assistance from the National Insurance system, and it is impossible to understand what could possibly justify this.<br><br>
We understand that in other cases the laws have been waived and assistance has been granted based on moral and humanitarian grounds. We are asking you to reconsider you decision concerning Ami Ortiz, and that he will be granted the status he deserves as a victim of terror and hate. <br><br>
Yours Truly,</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/5091252013-04-11T04:30:07-06:002013-04-11T04:30:07-06:00April 11, 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">On April 9, 2013 the sentencing of Jack Teitel took place. He was sentenced to 80 years in prison which included 2 life sentences equal to 50 years imprisonment, plus 30 years for his other crimes including the attempted murder of Ami Ortiz. Teitel is 40 years old.<br><br>
When Jack Teitel was brought into the courtroom, a large group of reporters swarmed in after him to where he was seated and crowded around him. They were allowed to photograph and ask him questions before the judges made their entrance. They asked him, "Do you regret your actions?" He answered, "not at all". He said he considered himself a servant of God, and that he had carried out his crimes for Him. He also said that if given the chance he would do it again. It was chilling to hear him say that.<br><br>
The sentencing had been postponed by his lawyers, and the new date actually fell at a very crucial and symbolic time, the days between Holocaust Rememberance Day and Memorial Day for Fallen soldiers and those killed in terrorist attacks, which is then followed by Israeli Independence Day. This is the focus and very much on the minds of the nation at this time. The judges wrote a 68 page document confirming their position and the reasoning for their sentencing and referred to this fact at the end. They read the last few pages of their decision to those of us in the court room - Here is an excerpt which gives you an idea of the quality of humanity these judges possess. <br><br>
"Before the end (when the sentencing will take place) we want to repeat and emphasize: it was proven before us that feelings of hatred and frustration were used by the defendant while committing criminal acts, while sacred values became dust at his feet. We know that life is sacred and to be respected in every way, but we did not find a sign or memory of that knowledge in the possession of the defendant; Our scriptures command us: "Thou shalt not kill" ,but the defendant stopped up his ears and eyes, and murdered and attempted to murder in cold blood. Every crime that he committed, was saturated with the contamination of the hatred of his mind and heart..<br><br>
His actions become more evident and obvious, the murders were committed only because of the Arab origins of his victims, who were unarmed, without any threat of visible weapons or intimidation on their part towards him. The rest of the offenses the defendant committed were ideologically motivated. This is not a one case incident or a mistake, what we have before us is - a phenomenon.<br><br>
The democratic System of government is honorable and worthy, when it is established on an interaction between the different segments of the nations that dwell in the country, Jews and Arabs as one, and the state institutions, which should be accompanied by a sense of trust and general confidence that prevails for every citizen, regardless of origin, whose actions are not led by arbitrariness of the heart but by appropriate values which we all want to depend on.<br><br>
The State of Israelis blessed in this regard with governmental institutions that operate according to law, in a legal constitutional environment where sacred values are used as candles for its feet and human dignity and freedom are the leading values. But this matter in question invaded to the depths of our consciousness - and indeed violated one of the basic premises which guides us on a daily basis. The ruling in this case leaves no room for doubt: the murders, the attempted murders and other crimes committed by the defendant were directed at the heart of this country's values which were stated beforehand, but it should be emphasized - that these malicious intentions cannot be tolerated by a society that fights against those who would try to destroy it.<br><br>
This is true all year round, but even more so during these days between Memorial Day, Holocaust Memorial Day and Independence Day."<br><br><b>THE AFTERMATH</b><br><br>
The dramatic sentencing then followed. When the judges left the Chamber, and Teitel was taken away, we were besieged by the mainstream Israeli and foreign media, television, radio, and newspapers, who wanted to know our reaction. Also present was Christian TV and foreign news. I spoke to the Israeli reporters and David interviewed for the Christian and foreign news. I told them that Teitel was a dangerous man, filled with hate and darkness, and that he deserved to be in jail for the rest of his life for what he had done. For two days our phone rang off the hook with the media asking for interviews.<br><br>
For us, however the battle is not over, because the next morning Ami still woke up with disfigurement, constant pain, ringing in his ears and 100 pieces of shrapnel in his body and eyes. Our point in bringing this up is to turn attention to an important issue. <br><br>
Israeli Social Security evaluates and compensates terror attack victims on an ongoing basis. However, their laws state that the definition of an act of terror, or a hate crime as it is called in Hebrew, is Jew against Arab, and Arab against Jew, carried out for nationalistic reasons. Therefore, the family of Teitel's first victim who was an Arab, Samir Balbisi, who was murdered by Jack Teitel in cold blood, received compensation from Social Security. Even though it was the same terrorist, and the same string of crimes carried out by the same person for the same reasons, because we are a Jewish family the system has ruled that it cannot be called a hate crime and Ami is not eligible for compensation for his handicaps, as a violent act carried out by a Jew against a Jew is categorized as a criminal act and not an act of terror. This is of course, as the newspapers put it, ridiculous and unjust, but in the meantime, for the past five years, Ami has remained without compensation.<br><br>
Yesterday, David and I woke up well before dawn to travel to a television studio in Tel Aviv so we could appear on their morning show to talk about the sentencing. I was reminded of the words of King Solomon in Proverbs 24:16-18 <br><br>
16 For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.<br><br>
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;<br>
18 Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him.<br><br>
We are not happy that Teitel has fallen, because that will not serve to heal the destruction, pain and suffering he has caused our family and so many others. But we are happy for the truth and justice that went forth from the courtroom yesterday, and we pray the aftermath will be a blessing for the community of Messianic Believers in Israel, and for the nation as a whole as result.<br><br>
Proverbs 29:26<br><br>
Many seek the ruler's favor, But justice for man comes from the Lord.<br><br>
Along with the sentence, Teitel was also fined and ordered to pay his victims monetary compensation. However we were told by the lawyers that the sum awarded us is a theoretical number because it can't be reinforced, Teitel doesn't possess the funds to compensate us, and so neither he nor the State will be carrying that out.<br><br>
Here are two links to articles from the Israeli news about the sentencing:<br><br><a href="http://www.jpost.com/National-News/Terrorist-Teitel-sentenced-to-life-for-murders-309222" target="_new">http://www.jpost.com/National-News/Terrorist-Teitel-sentenced-to-life-for-murders-309222</a><br><br><a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4365979,00.html" target="_new">http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4365979,00.html</a><br><br>
and a beautiful video report by Chris Mitchell of CBN:<br><br><a href="http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2013/April/Justice-Served-in-Terror-Attack-on-Jewish-Family/" target="_new">http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2013/April/Justice-Served-in-Terror-Attack-on-Jewish-Family/</a><br><br>
Please check out this blog written by Chaim Goldberg of Maoz Israel Ministries:<br><br><a href="http://maozblog.com/israel/update-on-teitel-sentencing/#.UWV1faJmiSp" target="_new">http://maozblog.com/israel/update-on-teitel-sentencing/#.UWV1faJmiSp</a><br><br>
When Ami was being treated in Israel for his injuries, his medical expenses were mostly covered by our national insurance. Now we have come to a different stage in Ami's recovery, which is intensive laser plastic surgery for the scars that cover his body. When Ami goes to the beach or a swimming pool, people stare at him, or run over to ask what happened to him. It is a painful and extremely uncomfortable experience for him, seeing the shock on people's faces when they see his body. The surgeon who will do the treatments is seeking to make him a part of a study so that a part of the cost of the laser treatments will be possibly done without cost, but because the scars cover his whole body in the end we will have to pay at least a part, along with travel expenses, medications, etc. This is a link to the type of procedure that will be done on Ami.<br><a href="http://%20http://video.foxnews.com/v/1782436004001/laser-treatment-gives-new-hope-to-wounded-warriors/" target="_new"><br>
http://video.foxnews.com/v/1782436004001/laser-treatment-gives-new-hope-to-wounded-warriors/</a><br><br>
Throughout these five years we have been financially drained because of legal expenses for the uphill battle we have waged to protect our civil and human rights, and our right to be heard and respected as Jewish believers in Yeshua the Messiah, and the extra medical procedures Ami has needed . Many individual believers and believing organizations have greatly helped us, and we are very grateful. But because this has dragged on for five years, it has been very difficult to catch up to and maintain the costs of fighting this battle on all fronts. In the Bible we read many stories of victories, but sometimes we don't know the reality of the great human cost involved. Widows of those who gave their lives for Yeshua had to be supported. The families of the men of Israel who were in David's army bore heavy losses. The Bible says in Romans 13:8 - Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.. So to maintain our testimony, we are requesting for help if your heart is being touched to do so. This case forms a precedent that other cases will be built on and it represents all believers living in this land. We continue to fight so this will not happen to anyone else. <br><br>
On the website <a href="./home.cfm">www.amiortiz.com</a> on the Fundraiser page, there are directions how to send checks or make wire transfers.<br><br>
Credit card transactions can be done through <a href="http://www.brooklyntabernacle.org" target="_new">www.brooklyntabernacle.org</a>. Go to the Missions page, then "donate" and designate "Middle East". <br><br>
Thank you for accompanying us throughout these years,<br><br>
Leah and David</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/3829472013-03-18T20:38:02-06:002013-03-18T20:38:02-06:00March 19, 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">Happy Passover to all! The holiday of deliverance and freedom is upon us once more, a time to celebrate our deliverance from the tyranny and slavery of sin by the Blood of the Lamb of God, Yeshua!<br><br>
On March 17th 2013 the sentencing hearing of Jack Teitel was supposed to take place at 12 PM at the District Courthouse in East Jerusalem. David and I left Ariel early to meet with some friends in Jerusalem before the hearing, and as we neared the city our lawyer texted us to say that at that moment he had received a message that the sentencing was being postponed until April 9th. We had made arrangements with many people who wanted to be there to support us and to witness the sentencing for themselves, and so we busily began to contact everyone to let them know it was not going to take place. I asked my lawyer if he was told the reason for for the postponement and he said no, he received just a message without an explanation.<br><br>
Please pray for the sentencing of Jack Teitel to take place on April 9th. I pray that there will not be any kind of devilish plan being hatched by the defense attorneys to somehow lighten the sentence.<br><br>
AMI NEWS <br><br>
I wanted to take a time to write at a little more length about Ami.<br><br>
This past February, my son turned 20 years old. It is hard to believe that already five years have passed since March 20th, 2008. It has not been easy for Ami, every day he lives with the after effects of the heinous act that was perpetrated against him by Jack Teitel. Every day he faces the scars and missing toes, the nagging ringing in his ears and the low level but persistent pain in his left hand. Every day however, the beauty of who he is shines forth brighter and brighter; a deep, gentle and compassionate person who has gone through tragedy and unspeakable suffering yet who has survived without a trace of bitterness or hatred. Just about two weeks ago, he began to experience discomfort in one of his eyes and he noticed a red spot. He went to the health services on campus that sent him to an eye specialist. She removed a small piece of ceramic from the white part of his eye, one of the many particles that are still lodged in his eyes and body from the explosion of the bomb that was hidden in a Purim gift basket.<br><br>
Ami has been working very hard in college. It has been an interesting time where he has been slightly alone to think about and face many issues and to face some hard realities. However, his unique sense of humor has fully returned. We speak often over Viber (a free communication App using wifi) and at times his quick wit and keen observations have me laughing so hard I cry. He keeps up with the news from Israel and the US on a daily basis, even when faced with the pressures of basketball and studies. Basketball has been something of a disappointment for him this year, he said most of the season he sat on the bench of a losing team, but The Lord has a plan, and from the beginning of this experience the name of the game can be summed up in one word, Patience!!!<br><br>
Recently The Lord spoke to me clearly. A friend from Norway was sitting at our table sharing a meal, and she was blessing us with some scriptures from the Bible. I suddenly realized that I have to surrender my mourning over Ami's injuries to Him in order to receive His comfort. I can choose to hang onto the mourning, but I will never be free from the sorrow if I do. Healing won't take place. There are so many things I have to release into His hands -a fitting theme for the Passover season.<br><br>
Isaiah 61:1-3<br>
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,<br>
Because the Lord has anointed MeTo preach good tidings to the poor;<br>
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,<br>
To proclaim liberty to the captives,<br>
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;<br>
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,<br>
And the day of vengeance of our God;<br>
To comfort all who mourn,<br>
To console those who mourn in Zion,<br>
To give them beauty for ashes,<br>
The oil of joy for mourning,<br>
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;<br>
That they may be called trees of righteousness,<br>
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."<br><br>
May you all be abundantly blessed this Passover season,<br><br>
In the Messiah,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306832013-02-17T08:10:00-07:002013-02-17T08:10:00-07:00February 17, 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">On February 13, 2013 we were in court again to hear the sentencing of Jack Teitel. For the past several years, however, in every court session and without fail, his defence lawyers have stood up and made a motion that is so preposterous it wastes at least 1/2 hour to an hour of valuable court time. In the last hearing in January, they claimed that the session was supposed to be behind closed doors, and that there was a former protocol where the judges had made a decision to that affect. No such decision had been made, and of course the defence couldn't produce the piece of paper to substantiate their claim. <br><br>
This time, the defence opened up by saying that a mistake in some facts had been made on the last court record and before sentencing could take place, it had to be corrected. The judges asked why they hadn't taken care of it a month ago, because if there had been a mistake (which they didn't believe was true) there was a process to follow, and they would have to follow that process. Of course the defence lawyers knew that, but used this as an excuse to delay the sentencing. I personally believe that they simply don't want to give the prosecution and us, the victims that show up to every hearing, any satisfaction! Whether its pride or evil intent, only The Lord knows.<br><br>
I wish you all could sit in the court room and behold what we see, how the defence constantly tries to manipulate the law in order to get a self- confessed, guilty man off the hook of true justice as much as lies in their power to do so. It is frustrating but so obvious how the enemy is using them to try to pervert justice. Another fact to consider is that they are not defence attorneys assigned by the State of Israel, but privately hired, and we and others from the legal team and the media are wondering who is financing this! We know from our own experience how expensive lawyers are.<br><br>
The hearing began at 3:30 PM and it was already at least 5PM when things got down to the nitty gritty and all the technicalities were over, and the prosecution and the defence were able to present their claims for sentencing. The State Prosecutor, Sagi Ophir, prefaced his demands by saying that Teitel, "by his acts of incitement and calls to replace the State of Israel with a totalitarian Jewish monarchy, along with his calls for and encouragement of violence against those who didn't share his views, carried out acts that 'undermine the foundations of a democratic society.' In his acts of murder, attempted murder and violence, Teitel 'scorned the sanctity of life,' Ofir added. Teitel's actions warranted that 'his freedom be taken until the end of his days,' just as he took away the freedom of his victims and tried to take it from others." (quoted from a very good article - State seeks to make example of US-born 'Jewish Terrorist' from the online paper - The Times of Israel. Here is the link: <a target="_new" href="http://www.timesofisrael.com/state-seeks-to-make-example-of-us-born-jewish-terrorist/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter">http://www.timesofisrael.com/state-seeks-to-make-example-of-us-born-jewish-terrorist/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter</a>)<br><br>
Ophir made it clear that the State of Israel considered that Teitel's crimes were motived by hatred against people whose nationalities, views and ways of life were different than his, which is a point of view that the judges concurred with. The judges mentioned Messianic Jews in this context several times, with much respect. <br><br>
The State then went on to ask for a sentence of two consecutive life sentences. In addition to the life sentences (which would equal 60 years as a life sentence is 30 years in Israel), the State is asking for 70 additional years for the two attempted murders and the other six convictions, a total number of 130 years in prison. The prosecutor included the name of Ami Ortiz, who had been critically injured, detailing what his injuries were, and that the maximum sentence for attempted murder was being asked for in his case. This was admitted into the official protocol of the States' demands. The Prosecutor asked for compensation from Teitel for the victims' families as well.<br><br>
The defence then made their rebuttal, asking the court to lessen Teitel's sentence as they claim the crimes were not carried out because his hatred of others, but because of mental illness.<br><br>
The next hearing, where sentencing will God willing take place, will be on March 17th, 2013 at 12 Noon. We would appreciate your prayers for this to finally happen.<br><br>
Below is a link to an interesting article about a man, Asher Weisgan, who lived in the same settlement as Jack Teitel - Shvut Rachel. There are only 100 families living there, and it is more than possible that they were acquainted; they certainly share the same convictions. In 2005 he killed 4 Arabs and wounded two others. He was convicted of four consecutive life sentences, but committed suicide in prison: <a target="_new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asher_Weisgan">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asher_Weisgan</a><br><br><b>AMI NEWS</b><br><br>
Ami is working hard in school. The basketball season is over, and sadly, his team did very poorly. Ami was hardly given the opportunity to play in the games, which was also very disappointing to him. When he spoke to his coaches, he asked them if he was in their plan at all. They said that he was very much in their plans, they like his height and the way he moves, but he needed more understanding of the plays and the way the game is played over there. We asked Ami if he felt it was true, and he said he could see their point. Please pray for this, for Ami to gain the understanding that he needs. I have noticed that there is much that doesn't seem logical to him as far as mentality and methods are concerned. It is truly the meeting of a Middle Eastern mind with the West and it has gotten a little rocky sometimes, but he is coping with it like the trooper that he is. We thank God for a group of very nice friends of good character that he has made. When David and I visited Ami in November, we saw how they have surrounded him with the love of God and appreciation for who he is, and have helped him in so many ways. God is good!!<br>
As always, we are so grateful that you are standing with us in prayer and fellowship in the Lord.<br><br>
In Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306772013-01-27T06:00:00-07:002013-01-27T06:00:00-07:00January 27, 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">We have truly been encouraged by the tremendous feedback we received from the last Ami Update. Your congratulations, the Bible verses, personal words, and every uplifting thought that has surrounded Ami and our family has touched our hearts. Thank you for walking with us and being part of the victory that God has given us and the Body of Messiah in Israel, which will help us to continue to convey the message that Yeshua is the Messiah.<br><br>
We have had so many responses we aren't able to answer each one personally, but we want to thank you for your continued prayer and interest in Ami's progress, our family, the court case and the wellbeing of the Body of Messiah in Israel.<br><br>
Today we were able to put English subtitles on an interview I had on Channel 10 Israel TV after the verdict- you can see it on the home page of <a href="./home.cfm"> www.amiortiz.com</a> and also a powerful CBN report by Chris Mitchell and Julie Stahl, also on the home page.<br><br>
RON NACHMAN <br><br>
Sadly, Ron Nachman who was the Mayor of Ariel since 1985, passed away cancer on January 18th. He had battled the disease since 2009. It is a very big blow to all of us who live in Ariel as Ron Nachman was literally the face of Ariel. He was one of the leaders of the original group that settled the City in 1978-79 and served as its mayor until his death. We were speaking to a man yesterday who was a friend of Nachman, and he said that even on his death bed he was calling Knesset members to make sure they would make good on their promises for the City because he knew he was losing ground quickly. He was an aggressive and typical Israeli, but a very straight and honest person. What you saw was what you got and we appreciated that aspect of his character. Many people don't know that we used to pray in his office once a week for 4 years until the Orthodox community started putting pressure on him to stop the meeting. But once again, he was very honest and told us that the Orthodox are very powerful and if he didn't stop the prayer meetings from taking place, they would make trouble for him and he was afraid that he would lose the next election for mayor. But he was the embodiment of Ariel, to both his friends and his enemies.<br><br>
After the bombing, Ron Nachman was the only one from the government with enough backbone to visit us in the hospital and to convey his shock over the incident and concern for Ami and our family. No one from the Knesset made a public condemnation, visited or called. <br><br>
This is a link from Wikipedia about Ron Nachman - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Nachman" target="_new">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Nachman</a><br><br>
Please lift up his family in prayer, that they would turn to the Lord for strength at this time, and that the right person would step into the leadership of this strategic city, Ariel, the Capital of Samaria.<br><br>
With much appreciation in the Messiah,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306632013-01-18T04:00:00-07:002013-01-18T04:00:00-07:00January 18, 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">We are glad to report that on January 16th, 2013 justice was served and a guilty verdict was handed down in the case of Jack Teitel versus the State of Israel.<br><br>
Jack Teitel was found guilty on all 10 indictments against him including the attempted murder of Ami Ortiz!<br><br>
This is a great victory, and we are thanking the Lord. It's been almost 5 years since Jack Teitel brought a bomb to our house disguised as a Purim basket which changed Ami's and our lives forever. Since then we have dealt with lawyers, detectives, police and media on an ongoing basis. The court hearings have been ongoing for 3 years. The judges rejected the assertion of the defence lawyers who were trying to prove that Teitel was first, not mentally fit to stand trial, and when that failed, not responsible for his actions in the past because of insanity.<br><br>
The reason for our joy doesn't stem from any sense of revenge on our part, but because we believe it is the right judgement for Ami and our family, for the Messianic Body and for Israel. The sentencing will take place God willing on February 19th. The first degree murder charges carry with them a mandatory sentence of life in prison in Israel, so we believe he will receive two life sentences, but we also hope that he will receive a sentence for the crime against our son for Ami's sake, I think it will further help him to put it all behind him and give him further closure. <br><br>
I believe the people of this nation are happy when a just decision is handed down by the courts, in this case, it gives a feeling of security and well being knowing that a dangerous and violent man will be off the streets. For the Messianic Body, we hope and pray that this decision will be a deterrent to others and those who were involved with Teitel, who are of the same spirit, and will help to prevent acts of violence and terror against Believers in Yeshua in Israel. And for Ami and our family, we are first of all relieved and thankful that the right decision was made, and that justice was served. We are relieved that Teitel will not be able to be used as an instrument of destruction in any one else's life. There was nothing right about the attempt to prove that Teitel was not responsible for his acts, as he planned everything from beginning to end, coldly calculating every step and action.<br><br>
However, for three years the hearings revolved only around Teitel's mental state, and when all those attempts were exhausted, a guilty plea was given, preventing a trial and the witnesses who could have testified and revealed who he worked for, and who helped him plan, prepare for and carry out his crimes. There has been so much in this case that has been hidden in darkness and obscured. Only the Lord can now uncover what needs to be brought into the light. The Bible says, "Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops." (Luke 12:3) You can read about the case and Teitel's profile on the Wikipedia - <a target="_new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Teitel">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Teitel</a> The Wikipedia says he was a lone wolf, according to the police, but this is very much disputed.<br><br>
Throughout this process, we were given many opportunities to share our hearts with the nation and even internationally through the media. Excellent articles and reports can be found on our website <a href="./home.cfm">www.amiortiz.com</a> - you can find links on the home page and on the Media and Press pages. They include a fantastic CBN report by Chris Mitchell and Julie Stahl, a Hebrew interview which aired on Jan. 17th, and good articles from various newspapers both local and international, including an excellent article from the Israeli paper Israel HaYom, one of the most widely read papers in Israel. The Hebrew interview on the Israeli Channel 10 reminds Israel once again that there are Messianic Jews who profess Yeshua in the land.<br><br>
Below are links to the websites of the CBN report and the Israel HaYom article:<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2013/January/American-born-Jewish-Terrorist-Convicted-of-Murder/">http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2013/January/American-born-Jewish-Terrorist-Convicted-of-Murder/</a><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=7090"><br>
http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=7090</a><br><br>
David sharing- With many people trying to defend Teitel and come to his rescue, and with the political element surrounding it, a couple of months ago my lawyer asked me, what would you do if despite our best efforts they would put him in a mental institution where he will be for maybe 5 years, and then he would be deemed mentally fit to be released to society and get away with murder. I told him I would feel like Habakkuk, who, though he didn't understand God and the events of the disaster taking place around him, said,<br><br>
Hab. 3:17-18<br>
17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,<br>
Nor fruit be on the vines;<br>
Though the labor of the olive may fail,<br>
And the fields yield no food;<br>
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,<br>
And there be no herd in the stalls-<br>
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,<br>
I will joy in the God of my salvation.<br><br>
Yeshua said, "let no man take your crown" because when we don't forgive we let others take it from us.<br><br>
Our prayer and effort is that this will not happen to someone else, and that the name of Yeshua will continue to be glorified among His people Israel.<br><br>
Leah - When we were interviewed by the media after the verdict, they asked if we are happy this is almost over. I said yes, but for Ami it isn't over - having had 14 operations he now stands to undergo a series of laser treatments for the scars that cover his body. This will take place in Florida this summer God willing. But unless the Lord intervenes, he will always have to live with pain in his left hand from nerve damage and ringing in his ears from eardrums that were blown out and then replaced by surgery. Thank God though that he is healthy in his mind, heart and spirit, and that he is getting on with his life, and going to college in the U.S.<br><br>
Ami continues to do well in school and to adjust to his new circumstances and surroundings. During Christmas break which was for three weeks, the basketball team only had 5 or six days of vacation and then had to return to school because they had games and practices throughout the vacation time. For the few days he had off, Ami flew down to Florida to spend time with his 90 year old Grandmother and to visit the plastic surgeon who will do the laser treatments on his scars. My older brother who lives near my mother volunteered to take Ami to his appointment which was a blessing. They spent an hour and a half in the office, getting to know the doctor and her staff, being assessed, and asking many questions about the procedure. Praise the Lord, we have an appointment for the first treatment for May 10th! The procedure will take 3 or 4 hours and recovery time will be about a week. The procedure will take place in the office, and Ami will go home immediately afterwards and recover at home. They said it will be like recovering from a sun burn! He will have a second treatment in August, and then the skin will continue to improve over a year's time! It is an amazing process, and we appreciate your prayer for this.<br><br>
One of the greatest things we can do is to say thank you to man and to God and to give honor where honor is due. We want to thank each and every one of you all again for upholding us with your love and prayer throughout the years because the victory was most definitely a corporate effort. We want to thank first of all, Ami's brothers and sister for being a great source of strength, support and love to him always, to the Messianic Body in Israel, the Messianic believers in Ariel, the Brooklyn Tabernacle for standing with us shoulder to shoulder from the first minute of the crisis, Pastor Jerry Park, his wife Jessica and their team, Mary Jean Brennan, for Chris Mitchell and Julie Stahl from CBN, Rosh Piña Project, Donna Diorio, Moran Rosenblit and Hope for Israel, the Sorko-Ram's and Maoz, Chaim Goldberg and his team, Adv.Calev Myers and his team, our lawyer Yossi, Pastor Chuck and Liz Kopp, Tom and Kate Hess, Joel Rosenberg and the Joshua Fund, Mike Evans, Bill Murray of the Religious Freedom Coalition, Matthias Van der Weide from Holland, Voice of the Martyr's, Jay Sekulow, Rabbi Scott Sekulow, Majed el Shafi and the One Free World International Team, Christian Friends of Israel, ICEJ, Becky Pippert and the Kentucky House of Representatives that passed a resolution honoring Ami at the close of their 2008 session, Joanne Lee and Brad Kim from Korea, Pastor Steve Kaylor from Japan, the Dagen Magazine and all our friends from Scandinavia, Moses Hansen from Denmark, Pastor Ray Bentley from California, Gittlin, Ortiz and Vita families in the U.S., Rev. Carmin Cabrera in Puerto Rico, the Shalom Christian Center and Rev. Fidel in Puerto Rico, Sat 7 Finland, Lynn and the WLC prayer chain, Israel Today German/English News, our friends and neighbors in Ariel and the Israeli media who have reported on the case with much compassion. We also want to extend special thanks to the American FBI that stepped into a stalled investigation and caused the arrest of Jack Teitel to move forward. Last but not least we thank every individual in the international Body of Messiah that have faithfully lifted us up in prayer step by step, from almost every country around the world. The list can go on and on.<br><br>
Yours in the Messiah,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306792012-11-22T06:00:00-07:002012-11-22T06:00:00-07:00November 22, 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">David and I arrived back in Israel four days ago from the U.S. where we participated in two conferences in NYC. We also had the chance to visit Ami at school and see the first two basketball games of the season. More about that later - as we were writing this update yesterday, the news flashed on in the media that a bomb had blown up on a city bus in Tel Aviv. This time it was not a suicide bomber, but a package that was left on the bus and detonated from outside. All in all, 28 people were wounded, three seriously. Thank God no one was killed but we personally know what havoc is wreaked by the explosion of a bomb on the human frame. It is still not clear which terror organization carried this out, and the one who left the bomb and detonated it is still at large. <br><br>
This incident took place in the context of the Pillar of Defense Operation that Israel was waging against the launching of over 1,500 missiles into Israel from Gaza in the past week alone. The offensive was carried out by air power up to this point but we learned last night that a cease fire had been agreed on between Israel and Hamas, and so the ground incursion that was planned as the next step has been averted. News of the cease fire comes with mixed reaction, a feeling that this is again just a temporary measure and not all of Israel's objectives were obtained, and knowing the same scenario will certainly repeat itself in the future, but also relief that the ground offensive is cancelled and soldiers lives will be spared this time. Soldiers who include our sons -and the sons of thousands and thousands of Israelis who lose sleep and pray nonstop for their children, and also their husbands, brothers, cousins, uncles, nephews, fiancées, and friends.<br><br><b>FROM DAVID</b><br><br><b>Amos 3:6</b><br><br>
6 If a trumpet (siren) is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid? If there is calamity in a city, will not the Lord have done it?7 Surely the Lord God does nothing,Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. (cf. Psalms 25:14)<br><br>
These verses describe very much what is happening here in Israel when the sirens sound, and the panic starts. But as it says, God is on the throne and He uses everything to get Israel's attention. He does it first by revealing it to his close friends.<br><br>
This was the home front commands instructions for a rocket attack in English from You Tube which was broadcast on TV for English speakers.<br><br>
As we mentioned we were in the States at two conferences and visiting Ami, and while waiting for our flight back to Israel, we thought we had plenty of time so we decided to have something to eat before boarding. Suddenly we heard an announcement over the loud speaker that our f light was leaving earlier before its' scheduled departure time and that we had to get to the gate right away. We hurried to our gate, and as we went through security and boarding, we noticed that it was being done in a very rushed manner, and before people were even completely settled on the plane, they announced that the door was shut and we should sit down as quickly as possible as take off was going to commence. <br><br>
I was speaking to a passenger seated in the row in back of me and he asked me, "do you notice that take off is being rushed? Do you know why?" I told him that I did notice - he said that before boarding he and others read on line on their laptops that flights coming into Ben Gurion Airport would be using alternate routes to avoid any danger of rocket fire. He said this is why the boarding was being done very quickly because already many passengers had cancelled upon hearing this. Because of this we had a very comfortable flight as we all had extra seats next to us to stretch out onto.<br><br>
Here is one of the articles about flights be rerouted -<br><br>
Planes 'slightly rerouted' to avoid being hit<br><a target="_new" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4308171,00.html"><br>
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4308171,00.html</a><b><br></b><br>
I told my fellow passenger that I happened to have the best life insurance possible that has already been paid for by the Lord God Himself. That's when he identified himself as a believer. He said he also felt good as he had the same policy from the same Person.<br><br>
We definitely find that the best time to be in Israel is at times like these. Even before the missiles began falling before we left, there were rumours of war already and people's hearts were beginning to soften and open up. We thank God for this. We also thank God for believers who have put words into action by not only assisting in caring for believers during this difficult time but who have reached out their hands to the people of the land. As soon as we hit the ground, we started being involved in trying to assist people in the South. With the little resources we have, and with the help of the international Body of Messiah, we will continue. <br><br>
During this time Deut. 20 rings very clear in our hearts. <br><br>
"When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. 2 So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people. 3 And he shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; 4 for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.'<br><br>
The phrase "Fear not" appears 380 times in the Bible. Within all those times, it never says to be afraid of man, or of demons, but it specifically says to let the Lord be our fear and Him only. (Isaiah 8:13NLT) Make the LORD of Heaven's Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble.<br><br>
This was the home front commands instructions for a rocket attack in English from You Tube which was broadcast on TV for English speakers.<br>
Israel Home Front Command instructions on protecting yourself during rocket and mortar attacks:<br><a target="_new" href="http://%20www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiKipcrUXpg"><br></a><a href="http://youtu.be/iiKipcrUXpg" target="_new">http://youtu.be/iiKipcrUXpg</a><br><br>
It seems like there is an app for everything -<br><br>
Subject: App helps Israelis track missile fire<br><a target="_new" href="http://%20www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-_5E2a8aSY"><br>
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-_5E2a8aSY</a> (Link Unavailable)<br><br>
We have lived in Israel for 27 years, and the modern technology of internet, cell phones, Skype etc. have made it easier for us to keep in touch with family as we are able to speak to them and see them as if they are in our living room. But we had a very pleasant treat when my 80 year old mother came to visit us for an extended stay in which she not only ministered to us and to our children, but also to those in the community of believers and unbelievers, Jews and Arabs. Sometimes family is something we take for granted especially if they live near to us, but one of the sacrifices that sometimes goes unnoticed is that years pass by and especially the children lack personal contact with their extended families that have been left behind. Like Yeshua said in Matthew 19:29 - And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.<br><br><b>DAVID AND LEAH</b><br><br>
Our daughter lives in Tel Aviv which has been targeted several times by new, longer range missiles than have never been used before. However, her husband's family lives in Kiryat Malachi, ( like the book and prophet Malachi - <a target="_new" href="http://en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiryat_Malakhi">http://en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiryat_Malakhi</a>) which is a town that was relentlessly shelled and is about 20 miles from Sderot and the Gaza Border. Kiryat Malachi was the first town in which an apartment sustained a direct hit a week ago in which 3 people were killed and several were wounded, including infants.<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4305658,00.HTML">www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4305658,00.HTML</a><br><br>
Two of her husbands' siblings and their families (10 people in all) ran to Tel Aviv and stayed with her over the weekend to get some relief from the constant sirens and running into the shelters which was traumatizing especially their children.<br><br>
By the grace of Almighty God many doors have been opened to us but we aren't free to share it with you in this update because of the Anti-Freedom of Religion organizations who monitor believers' websites. We are happy for the fruit we are seeing and the opportunities we have to share the Good News with the people of this land. <br><br><b>AMI NEWS</b><br><br>
In the meantime, we did have 3 wonderful days to be with Ami. He is doing very well in school, he's getting the knack of what is expected from him scholastically and his grades are improving. Basketball American style has been a challenge also. He showed us the notebook full of plays he needs to learn, and warned us he wouldn't be playing much in the games we were about to see- this from a young man who in high school played the whole game from start to finish and scored high. But the pace is faster and level of the game is higher in college, and the rules and even mentality of the game and team dynamics are different. So Ami played only a few minutes of the first game we saw, and sat on the bench for the whole second game!! It was hard, but we know the Lord is doing something new in his life, and we continue to pray.<br><br>
However we have a great miracle to report. We wrote about the laser surgery for scars that we found out about, and how we found a surgeon the States who is an expert in her field and came highly recommended from the developer of the surgery. We received word from her office that Ami will be put on their VIP pro bono list!! We are so blessed, and the next step will be for Ami to to meet the surgeon and have a check up!! Hallelujah!<br><br>
Remember to check out <a target="_new" href="http://www.amiortiz.com">www.amiortiz.com</a> for all up to date articles, information, pictures and videos. Thank you for your continuing prayers and love for Israel, our family and the Body of Messiah here.<br><br><i>-Leah and David Ortiz</i>
</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306742012-10-07T07:00:00-06:002012-10-07T07:00:00-06:00October 7, 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">So much to catch up on - so little time to do it! Ami, his brother and Ariel and I traveled to the U.S. the second half of August to visit family and get Ami ready for his new school year. We were able to visit my Mom in Miami, our congregation in NYC, and my sister and her family in upstate NY. We had a bit of a drama while in Miami, hurricane Isaac threatened to pass through southern Florida on the very day we were scheduled to fly up to NYC. By Friday even though the storm was just around Cuba (368.65 kilometres 229 miles from Miami) we realized we would probably have to change our flight plans as it was already stormy and raining with 50-60 mph wind gusts. <br><br>
I saw on the internet that although they hadn't officially cancelled any flights, changes could be made without fines or charges. By Saturday morning, the only flight we were able to get 3 seats on was on a flight leaving Orlando, Florida at 6:30 AM Sunday morning. Orlando is a 4 hour drive from Miami. Thankfully, David has a sister living in Orlando, and so we packed up quickly, kissed Mom goodbye and ran away from the hurricane! Just an hour out of Miami the weather was clear - and we made it up to Orlando in the late afternoon. We went to sleep at 10PM, woke up at 2:45 AM, got on the 6:30 flight and made it up to NYC by 9:30 in the morning. It was a miracle as we had a very packed schedule in every one of our destinations, especially in NYC where it was crucial to hit Costco's and stock up on everything Ami would need for the year in college.<br><br><b>COLLEGE</b><br><br>
Every time I drop Ami off at college, I am given much grace and a deep sense that he is in the right place at the right time. Please keep him in your prayers as the pressure and intensity level of the studies is really stretching him. Also, the discipline of college basketball which includes study table (having to study in the gym in the presence of the coach 3 hours a week) is a big adjustment for him. American culture and American kids are a big adjustment, reading for hours, papers and tests non-stop, and all in English is a bit overwhelming at times. Throw in a little home-sickness, cafeteria food and long, very cold winters and it is challenging. But he is facing it all like a trooper, having been through the fire literally has strengthened him in the inner man.<br><br>
Basketball practices officially begin the middle of October, but the team has been practicing and working out. He finds his playing confidence, then loses it a little, then finds it again in his new setting and on a new team. This too has been a challenge for him. <br><br>
Meanwhile, we had another interesting breakthrough. During the summer, Ami expressed that he was ready for plastic surgery on his scars which cover 80% of his body, including skin grafts on his whole abdomen and left thigh. He wants to do it next summer after the school year, but we had to prayerfully explore what kind of surgery was available. David found an amazing report on Fox News about a new method of laser surgery being used in a hospital in Texas for soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. (<a href="http://video.foxnews.com/v/1782436004001/laser-treatment-gives-new-hope-to-wounded-warriors" target="_new">http://video.foxnews.com/v/1782436004001/laser-treatment-gives-new-hope-to-wounded-warriors</a>)<br><br>
We sent it to Ami and he said he wanted that surgery - so did we! It is a unique process, and so I tried to get in touch with the surgeon who had developed the method. It turned out to be a military facility that only treats military personnel and their dependents, and because of security I wasn't able to contact the doctor personally. While we were in the U.S. though, I called the hospital directly and finally got connected with their Public Relations Department. They were extremely helpful, and agreed to pass along an email to the doctor. I wrote to them, included the www.amiortiz.com web site link, and waited for an answer. After a month, and not hearing anything I called again. They told us they were so sorry that they couldn't help Ami. Even though the doctor said he would have loved to treat him, he couldn't convince the U.S. Army to make an exception. However, they then said they would give me the doctor's email address and I could ask him directly if there was any other place on the planet that used this method. I wrote to him, and he immediately answered me!<br><br>
He said the only two other surgeons he would recommend were located in Miami and Italy that used the same method. My mother lives in Miami and we are very familiar with the city, and so I contacted that office. I spoke with the coordinator for out of town patients, because as it turns out the surgeon is passionate about burn survivors and treats them from all over the world. We looked at <a href="./home.cfm">www.amiortiz.com</a> together while on the phone, which has pictures of his wounds. She was deeply touched by his story, and told me she is sharing it with many people. She asked for recent photos of his scars, I contacted Ami and he immediately obliged. She told me that there is no insurance coverage for cosmetic surgery in the U.S. However, with this particular doctor, if she charges $3,000 per laser session to erase someone's wrinkles, she charges a burn victim $500 per session to improve or hide scars. They will write up an assessment of what is needed for Ami and send it to me probably this week. <br><br><b>FEASTS </b><br><br>
The Fall Feasts of the Lord are almost over. This year as always we felt the awesome presence of the Lord hovering over the country as He reaches out to His people Israel through the feasts. It is a time of repentance and reflection, and a time of facing our mortality especially at his point in history. The threat of war hovers over our nation as well. Israel is an amazing place to live, where you can sense what is about to happen. It is something spiritually discerned by all, and I believe it is given by God. However, as we have been dedicating time to prayer and praise, we realize that there is something new about to spring up in the earth and in Israel. I believe that the so-called Arab Spring is a counterfeit of what the Lord wants to do in these last days, which is to pour out His Spirit yet again on this earth, beginning in Israel. <br><b><br>
Isaiah 43:16-21</b><br><br>
16 This is what the Lord says- he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters,<br>
17 who drew out the chariots and horses,the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:<br>
18 "Forget the former things;do not dwell on the past.<br>
19 See, I am doing a new thing!Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.<br>
20 The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen,<br>
21 the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.<br><b><br>
Joel 2:28-29<br></b><br>
28 "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.<br>
29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants. I will pour out My Spirit in those days.<br><br>
Blessings in the Messiah,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306182012-07-16T07:00:00-06:002017-02-01T12:31:09-07:00July 16, 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">The closing arguments by Jack Teitel's attorneys were supposed to be presented to the court on June 28th. We read in the newspaper that his attorney was sick however, and received a postponement until he recovers. We don't know when the next hearing will be.<br><br>
A Psalm I read the other day encouraged me:<br><br>
Psalm 7:11-12, 14-17 (NLT)<br><br>
11 God is an honest judge.<br>
He is angry with the wicked every day. <br>
12 If a person does not repent,<br>
God will sharpen his sword;<br>
he will bend and string his bow.<br><br>
14 The wicked conceive evil,<br>
they are pregnant with trouble<br>
and give birth to lies.<br><br>
15 They dig a deep pit to trap others,<br>
then fall into it themselves<br><br>
16 The trouble they make for others backfires on them.<br>
The violence they plan falls on their own heads.<br><br>
17 I will thank the Lord because he is just;<br>
I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. <br><br><b>AMI NEWS</b><br><br>
Two and a half weeks ago a pot of boiling water fell on my left foot, and I ended up with 2nd degree burns that covered the top surface of the foot. The pain has been terrible, but healing is steady. Many have been praying, and even though an infection in the foot complicated the healing a bit, and added to the discomfort and pain, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I would appreciate prayer for complete healing.<br><br>
I can now understand even more the terrible pain that Ami suffered as he recovered from the bomb blast that so critically injured him. He had 2nd and 3rd degree burns on the upper part of his body and his legs which necessitated skin grafts. The recovery from the burns and skin grafts was long and extremely painful, and on top of that he was recovering from deep lacerations from the shrapnel wounds from his neck to his feet, and extreme pain from nerve damage in his arms. His hearing was impaired from the loss of both ear drums, his eyes were recovering from shrapnel wounds, and three toes were amputated, which was incredibly painful as well. Every morning his bandages had to be changed and the wounds dressed which he said was even more painful than anything he was experiencing. It was only by the grace of God and prayer that he was able to go through that unspeakably terrible time and the fourteen operations that followed, not including the plastic surgeries he will undergo in the future. No wonder he has developed such compassion for the suffering of others.<br><br>
His time with us this summer is precious, and he is doing well, resting, working out in the fitness center, working part time, playing basketball when possible, and enjoying family. I will be returning with him to the U.S. at the end of August, God willing, to help him get ready for another school year, and to visit family.<br>
Thank God for David, my husband, who has been undertaking for the family and bearing the load of ministry alone while I recover. He wanted to share some thoughts with you as well.<br><br><b>FROM DAVID</b><br><br>
These past couple of weeks we've had an exciting time with many guests from all over the world. Every tour group and visitor who comes to Ariel have their own character and purpose. One interesting group that we were blessed to receive was from the US led by Moran Rosenblit. It is a group who comes every year with a practical twist, who come not only to visit the historical stones but the living stones here in Ariel and around the country. They also come not only to minister in word but also in deed, with what I call the "broom ministry". After we spent some time addressing the group of 25, they picked up brooms and garbage bags and as always, gave a powerful witness to my neighbors by cleaning the large, back courtyard and parking lot of our apartment complex. This sends a strong message as one of my neighbors said, they came here not just to observe, but to "put their hands in the soil". I think this is one of the best kinds of tourism, when you can do both.<br><br>
I, and my 80 year old mother who is visiting from Florida, also had the privilege of worshipping together with a congregation of Ethiopian believers in one of their services in Tel Aviv. We really enjoyed the praise and worship! It was literally out of this world.<br><br>
No wonder it says in Zeph. 3:10 that when God restores the exiles of His people Israel, He declares that it will be the Ethiopians who will be leading the exiles from the South in worship, or as it says literally in Hebrew, as burners of incense, and bringing the food offering.<br><br>
Zeph. 3:10 (CEV)<br><br>
10 From across the rivers<br>
Of Ethiopia,<br>
My scattered people,<br>
My true worshipers,<br>
Will bring offerings to me.<br><br>
The Ethiopian Jews have been living in Ethiopia for many centuries. The demonic spirit of anti-Semitism does not distinguish between North American, Asian, Middle Eastern, African or Sephardic Jews. The natives of Ethiopia have never accepted the Jews of their nation so much so that they use the derogatory term for them "Falashas", meaning strangers or exiles. We had the privilege of Immigrating to Israel during the same period of time that they did, when we lived in Beersheva. Besides many things we observed about their society during that time, we realized that their culture was based on the principles of the Bible and of honor, in the way they conducted themselves and treated others. We appreciated and enjoyed that aspect of their society. Like all immigrants, they have been through a very difficult time in their absorption into Israeli society, but most of all, many of them have become very strong and firm believers in Yeshua as Messiah. What is also most amazing is that the prophet Isaiah foretold that they like other Jews, will be a sign to the nations, and that He will bring them back from the four corners of the world. (Isaiah 11:10-12. Note: the Biblical name for Ethiopia is Cush.)<br><br>
Isaiah 11:10-12 (GNT)<br><br>
10 A day is coming when the new king from the royal line of David will be a symbol to the nations. They will gather in his royal city and give him honor.11 When that day comes, the Lord will once again use his power and bring back home those of his people who are left in Assyria and Egypt, in the lands of Pathros, Ethiopia,Elam, Babylonia, and Hamath, and in the coastlands and on the islands of the sea.12 The Lord will raise a signal flag to show the nations that he is gathering together again the scattered people of Israel and Judah and bringing them back from the four corners of the earth.<br><br>
Seeing the Ethiopian Jews worshipping the Lord Yeshua is a fulfilment that not only the prophets spoke about, but He gave us the privilege to see it with our own eyes. Please put them on your prayer lists that the Lord will continue to embolden them to reach out to their people Israel.<br><br>
Below is a link to videos on You Tube that explain a little bit about the 20th century marvel of the Aliyah of the Ethiopian Jews. We would encourage believers that visit Israel to make a date and time to visit their congregations and to meet their elders to strengthen their hands as they share the Good News. Anyone wanting to participate in one of their projects can contact us and we will give you their contact information.<br><br>
Here are the links to the videos:<br><br>
Operation Solomon 1991<br><a href="http://%20https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTrYLlk6W38" target="_new"><br>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTrYLlk6W38</a><br><br>
From Ethiopia to Israel's Knesset <br><br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFc521mtWzg&feature=related" target="_new">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFc521mtWzg&feature=related</a><br><br>
Last week William J. Murray came to visit, who is the son of Madeleine Murray O'Hair, a staunch Communist who took prayer out of public schools in America in the 1960's. He is a believer today, and is the Chairman of the Religious Freedom Coalition, which is an organization based in Washington D.C. It is dedicated to preserving religious freedom in America and around the world. He's a regular contributor on many news outlets, including Fox News, CBS news, World Net Daily, and many others. We've had the privilege of being acquainted with him for over 12 years, and through him we've had the opportunity to meet and speak to many Congressmen and Senators. Even though Bill is a steadfast believer in Gods promises to the Jewish nation, he has not taken his eyes off the words of Yeshua, "for God so loved the world." The reason I point this out, is that sometimes we forget that we don't worship Israel, but the mighty God of Israel.<br><br>
Even though I have never been present at any of Bills lectures, I and my family have benefitted from travelling around with him and hosting him in our home when he is in Israel. We have received a wealth of information just listening to his conversations with those he has meetings with. Just sitting down at a table with him and sharing a meal is an experience and a lesson in politics, government, Bible, history and good old common sense. After seeing the video below, you will be able to understand that He has truly become a trophy of God's love. Below also is a link to his website and his latest newsletter written from the Middle East. We would encourage you to order his autobiography, "My Life Without God" which he sells on his website. It is a challenging and encouraging life story.<br><br>
William J. Murray interview<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/huckabee/index.html#/v/1684616589001/undoing-an-atheists-legacy/?playlist_id=86920">http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/huckabee/index.html#/v/1684616589001/undoing-an-atheists-legacy/?playlist_id=86920</a><br><br>
Note: If the above link doesn't bring you to the exact segment, look for it underneath the window for his picture and the title of the Segment - Undoing an atheist's legacy- Son of Madalyn Murray O'Hair speaks out:<br><br>
Website and July newsletter<br><a href="http://www.religiousfreedomcoalition.org/2012/07/12/chairmans-report-for-july-12-2012/" target="_new"><br>
http://www.religiousfreedomcoalition.org/2012/07/12/chairmans-report-for-july-12-2012/</a><br><br><b>LEAH AGAIN</b><br><br>
We are thankful for each and every one who receive these updates and continue to pray for Ami and our family, and for Israel. It has also been amazing to meet some of you as you have visited the land, either in tour groups that visit us in Ariel or as leaders of tour groups that make Ariel one of your stops. We remind you again to check out our website www.amiortiz.com for the latest news, articles and updates.<br><br>
Yours in the Messiah,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306812012-06-20T07:00:00-06:002012-06-20T07:00:00-06:00June 20, 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">I haven't written in a very long time, and just wanted to update you on what is happening with the ongoing story of Ami, and the trial of Jack Teitel and our family.<br><br><b>TRIAL NEWS</b><br><br>
If you remember, it was reported in the papers that a bargain was being made by Teitel's lawyers that they would declare for him that he agrees that he had committed the crimes he was indicted for, as he himself claims he doesn't recognize the authority of the court. The indictments were to remain largely the same, HOWEVER, the statement that his crimes were hate crimes committed against those whose beliefs and life styles differed from his was taken out! With that qualifying clause taken out, his lawyers would then claim that he was not responsible for his crimes when he committed them because of insanity. They are trying to get him sentenced to a psychiatric facility instead of a life sentence in jail. <br><br>
The hearing took place the end of May, and this plea bargain was accepted by the judges. The next hearing will take place tomorrow, June 21st. At that time, no new evidence will be admitted, and the prosecution will make their argument as to why Teitel was indeed responsible for his crimes at the time that he committed them. Then a date will be given for the defence to do the same, and then after that a verdict will be made.<br><br>
Here is a link to one of the articles that appeared in the Jerusalem Post about the plea bargain:<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=271813">http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=271813</a><br><b><br>
LOOKING BACK....... </b><br><br>
As I look back, I see that the tactic of the defence lawyers was to draw out hearings that took 2 ½ years arguing that Teitel was not mentally fit to stand trial. When a decision was finally made that he is mentally fit at this time to stand trial, then they decided to do what they are doing now. The reason is that there is in reality no defence for Teitel. He confessed to everything in the indictments in his interrogations and even did re-enactments for the police which were filmed. A re-enactment was done in our house as well. If you remember we wrote about it in 2009, when we were woken up at 2AM by the police, told to turn off the security cameras and to stay in the house. We saw Teitel, bound hand and foot, re-enact his actions of bringing the package to our house. This was further proof that he did what he admitted to as his actions had been recorded on our security cameras at the time he did bring the package on March 20,2008. <br><br>
Every hearing that has taken place since 2009 when Teitel was arrested has cantered around his rights, and the question of his sanity. There have been no revelations of the facts of his crimes, no testimony by police and investigators, and not a word as to who helped him and worked with him. Now that a plea bargain has been struck, and a trial will not take place presenting this evidence, these facts will remain hidden from the public, at least as far as a trial is concerned. <br><br>
We do appreciate your prayers for the rest of the proceedings that will take place that the judges will rule that he was responsible for his actions when he committed them, and that he will have the appropriate sentence that will match the severity of his crimes. A brother sent us these verses from the book of Ecclesiastes this morning:<br><br>
Ecclesiastes 8:11-13<br><br>
11 Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12 13 But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God.Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. <br><br>
We have trained ourselves to not lose hope, however. We have always believed and experienced that the truth does eventually surface. The Bible says that what is whispered in the ear will be shouted from the housetops!<br><br><b>AMI NEWS </b><br><br>
Ami is home for the summer! He successfully completed his first semester in an American College, facing the challenges, and managing to enjoy himself as well. He made friends, studied hard, improved his English skills dramatically, learned American expressions, slowly is adjusting to a new mentality, became more independent, and is slowly adjusting to American style basketball. Quite a lot was accomplished in one semester, and he is glad to be back to his family, home cooking, humous and schwarma, and Israeli friends.<br><br>
We of course are ecstatic to have him home, it was really hard being away from him for so long, but we are all so happy for him and for the great opportunity he has studying in the U.S. and playing on a college team, that it balances out in the end. These days he is busy working out with weights daily, playing as much basketball as he can, trying to keep up with English reading, and working part time. He enjoys seeing his friends most of whom are in the Israeli Army, and spending time with his brothers and sister, and his nephews. He said the hardest part is being away from family, especially when his fellow students go home for the weekend, or just have dinner with their parents who live close enough. We know the Lord has many things ahead for Ami, and we appreciate your continued prayers for him. He is thinking of a major in psychology and business.<br><br>
I know that many in the Body of Messiah are going through grievous trials and tribulations, but we all know the purpose is to purify His Bride before He comes to reign and rule as King. As we've been praying along with so many who are suffering and struggling, we have seen the daily Grace and Mercy that He provides. His Word comforts, supports, guides and gives hope, and His Spirit enfolds us in His Love. He is all we need!<br><br>
Psalm 34:18-19<br><br>
18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,<br>
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.<br><br>
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,<br>
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.<br><br>
What a promise! What a privilege it has been to have walked this journey together with you.<br><br>
Yours in the Messiah,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306722012-03-15T07:00:00-06:002012-03-15T07:00:00-06:00March 15, 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">It has been a long time since you have heard from me. So much has transpired and so much is going on - I am inundated with work, and with responsibilities and so the Ami Updates have been temporarily neglected - but here we go again!<br><br>
Ami started school in the beginning of January at a college in upstate NY. He got on their basketball team as well even though he couldn't play this semester as they were in the middle of the season and he didn't know their plays, etc. That turned out to be a blessing in disguise as starting in the middle of the year was like being thrown into the water and learning to swim. He arrived at school on a Sunday and began class on Monday, and he had to get used to studying in English on a college level, make new friends in the middle of the year when most had already settled into their social niche, and find his place on the basketball team as well. However, Ami has learned to go with the flow and roll with the punches. He has learned to be patient, and to let the Lord lead him step by step. He is a very calm, cool and collected kid. He has also had lots of help and support from the staff and students who are very tuned into foreign students - a professor at the college was the one who coined the term and wrote the book on "Third Culture Kids" and taught at the school 20 years ago, establishing their intercultural department. They have at least 50 foreign students every year (out of 1,200 students). It is a Bible based college and we are very happy he is there.<br><br>
He told me that his roommate and his friends had decided, before they knew Ami was going to be studying there, to celebrate the Spring Jewish holidays. Then Ami said, "I appeared! Ta-dah!" Anyway, they had a Purim celebration with a festive holiday dinner, Hamentaschen (Haman's Ears in Hebrew), and the reading of the Book of Esther, together with the appropriate boo's when Haman's name is mentioned, and Yay's when Mordecai is mentioned. They will also have a Passover Seder, and onward, I imagine.<br><br><b>PURIM 2012 </b><br><br>
Back home, we had another Purim drama this year on the fourth anniversary of the bomb attack on our home which so severely wounded Ami. At about 12:30 in the afternoon, a large, closed, brown carton was brought to our door and left by someone. When we looked on our security cameras, we saw a young man wearing a kippa, with a Purim mask not on his face but put up on his head, bringing the package, ringing the doorbell and then running down the stairs. We immediately called the police, locked our steel enforced front door and went into the bedroom furthest away from the hallway. Then we called all the believers in town to warn them about any suspicious packages at their doors or next to their property.<br><br>
At least 20 policemen arrived, along with the bomb squad that had to came from an IDF base in the Shechem area around 20 kilometers from Ariel, two fire trucks, police cars, etc. blocking off the street. It took about an hour and a half for the security services to understand the layout of the apartment. They thought it was better to not come in through the stairs in case they were booby trapped and because the hallway is an enclosed area. They decided it was better to come in through the window and to take us out through the window. All this was coordinated with the help of our sons who were outside. It took a couple of hours to take us out of our 3rd floor apartment by the window using a crane lift on one of the fire trucks. We had to be taken down two by two - we were four adults and two small children in the apartment- they said they had to be careful as it was a new, computerized lift that they had never used before.<br><br>
The bomb squad also lifted themselves up through the window with the bomb robot and when they saw the box, they were very alarmed and they called out to the others from the window, saying it wasn't like a traditional Purim gift package and it was suspicious. They told everyone to get back. They sent the robot into the hallway, and destroyed the box which turned out to be filled with food products, which was a relief not only to us but also to our neighbors who had also been evacuated from their apartments as well. They had to move their cars away from the building also.<br><br>
All these efforts lasted for 3 hours.<br><br>
The media showed up on the scene, and a report was given on the evening news that night. A representative from the Orthodox community showed up and said that they were doing a project through the elementary school in town to give food packages to needy families and it was delivered to us by mistake, but the media and the security services said they didn't buy that story so quickly and they're trying to find out if it was a bad joke to scare us or if it was truly a mistake.<br><br>
This is the link to the evening news report where you can see the package being brought to our door. (There is a commercial first, the report will appear after that)<br><br><a href="http://www.mako.co.il/news-channel2/Channel-2-Newscast/Article-9a2fe905b83f531018.htm" target="_new"> http://www.mako.co.il/news-channel2/Channel-2-Newscast/Article-9a2fe905b83f531018.htm</a><br><br>
On the video, in short, the reporter said it was a regular Purim package that was put by our door by mistake, that the package was for another family at another address.<br><br><object width="445" height="359"><param name="movie" value="http://rcs.mako.co.il/flash_swf/players/makoPlayer/VideoPlayer.swf?vcmid=572fe905b83f5310VgnVCM100000290011acRCRD&videoChannelId=86806603e7478110VgnVCM100000290c10acRCRD&galleryChannelId=9a2fe905b83f5310VgnVCM100000290011acRCRD&showlogo=0">
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The event was very costly - bringing in all that equipment and man power. The people from the media continue to called us up sounding upset and are telling us that it sounds very suspicious to them, and that if it is a mistake it is inexcusable. The head of the bomb squad told us he had been at our house four years ago, and that we have to always be very careful and not hesitate to call them when something suspicious happens. He commended us for doing the right thing. You can check out more reports <a href="./home.cfm">www.amiortiz.com </a><br><br>
COURT CASE<br><br>
We were shocked to find out by a leak to the media that Teitel's lawyers and the prosecution were making a plea bargain secretly without the knowledge of the victims' families and victims. His lawyers strategy is to cancel some of the convictions , to plead guilty so there won't be a trial, and then to claim he wasn't responsible for his actions in the past. Their tactic is to have him sentenced to a psychiatric institution where he will be treated for a few years and then released. We have Messianic lawyers working on this, preparing a case for the Supreme Court to block this action if necessary. We trust the Lord but please pray for this as a hearing is set for March 27th when the defense will argue their case. As our lawyer told us from the beginning, because our case is a precedent setting case, if Jack Teitel gets off without serving significant time in jail, there are many people like him who would gladly give up a few years of their lives in a psychiatric hospital in order to do damage to believers.<br><br>
Psalm 27:2-4<br><br>
2 When the wicked came against me<br>
To eat up my flesh,<br>
My enemies and foes,<br>
They stumbled and fell.<br>
3 Though an army may encamp against me,<br>
My heart shall not fear;<br>
Though war may rise against me,<br>
In this I will be confident.<br>
4 One thing I have desired of the Lord,<br>
That will I seek:<br>
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord<br>
All the days of my life,<br>
To behold the beauty of the Lord,<br>
And to inquire in His temple.<br><br>
Thank you for your fellowship in Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306582012-01-04T06:00:00-07:002012-01-04T06:00:00-07:00January 4, 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">"16 So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah. 17 Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon. 18 Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me.19 Then I said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people, "The work is great and extensive, and we are separated far from one another on the wall. 20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us." 21 So we labored in the work, and half of the men] held the spears from daybreak until the stars appeared." <i>-Nehemiah 4:16-21</i><br><br><b>DREADFUL DREAM</b><br><br>
Last night I had a dream. I heard an announcement that was made from Hell, saying, "There is a sword that has been issued to cut down those that are declaring the message of salvation to the Jewish people that Yeshua is the Messiah. It should cut them down to pieces." I could hear that the order was given from far away and from a very deep pit. The believers were in a type of a dark catacomb, caves where there were many passage ways. Soon a very tall man came out who had a very dark shadow on him. He came out running and swinging a machete with all his might. People began fleeing from before him. As he ran towards the groups of people, one of the brothers braced himself as the man was swinging and coming in his direction, but he bypassed this brother and made it clear that he wasn't the target, but the others were. As he chased the others, I could hear the clinking sound of the weapon hitting solid rock when the machete didn't hit its mark, but some were hit. But just because he wasn't able to hit some, that didn't deter him from continuing to pursue the people in the catacombs and didn't stop him from his goal. The brother that was spared by being bypassed was gripped with fear and backed up to the cold wall behind him in order to not be seen. Once again, the assassin bypassed him, but this time made it clearer that he would not be targeted as long as he didn't get involved. The brother felt relieved that his life had been spared. <br><br>
Among the courts of men, people's motives aren't always clear-cut and identifiable. Sometimes it isn't immediately clear if the crime was intentional, 1st degree, 2nd degree, or done out of ignorance, because man doesn't know the heart and it can take a long period of time or even years before the true motive is revealed. But with God this is not the case. Truth is evident in less than a second because all the intentions of a man's heart are laid bare and not hidden. Man stands before God completely naked and without excuse (Hebrews 4:12-13), and in the dream this was plainly understood and evident. The reason why the brother did not get involved and didn't take interest in trying to save the others is because he was relieved that his life had been spared. It was almost like he was in the heat of a hot a desert with no relief in sight and all of a sudden he was transported to a room that was fully air conditioned and comfortable and had all the amenities he needed to refresh himself from the trauma of what he had seen. At least he thought so, because little did he know that his escape was temporary and he would also meet the same fate. <br><br>
When I woke up, I was in shock that I had even dreamt something like this so clearly and plainly. These words from the book of Esther came immediately to my mind:<br><br>
"13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" <i>-Esther 4:13-14<b><br></b></i><br>
I am a student of history, like many of us are. As a child I always wondered how people could stand by and let others be mistreated, just so their lives could be spared. I wondered because I was raised in a home and in a certain group of people with the mentality that felt that it was a cowardly act to stand by when others were being attacked and abusedespecially if it was in your power to do something about it. But my experience growing up and examples in history show us that when people don't stand up for others, it allows aggressors to hurt whole people groups and communities. The Bible says: <br><br>
"But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" <i>-1 John 3:17</i><br><br>
As we see, read and hear, the Ministry of Interior, other government agencies, anti-missionary groups and non-believing religious groups that purposely target Christian groups to get funds and benefits, are making it clear that all those who work with Messianic believers will be harassed directly or indirectly, and when applicable, visas will be taken away or put into question. The College in Ariel has made it completely clear to Christians that come to study in their programs that if they work with or even fellowship with Messianic Jews, their visas will be revoked. Born-again believers submit to that threat and intimidation, thereby even considering to have their right eye to be removed like in the book of 1Samuel 11. The Ammonites came against a tribe of Israel, and the Israelites who were badly outnumbered wanted to make a peace treaty with them. The Ammonites said they would consider that only if the Israelites would allow them to gouge out their right eyes, and thus bring a reproach to Israel. In the same manner, believers allow their God-given freedom of choice and worship to be taken away in order to spare themselves. May God give us the strength when the time comes to cling to the words of Yeshua,<br><br>
"Greater love has no man, than to lay down his life (or his self-interest, or his ministry) for his brother." <i>-John 15:13 </i><br><br>
And to stand up for His bride that He gave and shed His blood for.<br><br>
"3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them-those who are mistreated-since you yourselves are in the body also." <i>-Hebrews 13:3</i><br><br><b>PRACTICAL STEPS</b><br><br>
Here are some practical steps you can take to help Jewish Believers who have made Yeshua Lord and Savior of their lives in Israel.<br><br>
Psalm 122:6 / Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure."<br><br>
Pray for body of the Lord that lives in Israel.<br><br>
Adopt a person, family or congregation in prayer.<br><br>
Support businesses and buy things made by believers in Yeshua.<br><br>
Request newsletters from credible ministries in Israel so you can stay informed.<br><br>
Support the more than 120 Messianic Congregations which are spread from the Northernmost to the Southernmost part of the country.<br><br>
Read your Bible, understand history, the economy, up to date events, understand disputes, facts about Israel, past present and future, know who are the Ethnic groups and religions that live here.<br><br>
World War II was won with more than tanks, missiles and an army. It was won also by something called "The Home Front" who were people who took it upon themselves to write letters, make phone calls, send pictures, remember people's birthdays, send care packages, and in doing so encourage and strengthen the soldiers on the front lines. There are numerous ministries in Israel that are doing a tremendous work for the Lord in spiritual and physical ways that the home front can strengthen and encourage. To name a few of the outstanding ministries that are operating here;<br><br>
Maoz (<a target="_new" href="http://www.maozisrael.org">www.maozisrael.org</a>)<br><br>
Joseph's Storehouse (<a target="_new" href="http://www.visionforisrael.com">www.visionforisrael.com</a>)<br><br>
Jerusalem Institute for Justice (<a href="http://www.jij.org.il" target="_new">www.jij.org.il</a>)<br><br>
Hope for Israel (<a target="_new" href="http://www.hope4israel.org">www.hope4israel.org</a>)<br><br>
iGod (<a target="_new" href="http://www.iGod.co.il">www.iGod.co.il</a>)<br><br>
Tents of Abraham (<a target="_new" href="http://www.rescueisrael.org">www.rescueisrael.org</a>)<br><br>
Christian Friends of Israel (<a target="_new" href="http://www.cfijerusalem.net">www.cfijerusalem.net</a>)<br><br>
King of Kings community in Jerusalem (<a target="_new" href="http://www.kkcj.org">www.kkcj.org</a>)<br><br>
Brian Slater (<a href="mailto:ruachyeshua@yahoo.com">ruachyeshua@yahoo.com</a>)<br><br>
The Joshua Fund (<a target="_new" href="http://www.joshuafund.net">www.joshuafund.net</a>)<br><br>
These are just a few of many who are doing an excellent and vital work in Israel, and who are glorifying the Lord in this land.<br><br>
In the Messiah,<br><br>
David Ortiz</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306822011-12-08T06:00:00-07:002011-12-08T06:00:00-07:00December 8, 2011<div style="text-align: justify;">We have good news to share! First of all, Ami was accepted into College in the U.S. and onto the school basketball team! I'm not going to mention the name or location of the college because of the scrutiny of anti-missionaries (anti-freedom of religion groups) but we are all very happy. He will be starting this Spring semester, and we are in a flurry of getting ready to let him go!! It will be hard for our family to be separated from him for long periods of time over the next four years, but it has been Ami's dream to study and play basketball in the States, and the Lord put it together as only He can. I will share more of this part of the journey when I can. Thank you for praying him through this process as well. (I'm sorry how this update's layout looks, I had a battle trying to get it out!)<br>
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<br><b>COURT CASE </b><br><br>
Today we received word that the panel of Judges presiding over the Jack Teitel case made their decision officially that he is mentally fit to stand trial! They said the trial will begin in the coming weeks. Teitel's lawyers tried to bring up an appeal, saying he wasn't responsible for his actions when he carried out his crimes, but the judges said that they will have to bring that up during the trial, not before. The decision was reported on widely in the news media. The English newspapers were, as always, the most troublesome in their reporting. In Ynet news, even though our family was mentioned as victims in the Hebrew article, the English article left us out completely. We sent out an emergency plea for believers in Israel and around the world to write in to protest this omission, and within an hour the article was changed to a translation of the Hebrew article which included us. We would like to say that even if emails arrived after the fact, they are still important to reaffirm to the editors that people are concerned. <br><br>
In the Jerusalem Post, our family were called "American Christian missionaries". I liked very much the prompt response posted by Donna Diorio of <a href="http://www.israelprayer.com" target="_new">www.israelprayer.com</a>, a faithful and true friend of Messianic believers in Israel who tirelessly reports on the news and prayer needs of the Body here. Donna wrote: Jerusalem Post mentions Teitel's bombing of the Messianic Ortiz family only EIGHT paragraphs into the article! The most intense in terms of planning and device used in all of his murders and attempted murders, yet it is mentioned so low in the article. And the article misidentifies the family as "American Christian Missionaries". The reality is that the family holds dual American and Israeli citizenship. Leah, a Jew, married David, a Puerto Rican and their children are Israeli Jews. David and his sons have served in the Israeli IDF- several in elite units of the IDF. They deserve to be called what they are, Israeli Messianic Jews. Donna also is an investigative reporter. Her reports are accurate and comprehensive. We recommend her website for all who pray for our nation and the Israeli Messianic Body.<br>
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<br><b>ARTICLES </b><br><br><b>THIS IS THE REVISED ARTICLE FROM YNET</b><br><br><a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4158490,00.html" target="_new">Court: Jack Teitel fit to stand trial</a><br><br>
Trial of 'Jewish terrorist' charged with murder of two Arabs set to resume in coming weeks<br><br>
by Aviad Glickman<br><br>
Published:<br>
12.07.11, 16:38 / Israel News<br><br>
The Jerusalem District Court on Wednesday ruled that the alleged "Jewish terrorist" <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4017400,00.html" target="_new">Jack Teitel's</a> fit to stand trial for the murder of two Arabs and a series of other serious offences. The court considered various opinions on the matter before reaching a decision. Teitel's trial is set to resume in the following weeks.<br><br>
Attorney Michael Ironi, representing Teitel, motioned for a hearing on his client's criminal accountability. The panel ruled that there are no grounds for summoning expert witnesses again and that a hearing on the issue of accountability will be held during the trial. <br><br>
Teitel was seen reading a book and paying little attention to what was going on during Wednesday's court hearing.<br><br>
An <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3804111,00.html" target="_new">indictment</a> containing 14 counts was filed against Teitel in November 2009. Teitel, 37, a resident of the West Bank settlement of Shvut Rachel, was indicted for the murder of<br>
Palestinian taxi driver, Samir Balbisi, in June 1997, and the murder of a Palestinian shepherd just a few months later. He was also charged with laying an explosive device<br>
next to a Palestinian home near the West Bank settlement of Eli.<br><br><b>He was also indicted for attempting to murder the son of a Messianic family living in Ariel when he sent an explosive device disguised as a Purim gift to their home.</b> In addition, he is charged with rigging a bomb next to Prof. Zeev Sternhell's home.<br><br>
In May 2010, a <b>professional psychiatric opinion</b> deemed him unfit for trial. "I don't know if I'm sane. I don't recognize the jurisdiction of this court. I feel good," Teitel said at the time. Last August, a second psychiatric evaluation determined the <b>opposite</b>.<br><br>
*Omri Efraim contributed to this report<br><b><br><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>This is the original article as it appeared on Ynet.</i></span></b><br><br>
YNET<br><br>
Court: Jack Teitel fit to stand trial<br><br>
Trial of 'Jewish terrorist' charged with murder of two Arabs set to resume in coming weeks<br><br>
The Jerusalem District Court on Wednesday ruled that "Jewish terrorist" <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4017400,00.html" target="_new"><b>Jack Teitel</b></a> is fit to stand trial for the murder of two Arabs and other serious offences. The court considered various opinions on the matter before reaching a decision. Teitel's trial is set to resume in the following weeks.<br><br>
Attorney Michael Ironi, representing Teitel, motioned for a hearing on his client's criminal accountability. The panel ruled that there are no grounds for summoning experts again and that a discussion on the issue of accountability will be held during the trial.<br><br>
Teitel was seen reading a book and paying little attention to what was going on during Wednesday's court hearing.<br><br>
An <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3804111,00.html" target="_new"><b>indictment</b></a> containing 14 counts was filed against Teitel in November 2009. Teitel, 37, a resident of the West Bank settlement of Shvut Rachel, was indicted for the murder of Palestinian taxi driver, Samir Balbisi, in June 1997, and the murder of a Palestinian shepherd just a few months later. He was also charged with laying an explosive device next to a Palestinian home near the West Bank settlement of Eli. In May 2010, a <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3885221,00.html" target="_new"><b>professional psychiatric opinion</b></a> deemed him unfit for trial. "I don't know if I'm sane.<br>
I don't recognize the jurisdiction of this court. I feel good," Teitel said at the time. Last August, a second psychiatric evaluation determined the <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3946310,00.html" target="_new"><b>opposite</b></a>.<br><br><b>Omri Efraim contributed to this report</b><br>
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<br><b>This is the Jerusalem Post article:</b><br><br><a href="http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=248530" target="_new">http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=248530</a><br><br>
JERUSALEM POST<br><br>
Court rules Yaakov 'Jack' Teitel fit to stand trial<br><br>
By JOANNA PARASZCZUK<br><br>
07/12/2011<br><br>
American-born "Jewish Terrorist" indicted on 14 charges including two counts of murder and one of attempted murder<br><br>
The Jerusalem District Court ruled unanimously on Wednesday that Ya'acov 'Jack' Teitel, the American- Israeli indicted on murder and attempted murder charges, is fit to stand trial. The panel of three judges, Zvi Segal, Moshe Hacohen and Moshe Yair Drori, said in Wednesday's hearing that Teitel's ability to conduct his defense was "beyond question" and therefore he is fit to stand trial.<br><br>
For a court to rule that a defendant is not fit to stand trial, his attorneys must convince judges that he is suffering from a mental disorder such that he is unable to conduct his<br>
defense or instruct an attorney to do so, because he cannot understand the charges against him, the nature of the criminal proceedings or communicate with his counsel.<br><br>
Dubbed "the Jewish terrorist," Florida-born Teitel, 39, was indicted in 2009 on 14 separate charges including the 1997 murder of Palestinian taxi driver Samir Balbisi, who was found shot dead in his taxicab.<br><br>
The indictment also charges Teitel with the murder of a second Palestinian man, Beduin shepherd Isaa Mousa'af Mahamada, who was shot dead near the West Bank settlement of Carmel, near Hebron, in August 1997.<br><br>
Teitel is alleged to have committed both those murders while he was still a US citizen on vacation in Israel.<br><br>
In 2000, Teitel immigrated to Israel and lived in Shvut Rachel, a West Bank settlement north of Jerusalem, where he married and had four children. That same year, he was<br>
arrested by police on suspicion of carrying out both the 1997 murders, but later released for lack of evidence.<br><br>
In March 2008, according to the indictment, Teitel attempted to murder 15-year-old Amiel Ortiz, the son of American Christian missionaries in Ariel.<br><br>
Teitel allegedly sent a bomb in a Purim gift basket to the Ortiz's home, which exploded when Ortiz opened it.<br><br>
Other charges include planting homemade explosives at the home of Prof. Ze'ev Sternhell, a left-wing scholar from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in September 2008 and attacking a police station in 2006 during a gay pride parade.<br><br>
Teitel was arrested in Jerusalem in 2009, while distributing leaflets lauding a deadly shooting at a Tel Aviv gay youth center, although police do not believe he was involved<br>
in that attack.<br><br>
Teitel was remanded in custody in a secure psychiatric facility, and though an initial psychiatric assessment in 2010 deemed Teitel unfit to stand trial, later tests showed<br>
that he was able to face prosecution.<br><br>
"We conclude that [Teitel] is not detached from reality, he possesses an impressive verbal ability and is capable of maintaining a good connection with those talking to him,<br>
that he is well aware of the legal process and its outcomes, he knows he is in court and is aware of the various functions of the legal process," Segal said.<br>
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<br><b>PLEASE PRAY</b><br><br>
Please continue to pray for the trial as it will commence in a few weeks, God willing. Please continue to pray that justice will prevail, and that whatever is in darkness will be brought out into the light. Please pray that the Name of Yeshua will be lifted up and honoured.<br><br>
Please pray for Ami as he goes off to college, for easy adjustment to his surroundings, English studies, new friends, different mentalities, and all that goes with it. <br><br>
Thank you for your fellowship and prayer for all these matters. Remember to check out <a href="./home.cfm">www.amiortiz.com</a> for updated information.<br><br>
Blessings in the Messiah,<br><br><i>Leah</i>
</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306802011-10-19T07:20:00-06:002011-10-19T07:20:00-06:00October 19, 2011<div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday, Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier who was kidnapped by the Hamas and held in captivity in Gaza since 2006 for five years and four months, came home. The number of Palestinian prisoners exchanged for him was 1,027. Many are terrorists who were involved in the most heinous terror attacks in Israel, such as the bombing of the Sbarro Pizzeria in 2001 in which 15 Israelis were killed, seven of whom were under the age of 18, and scores wounded. Many of the terrorists who were released had been given multiple life sentences, as they were responsible for many deaths. They have been released to Gaza, some to the West Bank, and others to foreign countries such as Turkey. There have been very mixed feelings over this in Israel, although 70-80% of Israelis were in favor of the swap. But the bottom line is, Gilad is alive, and he has to be brought home.<br><b><br>
REACTION </b><br><br>
However, in reaction to the release of the terrorists that wreaked such havoc in the lives of so many, and in the collective morale of Israel, certain Ministers in the Knesset, including Eli Yishai of the Ultra Orthodox Shas party (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shas_Party" target="_new">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shas_Party</a>) are petitioning the government to release Jewish terrorists that have murdered Arabs and are in jail for their crimes. On the list is Jack Teitel. We got a phone call from a well-known TV journalist in Israel who has a very popular radio talk show as well. In light of the petition that was going to be discussed in the Knesset, they wanted to hear Leah's comments on this proposal. However, we were advised by legal counsel not to be interviewed at this time as it wasn't in our interest to do so strategically. Just the thought that it would enter the minds of people who govern this country to make such a move is shocking. Jack Teitel is more than a terrorist, he's an assassin and serial killer who admitted in his confession that he worked for Yad L'Achim for five years. Anyone who did not agree with his religious viewpoints and how Israel should be run was his enemy. He tried to kill our family because we are Messianic Jews and murdered two Palestinians in cold blood. He laid bombs in various places, wounding his victims, and the full extents of his crimes are still not known, but the whole story is slowly being unravelled.<br><br>
The fact that Michael Ben Ari (<a href="http://en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_ben_ari" target="_new">http://en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_ben_ari</a>) and others like him refuse to condemn the actions of the Price Tag and the attack against us including the other attacks, violence and harassment against Messianic Jews is frightening. So we urge those of you who have contacts in Knesset, and with bodies of decision makers in Israel and in your own countries to write to them to condemn this proposal.<br><br><b>SERIOUS MATTER FOR PRAYER </b><br><br>
Many believers have come to Ariel to visit, to volunteer, and to carry out projects here.. Many have been told that their projects and activities are welcome, on the condition of mainly two things. That they will not talk about Yeshua to anyone, that they will not have contact with the Messianic believers in Ariel and they will also not have contact with Messianic Congregations in Israel. In the College of Judea and Samaria which is the college in Ariel, before they're accepted to a program to learn Hebrew for a year, they are debriefed and are told that if they talk to people about Yeshua, or attend meetings of Messianic Jews especially the Messianic Congregation of David Ortiz, their visas will be revoked. <br><br>
The person handling the applications to the program was a believer who today is converting to Rabbinical Judaism and of course that means denying Yeshua. There are many believers today who are converting to Judaism and are worshipping Israel, and not the God of Israel. The apostles had the same exact situation with the Sanhedrin who told them that they would let them go, and everything would be OK, but they were warned not to speak in that name (Yeshua). (Acts 4:13-22; Acts 5:40-41) Sad to say many believers have succumbed to the threats to the point of denying they have ever walked with Him, like Peter said when he denied Yeshua and denied having been a part of the company of His disciples, saying, "I do not know the Man". (Matthew 26:69-75) Many believers in Yeshua in this country are under siege. Pray that God would give us courage to break the siege, to go outside of the camp, to suffer the reproach and to identify with Him. (Hebrews 13:12-13)<br><br><b>DAVID SPEAKING AND AMI NEWS </b><br><br>
"I've had many incidents where people have ignored me throughout the years here in Israel because of the name of Yeshua. Recently, I was in a public place where someone had to address me in order to get some information, for his own benefit. As soon as he saw that it was me, he refused to speak or address me, acknowledge me or even look my way, even when he was forced to speak to me. He let me know that as far as he was concerned, I am no one. As we continued to engage, I kept on monitoring the thoughts of my heart to make sure that my attitude and my reaction to him was right and pleasing to God, and I didn't give him the same treatment that he was giving me. <br><br>
After he left I was suddenly struck with the presence of God and a spirit of rejoicing, that I was counted worthy to be reproached by this man. He didn't know me and I didn't know him personally, but he sat in judgment of me. However, when the Holy Spirit hit me that way, I had total awareness that honor and approval from God was what counted. I continued throughout the week with a deep sense of rejoicing from that incident. As my wife once said, the antidote to the fear of man, is the fear of God. Sometimes we lick our wounds and tell ourselves, "That's Ok, the way that person treated me, it's nothing, I'll recover." There was nothing of that - the Holy Spirit just hit me hard with the reality that if God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31, 1Peter 4:12-14)<br><br>
(Leah) Ami has been in the U.S. since September with good friends of ours who are leaders in the congregation that we are connected with there. Ami has been working doing maintenance in the building, and he was able to take the ACT exam for college matriculation. When he got the results, he had a very good composite score! We were so overjoyed and relieved! Ami speaks English fluently but all of his 12 years of studies have been in Hebrew which is his mother tongue. He and I studied for several months from study materials that were provided for us by a miracle! He also was privately tutored in Math to get ready for the test, and still, when he took it he felt very shaky about what the results would be. He couldn't stop thanking God when he got them! He's now applying to several colleges, and is also going to visit some and try out for their basket ball teams. He is trusting the Lord to put him in the place where He wants him to be, but we are thankful for all the blessings he has experienced while in NY.<br><br>
One blessing has been the home that he's been staying in, with a family who loves him like a son, and who are extending royal, red carpet hospitality! They are caring for him and helping him every step of the way in the college application process and in every other way, even though they themselves are inundated with their own ministry and family responsibilities and challenges. Another blessing has been a brother who is a professional personal trainer, and who was in the past a trainer of basketball players. He has been working with Ami once a week without accepting payment, and is even driving him to some of the schools that Ami is applying to, for visits. Another blessing has been a brother who is a Ph.D. in Music who teaches piano to Ami's hosts' children, and who offered to give Ami a free half hour piano lesson every week as well while he's there. This plus all the brothers who have reached out to Ami from the spiritual community, taking time to take him out to various activities on the weekends, and helping in whatever way they can. Blessing after blessing has indeed been poured out, and we are grateful beyond words.<br><br>
Thank you for your prayers for Israel, the believers in Israel, and our family.<br><br>
In Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306782011-09-06T04:32:00-06:002017-01-13T06:44:14-07:00Setember 6, 2011<div style="text-align: justify;">Thank you Lord!!!!! <br><br>
September 4, 2011 was supposed to be the summation of all the arguments of the Defense and the Prosecution in the Jack Teitel hearings to determine if he is mentally able to stand trial. The time allotted to the hearing was three hours, and at the last minute the Defense brought in yet another clinical psychologist who had conducted yet another test on Teitel. This was a very specific test that was supposed to be able to determine whether or not he is pretending or feigning psychological illness, and what that illness is specifically. According to the psychologist the test proved he wasn't pretending mental illness and that he is a psychopath.<br><br>
The psychologist began with a very technical and detailed explanation of the test. One of the three Judges who are presiding over the case, after about 15 minutes of this explanation, said, " I have no idea what you are talking about. You have to try to explain yourself in layman's terms!" More explanation, and the Judge requested a copy of the test that was actually given. It was a test of 560 (or 506 I can't remember) questions that could be answered only by "Yes" or "No". As the Judge looked over the questions, he asked the psychologist - read this question and the answer please. The psychologist did so, and the Judge said, "This is not true, Teitel lied". The question was whether or not he had ever mistreated animals, to which Teitel said "No". However the Judge said that in their records Teitel had admitted to having mistreated animals before, and it was recorded. The Judge wanted to know how they could rely on the analysis and results of the test if Teitel had lied on answers. The psychologist said it wasn't based only on that, but the Judge then told him, "We sit in this courtroom all day trying to determine between truth and lies, it is what we do." The courtroom continued to be very lively that morning. The Defense lawyer was arguing loudly with the Judges, who in turn were arguing loudly back at the Defense! We felt that we were in the middle of a scene from a movie!<br><br>
That morning I had opened up my devotional, "Daily Light", and the verses that jumped out at me were, "Sit still, my daughter". (Ruth 3:18) Take heed, and be quiet; do not fear or be faint-hearted. (Isaiah 7:4) Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10) Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God? (Luke 10:39, 42) The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in the day. (Isaiah 30:15) Wow! Was I encouraged. However, when you sit in the courtroom, and when we see Teitel come in followed by reporters, appearing confident, shackled hand and foot, it is an eerie feeling and my heart beats fast.<br><br>
After the hearing the Prosecutor said he would speak to us, which was unusual because he doesn't normally do that. Our friends in sorrow and suffering, Akram Balbasi and his son Hani were there also. They are the Arab family whose son and brother, Samir, was murdered by Teitel in 1997. We were told by the prosecutor that the Defense team decided to give up on the plea of "not mentally fit to stand trial"! This is a victory, but as we then learned, one battle down and more to go. The Defense lawyers have moved to another tactic. They will try to prove that Teitel was not responsible for his actions in the past when he committed his crimes. If that fails, they will claim that his initial interrogation when he was arrested was unfair.<br>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The same day, an article came out in "Yediot Ahronot", a widely read Hebrew newspaper, concerning our case and the fact that the Balbisi family received compensation from Social Security for their son, because their case is considered a hostile act of terrorism of Jew against Arab. But in our case, even though the same terrorist attacked us both, because we are a Jewish family and it was Jew against Jew, it was not considered a hostile act of terrorism. That's how it is on the law books here. It was in the magazine section of the Sunday paper and was a big two page article! We are happy that once again the name of Yeshua could be lifted up in the secular press in Israel. May the Lord have His way in all of this.<br><br>
We were asked by the reporter how we felt that the Arab family had received compensation and we did not. We told them we were so happy for them; they deserved it and much more. They had suffered for 12 years not knowing who had killed their son, and their health and family had deteriorated as a result. Money couldn't return their son, but at least there was some recognition of their indescribable suffering.<br><br>
The day after the hearing, David and Ami flew off to the U.S. Please pray for Ami this Saturday when he will be taking the ACT college entrace exam. He will be staying with good friends of ours from our congregation in the U.S and working for 2 1/2 months. We continue to pray for whatever the Lord has for him, expecting good things.<br><br>
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." <i>-Jeremiah 29:11<br></i><br>
To see past updates, and all the news, facts, videos, pictures and more about Ami's story, you can click onto <a href="./home.cfm">www.amiortiz.com</a><br><br>
In Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306762011-08-22T06:20:00-06:002011-08-22T06:20:00-06:00August 22, 2011<div style="text-align: justify;">Shalom! We hope and pray you are all having a good and fruitful summer, enjoying the goodness of the Lord. <br><b><br>
ISRAEL ATTACKED </b><br><br>
The latest Hamas offensive against Israel began on August 18, 2011 with a four-pronged terror attack on busses and cars in the South of the country near Eilat in which 7 civilians and one soldier were killed, with many wounded. In the days that have followed the southern part of israel has been under attack from rockets, mortars and anti-tank missiles. The following is from Joel Rosenberg's flash traffic update (<a href="http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/" target="_new">http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/</a>):<br><br>
More than 100 rockets, mortars and anti-tank missiles have been fired from Gaza at Israeli towns and cities along the south. A suicide bomber also detonated himself near the Israel-Egyptian border over the weekend. Eight Jews were killed in Thursday's jihadist attacks on an Israeli public bus, and at least 30 were wounded. A rocket hit a home in Beersheva on Saturday night, killing one Israeli and wounded four others. Dozens more Israelis have been hospitalized for shock. Israel has struck back with airstrikes against selected terror targets, but the violence has only escalated. Tragically, Israeli forces accidentally killed two Egyptian border guards during a raid against Gaza militants. Israel quickly apologized, but this has created new tensions between Egypt and the Jewish State. Meanwhile, Palestinian leaders -- who want their own sovereign state beginning next month -- have neither said or done anything to stop the latest attacks.<br><br>
Howard Bass, who is the congregational leader of the "Nachalat Yeshua" (Yeshua's Inheritance) congregation in Beer Sheva sent out this report on Shabbat:<br>
(<a href="http://www.gratefullygrafted.org/ministries/congregations/nachalat_yeshua.htm" target="_new">http://www.gratefullygrafted.org/ministries/congregations/nachalat_yeshua.htm</a>)<br><br>
Shalom,<br><br>
We thank God for those who have expressed their concerned interest in the rocket attacks on Beer Sheva, and for all who are aware and remember all of us in prayer.<br><br>
This morning before we left home for our congregational service, the sirens went off, and we went down to our bomb shelter. The rockets from Gaza this morning, and also on Thursday night, fell not too far from the section of the city in which we live, and on one of the rocket falls, the house shook from the vibrations of the impact. This evening we have had twice to go into shelters while we were visiting friends from the kehila (congregation) who lived within sight of what we were hearing this morning.<br><br>
The missile interceptor system, called Iron Dome, has been brought back to the city after being taken out a couple of years ago. It has successfully taken out some of the rockets which have been fired these past days. Hamas has taken responsibility for these attacks, after denying any for what took place in Eilat a few days ago.<br><br>
Sadly, this evening a grad rocket hit in a neighborhood, destroying a car and seriously damaging the house. Worse, one person was killed, seven seriously injured, at least one mortally. All of these remained outside during the attack, rather than get inside under cover. Very likely, they were curious to see the Iron Dome work to intercept the missiles. It is interesting to watch, but dangerous: curiosity killed the cat. The guidelines the news and the security authorities are stressing is to get into shelters, and remain there for some minutes after the alarm finishes.<br><br>
I do not believe that any believer is exempt from being harmed, either directly or indirectly. What will distinguish us is our reaction and response in the event of personal suffering, and how we relate to others who do suffer: the issue is glory to our Father in Heaven, and honor to the name of the Lord Yeshua Messiah/Jesus Christ. Before the event, it is difficult to 'plan' for our reaction, but the Holy Spirit within us wants to steady us as quickly as possible on The Rock of our salvation.<br><br><b>PRAYER REQUESTS </b><br><br>
We appreciate all your prayers for Israel at this time. Prayer is essentialand we need to stand together for strength in the face of the trying circumstances that are shaking the earth. We serve a mighty God who is able to provide, strengthen, heal, and Who can make a way where there is no way. At this moment, even though Hamas and Israel declared a cease fire, rockets continue to fall in the South. <br><br>
My daughter's in-laws live in a settlement in the South, not far away from the Gaza order, and their town was also hit by a few rockets over the weekend. They are running into their bomb shelters several times a day when the sirens sound. Although they've lived through many of these attacks in the past, they said that they feel this one is somehow different, and more serious than before. Only people who have lived with this ongoing threat for all the years since Israel pulled out of the Gaza strip can have the perspective that they do. Please pray for this precious family and all the families in the South of Israel who are under attack at this time.<br><br>
Last week, David and I went up to Jerusalem to meet with our lawyer. He told us that there will be a hearing on September 4th of the Jack Teitel case, which is supposed to be the summation of all the testimonies, and the closing arguments of the prosecution and defense. We've gotten a little jaded about all of this, because the hearings are often postponed at the last minute, but we take it in good faith that this will happen. The judge's decision concerning Teitel's psychological ability to stand trial will most likely not take place on Sept. 4th though, and will be made behind closed doors. We will probably be notified by letter or by the prosecutor.<br><br>
We appreciate your standing with us concerning the end and summation of these hearings. We know that whatever the decision is, whether just or unjust, it does not deter the work of the God of Israel. May He show His mighty hand to His nation through all of these situations.<br><br>
Ami is getting ready to leave for the U.S. in a few weeks. He is studying diligently for his college matriculation tests which he will take in NY, and he is preparing in many ways to leave home for an extended amount of time. He is seeing his friends go off to the army one by one, and looking forward to his next step in life. He is in great condition and health, thank God, and is trying to cooperate and be patient with his mother who is worrying over every detail of his leaving the nest!! Ami is very laid back, and takes things easy. He doesn't get excited or panicked about anything, and only responds with a sense of urgency to real emergencies. I think it's hard for him to deal with me at the moment...<br><br><b>MORE...</b><br><br>
We recently received a revealing newsletter from Barry Segal, which is another sign of the times; spiritual confusion and the falling away from the faith of many believers in Yeshua which I know is distressing to all of us. We thought it was important to share this with you.<br><b><br>
THIS WILL SHOCK YOU: OR AT LEAST SHOULD SHOCK YOU...</b><br>
Church Leaders Who Claim The God of Israel is Allah by Barry Segal (Israel)<br><br>
"A "who's who" of evangelical Christian leaders, including Rick Warren, Robert Schuller, Brian McLaren, Richard Cizik and Bill Hybels, have signed a letter to the Muslim community entitled "Loving God And Neighbour Together" that openly equates Allah with the Christian God. To read the text visit: (<a href="http://www.Yale.edu/faith/acw/acw.htm" target="_new">http://www.Yale.edu/faith/acw/acw.htm</a>) By affirming that Allah is God, the 300 Christian leaders in this letter are denying the God of the Bible.<br><br>
The reality is that the Quran denies that Jesus Christ is the Son of God no less than nine times. This letter represents apostasy of the highest order. It is another huge step towards the one world religion and one world church of the last days. The Christian ministers who signed this letter have denied their faith and have brought shame to their ministries and congregations. Therefore, we are calling for the immediate resignation of each and every Christian minister that signed this letter. You can find a list of the Christian leaders that signed this letter here: (<a href="http://www.Yale.edu/faith/acw/acw.htm" target="_new">http://www.Yale.edu/faith/acw/acw.htm</a>)<br><br>
You will likely recognize quite a few names on that list. These are just a few.<br>
David Augsburger, Professor of Pastoral Care and Counselling, Fuller Theological Seminary<br>
James A. Beverley, Professor of Christian Thought and Ethics, Tyndale Seminary, Toronto, Canada<br>
Rev. Dr. Stuart Briscoe, Minister at Large, Elmbrook Church, Brookfield Wisconsin, USA; Founder, "Telling the Truth, Inc."<br>
Rev. Colin Chapman, Former Lecturer in Islamic Studies, Near East School of Theology, Beirut, Lebanon, and author of Whose Promised Land?<br>
David Yonggi Cho, Founder and Senior Pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, Seoul, Korea<br>
Harvey Cox, Hollis Professor of Divinity, Harvard Divinity School<br>
Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA<br>
Lynn Green, International Chairman, Youth With A Mission<br>
Bill Hybels, Founder and Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL<br>
Mennonite Central Committee, Akron, PA<br>
Richard Mouw, President and Professor of Christian Philosophy, Fuller Theological Seminary<br>
Rev. Dr. Robert Schuller, Founder, Crystal Cathedral and Hour of Power<br>
John G. Stackhouse, Jr., Sangwoo Youtong Chee Professor of Theology and Culture, Regent College, Vancouver, Canada<br>
Rev. Dr. John Stott, Rector Emeritus, All Souls Church, Langham Place, London, UK<br>
Harvey Thiessen, Executive Director, OM Canada<br>
Geoff Tunnicliffe, International Director, World Evangelical Alliance<br>
Jim Wallis, President, Sojourners<br>
Rick Warren, Founder and Senior Pastor, Saddleback Church, author: The Purpose Driven Life, Lake Forest, CA"<br><br>
In the midst of all this, we continue to "Praise the Lord for He is good, and His mercy endures forever" (Psalm 136:1) and to hold on to Psalm 46:<br><br>
1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.<br>
2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;<br>
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah <br>
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.<br>
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.<br>
6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. <br>
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah <br>
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth.<br>
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. <br>
10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! <br>
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah<br><br>
Yours in the Messiah,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306752011-07-10T07:00:00-06:002011-07-10T07:00:00-06:00Juy 10, 2011<div style="text-align: justify;">Shalom to all!! It has been a very long time since I last wrote and I must say that I have missed you all, my family in Messiah. But it's been a time of much reflection and recuperation, and since these updates have always been a result of 90% inspiration and 10% perspiration, or aspiration, or respiration, or whatever I can call it, today after a long, long time, I once again felt the familiar nudge of the Holy Spirit motivating me to sit down and write again. During this long "break", we haven't stopped telling the story of a tragedy turned to triumph that the Lord accomplished through our family, and by family I don't mean just our immediate one, but all of us together as family in Yeshua, as we prayed, cried, travailed and rejoiced before the Lord together these past 3 years. The result has been a testimony that edifies and inspires all who hear it, and it is not done yet.<br><br>
AMI NEWS<br><br>
Ami has graduated High School! He graduated well. In Israel graduation ceremonies are not cap and gown affairs with formalized ceremonies. Like everything else, we have our own more casual and comfortable style. The kids put together skits, songs and dance to express their appreciation and senses of humor concerning their last years in school. Ami participated in this, and was in several of the skits. He also received a certificate for excellence in sports! We were of course very proud, and he, as always, took it in stride. All of his friends in the next few months will be inducted into the army, but Ami has had it in his heart for the last couple of years to study in college in the U.S. and to hopefully be able to play basketball on a college team. This will entail passing the U.S. college matriculation exams, and so to this end, he'll be going to the States in September, living with good friends in Brooklyn for a few months, and will work at our congregation in the U.S. He'll take the matriculation test there - and we'll see if he will be able after that to fulfil his dream. We would appreciate prayer for this, as so far the Lord has led and guided. I don't want to give any particulars at this point, but we'll let you know as time goes on what happens.<br><br>
With all the news of earth shaking proportion that is going on in the world and Israel, including the upcoming possibility of a declaration of a Palestinian State in the U.N. and what would happen after that in the region, not to mention all the upheaval currently taking place all across the Middle East in the Arab nations, our court case has ceased to be of any major interest in the local media. We understand that, and as a matter of fact this has been a tactic of Jack Teitel's defense lawyers, to drag the proceedings out so that the press and public attention will diminish. Believe it or not, the proceedings to determine whether Teitel is mentally fit to stand trial are still going on, and we ourselves are not even aware of further hearings as they are being held behind closed doors. We have left in it in the Lord's hands and we pray for him and his family. <br><br>
Ami and I had a divine appointment the other day. All day long, I needed to go to the supermarket and I needed a ride. Ami said he would take me, but somehow it took us all day to just get in the car and go as one thing after another kept on stopping us. Have you ever had a day like that? I was expecting to just be dropped off, but a few minutes later, Ami all of a sudden appeared in the supermarket, telling me he was going to help me! A rare occurrence. I noticed a woman entering the store who looked familiar, but I couldn't place her. When we got to the checkout, I noticed that she was talking to Ami in a rather intense conversation as he loaded the things on the conveyor belt, and as I was bagging. When she saw me looking at her, she came over and introduced herself. "My name is Darcy, and I am Jack Teitel's sister in law", she said in perfect English. I had already met one of Teitel's wife's sisters, Sarah, who was Ami's English teacher at the time of the attack. Sarah was in my Weight Watcher's group for a while, and we had some interesting conversations. When Teitel was arrested, however, Darcy was the spokesperson for that side of the family and I now remembered that I had seen her on the news and several talk shows. I remember thinking how posed and dignified she was when I watched her speak. At that time she said that her family completely denounced what Teitel had done, and were cutting themselves off from him completely.<br><br>
Darcy told me that she was so sorry for the suffering that Ami and our family had had to endure at the hands of Teitel. She said she remembered seeing a documentary report about Ami on national television before the arrest, and that she had cried through the whole thing, never imagining that her family was the cause of such a tragedy. I thanked her for her apology but I told that we were OK, our lives were continuing and Ami and our family were able to overcome by the grace of God and because people all over the world had prayed and loved us through the pain, trauma and recovery. I then said, "and you know, we have forgiven him". She physically recoiled when I said that, and she said, "You are better people than me - I can't forgive him for what he has done to my sister. She is left in shame to raise four children alone". I told her that forgiving Teitel doesn't mean excusing his actions, but that we forgave him in order to leave him in God's hands. We didn't want to be victims twice, and we wanted Ami and all our family to be able to heal, and to be able in time to leave the incident behind us, and go on with our lives. I told her that is what has happened. She asked Ami if he's playing basketball, and he said, "Of course!" She told him that she was so happy for that. She said that she never comes to Ariel, and has never been in our supermarket before, but just today she had a doctor's appointment with a specialist and she had to come to the clinic here. We all knew that our meeting was God ordained.<br><br>
Please continue to pray for Teitel and his family - for salvation to visit their households. Please pray for Ami as he prepares for the American college matriculation exams, and for his upcoming season in NYC.<br><br>
If you want to see the documentary that Darcy was talking about, watch it here: <font size="1" face="Verdana" color="#999999"><br><br><object width="533px" height="300px"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always">
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<embed src="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=54709192,t=1,mt=video" width="533" height="300" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed></object><br><a style="" href="http://www.myspace.com/460614144">JerusalemIJ</a> | <a style="" href="http://www.myspace.com/video">Myspace Video</a></font><a href="http://www.myspace.com/video/vid/54709192" target="_new"><br></a><br>
And while you are at it - check out <a href="./home.cfm">www.amiortiz.com</a> to read about the whole story and to see many other videos, articles, pictures and reports. You can check out past updates on the "Leah's Updates" page, and pictures, videos and articles about Jack Teitel and the hearings as well.<br><br>
Yours in the love of Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306732011-05-23T02:59:34-06:002011-05-23T02:59:34-06:00April 23, 2011<div style="text-align: justify;">Shalom to everyone! I haven't written in a very long time, as I've been experiencing a period of burn out where I felt the events of the last three years fall on me all at once, and I was left without emotional and physical strength. I felt OK within, in my spirit, but I just couldn't do much, and writing was definitely out of the question!! I knew I had to just wait on the Lord for His restoration - as in Isaiah 40:<br><br>
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.<br><br>
And as I did, slowly the burn out has faded, and I am being restored. Still not full strength yet - but OK!! Hallelujah! I am still praising the Lord in every circumstance, which is one of the the most important elements in this journey!!<br><br><b>HEARING </b><br><br>
Today another hearing in the Jack Teitel case is taking place. Here is an email I sent out to those in Israel who try to support us by coming to the hearings.<br><br>
Hi to all. A hearing will be taking place tomorrow in the Yaakov Teitel case to determine whether he is psychologically fit to stand trial. The hearing was set for 14:00(2PM) in the district court in East Jerusalem on Salah-a-Din Street, but now the prosecutor called our lawyer and said that the hearing might take place earlier at 11:30 and it might take place behind closed doors.<br><br>
We feel like we're playing musical chairs, and that we and those who support us are being discouraged from attending the hearing as well as the press. This depletes our energy but it is how it has been since the beginning. For those who don't know, the defense hired 13 private psychiatrists to evaluate Teitel's mental state, and it is not clear to anyone where the money has come from for this. Also, the last hearing was suddenly postponed for almost two months without any explanation on the day of the hearing when everyone was already sitting in the courtroom.<br><br>
And then a short update from this morning...<br><br>
Good morning - we just heard from our lawyer that the hearing will take place behind closed doors, and that this one is not the last hearing or summation of the hearings, but there will be one or two more before it is over. Therefore we probably wouldn't have been able to sit in the courtroom at any rate. Thanks to all who expressed interest. We will let you know what happened during the hearing when we get the information.<br><br>
Our good friend Chaim Goldberg from Maoz ministries has been one such faithful friend. His blog includes an update on the latest news about the hearing, but I wanted to direct your attention to the excellent video he did on the persecution of Messianic Jews in Israel to refresh and to encourage you to keep on praying for the situation. Not that we expect persecution to cease - we know it will increase for us all in these last days, no matter where we live. But, please pray that we will be strengthened to continue to stand for Yeshua as the Messiah of Israel no matter what the slanderous and incite-full tongues shout out against us. Please pray that our hearts and attitudes will remain right before the Lord, and that we will be full of grace and forgiveness towards those that oppose us so violently. It is what the Master wants.<br><br>
Here is the link - <a href="http://maozisraelblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/urgent-prayer-request-from-ortiz-family.html" target="_new">http://maozisraelblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/urgent-prayer-request-from-ortiz-family.html</a><br><br><b>AMI NEWS</b><br><br>
As for Ami - he is doing very well. He is weaning himself off of his nerve medication, as he still has low level pain in his left hand from the nerve injuries. However, he has been advised by his doctors that he has to learn to live with it, and the time has come to stop taking the medication, which he always wants to do anyway. It is difficult, but he has faced so much difficulty already. He also has some residual ringing in the ears, but other than that he is strong and full of life and strength in every way. He is finishing high school, and since the rest of his friends will be going into the army, he is standing firm on his desire to study in the U.S. That doesn't seem possible for the Fall of 2011 - however the Lord has a plan and we're trying to discern and follow.<br><br>
Please check out <a href="./home.cfm">www.amiortiz.com</a> for updated information on our family, Ami's progress and the trial. <br><br><b>JOEL ROSENBERG <br></b><br>
Joel Rosenberg (best-selling Messianic author, "Epicenter", "The Ezekiel Option", "The Twelth Imam" plus many other titles) has been in the land with a tour group this month. One of the highlights of his tour was an Epicenter Conference. We had the great privilege of being invited to a banquet along with other Messianic leaders in Israel, given by Joel's organization, the Joshua Fund. We were also privileged to sit at Joel and his wife Lynn's table with Anne Graham Lotz (Billy Graham's daughter) and her daughters. Anne was one of the speakers at the Epicenter conference. You can see the teachings given on the Book of Joel from the conference at <a href="http://www.epicenterconference.com" target="_new">www.epicenterconference.com</a> I highly recommend it, as I believe the messages are God's message for the days we're living in.<br><br>
We appreciate your love and for standing with us so faithfully.<br><br>
In Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306712011-04-06T03:25:00-06:002017-02-01T12:31:22-07:00April 6, 2011<div style="text-align: justify;">We just returned from a conference in Southern Germany of Israel supporters. The believers who attended were from different congregations in the area around the conference center. The theme of the conference was "One New Man", and it was organized by Johannes Facius and his team of anointed German Pastors who love the Lord and love Israel. Johannes has been encouraging and supporting the Messianic Body in Israel since the 1970's. The conference was very well attended, and we were privileged to be ministering together with David and Michaela Lazarus, the congregational leaders of the Beit Emmanuel Congregation in Yafo. We pray that there will be eternal fruit from the conference.<br><br>
STAND WITH ISRAEL AND THE MESSIANIC BODY <br><br>
Standing with the Messianic Body in Israel is more important than ever before. The pressure, intimidation and persecution of anti-freedom of religion groups like Yad L'Achim is mounting. In Ashdod there were demonstrations organized against a particular congregation, and the speech against the believers was slanderous and vicious. A very comprehensive report on Yad L'Achim was recently done by Israeli television, and Calev Myers of the Jerusalem Institute of Justice who was one of those interviewed for the report and who has much information about that organization, has posted all three parts of the program on You Tube with English subtitles. It is very important for you who pray for the Messianic Body in Israel to see this and to understand the depth of the paranoia and the hatred of the Name of the true Messiah of Israel, Yeshua, and of the believers here. The name of the report is " Big Brother And The Jew". We were not interviewed, but our case is mentioned in Part Two about 13 minutes into the report.<br><br>
These are the links: <br><br>
Part One: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIPrhXREm3w" target="_new">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIPrhXREm3w</a><br><br>
Part Two: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEPpkzxYYRA" target="_new">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEPpkzxYYRA</a><br><br>
Part Three: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMyblyb3EOY" target="_new"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMyblyb3EOY</a><br><br>
COURT HEARING AND AMI NEWS<br><br>
Concerning the last two hearings in the Jack Teitel case, we were out of the country at the time, but our lawyer attended the last hearing on April 5th which was supposed to be a wrap-up of the testimonies. He said he was sitting in the courtroom and suddenly it was postponed until May 23, 2011 at 2PM. No explanation was given. We continue to believe for the Lord's purposes to be completed in the judicial process.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Meanwhile, many of you have inquired about Ami - well here are some very recent pictures from the last game of the season which Ami's team won by a huge margin. This was the last game that Ami will play with his High School Team. When looking at the pictures, I think of the doctor's words to us that thank God were not fulfilled.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/25847/96d745ee75cb0143b5590cee3527f57aae5083f6/original/AmiOrtiz_411_1.jpg?1377783041" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="526" width="350" />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Ami will never run as fast as he did before. He runs faster!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/25847/7f1f8fd211e24dcce40a5a3398e0012499b3669f/original/AmiOrtiz_411_2.jpg?1377783041" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="583" width="350" /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">He will never jump as high. He jumps even higher!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/25847/c31b8e3af06d144c9db6c70815fd12ecacd01ecc/original/AmiOrtiz_411_3.jpg?1377783041" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="234" width="350" /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br>
It has been a battle, but you have prayed us through. We are eternally grateful, and we tell every group and every audience that we have the chance to share our testimony with, that when the Body prays together in unity, there is no principality or power that can stop those prayers. We have experienced this, and we will never be the same.<br><br>
Acts 4:31-32: 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. 32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.<br><br>
PASSOVER BLESSING <br><br>
Our prayer for you this Passover season is for much Joy, Peace and Love in the Spirit as you gather with your families to celebrate the Lamb of God and the freedom from the bondage of sin that can be found only in Him. <br><br>
Isaiah 53:10: 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.<br><br>
In Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306702011-03-25T06:00:00-06:002011-03-25T06:00:00-06:00March 24, 2011<div style="text-align: justify;">I just received the news by email that the one person killed in the bombing yesterday in Jerusalem was a believer from Scotland who was studying Hebrew here. <br><br>
Here is the email that was sent:<br><br>
The woman who was killed in yesterday's bus bombing was Mary Gardner from the Home for Bible Translators. Mary was from Scotland who spent the past 18 years working alone with a tribe in Togo translating the bible into their language. She so enjoyed being in Israel and relished the company of the other students from all over the world. She was, in fact, on her way to spend the evening with a friend. <br><br>
Here's another message I received:<br><br>
I'm shattered. I just received this news from our branch director in Togo:<br><br>
Our colleague Mary Gardner was killed by a bomb in Israel yesterday. Mary had been studying Hebrew in Jerusalem. Please pray for Mary's family and all who loved her, and pray that God would receive glory even through this tragic event. Further details are not available at this time.<br><br>
Mary was in Israel to study more Hebrew so as to become a consultant for OT. She had worked in Toga and after 18 years had finished the NT and was here to prepare for the OT.<br><br>
Please keep Mary's family and the Home for Bible Translators staff and students in prayer.<br><br>
Blessings,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306692011-03-23T07:52:46-06:002011-03-23T07:52:46-06:00March 23, 2011<div style="text-align: justify;">A bomb hidden in a bag exploded in Jerualem early this afternoon killing one woman and wounding many others, 3 seriously, four moderately and more than 30 lightly injured. The explosion took place next to the central bus station in Jerusalem, directly across the street from the Binyanei Ha'uma conference center . PLEASE PRAY for the family of the woman who died, and for the injured and their families.<br><br>
Here is a link to an article: <a href="http://www.jpost.com/VideoArticles/Video/Article.aspx?id=213442" target="_new">http://www.jpost.com/VideoArticles/Video/Article.aspx?id=213442</a><br><br>
MISSILES FROM GAZA ON SOUTHERN ISRAEL <br><br>
Missiles are continuing to be fired on Southern Israel from the Gaza Strip. This morning, missiles reached as far as Beersheva. The Israeli Air Force is responding. This situation has been ongoing for a few weeks now. Here's a link to an article-<br><br><a href="http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/two-grad-rockets-hit-be-er-sheva-iaf-strikes-gaza-launching-squad-1.351301" target="_new">http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/two-grad-rockets-hit-be-er-sheva-iaf-strikes-gaza-launching-squad-1.351301</a><br><br>
PLEASE PRAY for those living in the South of Israel, for protection against these missile attacks, and for wisdom for Israel's leaders.<br><br>
THANK YOU for standing with Israel.<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306682011-03-21T11:42:26-06:002017-02-01T12:31:21-07:00March 21, 2011<div style="text-align: justify;">Thank you for all those who wrote around Purim to remind us that you were praying for us during this time. The day happened to fall on the Gregorian calendar date that it did 3 years ago when the attack which wounded Ami so critically occurred. I don't know how I did it, but I had arranged for another tour group to visit the same tourist site in Jerusalem that I had arranged on Purim 2008! When I realized that I had done that, I couldn't believe it, and because to cancel would cost us a penalty fee, and because no one but me had any qualms about the strange timing, I left it as it was. However this time I didn't go with them ! Needless to say, the day passed without incident, and once more we were reminded of all of God's promises towards us - especially from Isaiah 54 which was one of the scriptures given to us after the attack -<br><br>
14 In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you. 15 If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to you.<br><b><br>
ATTACK IN ITAMAR </b><br><br>
However, and most of you on this mailing list are aware of this, the Haman spirit was active again this Purim with the attack on the Fogel family from the ultra Orthodox settlement of Itamar, which is close to Ariel. Both parents and three children were viciously murdered by Islamic terrorists. Three children survived the attack, and the country is still reeling from the brutality of the murders. The assailants have not been arrested yet as far as we know. A media gag order has again been placed on all information concerning the case.<br><br>
This togther with events in Japan, and the upheavals taking place in the Arab world, leave many in the Body of Messiah either with question as to where we are in the End Times plan, or with prophetic insights. The verses that resonate in my spirit are from Hebrews 12:25-29,<br><br>
See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not espcape who refused Him who spoke on earth how much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven." Now this, "Yet once more"indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.<br><br>
Therefore, since we are receiving a kngdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God aacceptable with reverenc3e and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.<br><b><br>
ARAD AND HEARINGS</b><br><br>
On another battle front, the demonstrations and persecution in Arad continue against the Messianic Body there. There is a yearly demonstration outside the house of a single mother in Arad who not only has raised her three children to be good citizens of Israel, but takes in foster children from Messianic families who are in distress for whatever circumstances or reasons. She does this through the agency of Social Services in Arad. Here is a report done by Channel One in Israel - it is actually pretty favorable towards the believers. Please pray for the Body of Messiah in Arad. Before this demonstration, many prayed and fasted and the original date was actually postponed. The fact that many non-Messianic neighbors organized a counter-demonstration is truly a miracle. Please watch this video report, it is very interesting.<br><a href="http://%20https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnR6DYmHdOI" target="_new"><br>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnR6DYmHdOI</a><br><br>
The next two hearings to determine Jack Teitel's mental ability to stand trial are coming up on March 30th and April 5th. David and I will actually be in Germany at an Israel conference during that time, but our lawyer will attend the April hearing which he said is supposed to be the last one. A decision will probably be made at a later date. Teitel's lawyers have already stated that if the judges determine that he is mentally fit to stand trial, they will appeal to a higher court. We appreciate your continued prayer in this matter!<br><br>
Many blessings from Zion,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306572011-02-17T05:48:42-07:002011-02-17T05:48:42-07:00February 17, 2011Shalom! I wanted to thank all of you who were praying for the hearing which took place on February 15th, in the case of the State of Israel against Yakov "Jack" Teitel. I wrote already that we were not present, and will not be present at all further hearings until we ourselves testify, in the event that there will be a trial. The hearings on the mental fitness of Teitel to stand trial are continuing. Our lawyer, Yossi Graiver, who was also not present at the hearing, was finally able to contact the State Prosecutor whose name is Sagi Ophir. <br><br>
YOSSI WROTE: <br><br>
"Here is the summation of the Feb. 15th hearing according to Attorney Sagi Ophir, who is the District Attorney Prosecutor. The testimonies heard by the District Court were as follows:<br><br>
The District Psychiatrist who has concluded that Teitel is not mentally fit to stand trial, and Teitel's mother and wife. <br><br>
Teitel's mother and wife raised claims that were not mentioned in the investigation that hinted that his mental state was not according to the norm all of his life. Because these claims were not initially presented as such in the investigation, their present claims were contradictory. The District Psychiatrist was questioned extensively by the defence for six hours, and also by the judges. The prosecutor said it was very intensive. Two more hearings were set that will convene on March 30, 2011 at 10:30 and on April 4, 2011 at 9:00."<br><br>
JUSTICE<br><br>
It is clear to me that sometimes justice is not the point in the courtroom, but rather who is more skilled in handling the law. No tactic is too outrageous to be used, and we've been assured of one thing by lawyers, that these hearings will take time, and drag on for quite a while. And if a trial will take place, then every point will be a knock down, dragged out fight.<br><br>
It is probably a good thing that we aren't in court right now, as spiritually, emotionally and even physically it is intense, and I think that we are being spared the aggravation for the time being. The first hearing lasted for over 9 hours, and this second one for more than 6.<br><br>
Psalm 9:4-7 is appropriate at this point, I believe.<br><br>
4 For You have maintained my right and my cause;<br>
You sat on the throne judging in righteousness.<br>
5 You have rebuked the nations,<br>
You have destroyed the wicked; <br>
You have blotted out their name forever and ever. <br><br>
6 O enemy, destructions are finished forever!<br>
And you have destroyed cities; <br>
Even their memory has perished.<br>
7 But the LORD shall endure forever;<br>
He has prepared His throne for judgment.<br>
8He shall judge the world in righteousness,<br>
And He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness. <br><br>
9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed,<br>
A refuge in times of trouble.<br>
10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;<br>
For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.<br><br>
Shabbat Shalom,<br><br>
Leah<br>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306672011-02-06T13:34:55-07:002011-02-06T13:34:55-07:00February 6, 2011<div style="text-align: justify;">On Thursday, February 3rd the hearing we were all waiting and praying for, of the State of Israel against Jack Teitel, did take place. The proceedings started at 9AM sharp which in itself was highly unusual. This past year, even though we always have to report to court at 9AM, there are usually a few cases being heard before us, and so the proceedings have always started an hour or so later. However, we were the only case being heard on Thursday, and it was a momentous day.<br><br>
PSYCHIATRISTS' TESTIMONIES<br><br>
Three psychiatrists were testifying for the prosecution, meaning, there were three court appointed professionals who, after assessing Jack Teitel's mental state for several months, came to the conclusion that he is mentally fit to stand trial. We arrived at court with three of our sons, Ami, Natan and Elad. When Jack Teitel was escorted into the courtroom, he looked around for his friends and/or family, none of whom had arrived. Only two friends arrived later, but his family was not present. When he saw Ami, he looked shocked and looked at him up and down as if he was seeing a wonder in front of his eyes. When the proceedings began, much to our surprise, the prosecution asked the judges to dismiss our family from the courtroom as we are also witnesses, and therefore,until we testify we cannot hear the testimony of other witnesses!! We didn't know that! The reasoning is that the testimony of others could affect our testimony, and influence our memories of the incident, and so could cause our testimonies to be considered null and void. And so for the rest of the day, we sat in the large room where the media congregates to interview defendants. Throughout the day our lawyer, Yossi, and friends who had come to support us, Moran Rosenblitt of Hope for Israel ministry, Chaim Goldberg from Maoz ministries, and Howard Bass, the Pastor of Nachalat Yeshua from Beersheva, came out to update us periodically on what was going on. They also sent us text messages from inside.<br><br>
The first psychiatrist was sworn in, and he proceeded to give his testimony. Jack Teitel has two court appointed defence attorneys, and they are extremely experienced and very crafty. They had done their homework well, and they grilled the witnesses unrelentingly. They found every loophole in the Psychiatrist's reports, and every word that they said that wasn't mentioned in the report was used to try to raise reasonable doubt in the judges mind as to the validity of the their reports and findings. The first witness was grilled by the defence for five hours! The reason that the judges allowed it to go on for so long was because , as our lawyer explained, they have to deal with the sanity issue very carefully as if it isn't fully resolved and proven, it can be raised again at essential points in the trial. Also, because Teitel has fully confessed to all his indictments, and has done re-enactments, insanity is his only defence. <br><br>
The judges seemed inclined, it appeared to our lawyer and friends, to believe the psychiatrists reports, even though the defence was trying to poke holes in the validity of their assessments. Everyone agreed that it was gruelling and even nerve racking to sit in the courtroom, but several very important facts came out during the psychiatrist's testimony. It was stated very clearly that Teitel talked about his working association with Yad L'Achim, the anti-Messianic organization that targets Messianic believers and congregations and harasses and persecutes them. This came out because the psychiatrists were proving that Teitel was capable of having normal working and personal relationships with other people. He is also married and has four children. It was also revealed that Teitel received orders from someone, but he didn't reveal from whom. This was in addition to and separate from his claim that he also received orders from God to carry out his crimes.<br><br>
Unfortunately, the State Prosecutor acting for the State of Israel who has given this case, is in comparison, young, inexperienced and very nervous before the judges, but more on that later.<br><br>
CONFRONTATION<br><br>
Several notable things happened in the long hours we were there sitting outside the courtroom.<br><br>
There were several recesses during the long hours, when Teitel was taken out of the courtroom and then returned, hands and feet shackled, and surrounded by guards. We were forewarned not to approach him or talk to him. When he would come out, we would go near to the door of the courtroom, and Ami would sit on a barrier which is used to keep the media separated from the prisoners, which is in itself pretty high. When he sat on it, his head nearly touched the ceiling, and from that perch and vantage point, he watched Teitel. Ami remained very calm, and took seeing Teitel for the first time in person very well. He said that he felt OK, and it didn't seem to throw him off his equilibrium to see his attacker.<br><br>
At one point, David and I were being interviewed by Chaim and John his cameraman in the hallway about 10 feet from the door of the courtroom. You can see the actual location of where we were standing in this video blog that Chaim did on Thursday:<br><br><a href="http://maozisraelblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/video-blog-from-jack-teitel-hearing.html" target="_new">http://maozisraelblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/video-blog-from-jack-teitel-hearing.html</a><br><br>
Suddenly, a recess was called, and Teitel and the guards came out, and proceeded to walk in our direction. I looked at him directly in his face, and for the first time he made eye contact with me. His eyes searched my face for my reaction to him. I just looked at him, and he saw no hate in my face, because I refuse to hate, even though my poor son has suffered and continues to suffer from his hatred and violence. He looked at David the same way, searching his face for a reaction. Then Chaim called out to him, "How did it feel to see Ami Ortiz in Court today?" Chaim said that Teitel turned around and looked at him with a demonic look that chilled him to the bone. He said he had never experienced anything like that stare before.<br><br>
NEXT HEARING<br><br>
By 4:30PM there was no reason for us to remain outside the court, and so we agreed with all that we should go home at that point. Our lawyer and Moran stayed until the hearing ended at 6:30 or 7PM! When court finally did adjourn, a new date was set for February 15th, 2011. We found out that Teitel had 13 psychiatrists that had been hired privately that had also tested his mental state and some of them will be testifying. Our lawyer brought up a good point. Who is paying for this? No one seems to know where the funding is coming from for the thorough and excellent defence that Teitel is receiving. It is enormously expensive to bring in that large number of psychiatrists, and this raises question marks as to the security service's insistence that he was a lone wolf acting completely solo.<br><br>
On February 15thTeitel's mother and wife will also be testifying for the prosecution in order to disprove his lawyers claim that he has been insane all his life. We don't think the prosecution is using wisdom in this move, but again, something interesting happened as a result. On our way home, as David and I were discussing the hearing, and in particular the State's prosecutor, David said that he felt complete peace. He said that he received from the Lord that it didn't matter who the lawyers were, and if they were effective or non-effective, he had complete assurance and peace that it was all in the Lord's hands, and under His authority.<br><br>
When we arrived home, our lawyer called us. He is an Orthodox Jew, and as we were talking, he told me, "You know, I'm a religious Jew, and I pray, and I believe that the Lord has given me several signs that He is looking at this trial, and it's under His control. I am not worried about the prosecutor." I told him that David felt the same way, exactly.<br><br>
So what can we say? Again, Romans 8 is the word that applies<br><br>
"if God is for us, who can be against us?" He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Messiah Yeshua who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.<br><br>
This is all the assurance that we need.<br><br>
Thanks to all who have written to encourage us, and thank you for your prayers! This battle will be won on our knees.<br><br>
In Him,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306662011-02-02T06:00:00-07:002011-02-02T06:00:00-07:00February 2, 2011<div style="text-align: justify;">Here is a video prayer request from David concerning the hearing tomorrow. <br><br>
The video link is: <a target="_new" href="http://vimeo.com/19478298">http://vimeo.com/19478298</a><br><br>
We've had so many postponements and cancellations of hearings that if progress is made tomorrow, it will be a pleasant surprise. The upheaval that's happening in the Middle East, and the violent demonstrations currently taking place in Egypt are dominating the news at this time, and so the timing is interesting. I will try to update you as soon as I can after the hearing. Thank you for praying - we have heard from many of you, and we are grateful for each one who holds us in their hearts and lifts us up before the Throne.<br><br>
In Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>
<br><br><br>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306652011-01-27T09:41:14-07:002011-01-27T09:41:14-07:00Januay 27, 2011<div style="text-align: justify;">Many of you have prayed for Kay Wilson, the believer who was attacked and severely wounded while hiking with her friend Christine Luken near Beit Shemesh one month ago. Thankfully, the perpetrators were captured along with the terror cell they belonged to. Please continue to pray for Kay as she is suffering from flashbacks. We know what that is all about, as I personally had flashbacks for over a year after the bombing in our house, and I wasn't even the one wounded. Trauma takes time to heal, and the first four or five months are the hardest.<br><br>
Kay is acknowledged and hailed as a hero as well in this article, as she provided the police with the DNA evidence for the final breakthrough in the case.<br><br>
Thank you for praying and standing with the Body of Messiah in Israel.<br><br>
In Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah<br><b><br>
13 arrested in terror cell behind US hiker's murder</b><br><br>
By MELANIE LIDMAN AND YAAKOV KATZ <br>
01/26/2011 12:03 <br><br><b>4 Palestinians indicted for death of Kristine Luken; men part of terror cell responsible for series of murders, violence since 2009.<br></b><br>
Four Palestinians from villages near Hebron were indicted on Wednesday for murdering an American tourist in December in a forest near Beit Shemesh, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and Jerusalem Police revealed on Wednesday. The suspects are central members of an independent terror cell in the West Bank that was responsible for two murders, two attempted murders, and at least one rape, as well as other incidents of theft and violence dating to as early as the summer of 2009.<br><br>
Thirteen men were arrested in connection with the terror cell following a month-long joint investigation between the Shin Bet, border police, special army units, and police, it was announced on Wednesday.<br><br>
Police were aware of the terror cell operating in the area for the past six months, but were only able to arrest the central members after a murder and stabbing attack in the Mata area in late December, when American Kristine Luken was killed and her hiking partner Kay Wilson seriously injured. Wilson survived the attack by playing dead, despite being stabbed 12 times and suffering from multiple broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a broken sternum.<br><br>
She was able to provide accurate descriptions of the attackers, which she shared with investigators in between multiple surgeries at Haddassah Ein Kerem hospital in the hours after the attack. Wilson's testimony allowed the police to arrest the two main suspects, Ayad Fasafa and Kafeh Animat, less than 48 hours after the December 18 attack, said Jerusalem District Commissioner Aharon Franco.<br><br>
The suspects were arrested on December 21 in a joint IDF-Shin Bet operation and during their interrogation immediately confessed to perpetrating the attack and reenacted it in the field. During their interrogation, one of the suspects, Kafah Animat, confessed to another murder last February of Neta Shorek Blatt, a Zichron Yaakov resident whose body was found next to a mosque in Beit Jamal on February 24. Police never concluded their investigation into the death of 56-year-old Blatt, though initially they were suspicious that her death was a suicide.<br><br>
The terror cell was also behind an attempted murder attack on an Ethiopian couple, also in the forest around Beit Shemesh, on February 20, 2010, which they said was in retaliation for the Mahbouh assassination in Dubai at the end of January. Police said that the ensuing attacks were not in retaliation for specific events, but they were sure that the attacks were nationalistically motivated because all of the victims were Jewish or perceived to be Jewish. They were not believed to have been affiliated with an organized terrorist group.<br><br>
The men are also charged with at least one rape and one rape attempt from separate incidents, all in the same area. They also were responsible for shooting at an army and police vehicles, breaking into apartments and car theft. <br><br>
Four of the central suspects were indicted on Wednesday, and police are in the process of bringing indictments against the rest. In addition to the four central suspects, four men were arrested for financially supporting the cell and an additional five were arrested for their peripheral involvement.<br><br>
Wilson was hailed as a hero for providing the investigators with the final breakthrough to identify the suspects. The Shin Bet said that the suspects confessed to planning the murder of Luken just hours prior to the attack. "They decided they wanted to kill someone that day," a Shin Bet source said.<br><br>
During the struggle, Wilson succeeded in stabbing one of the suspects in the arm with a small pocketknife she carried with her as a tour guide. This enabled the Shin Bet to identify one of the suspects, who was imprisoned in the past in Israel, to Luken's murder through DNA samples that were found at the scene.<br><br>
Shin Bet sources said that the suspects succeeded in entering Israel through gaps in the security barrier near the settlement of Beitar Illit south of Jerusalem. Police have identified the area between Hebron and Beit Shemesh as an especially porous part of the border between the West Bank and Israel, where many Palestinians are able to illegally enter Israel in order to get to their jobs around Beit Shemesh. Police said that the Army's Kfir unit, the border police, and police stationed in the Beit Shemesh area had stepped up patrols to try to combat violence and illegal activity in the area.</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306492011-01-24T04:38:51-07:002011-01-24T04:38:51-07:00January 24, 2011<div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday we received "breaking news" after several weeks of silence concerning Jack Teitel and the trial. One of the reasons for this was a month-long strike by the State Prosecutors. Then all of a sudden, articles appeared yesterday in the Israeli media and on the internet claiming that Teitel's mental state is deteriorating and that he is "battling demons". The articles claimed that he lightly injured himself throwing a pot at a mirror where he saw a demon, among other incidents, and that he is not receiving the psychological help that he needs in prison. His lawyer is quoted as saying that the prison authorities are trying to cover up the situation until a hearing will take place to determine his psychological ability to stand trial. The strange thing was, that the name of the lawyer used in the article was Teitel's first lawyer who quit a long time ago, and we were surprised that no one from the media had called us, our lawyer or the Prosecutor for a reaction to this news.<br><br>
SURPRISING TURN OF EVENTS <br><br>
We got in touch with our lawyer, and he then called the State Prosecutor, who told him that the whole report was fabricated, and nothing of the sort is going on with Teitel. He said that the lawyer "quoted" in the article is not his lawyer, and that he has the samea state appointed defense attorney that he had before. He said that a new hearing is called for February 3rd, which, by the way, is Ami's 18th birthday. Our lawyer told us that we are fighting a psychological war with a powerful enemy. We know it is also a spiritual war against a powerful spiritual stronghold. However, we are never discouraged, because if God is for us, who can be against us?<br><br>
However, we are astounded by this latest news! Apparently someone leaked this false report to the media hoping to get some kind of response from the public.<br><br>
Please pray for February 3rd, that the hearing will indeed take place, and that progress will be made. Please pray for truth to prevail. Pray for all concerned in this trial process, for our lawyer, the Prosecutor and also for the defence and Jack Teitel. Pray for redemption to come forth in Israel as a result of this trial. <br><br>
AMI NEWS<br><br>
Other than that, we are doing well. Ami is feeling well and getting taller if that is possible! He does still have some residual pain in his left hand, ringing in his ears and an unpleasant popping in his right ear when he hears a loud noise, but he never complains. Ami lives with at least 100 shards of metal and glass still lodged in his body and eyes, scars from his neck down to his feet, and the loss of parts of 3 toes. We still pray for complete restoration physically, but we can honestly say that in his mind, heart and spirit he is totally healed, and it is a wonder. To know him is to feel the miracle shining through his life, and it is hard to explain in words. Everyone who comes in contact with him can sense that there is something different emanating from his life, and the deep inner sweetness that has come from going through the fire and coming out on the other side inspires everyone in our family and everyone with whom he has contact. He is our hero! Please continue to pray for God's will for Ami as school ends. We have a direction that we are taking, but there are many obstacles that need to be overcome if this is what he should do. <br><br>
SOME WORDS FROM ROMANS CHAPTER 8<br><br>
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.<br><br>
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?<br><br>
35 Who shall separate us from the love of The Messiah? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."<br><br>
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Messiah Yeshua our Lord.<br><br>
Thank you for standing with us in prayer.<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306642010-12-22T06:00:00-07:002010-12-22T06:00:00-07:00December 22, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">Happy holiday greetings to all! <br><br>
We want to update you on a very tragic event that happened this past Shabbat, and we appreciate your prayer for this situation. Kristine Luken and Kay Susan Wilson, both believers in the Messiah, were hiking in an area around Beit Shemesh (near Jerusalem) when they were attacked by two men, allegedly Arabs. Both were brutally stabbed, and Kristine was killed. Kay was badly wounded, but played dead until the men left, at which time she was able to walk to a nearby parking lot where she called out for help. She is currently in a hospital in Jerusalem recovering from severe wounds. More on that later.<br><br>
Kristine was an American living in England. She was working for an organization called CMJ which reaches out to Jewish people with the Gospel. Kay is a Jewish Messianic believer, an Israeli citizen and an independent tour guide. She has often worked with Shoresh Tours in Jerusalem who are affiliated with CMJ. Both women are well-known and loved by believers in Israel and outside of Israel. <br><br>
As in our case, the details of the investigation have been put under a media gag order, and more and more questions are arising among believers and non-believers as to what really happened. All we know is that Kay said that she believes that the attackers were Arabs, but some reports say that she said that they spoke Hebrew also. On the Israeli news she said that the attacker gently removed her Star of David, and then stabbed her where it had been on her chest, in the area of her heart, but other news agencies reported that the necklace was ripped off of her neck. The police haven't come out decisively to say whether this was a terror or criminal attack.<br><br>
The attackers have not been apprehended, and now the media is silent on the case. In the Israeli press, when it was discovered that Kristine worked for a "missionary" organization, many reports centered on that other than the brutality of the attack. (read the talkbacks on the below articles). Again, as with our case, the issue of Yeshua and faith in Him sparks scandal and an attempt to hush up and downgrade the seriousness of the crime. <br><br>
In the meantime, Kay is still in hospital. The below was released about her situation by a friend from the tour company, and we would appreciate your prayers for her, and for Kristine's family. We will report further when more information is revealed, God willing.<br><br>
REPORT ON KAY'S CONDITION<br><br>
"I was not at the hospital today, but understand that Kay is in very serious pain. Thank you to everyone who wanted to visit but did not come - Kay needed and continues to need a break from too many visitors (more on this below).<br><br>
There will be a memorial service for Kristine Luken, Kay's friend who was murdered in the attack, at Christ Church in Jerusalem on Thursday 23 December at 16:00. " <br><br>
News Updates:<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=200165">http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=200165</a><br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4001856,00.html">http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4001856,00.html</a><br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40737195/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40737195/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/</a><br><br>
PRAYER REQUESTS<br><br>
1) Surgery to Repair Lacerated Diaphragm<br><br>
Some of the stabs that entered Kay's side cut her diaphragm. She will undergo surgery tomorrow to repair the damage. This is the first time Kay has had surgery.<br><br>
Please pray that the surgery would go smoothly, that trauma to Kay would be minimized, and that full healing will occur.<br><br>
2) Pain Relief<br><br>
Kay is in intense pain, and the pain killers are giving her adequate relief. She is not comfortable in any position. Please pray that the Lord would lift the pain and reduce Kay's suffering.<br><br>
3) Recovery from Trauma<br><br>
The process of recovering from such a severe trauma can be long and involved. Please pray that the Lord would help Kay to really surrender to His healing process and schedule for her, and for the Holy Spirit to minister to her in a powerful and ongoing way.<br><br>
4) Catching the Attackers<br><br>
These men are still on the loose and could hurt others. Please pray that the Lord to help the police to find the attackers quickly, and for them to be brought to justice. Also for God in His great mercy to grant them salvation through faith in Jesus the Messiah.<br><br>
5) Financial Support<br><br>
The police have not yet made an official determination as to if the attack was a criminal or a terrorist attack. If it is determined to be a terrorist attack, the government can provide significant financial support for Kay's recovery process. In either case, she has expenses that will need to be taken care of. Please ask the Lord for ample provision to meet all of Kay's needs, so that she will not have money troubles on top of everything else.<br><br>
TRIAL UPDATE<br><br>
As I reported, the hearing was postponed on December 2nd as Teitel's lawyers (the 3rd set) quit and two other lawyers were appointed. A tentative hearing was set for the 20th, but was also postponed because of an ongoing State Prosecutor's strike. Well, the strike has ended, and so we will see what will happen now! Hallelujah, the Lord is in control. <br><br>
We appreciate being bound together in love with you as the days get darker and more unsure. As we pray one for another in unity, we will see great answers to prayer in 2011, because the promises of God are not subject to any circumstance. The more impossible the situation appears to be, the greater the testimony of the Lord will be. May He continue to be lifted up and glorified in our lives.<br><br>
Luke 18:27 "What is impossible with man is possible with God."<br><br>
Yours in Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah<br><br>
PS. Please check out our website <a href="./home.cfm">www.amiortiz.com</a> which has been totally redesigned by Aviad Cohen, the creator, designer and maintainer of the site. It is beautiful! If any of you need a website designed, or know anyone who does - his website is <a target="_new" href="http://www.acmediaservices.com">www.acmediaservices.com</a>
</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306622010-12-01T08:12:25-07:002010-12-01T08:12:25-07:00December 1, 2010 l Part 2<div style="text-align: justify;">Below is a revealing article. We would not have known that our hearing tomorrow is cancelled if David hadn't felt impressed to look on the internet to see if there were any articles about Jack Teitel before the hearing. He found this!<br><br>
We were involved in the case with the FBI from the very beginning, even before the Shin Bet and the FBI got together. The Shin Bet were supposed to contact the FBI and tell them that American citizens were involved in the attack, but they didn't inform them officially until January 2009 , almost a year later. There are other things that we're not at liberty to say yet, but the Lord has taken that which has been spoken in secret and gradually it is being shouted from the housetops!<br><br>
The State Prosecutor failed to inform our lawyer and ourselves that a hearing was held on Monday instead of tomorrow, and therefore the hearing for tomorrow is cancelled. This is the second time that they failed to inform the victims that the hearing date was changed. Another hearing is supposed to take place in a few weeks.<br><br><a href="http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/fbi-and-shin-bet-began-tracking-jewish-terrorist-year-before-arrest-1.261271?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.225%2C2.226%2C" target="_new">http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/fbi-and-shin-bet-began-tracking-jewish-terrorist-year-before-arrest-1.261271?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.225%2C2.226%2C</a><br><br>
Published 02:23 12.01.10<br><br>
Latest update 04:13 12.01.10<br><br>
FBI and Shin Bet began tracking 'Jewish terrorist' year before arrest<br><br>
Teitel refuses to cooperate with his attorney, saying he does not recognize court's authority.<br><br>
By Chaim Levinson Tags: Israel news Jewish terrorist<br><br>
A year prior to Yakov "Jack" Teitel's arrest, the Shin Bet and the FBI were in close contact as part of an investigation into bombings targeting homosexuals, messianic Christians and left-wing figures, Haaretz has learned.<br><br>
Teitel was arrested on October 7. However, the initial exchanges on the case between the two security services on the case began in October 2008, when a Shin Bet officer, code-named Ariel, contacted the FBI with a request for assistance in the investigation. Eventually, the authorities would come to suspect Teitel as the person behind the bombings.<br><br>
Meanwhile, deliberations were held at the Jerusalem District Court Monday on Teitel's case. Teitel has refused to cooperate with his attorney, saying he does not recognize the court's authority and Monday it appointed two new defense lawyers, who are to respond to the charges against Teitel by next month.<br><br>
The Shin Bet and the police were building a profile of the bomber as avenues of investigation had reached a dead end. One of the conclusions in the investigation was that the bomber probably was an American, which led to the cooperation with the FBI.<br><br>
The Israeli authorities considered translating the pamphlets on how to make explosive devices the bomber had made for dissemination to other intelligence services in the hope of possibly finding a link through their data bases.<br><br>
Haaretz has learned that in May 2009, two FBI agents visited Israel to assist in the Teitel case. The Shin Bet investigators were becoming increasingly convinced Teitel was the prime suspect. The FBI agents shared the information they had on Teitel's activities in the U.S.; he had a police record.<br><br>
Teitel himself told the Shin Bet that in 2000, he fought with his landlord, who threw him out of the apartment. As he fled, Teitel used his car to hit the landlord's dog, and he reportedly carried an unlicensed pistol, fearing trouble with the police. He then fled to Israel.<br><br>
The FBI played a two-fold role. It had information on Teitel but also probed cases involving Americans who have been targets of terrorism. The FBI began investigating such instances in the 1980s with the help of local authorities, and its office in Tel Aviv covers incidents in Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The head of the office met with Lea and David Ortiz, whose son Amiel was badly injured in a Purim package bomb believed to have been sent by Teitel in March 2008.<br><br>
This story is by: Chaim Levinson<br><br>
In Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306612010-12-01T06:10:00-07:002010-12-01T06:10:00-07:00December 1, 2010 l Part 1<div style="text-align: justify;">Every experience in South korea with the wonderful believers there is unique, powerful and encouraging. This trip was no different. We spent only 9 days in Korea, but we were busy morning, noon and night. We were there basically for the debut of our book in Korean, called "From Tragedy to Triumph". It was amazing to see or book in actual book form, 330 pages long. The English version will take a few more months to come out because it is more feasible to print and distribute from the U.S.<br><br>
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE TRIP <br><br>
The plane trip to Korea takes about 11 hours, and the time difference is 7 hours ahead of Israel. However, no time to recover from jet lag when we arrive there because as soon as we touch down, we usually are brought to our first meeting. This time it was in the largest church in Seoul, which has a congregation of 30,000. It is the Yonsei Central Baptist Church. The Senior Pastor, Pastor Yoon greeted us warmly, with a delicious Korean meal. Our good friend Taysir Saada was giving his testimony that night. He is the author of the book, "Once an Arafat Man". Tass, as he is known to all, was a sniper, and an assassin for Yassir Arafat. However, about 15 years ago he had a life-changing experience when he accepted Yeshua into his life to be his Lord and Savior, and his life was completely transformed. His born-again experience immediately led him to a complete change of heart concerning the Jewish people and Israel. As he studied the Bible, he realized that God had given the land of Israel to the Jewish people as an everlasting covenant, and he became a lover of the enemies he had once hated and fought against. His book was also translated into Korean, and he was there for its release as well. <br><br>
Another event that was taking place during out trip was the preview of the new film "Forgiveness" which will be released in the theaters on Dec. 5th. Davidalso participated in this film, appearing in it, and organizing many interviews with several of the ex-Muslims that he led to the Lord. The film is about the reconciliation between Jews and Arabs that can only take place in Yeshua. David was responsible for making the connection between Tass and the film makers, and his testimony plays a major part in the film. The film was previewed in some key places and to the media, and afterward we had a press conference. The interviews appeared in 14 major newspapers in Korea. <br><br>
Back to the largest church in Seoul, on the last day of our trip we shared our testimony there. The church is on an impressive, beautiful building complex with buildings housing t heir own Tv and radio station, Bible school and its own underground parking lot. However that is not what impressed us the most - it was the prayer of this blessed congregation. Every assembly in Korea practices early Morning Prayer, the believers waking up early for prayer at 5AM before they begin their working days. This has led to the exponential growth in the number of believers being added, and the expansion of the Gospel into every area and aspect of Korean life. This assembly has a prayer meeting every night from 7-10 PM. The power of the prayer is hard to describe and must be experienced firsthand, but their prayer sessions begin with a battle cry to the heavens - the leader and prayer warriors cry out in a loud voice - LOOOORRRRDDD! Then everyone begins to pray all at the same time, with a fervor that shakes the heavens, crying and weeping and shouting out their requests to the Lord. We felt the heavens open up, and we felt like we were transported into the throne room of heaven - it was amazing. I lifted up every prayer request I could think of as faith was palpable and you just knew because you knew there would be an answer - we were, after all, standing before the throne of God!!<br><br>
This kind of prevailing prayer takes place all over Korea, in the 50,000 assemblies that exist there. As a result, the President of Korea is a born-again believer, there are many in the government and CEO's of major companies who are believers, and the Gospel is going forth in power. There are a growing number of fellowships who are praying for and standing with Israel as well, and they were the assemblies that we visited. Many of these assemblies have organized into an organization hat pray for and support Israel and Messianic believers however they can. Rev. Samuel Kim who is the founder and president of this Israel fellowship organized our schedule and speaking locations. He showed up for almost every meeting, often running on to his next appointments in his very busy schedule. <br><br>
We were blessed to be staying, along with Tass, in the apartment of Kwon You-Sok and his wife, who have guest rooms in their beautiful apartment in one of the many, many neighborhoods in Seoul. He is the President of a Publishing Company which printed ours and Tass's book, called "Heavenly Word". They are also part of the fellowship that stand with Israel, and he himself teaches about the Biblical importance of the Jewish roots of the faith in many places. They treated us like kings, and are beautiful servants of the Lord.<br><br>
David and I spoke in many assemblies, not only in Seoul this time but in fellowships in the South of the country. We visited the city of Pohang, on the southeastern coast of S. Korea. Pohang is home to the third largest steel mill in the world - Posco Steel. We were so impressed by the factory complex that we saw which has 40,000 employees. We were able to see the steel being flattened and shaped, watching a huge slab of red hot lava-like steel on a huge conveyor belt cooled and flattened and rolled into huge rolls. They have their own harbor where they receive the raw materials, and the infrastructure of the complex is absolutely huge. It's just amazing the intelligence that God has given to man to be able to do these things. We were told that this was the smaller industrial park; there was another that was bigger and employed even more people. The company also has its own university which is a very exclusive school of technology with a ratio of just 8 students to one professor, in which they train and educate the future engineers and technical people. Most of the residents of Pohang work for the company.<br><br>
In the midst of this flourishing industrial city, is a vibrant and growing Body of believers. The fellowship we visited is part of the Israel prayer fellowship, and received us and the testimony of our tragedy which God has turned into triumph with love and encouragement. The pastor, Kim Chan Yoo and his wife hosted us, put us up in an historic hotel in the area, situated in a beautiful park, which was the former Presidential home and in which many celebrities have stayed on their visits to Pohang. We had two meetings and the next day, we toured the city and Posco Industry before boarding the train to return to Seoul. Another day we boarded a train for a 3 hour journey to a Southwestern city of Korea where we spoke at a Bible school, hosted by Prof. Kim Nong Oh and his family. We traveled on trains whose speed was 300 km. per hour, or 180 mph. <br><br>
Other days we journeyed to areas one hour south of Seoul to many different fellowships and assemblies. We were able to speak, share our story, and to be encouraged. Other blessings included a chance to share in the chapel services of a well known University in Seoul, and in one of the most renown Seminaries as well. We also visited the Calvinistic Museum which houses original writings of John Calvin and the history of modern day Christianity. We visited a church in the countryside, pastored by a brother who in his past life was dedicated to Confucianism and violently opposed to the Gospel, to the point of doing physical harm to believers, but who was miraculously saved.<br><br>
However, one of the most impacting events was our visit to a mountaintop Memorial to those who gave their lives for the introduction of the Gospel to Korea. The very first American missionary to Korea was killed for his efforts by the locals, but before his death gave out the first Bibles and planted the first seeds in the hearts of the Korean people. After that, during her long and difficult history, especially when Korea was under Japanese domination, hundreds of men and women were martyred for their faith. They are the foundation of the Body of Messiah in Korea, and we were gripped by the bravery of the men and women who willingly gave their lives for Yeshua.<br><br>
FIREWORKS<br><br>
While we were there North Korea fired 150 missiles onto South Korean territory. This was the second in recent outright attacks on South Korea, the first having been the sinking of a naval ship one month before. Some of the missiles hit an island, killing two soldiers, two civilians and wounding 15. It was a crisis, demanding a response of some kind, but compounded by the fact that the N. Korean leader is a madman with nuclear weapons at his disposal. We could identify with them as Israel is also always on the defensive against our threat from the north, and it was a tense moment. The believers responded calmly and with intensified prayer, and by the next day the situation had momentarily cooled down and talks were held.<br><br>
South Korea needs much prayer in regards to their Northern neighbor. They are after all, brothers, and the division in the country is painful, especially for the families that are forcibly seperated. It is clear that the North Korean government is trying to elicit a military response from the South, and the believers there are praying for wisdom, and direction from God for their government.<br><br>
THANKS <br><br>
We want to extend our thanks to all the Pastors and the Assemblies that we visited; Pastor Choi, Jong-in; Pastor Park, Jae-Nam; Rev. S.K. Chung of the Calvinistic University; Pastor Sooon Wook H ong; Jason Ahn; President of the Presbyterian Colleg and Theological Seminary, Young Ihl Chang.<br><br>
There were also so many who served us tirelessly to make our trip successful. Many thanks to Joseph who was our personal guide and organizer. He was a career officer in the army until August of this year when he retired to go to medical school to become a physician! He kept our schedule updated, organized our traveling times, coordinated with the Pastors and fellowships, carried our books and paraphernalia, and simply accompanied us every step of our journey. He did it all with precise military precision, and we are so grateful that we had the opportunity to meet this servant of the Lord! Many thanks to all of our translators who traveled with us, translating not only our testimony and messages, but every conversation, which meant translation non-stop all day long. And of course thanks to Joanne Lee, the producer of "Restoration" and "Forgiveness" who initiated our visit, had our book published, and has been a blessing in our lives from the moment we met her.<br><br>
The hearing in which it will be decided if Yakov "Jack" Teitel is mentally competent to stand trial will take place this Thursday, Dec. 2nd at 9AM our time. We will write as soon as we are able afterwards, and thank you for your prayers.<br><br>
We would like to urge you to always remember the entire Messianic Body in Israel in your prayers. Concerted efforts are made on the part of non-believing tour leaders and guides, plus those in the Ministry of Tourism who are involved in bringing Christian tourism to Israel, to keep visitors from making contact with the Messianic Body. We would urge you when you come, to arrange for visits to Messianic congregations all over Israel, and to meet with believers, to hear their testimonies and to stand with us in prayer. We need your prayers and encouragement. We are so grateful for those who do make the effort to visit not only the historic stones, but the Living Stones as well.<br><br>
Here is a link to some of the Messianic congregations in Israel if you are not familiar with them:<br><a target="_new" href="http://www.yeshuasharvest.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&Itemid=18"><br>
http://www.yeshuasharvest.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&Itemid=18<br></a> <br>
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT<br><br>
We have a limited amount of copies of t he DVD "Restoration" to distribute. If you are interested, you can write to me personally, please include your mailing address, and I will let you know the details.<br><br>
Thanks again for your love and support in the Messiah,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306602010-11-23T04:38:51-07:002010-11-23T04:38:51-07:00November 23, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">Shalom to all! And happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate the holiday! We are still in Korea, and we were surprised that they celebrate a kind of Thanksgiving here as well, the last Sunday of November. It is not a time of eating turkey, but rather a time just to give thanks to God for all of his goodness. They make a special kind of rice cake, and eat pomegranates and fruits. The Korean believers are very dedicated and many have a deep passion for God. They are highly educated people, but even in their graduate studies, they express that the purpose is to be a servant of the Lord. It is a very interesting and refreshing mindset!<br><br>
Below are three links which are bonus videos of extended interviews taken from the last Maoz video that we sent out. They are of Ami, David and myself individually - thank you Maoz and Chaim Goldberg. We are pressing in in prayer before the next hearing on December 2nd, and appreciate your standing with us more than you could know.<br><a href="http://%20http://vimeo.com/16916524" target="_new"><br>
http://vimeo.com/16916524</a><br><a href="http://%20http://vimeo.com/16956176" target="_new"><br>
http://vimeo.com/16956176</a><br><br><a href="http://vimeo.com/16957889" target="_new">http://vimeo.com/16957889</a><br><br>
You can copy and paste or go straight to: <a href="http://vimeo.com/maozisrael" target="_new">http://vimeo.com/maozisrael</a>
</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/305862010-11-21T06:00:00-07:002010-11-21T06:00:00-07:00Noveber 21, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">We're still in Korea, but we wanted to send this small note, with the below website. It is the new and full 2010 State Department report, which Calev Myers of the Jerusalem Institute of Justice just published on his website.<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://jerusaleminstituteofjustice.cmail1.com/T/ViewEmail/r/53C5ACF013A05FE1">http://jerusaleminstituteofjustice.cmail1.com/T/ViewEmail/r/53C5ACF013A05FE1</a><br><br>
He includes the actual document from the State Department which reports on the persecution of Messianic Jews and which states unequivocally that Jack Teitel was working for Y'ad L'achim, the anti-Messianic organization. It also draws conclusive ties between that organization and the government office of the Ministry of Interior in Israel.<br><br>
Calev Myers and his team of lawyers have been involved and continue to protect the civil liberties of all the people of Israel no matter what their ethnic background or religious persuasion.<br><br>
In Him,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306132010-11-16T15:22:30-07:002010-11-16T15:22:30-07:00November 16, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">We are dashing off to catch a plane, but just received this link to an amazing video that was done by our wonderful friend, Chaim Goldberg. Chaim, who in the U.S. was a former news producer for NBC, is in charge of the media department at Maoz, a Messianic ministry in Tel Aviv. He just finished this video and it is powerful! It is a report about the upcoming hearing that we are facing, and the state of injustice that Messianic Jews are facing in our nation.<br><br>
Many influential people and politicians in Israel and countries around the world, believers and non believers, are very concerned about the trial of Jack Teitel and are voicing concern that justice should prevail in a Democratic nation like ours. Please watch this video and pass it on - asking people to pray and lift up our next hearing, the Messianic believers in Israel, and the Israeli people and nation at this time of history.<br><br>
Video Link: <a href="http://vimeo.com/16881761" target="_new">http://vimeo.com/16881761</a><br><br>
In the Messiah,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306202010-11-14T05:05:00-07:002017-02-01T12:31:09-07:00November 14, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">A second movie is now ready to be released in Korea on Nov. 17th, made by the same film company who produced "Restoration" . The new movie is called "Forgiveness" and centers on Muslims who have become believers in the Messiah, their resulting change of attitude toward the Jewish people and Israel, and the persecution they endure for becoming followers of Yeshua. Again, David was instrumental in helping the film crew to organize interviews and scenes in the movie, and appears in several scenes of the new movie as well. They have put a new trailer on You Tube, and it is powerful! Here is the link-<br><br><a target="_new" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cISi_3hdTI">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cISi_3hdTI</a><br><br>
and just to describe what you will be seeing, because even though some of the interviews are in English, subtitles are in Korean for the narration and those speaking Arabic and Hebrew. <br><br>
SCENE DESCRIPTIONS<br><br>
The trailer opens with the scene of a Palestinian protest against a security fence being set up, and the ensuing confrontation against Israeli soldiers. This is the Korean's on location footage, not taken from the news. You will notice that there are many non-Palestinians involved who come to Israel to support Palestinian causes and to disregard and to try to overrule Israeli authority.<br><br>
After an interview in English, the next scene is an interview with a Palestinian (wearing a Kafia). He is declaring that the Jews have no place in the land, and that they should leave.<br><br>
The next scene shows foreign journalists right in the middle of the action. The shooting and explosions you hear are from rubber bullets and tear gas being fired.<br><br>
Next you will see part of an interview taken of Taysir Abu Saada, wearing a red and white striped shirt, who in his past was a sniper for the PLO and Yasser Arafat. He had a miraculous conversion to Yeshua the Messiah and wrote a book called "Once an Arafat Man" which we highly recommend. (If any are interested, you can order it on Amazon.com) It is being distributed all around the world in many languages. You can see an extended interview with Tass on line using this link: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6DqUlrzGcc&playnext=1&list=PL487632C13214A6DD&index=20" target="_new">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6DqUlrzGcc&playnext=1&list=PL487632C13214A6DD&index=20</a><br><br>
The next scene of the trailer shows an interview with Justus Weiner, from the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, which is a prestigious think tank in Jerusalem, and the base for many studies that are published by scholars such as Justus, defending Israel, her policies and in Justus case among many other studies that he's published, the plight of ex-Muslim and Arab Christians living under Palestinian Authority rule. Justus documented very well the arrest and torture of many ex-Muslims by the PA, whose only crime was leaving Islam for faith in Yeshua. Achmed, whom he is talking about, was a part of our group of ex-Muslim believers in Samaria. He was murdered for his faith in his village by a terror organization.<br><br>
In the next scene you will see David on Mt. Gerizim (Gen. 11:29 and 27:14; Joshua 8;33 John 4;20-24 ) in Samaria which overlooks the city of Schechem, one of the first cities Abraham came to when he came into the land. The scene shows a meeting of the underground church of ex-Muslims. When the leader of the group saw the cameras and the film crew, he was frightened, but David told him that these were friends and they could be trusted. You see David telling him to gather the other believers back because they had run away when they saw the cameras.<br><br>
The next scene is a re-enactment of the murder of Rami Ayyad in Gaza. His wife is narrating and relating how her husband was killed for evangelizing Muslims. David met Rami several times before his death. The next scene shows his funeral. You can see and read excellent reports on Rami's murder on the links below: (Hebrews 11:36-38)<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ6--Ji_EHs&playnext=1&list=PL10D202507A0EBBEC&index=8" target="_new"><br>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ6--Ji_EHs&playnext=1&list=PL10D202507A0EBBEC&index=8</a><br><a href="http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2007/October/Gaza-Bible-Society-Worker-Murdered/" target="_new"><br>
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2007/October/Gaza-Bible-Society-Worker-Murdered/</a><br><br>
In the next scene is another underground meeting of ex-Muslim believers somewhere in the West Bank. Their faces have to be blurred for their safety.<br><br>
The scene of the olive grove with rocks in a circle is one of the underground churches where David meets with the ex-Muslim believers in our area.<br><br>
The team that comes to Israel every year with the Waller family to serve Israel's farmers are shown next in the trailer.<br><br>
In the next scene the man holding the camera is the film's director, Bradley Kim. When the protest became violent, and tear gas had to be used you see the film crew covering their faces with cloths.<br><br>
The next interview features Naim Khoury who is the Pastor of a Church in Bethlehem. He was shot three times by Muslim extremists for being evangelistic. We know the man personally, and have witnessed a huge transformation in his spiritual life over the years.<br><br>
The next interview is of a brother from the Bethlehem area. He is from an Arab Christian family. During the first intifada, (1987-1993) it was and still is today, the practice of radical Muslims to go in between the Christian houses in Christian neighborhoods, and to attack Israeli soldiers from among the Christian homes. Then the ones that had carried out the attacks (rocks, firebombs, etc) would run away from the house leaving the soldiers to think that the Christians were the ones who carried out the attacks. That was unfortunately the case with this brother, a truly born-again believer, and he was mistakenly identified as a terrorist by the army and was beaten. He gives his testimony, and talks about the fact that he forgave the soldiers.<br><br>
The next interview is with Alex Awad, a Pastor in Bethlehem that had to overcome much bitterness.<br><br>
An interview follows with a Palestinian sister, who is a good friend of ours. She has a tremendous, testimony of forgiveness for the Jewish people and is the mother of the one who was mistakenly identified as a terrorist. When the family tried to come to their son's rescue, they were beaten as well, but they had a supernatural revelation of forgiveness. The sister had an encounter with an angel who ministered the message of forgiveness to her.<br><br>
The foot washing scene is between Jews and Arabs, believers in Yeshua, coming together to wash each other's feet and to stand together as One New Man.<br><br>
As you will be able to see, the last scene is very unique. Usually the walls in Arab villages are covered with graffiti expressing political messages of hate. The Koreans uniquely used the same wall for the title of the movie - Forgiveness.<br><br>
Once again, we thank the Producer Joanne Lee, the director Bradley Kim and their crew, for putting themselves into the midst of the fire to tell the real story of faith in the Holy Land. <br><br>
TRIP TO KOREA<br><br>
We will be travelling to Korea this week for the opening of the movie, and for the release of our book which is being published in Korean. <br><br>
Our book tells the story of our lives before coming to faith, our salvation experiences, people who were influential in our lives, our decision to move to Israel and many experiences that led up to and include the attack on our home in 2008. <br><br>
Praise the Lord, we have found people to stay in our house for the time we will be gone, for security reasons.<br><br>
When we return from Korea, we will be facing the hearing to determine whether Jack Teitel is mentally competent to stand trial. We thank God for the many of you who have written to Israeli government officials, pressing for justice in the case, and for the many who have expressed that you are praying for the hearing. We are very grateful. <br><br>
IMPORTANT ARTICLE <br><br>
For those who are interested in keeping up with what is taking place on the ground here, please read this important report from Maoz, a Messianic organization in Tel Aviv. It is related to Howard Bass and the trial that happened in Beer Sheva, and brings to light what had been hidden under a cover of lies and deception by those opposed to Messianic activity in that city. The Chief Rabbi of Beer Sheva (a government appointed official) reveals for the first time the elite unit that has been put together by him and Yad L'achim (anti-Messianic group) to harass, (to put it mildly) and try to stop those who believe in Yeshua. Here is the link:<br><br><a href="http://maozisraelblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/persecution-in-his-own-words.html" target="_new">http://maozisraelblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/persecution-in-his-own-words.html<br></a><br>
For those who are Hebrew speakers, here is the link from the Hebrew newspaper called Y-Net:<br><a href="http://www.mynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3979543,00.html" target="_new">http://www.mynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3979543,00.html</a><br><br>
If you can't get on through the link - you can Google it by the name of the article:<br><br>
מיסיונרים בעיר? הרב הראשי יקיים סיירת נגד<br><br>
Blessings in Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306312010-11-07T08:20:00-07:002010-11-07T08:20:00-07:00Noember 7, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">DAVID WRITES:<br><br>
The good the bad and the ugly - these are things that the Bible does not hide. The Lord didn't reveal to Moses only the milk and honey, but also the giants in the Land. Isaiah was commanded to walk around naked because the Lord wanted Israel to see the naked truth, even for her own good. ( Isaiah 20).<br><br>
The Bible says in Proverbs 27:6<br><br>
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. <br><br>
As we share the documents below, and these details, we just want to set the record straight. If anyone would have experience in this matter it would be Paul the Apostle who gave himself completely in the beginning to destroy those who believed in Yeshua. Then after meeting the Lord Himself, he was transformed into one of the greatest Ambassadors for Yeshua that the world has ever seen. It was with a very heavy heart that he said, in Romans 11:25-29<br><br>
25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters] so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to the Messiah. 26 And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say,<br><br>
"The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness. 27 And this is my covenant with them, that I will take away their sins." 28 Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 29 For God's gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.<br><br>
There was once a preacher working for a local assembly that was always talking about hell. At the end the congregants and the board dismissed him because he talked about it so much. He was replaced by another man that the people really began to love. Someone asked one of the members of the congregation, "How do you like your new minister?" He said, "We love him, he's fantastic". The person said, "Well I'm sure he doesn't speak about hell all the time like the other guy". The member said, "quite the contrary, he speaks about it more than the former preacher." There was a puzzled look on the face of the one asking the question. The member continued, "The difference between this minister and the other one is that when the first man spoke about hell, it was as if he was almost glad that people were going down in judgement. When this minister talks about hell, he intercedes and cries for those going in that direction". <br><br>
Yeshua came to save and seek those who are lost. <br><br>
We also gather together with the Body of Messiah to cry out for the people of Israel with one voice, that they might be saved. Even though His people for the most part have rejected the Messiah Yeshua, He is still madly in love with them. <br><br>
There has been very violent persecution of Messianic Believers in Israel, but those who carry out these crimes are the minority among Orthodox Jews and not the majority. We thank God for those among the Jewish Orthodox community who have not only raised their voices to condemn these acts of violence against Messianic Israeli citizens, but have also defended our right of freedom of speech and worship under democratic law. Many continue to make contact with us, comfort us, and stand with us against the violence that was perpetrated.<br><br>
IMPORTANT DOCUMENT<br><br>
Luke 12; 2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.<br><br>
3Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.<br><br>
Below is A link to an extremely important de-classified document put out by the U.S. State Department from 2008. It was classified, and scheduled to be de-classified only in 2013! However, a Jewish believer in the U.S. requested documents related to Yad L'Achim's activities against believers in Israelunder the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and after much effort got it de-classified. The link leads you to the Israel Watcher newsletter which is put out by Donna Diorio, who serves the Messianic Body in Israel in many ways - by raising prayer for the ministries in Israel, and for keeping the truth about the persecution of the Israeli Body before the believers all over the world. Donna is a powerhouse for the Lord, and if you want to know what is happening on the ground spiritually in individual ministries in Israel, subscribe to her newsletter! She posted the State Department document on her website, and here is the link:<br><a href="http://israelwatcherasecondopinion.blogspot.com/2010/10/newly-de-classified-report-by-us.html" target="_new"><br>
http://israelwatcherasecondopinion.blogspot.com/2010/10/newly-de-classified-report-by-us.html</a><br><br>
Also, I recommend that you check out Donna's website at: <a href="http://www.israelprayer.com" target="_new">http://www.israelprayer.com</a> She has been an invaluable help to us personally throughout our ordeal, and continues to walk beside us and the Body of Messiah in Israel on a daily basis.<br><br>
C&MA MEETING<br><br>
LEAH WRITES:<br><br>
We had a blessed prayer meeting last night in the C&MA facility whose two lower floors were burned by arsonists last week. At least 150 people attended from all over the country, Jews, Arabs and International believers. Roger Elbel, the Director of the CMA work in Jerusalem, expressed his overwhelming thanks for all who did arrive, and all who have called and emailed, expressing their sorrow over the event and their willingness to help in whatever way needed to restore what was damaged.<br><br>
Roger led the meeting beautifully. The pain of the attack was evident, but the comfort of the Lord could be sensed and seen both in him and Jack Sara who stood with him and led the praise and worship. First and foremost, there was thanksgiving and praise for the great miracle that no one was killed from fire or smoke inhalation. Truly the hand of the Lord was seen in many tangible ways, making a way of escape for all who were in the building at the time. Roger explained that a person could die of smoke inhalation within 5 minutes, but all were able to make it to safety despite the fact that the building was filled with blinding, choking smoke. By a miracle, the smoke hung about two feet above the floor creating a tunnel of air that the volunteers could crawl along to safety. Although they couldn't see one another, they were all able to crawl to an exit and get out of the building. If it wasn't for that, our meeting could have been quite different, a memorial service with bodies being shipped back to the U.S. and Denmark.<br><br>
Prayer was lifted up, and as one after the other rose to pray and express their hearts, there was a sweet and powerful presence of the Holy Spirit. Many of us were able to express what God had done for us in cases of persecution, and how the prayer and expressions of support from our brothers and sisters in Messiah had helped to carry us through.<br><br>
THE INVESTIGATION<br><br>
The initial investigation which took place while the fire was still smoldering showed that it was definitely the result of arson. One of the people who was in the building was working on his laptop an hour before the fire broke out, and reported that he heard scraping and pounding, but he thought it was just construction work, as he is a tourist and doesn't know what is normal and not normal in Jerusalem at night! However, the police and fire department are now trying to back track and blame the fire on other causes. This is disturbing, and reminds us exactly of what happened in our case, which is a ploy to not have to investigate the incident as crimes of arson and attempted murder, but as an accident. The point is that the security forces don't want to touch the radical ultra-Orthodox anti-missionary groups, and are afraid of their reaction. They certainly are not interested in defending believers in the Messiah, and this has been proven over and over again, not only in our case but in others cases. For instance, in a similar case, no one has ever been arrested for the fires set in the Narkis Street Baptist church in 2007 in 1982, which was officially called arson, plus many other crimes of violence and damage done to believer's and their property. If you want to read about that fire - here is a link: <a href="http://www.haaretz.com/news/j-lem-church-officials-suspect-extremist-jews-behind-arson-1.231832" target="_new">http://www.haaretz.com/news/j-lem-church-officials-suspect-extremist-jews-behind-arson-1.231832</a><br><br>
In this case, the fire department is trying to say that the fire was caused by someone who was smoking in the building, but smoking is strictly forbidden in every part of the building complex. Also the fire started in a room that wasn't being used at all. The authorities are also saying that the fire could be a result of candles being lit for services that take place in the building, relating to the Catholic or Orthodox churches where candles are lit during services. This practice of candle lighting isn't practiced in the meetings that take place in the C&MA! These are nothing more than desperate attempts to close the case.<br><br>
Please pray for truth to prevail, and for the perpetrators to be caught. The lack of justice in cases of religious persecution is and has been spiralling out of control in Israel. We know that the result will be an increase of persecution and violent acts against followers of Yeshua in the Land, and that we need to be as wise as serpents, yet harmless as doves.<br><br>
Matthew 10:16-17<br><br>
Persecutions Are Coming<br><br>
16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.<br><br>
Thank you for keeping all these concerns in your hearts and prayers. <br><br>
In the Messiah,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306342010-11-04T01:45:00-06:002017-02-01T12:31:13-07:00November 4, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">Last Friday a fire broke out in the Jerusalem Alliance church property. It has been declared by the police to be arson. This is the press release the organization released:<br><br><b>The Jerusalem Alliance Church Ministry Center<br><br>
Rev. Jack Sara<br><br>
Spokes person<br><br>
Press Release #1, 1st of November 2010</b><br><br>
On Friday morning at 1:00 AM we reported a fire to the Jerusalem police and fire department, which erupted in our church property on Prophets Street 55 in the center of Jerusalem. The church property is known as the Jerusalem Alliance Church Ministry Center (JACMC). Ten persons were sleeping in the church overnight facilities in the building at the time. Nine persons visiting the Holy Land together as a group were from one of our churches in the USA. One person was from a church in Denmark. Members of this group alerted me to the emergency, and neighbors living next to our church alerted emergency agencies in Jerusalem to come to the scene of the fire. Within 20 minutes emergency and ambulance personnel arrived to fight the fire and evacuate any persons that may have been remaining in our church building.<br><br>
The main location of the fire was discovered to be in 2 lower basement rooms, which we had named Room Number Six and Seven. By 1:20 AM the fire crews with hoses had located this fire and I saw 2 sofas outside the building (and positioned 1.5 meters outside these rooms) being heavily consumed in flames. The flames in Room Number 6 were extinguished, smoke was cleared from Room Number 7, and the remainder of the church building was checked and emergency rescue teams and equipment were removed and departed.<br><br>
All 10 persons had evacuated themselves earlier without serious injury. When the church building had filled with smoke, most of these persons had been awakened from their sleep by the smell of the smoke and quickly went to alert others. After arriving outside, most of them went to the Bikur Cholim Hospital Clinic (located adjacent to our church building on Prophets Street) for medical check-ups and treatment. After receiving timely medical care, especially for smoke inhalation, they were released at 5:00 AM in reasonably good health. Some were still in minor shock and discomfort.<br><br>
The police gave us no clue of who would be the persons behind the fire! The church is located near a very religious Jewish neighborhood.<br><br>
But the Police did confirm for us today that it was arson.<br><br>
This church building was erected by Christian and Missionary Alliance church since the start of the 20th century, was completed in 1914, mainly used for the serviced of believers who come from different backgrounds. Palestine Bible College was established there , an Arab congregation was established there and it continues to exist till our day and time.<br><br>
After the 1948 was access to Arabs at that section of the city was limited, that why they had to allocate in the Old City of Jerusalem in the Christian Quarter, Al Rusul Street.<br><br>
Since 1967 the building served for many purposes besides being a sanctuary for worship. Hosted several international and local congregations, was used as a pilgrims house for so many years and since the beginning of the second Intifada was used by both the Israel college of the Bible and the Alliance Leadership Training Institute as a training center for leaders among the congregations in the Holy Land.<br><br>
Ultimately we always desired our building to be a beacon of light reflecting God's love to all people. Situated in a city that it's enough divided by hate we seek to be an agent of reconciliation and peace to all parties.<br><br>
We will continue to serve the Holy Land residents from this place, proclaiming peace and justice for all human beings, declaring God's love for all of our neighbors, friends and enemies.<br><br><b>ARTICLE AND COMMENTS </b><br><br>
We were in connection with Howard Bass, the Pastor from Yeshua's Inheritance Congregation in Beersheva, who was with Ellen Elbel, wife of Roger Elbel, from the Christian Alliance. They gave us Jack Sara's telephone number who is authorized by the Christian Alliance to give facts and speak to the media. I spoke to Jack and he said that the Israeli media were slow to respond and so far Ma'ariv is the only Israeli newspaper to report it. Because of this, other media outlets with bad intentions have been picking up the story and using it for other purposes against Israel which is not the Alliance's purpose at all. The police have confirmed that the fire was arson, and Jewish extremists are suspected. <br><br>
If you want to speak to Jack to report on the incident or to encourage him, his number is: 054-474-1290<br>
His email is:<a href="mailto:jack@netvision.net.il"> jack@netvision.net.il</a><br><br><b><br>
This is an article which appeared in the Israeli press:</b><br><br>
Maariv Newspaper - 29/10/2010<br>
SUSPECTED: ORTHODOX JEWS LIT A FIRE IN A CHURCH IN THE CENTER OF JERUSALEM<br><br>
Reported by Yosi Eli<br><br>
Police suspect that the church that caught fire on Friday morning is the result of deliberate arson by the ultra orthodox. Fire fighters that arrived at the location evacuated 12 people that were injured in the fire to get treatment in the hospital. The police are investigating the crime scene.<br><br>
The fire department received a report that smoke was coming out of the church on Niviím street in central Jerusalem.<br>
12 people were evacuated from the burning buildingand 12 fire teams were dispatched to the scene and by the help of a cranethe fire department evacuated people who were trapped in the building. Additional forces found where the fire originated fromand it was on the floor that was used as a hostel for tourists that come to visit. After a while the fire department managed to take control of the fire and stop it from spreading to different sections of the building. The main sanctuary was not damaged.<br>
According to the initial investigation by the Jerusalem district police the fire was started by people belonging to the Ultra Orthodox community in the City. It is noted that in the past the church had received threats that their property would be damaged.<br><br><br>
If you want to view the article in Hebrew - here is the website:<br><a target="_new" href="http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART2/172/394.html">http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART2/172/394.html</a><br><br>
חשד: חרדים הציתו כנסייה במרכז<br><br>
PRAYER MEETING <br><br>
This Saturday evening there will be a prayer meeting at the site of the fire which will hopefully be attended and supported by believers, Jewish and Arab, from all over Israel. We are planning to attend with our congregation as well. Here is the invitation which Pastor Jack sent out.</div>
<br>
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good<br>
لاَ تَدَعِ الشَّرَّ يَغْلِبُكَ، بَلِ اغْلِبِ الشَّرَّ بِالْخَيْرِ<br><br>
אַל תַּנִּיחַ לָרַע לְהִתְגַּבֵּר <br>
עָלֶיךָ, אֶלָּא הִתְגַּבֵּר עַל הָרַע <br>
בַּטּוֹב<br>
(Romans 12:21)<br><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Invitation to a special prayer meeting at the Jerusalem Alliance Church Ministry Center</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br>
Greetings from Jerusalem,<br><br>
You all might have heard of the attack on our ministry center in Jerusalem last Friday, apparently this arson was caused by people who don't like us and don't like what we do here in the Holy Land.<br><br>
The Lord Jesus Christ teaching declared clearly that we ought to love our enemies, PRAY for them, and instead of evil respond with love and kindness.<br><br>
We also want to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, the very thing that our city needs these days, an event like what happened to us and many other incidents of such kind is a reflection of the absence of peace in Jerusalem.<br><br>
A city that so much divided by hate and enmity is in great need for the real peace that only the Prince of Peace Jesus could give.<br><br>
We want to pray for God's marvelous blessing to be poured on this city and all of its residents.<br><br>
Come with us on Saturday night at 7pm for a very unique prayer service at the Jerusalem Alliance Church Ministry Center at the Prophets Street 55 (Neve'im street). The service will be held in Arabic and English with translation into Hebrew.<br><br>
Your presence in this prayer meeting will be highly appreciated.<br><br>
On behalf of the Alliance Church in the Holy Land<br><br>
Rev. Jack Sara<br>
Senior Pastor<br><br>
----<br><br>
Please pray for the believers in Jerusalem who use this property extensively. There are Arab and Messianic congregations who meet in the historic building, and also the Israel School of the Bible is located on the property. Please pray that what the enemy of our souls has meant for evil, will be used for great good and expansion of the ministry in that place.<br><br><b>FILM CLIP</b><br><br>
Aviad Cohen is the web designer who not only designed our website but has been masterfully maintaining and updating it. Recently he took the DVD version of "Restoration" and extracted the excerpts that are about our incident, combining them into a clip. Below are the links on Facebook and YouTube. The clip is in two parts, so be sure to continue on to Part two! <br><br>
"Restoration" is a full Length documentary made by a South Korean Film Company about the plight of Messianic Jews in Israel. It was produced by a very well known believing Producer Joanne Lee (Li I'm-Ju) and directed by Bradley Kim (Kim Jong-cheol). "Restoration" won the grand prize in the <a href="http://www.monacofilmfestival.de/11-0-Awards-2010.html" target="_new">Monaco Film Festival 2010</a> for Best Feature Documentary. Visit <a href="http://www.restorationthemovie.com/" target="_new">www.restorationthemovie.com</a> for more information on this film.<br><br>
If any of you need your web site designed or even redesigned, we highly recommend Aviad. His business website is: <a target="_new" href="http://www.acmediaservices.com">www.acmediaservices.com</a>, and his music web site is <a target="_new" href="http://www.aviadcohen.com">www.aviadcohen.com</a> He is a Jewish believer, a former Jewish Rap music artist, turned Messianic musician, creative genius and technologically very savvy. I think our web site is one of the most comprehensive web sites there is. Aviad has worked tirelessly on it, and brings that kind of work energy to everything he does.<br><br>
The Restoration DVD is still not for sale to the public but as soon as it is we will let you know.<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1555539324453">http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1555539324453</a><br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1555574365329">http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1555574365329</a><br><br><a target="_new" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXWZpcdKC04">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXWZpcdKC04</a><br><br><a target="_new" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXUpwR9q99w">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXUpwR9q99w</a><br><br>
In Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306412010-10-26T05:30:00-06:002017-01-13T06:44:12-07:00October 26, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">Shalom, Shalom!<br><br>
A friend from Belgium sent me this link. He said that he reads "Israel Today" magazine on the way to work and found this article. Although we weren't interviewed directly, the information came entirely from "Ami Updates" and we are very grateful for the article! Every bit of reporting and communication with the government through letters strengthens our case and rallies prayer and support for justice and righteousness in the Israeli court system, not only for us but for our nation. We are convinced that the unified prayer of faith of the Body of Messiah is a powerful force against which the gates of hell cannot stand. (Matt.16:17-20) In these last days that we are privileged to be living in, we need to live differently as believers in Messiah, and to rally around the throne of God in prayer and praise like never before - together!!<br><br>
Here is the link: <a target="_new" href="http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=22094">http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=22094</a><br><br>
Israel Today magazine is based in Jerusalem. They originally published in German but have expanded throughout the years to English and Japanese editions. Their journalists live in the Land and report first hand - they say their mission is "to be a definitive source for a truthful and balanced perspective on Israel."<br><br><b>NBA </b><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/25847/45f70a30eca70a5b0ed098679daef9ff4ccf63be/large/Ami_NBAPlayers.png?1377783040" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" height="190" width="250" />In a past "Update" I wrote about past and present NBA players who visited Israel in September, and how they blessed us by letting Ami sit on the bench during a game that we went to see. After the game we were privileged to have dinner with the team, and to share a bit of our testimony. Below is a link to a CBN report done by Chris Mitchell on a game they played with disabled Israeli veterans. You can get a glimpse of their hearts, and the encouragement they were to those they came in contact with here in the Land.<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2010/September/US-Basketball-Players-Bring-Goodwill-to-Israel/">http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2010/September/US-Basketball-Players-Bring-Goodwill-to-Israel/</a><br><br>
The picture was taken with the tallest player who was on the team. He's over 7 feet tall, about 2 meters 13, and as you can see, in comparison Ami who is 6'7" or 1.98 meters looks normal height, and David and I look like midgets!!<br><b>THE TWELFTH IMAM </b><br><br>
I would like to recommend Joel Rosenberg's recently released new book, "The Twelfth Imam". It is fascinating novel, and like all of Joel's books, intriguing and exciting to read. It presents a real possibility of what is going on in Iran now concerning the religious cult that Ahmadinejad is a leading part of, and which is shaping Iranian politics today. All of Joel's books are written on the background of Biblical, last days prophecy, in a unique way that has been given to him by the Lord.<br><br>
If you haven't read Joel Rosenberg's novels and non-fiction books, I recommend them as they will bring great understanding of the politics and realities of the Middle East and the West, in light of last days prophecy. Here is a website where you can check out all his titles -<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.joelrosenberg.com/books.asp">http://www.joelrosenberg.com/books.asp</a>
</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306592010-10-21T07:00:00-06:002010-10-21T07:00:00-06:00October 21, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">We want to thank all of you who have written letters to the government on our behalf. Thank you for standing with us on every level of the battles we've faced these two and a half years since Purim Eve, 2008. Your prayers and friendship have truly held us up, have enabled strength to be granted so we can keep on keeping on, and to believe that the God we serve is able to do above and beyond all we ask or think!<br><br>
Eph. 3:20-21<br><br>
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the Body by Messiah Yeshua to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.<br><br>
TRIAL UPDATE <br><br>
On Dec. 2nd, a hearing will be held to determine whether Jack Teitel is mentally fit to stand trial. If it is determined that he is not mentally fit then he will be admitted to a psychiatric hospital, and the trial will not take place. Details about who he worked with and his involvement with Yad L'Achim (an anti-missionary organization) will not be revealed. This will set a very dangerous precedent for the Messianic Community in Israel, as there are many like him who will be emboldened and willing to give up a few years of their lives in a psychiatric facility in order to do harm to and even attempt to murder those that believe in Yeshua as the promised Messiah. <br><br>
As you recall we were told by legal counsel that we have three problems with our case - religious, political and criminal. Below is a letter from May 2008 written to the Irish Friends of Israel in response to their inquiry to the Israeli Embassy in Dublin. They were asking what is being done to arrest the perpetrator who sent the bomb to our house which wounded Ami so critically. Below is the response that the Israeli police sent back to the Irish Friends of Israel. In this document, the police actually blame us and the Messianic community for the attack because we share our faith (in a democratic country that claims freedom of religion), therefore accusing the victim of provoking the attack.<br><br>
Mr. Paddy Monaghan <br>
Irish Christian Friends of Israel<br>
PO Box 9234<br>
Dun Laoghaire<br>
Co. Dublin 23 May 2008 <br><br>
Dear Paddy,<br>
Following your letter with regarding to the Ami Ortiz incident in Ariel, we submitted your comments to the relevant Israeli Authorities. Please find below information that the Embassy received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem.<br><br>
A. The police are investigating this case and due to the fact that there main force is intelligence the details are classified and they can't reveal any details on this issue. The officer that is in charge of this area could only give information related to the background that led to the incident.<br><br>
B. There are approximately 20 people in the Jewish Messianic community of Ariel. The head of this group act in a provocative way among the Jewish and Muslim in this area and try to convince them to convert their religion. Both communities are unsatisfied from his behaviour even though Ortiz's family lives in a good relationship with the Jewish neighbors.<br><br>
C. The investigation of this matter is very complex and this is why it takes a long time to reach to a conclusion.<br><br>
D. However, the police maintain a preventive activity that this case wouldn't repeat itself. The officer emphasized in general that the Messianic Jews need to change their approach towards other communities to prevent extreme actions.<br><br>
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will inform the Embassy once the investigation is completed. Yours sincerely,<br><br>
Nadav Cohen<br>
Counsellor<br><br>
Carrisbrook House, 122 Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4<br>
Tel: 01 230 9400 Fax: 01 230 9446 E-mail: <a href="mailto:info@dublin.mfa.gov.il">info@dublin.mfa.gov.il </a><br>
Website: <a target="_new" href="http://www.israel.ie">www.israel.ie</a><br><br>
So you can see that we have been fighting an uphill battle in our case since the beginning. As you may recall, even when Israel's Channel One did a documentary on Ami and our family, the police went to a lower and then a higher court to stop the broadcast. This documentary can be seen on <a href="./home.cfm">www.amiortiz.com</a>. It includes their report on their legal battle to broadcast the report on Israel TV. Additionally we also had to go to court against the police to get back the hard disc of our security cameras which is our private property. The judge who presided declared that a copy of the hard disc had to be given to us that had the video footage of Teitel bringing the bomb to our house. <br><br>
As we gear up for our hearing on Dec. 2nd, in the light of the above, we lay these facts before the Lord God almighty that He would intervene for us and the Messianic community in Israel. (Isaiah 37:14)<br><br>
TOURS AND JOURNALISTS <br><br>
In the meantime, just this past month we have been blessed by visits from tour groups whose organizers, leaders, and many in the groups have been faithfully praying for us for the past 2 and a half years- from Norway, Sri Lanka, and Germany. There are those who have been here before, and those who are fist time visitors to Israel. When we tell the story of our tragedy and the presence and the grace of God which has been with us every step of the way, the people are touched, encouraged and amazed. Sometimes Ami even shows up, when he happens to have a minute in the midst of his busy schedule. We don't want Ami to hear the story over and over again, and so he doesn't sit in on the meetings, but often before and after he'll be coming home from school, or on his way to basketball practice, and everyone gets a chance to get acquainted and take a picture with him! He is a walking miracle, and his story of pain and triumph encourages all who heart it. We were also visited by several journalists this past month who continue to follow up on our ongoing story and the ongoing persecution of the Messianic Body in Israel by ultra-Orthodox Jewish groups. We were interviewed recently by Russia Today, which is a Russian station that broadcasts also in English, Spanish and Arabic. <br><br>
We were interviewed for two leading Christian Norwegian newspapers, and also for a Dutch Christian newspaper. Genesis 50:20, which so many of you quoted in your postcards and letters to Ami, is indeed coming to pass - 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.<br><br>
AMI NEWS <br><br>
Ami left yesterday for Poland with a group from his high school. Every year Israeli high school students visit the concentration camps in Poland, and then participate in a march called, "The March of the Living". Towards the end of WWII in 1944 when the Nazi's realized they were trapped in the middle of the advancing armies of the allied troops and the Soviet Union, they decided to try to move or destroy evidence of their atrocities. Thousands of prisoners were killed in the camps, but thousands more were forced to march in the freezing snow for miles on end to train stations. Already starved, weak and ill, those who faltered and fell were killed on the spot, and many simply died from the exertion and elements.They were herded onto cattle cars, transported to different locations and then forced to march again for tens of miles to different camps. The youth march on the same routes as these death marches, wrapped in and waving Israeli flags, making the statement over and again, "Israel has risen from the ashes. Never again!" Since his ordeal, Ami feels a deep connection with those who have in the past and are now suffering. One day on our way to an appointment, we witnessed a car accident. Thank God it wasn't serious, but Ami, who was driving, immediately pulled over to the side, and jumped out of the car saying, "someone might be hurt". He then ran quickly to the scene of the accident; it was an instant reaction. Our family has all noticed that our reaction to other's suffering and illness has changed. We have a deeper place of compassion, and an ability to comfort others, by the comfort which we have been comforted by. (2Cor. 1:3-4) People will listen to us because of what we have been through, and they also believe what we say and receive hope from what we can share. Many of Ami's teachers tell me that they are impacted by his character, especially his lack of bitterness and hate. They say that they can see the light within him, and it inspires them. It gives us an opportunity to share what the Lord has done, the answers to prayer and the power of forgiveness.<br><br>
PRAYER REQUEST<br><br>
Please pray for the Mayor of Ariel Ron Nachman, as he is battling prostate cancer. His was one of the founding families of our city in 1978, and he has been the Mayor of Ariel almost continuously since. He has had excellent relations with numerous Christian Zionist groups who generously fund many programs and projects in Ariel. We have a sports center which was built by John Hagee Ministries, and is called the John Hagee Building. Virginia Hearst has been a large contributor to Ariel, as well as Faith Bible Chapel in Colorado, to name just a few. Please pray for healing of body soul and spirit for Ron Nachman. <br><br>
Yours in the Love of the Messiah,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306562010-09-14T07:00:00-06:002010-09-14T07:00:00-06:00September 14, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">Shalom! We want to thank all of you who have responded to our request to write to the newspapers and government offices concerning the case against Yakov Teitel. Your opinions as supporters of Israel have a great affect on the government and people. (Prov. 17:17; Prov. 27:6) Some of you have expressed that you would like to write, but would like an example as to what would be effective, so we've written a sample letter. If this is helpful, you can either simply copy and paste, or use it as a guideline.<br><br><b>SAMPLE LETTER </b><br><br>
To Whom It may Concern,<br><br>
We, as supporters of Israel who love your nation and pray for you, have been closely following the case of Ami Ortiz and his family for two and a half years, and for the past year that of the alleged perpetrator who has confessed to the attempted murder, Yakov Teitel.<br><br>
The fact that Teitel is being considered to be possibly not mentally competent to stand trial is very disturbing to us. For 12 years Teitel was active, working out his attacks to the last detail , built complicated bombs and stored a hidden cache of illegal weapons, covered his tracks and outwitted the police and the Shin Bet for more than a decade, learned how to lie on the polygraph test and succeeded when brought in for questioning after murdering two Palestinians, married and had four children, worked and even had a business to support his family, worked for Y'ad L'achim for five years,and now when he is finally arrested, he is possibly deemed unfit to stand trial? It is very suspicious and tragic to us.<br><br>
We sincerely hope and pray that true justice is carried out in the case of Yakov Teitel. We pray that the judicial system of the State of Israel will rightly deal with the pre-meditated violent acts of this man, and he will be judged in a court of law with an appropriate sentence. This case is on the minds of thousands of Israel supporters around the world who are watching closely to see the results, and to be able to prove to those who desire to see the downfall of your nation that justice and law does prevail in Israel.<br><br>
Sincerely,<br><br>
Your Name<br>
</div>
<hr><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br>
ADDRESSES <br><br>
Addresses to write to:<br><br>
Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman 2nd address is to the ministry of foreign affairs<br><br><a href="mailto:aliberman@knesset.gov.il">aliberman@knesset.gov.il</a><br><br>
and/or<br><a href="mailto:%20sar@mfa.gov.il"><br>
sar@mfa.gov.il</a><br><br>
Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu<br><br><a href="mailto:bnetanyahu@knesset.gov.il">bnetanyahu@knesset.gov.il</a><br><br>
Editor of the Jerusalem Post<br><br><a href="mailto:feedback@jpost.com">feedback@jpost.com</a><br><br>
Write to the Editor of the HaAretz newspaper from this website:<br><br><a href="http://www.haaretz.com/contact-us" target="_new">http://www.haaretz.com/contact-us</a><br><br>
Editor of Ynet, online newspaper of Y'diot Ahronot, most widely read Hebrew newspaper in Israel, but is in English on the internet as well<br><br><a href="mailto:news@ynetnews.com%20or%20editor-in-chief@y-i.co.il">news@ynetnews.com or editor-in-chief@y-i.co.il</a><br><br>
Ministry of Justice<br><br>
Attorney General Menachem Mazuz<br>
29 Salah a-Din Street, P.O.B 49029, Jerusalem 91490<br><br>
Telephone:<br>
011-972-2-6466332 and 011-972-2-646-6648<br><br>
Fax:<br>
011-972-2-646-7023<br>
</div>
<hr><br>
Isaiah 1:17<br><br>
17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.<br><br>
Prov. 31:9<br><br>
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.<br><br>
Thank you for standing with us.<br><br>
In Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah<br>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306542010-09-09T03:29:04-06:002022-06-01T19:03:30-06:00September 9, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">Happy Rosh HaShana to everyone!<br><br>
As you know, our case is a precedent setting case in Israel. It is the first time in Israel's history that a Jew put a bomb in another Jewish person's home because of ideological differences. It is called a hate crime. We as a family have forgiven Jack Teitel, but just as the Lord fully forgave King David of his sin with Bathsheba, restitution and the law of reaping and sowing still followed. As was prophesied to him - the sword shall never leave your house. (2Samuel 12; Gal. 6:7)<br><br>
It's been two and a half years since the incident, and the Lord has given us total victory and continues to do so in the lifting up of the name of Yeshua in the Israeli and international Jewish media where it really counts. However, there are three points why we continue to pursue a trial and jail sentence;<br><br>
1. For the sake of Justice<br><br>
2. That others who might have been behind the bombing besides Teitel will be captured and stopped in order to avoid more bloodshed. At this time, just as Paul the Apostle claimed his rights under Roman Law in several instances (Acts 16:35-39, 22:25-29 , 23:25-26, Romans 13:1-7) we also want to take advantage of our legal rights to protect others against such people.<br><br>
3. So that those who hate Israel will not be able to use this case for their advantage.<br><br>
A law enforcement officer explained to me from the beginning after the bombing, "Sir, you have three problems; criminal, religious and political". On September 4, we were hoping to receive a decision on whether Jack Teitel is mentally competent to stand trial, however the decision was postponed until December 2nd. I, as an ordinary non-legally trained person, came to the same conclusion as others who were present. The prosecutor was intimidated and lacked experience and skill before the judges and the Defense team. <br><br>
If Teitel is deemed mentally unfit to stand trial and is deemed not responsible for his past actions, and is sentenced only to do time in a psychiatric institution, as of yet uncovered facts as to how he plotted his crimes and who helped him will not be revealed and as such, will endanger all Messianic believers in Israel and will embolden others to follow in his footsteps with no fear of due process of law.<br><br><b>REQUEST FOR ACTION </b><br><br>
Today we are urging you once again to use the power of the pen, and to send emails and faxes to Government Ministries in Israel, since this is a political problem also. We need a mass mailing to these Government offices and to newspapers in Israel to ensure that Teitel stands trial and goes to prison. If you would consider forwarding this email to your mailing lists, or contacts, we would greatly appreciate it.<br><br>
Also, please view the latest CBN interview taken on Sept. 4 - (copy and paste onto your browser)<br><a href="http://%20http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2010/September/Israeli-Teen-Awaits-Judges-Decision-on-Accused-Attacker/" target="_new"><br>
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2010/September/Israeli-Teen-Awaits-Judges-Decision-on-Accused-Attacker/</a><br><br>
We appreciate any effort and help on this important matter, and of course, please continue to pray.<br><br>
Yours in Yeshua,<br><br>
David Ortiz<br>
</div>
<hr><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br>
Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman 2nd address is to the ministry of foreign affairs</b><br><br><a href="mailto:aliberman@knesset.gov.il">aliberman@knesset.gov.il</a> and/or <a href="mailto:sar@mfa.gov.il">sar@mfa.gov.il</a><br><br><b>Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu</b><br><br><a href="mailto:bnetanyahu@knesset.gov.il">bnetanyahu@knesset.gov.il</a><br><br><b>Editor of the Jerusalem Post</b><br><br><a href="mailto:feedback@jpost.com">feedback@jpost.com</a><br><br><b>Write to the Editor of the HaAretz newspaper from this website</b><br><br><a href="mailto:http://www.haaretz.com/contact-us">http://www.haaretz.com/contact-us</a><br><br><b>Editor of Ynet, online newspaper of Y'diot Ahronot, most widely read Hebrew newspaper in Israel, but is in English on the internet as well:</b><br><br><a href="mailto:news@ynetnews.com">news@ynetnews.com</a> or <a href="mailto:editor-in-chief@y-i.co.il">editor-in-chief@y-i.co.il</a><br><br><b>Ministry of Justice</b><br><br>
Attorney General Menachem Mazuz<br>
29 Salah a-Din Street, P.O.B 49029, Jerusalem 91490<br><br>
Telephone:<br>
011-972-2-6466332 / 011-972-2-646-6648<br><br>
Fax:<br>
011-972-2-646-7023</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306552010-09-06T07:00:00-06:002010-09-06T07:00:00-06:00September 6, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">So much has happened within a few days! First of all, our daughter gave birth to her second baby boy Sunday morning at 3AM. David, Ami, Tzook ( my oldest son) and I were able to be at the hospital, and I was in the room when my daughter went through the last hour of labor and gave birth. What joy! What a miracle! We thank the Lord for a safe delivery and for the joy of new life. The baby weighs 7 lbs. 7 oz. or 3.5 kilograms. His name will be announced at the time of his circumcision, which is a beautiful Jewish custom in Israel that dates back thousands of years. <br><br><b>Luke 1:59-61<br><br>
59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60but his mother spoke up and said, "No! He is to be called John."</b><br><br><b>COURT HEARING </b><br><br>
We went home to sleep for two hours, then got up and went to Jerusalem for the trial. In the natural the timing might have seemed not good; the birth, no sleep and then the hearing, but it was actually very good, as in light of the blessing of the birth of our new grandson, the hearing seemed somehow less important than it usually does to us.<br><br>
I am attaching an article from the Israeli news which speaks for itself as to what went on this morning in court -<br><br><b>YNETNEWS</b><br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3949488,00.html">http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3949488,00.html</a><br><br><b>Teitel calls court 'a whorehouse'<br><br>
'Jewish terrorist' declares court not authorized to try him, says accepts Torah judgment only. Medical opinions differ on his fitness to stand trial<br>
Aviad Glickman<br><br>
Yaakov (Jack) Teitel disrupted Jerusalem District Court on Sunday when he stood up suddenly and told the judges in English that he opposes "this whorehouse" which he said had no legitimacy to try him. Teitel is accused of various acts over a period of many years which have earned him the title of "Jewish terrorist."<br><br>
Teitel told the judges he accepts the Torah judgment alone, reiterated that the court was not authorized to try him, and said "God is king."<br><br>
Last November an indictment was submitted against him, including 14 paragraphs detailing 12 years of terror. According to the allegations against him, in 1997 he murdered taxi driver Samir Akram Balbisi in Jerusalem, and shepherd Issa Jabrin near Susya. He then returned to his country of birth, the United States, before coming back to Israel where he tried to harm police officers and Palestinians a number of times.<br>
According to the indictment, he also placed an explosive device in the house of Prof. Ze'ev Sternhell who was lightly wounded, and sent a booby-trapped gift to a family of Messianic Jews in Ariel, seriously wounding their teenage son Ami Ortiz.<br><br>
The court debate centered round contradictory medical opinions regarding Teitel. One asserted he was not fit to stand trial, while another said he was fit to stand trial and responsible for his actions. During the debate, Teitel's attorneys Michael Ironi and Asher Ohayon requested the raw material on which the medical opinions were based so they could fully understand the second opinion.<br><br>
Representative of the State Prosecution Sagi Ofir agreed to the request, and the court ruled that the two sides would submit a joint injunction permitting the psychiatrists to submit the raw material.<br><br>
Ohayon also said Teitel would not agree to cooperate with the court. "The most he is willing to do, after much effort, is to be passive," Ohayon said, referring to "higher" orders which would not permit Teitel to do more than this.<br></b><br>
Our lawyer said that we need to understand that the due process of law is going well, and that the issue of insanity has to be resolved so that if the trial will go forward, Teitel's lawyers can't claim insanity later on. He said that if he is deemed responsible for his actions over the last 12 years, and deemed mentally fit to stand trial, it will go on for a couple of years, and we have to learn to not let ourselves be overcome concerning the court's process. He said it is a very slow process in all cases, with objections and appeals, and long waits between hearings. Words of wisdom.<br><br>
December 2nd will be very dramatic, and will determine whether Teitel will stand trial at this present time, or ever. We can only depend on the true judgement of the True Judge in heaven. Meanwhile, our prayer for Teitel has intensified, and when we pray for him, I feel faith in my spirit, that the Lord is going to touch this man. It might take time, but I believe it will happen.<br><br><b>Matthew 5:43-45 (Love for Enemies)<br><br>
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.</b>"<br><br><b>NBA! </b><br><br>
Three days ago, we received a call from Caleb Myers' office (Jerusalem Institute of Justice) that Bill Axelson was back in Israel with NBA players who came to support and bless Israel. Bill had visited us about a year and a half ago. He is an ex-basketball player, and was the chaplain for the Boston Celtics for 15 years. Most of the players who came on the trip are believers, and are past and present players. The trip was funded by AIPAC which is the largest Jewish pro-Israel Lobby in America. <br><br>
Bill had lost our number and wanted us to get in touch with him, which we did. He said they were playing a friendly game that night in Herziliya, a city on the Mediterranean coast, against a local professional team. He told us to come if we could, and when we showed up, he was so pleased to see Ami. He told Ami to sit on the bench with the players, which was a great honor, and then he invited us to have dinner with them after the game! For those of you who know basketball, the other coach on the trip was Dwight Howard, Sr., father of Dwight "Superman" Howard who plays for Orlando Magic. Dwight Howard Sr. is a strong believer in Yeshua, and we had a great time talking with him. We also had the opportunity to share our testimony with the players at dinner. It was an amazing experience, and Ami was in heaven!<br><br>
This is an excerpt from an article about the NBA visit -<br><br><b>On Wednesday, September 1, 2010, Chris Wallace presented the President of Israel Shimon Peres with a personalized Grizzlies jersey at the 87-year-old's residence in Jerusalem. Wallace was also joined by former NBA players Jerome Williams, David Wood, Allan Houston and Dwight Howard Sr., as well as Sacramento Kings forward and Israeli National Team member Omri Casspi.<br><br>
The trip was planned by American pro-Israel lobby AIPAC, with the purpose of strengthening American-Israeli relations by introducing leading figures in American sports to Israel and its unique challenges.</b><br><br>
It's amazing what the Lord did within just a few days. Thank you for your prayers, and for standing with us and Israel in these last days. <br><br>
In Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306532010-09-02T07:00:00-06:002010-09-02T07:00:00-06:00September 2, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">WITH MAN THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE, BUT WITH GOD<br>
ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. (MATTHEW 19:26)<br><br>
EAR SURGERY RESULTS <br><br>
Yesterday was the first day of the Israeli school year, and true to fashion, Ami had a double appointment in the Ear, Nose and Throat Center at Tel HaShomer Hospital. He was able to go to school for 2 hours, and then we picked him up and went straight to his appointments.<br><br>
First, Ami had a hearing test, and then an appointment with the surgeon who had operated on Ami's ear. All of this took much patience and waiting on line for three hours, but in the end, we found out that the surgery was 100% successful and Ami's has had significant improvement in his hearing. The numbers are 20 decibels improvement in the left ear, if that means something to someone. We told the surgeon, "Thank the Lord, and thank you!" We told him that we had been told there was only 60% chance of success that the operation would succeed, and he said<br><br>
We are so grateful to the Lord and to you for praying with us! There was one down side to the visit, however. The surgeon showed us on the hearing test that he has loss of hearing high tones which he says will never improve, in other words, permanent hearing loss in that range. He said a hearing aid could improve that, and when he mentioned it I saw Ami's reaction, on his face and body language, saying: Forget about it!<br><br>
We don't receive those diagnoses, because we know that "with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible", (Matt. 19: 26) And when the Body of Messiah is praying in unity, nothing can stand in God's way! On the way home we were listening to one of the CD's that Joel Rosenberg's sons gave Ami, (Ami was really touched by the gift.) One of the songs on the new Newsboys CD says , "He's a builder, restorer and redeemer". That encouraged us at that moment, because the Lord has certainly been that and more in our lives since March 20, 2008.<br><br>
PLEASE PRAY <br><br>
We would very much appreciate your continued prayer for complete restoration of Ami's hearing. We remember other predictions, like - he will never be able to run as fast as he could before, or jump as high. The other day in basketball practice, Ami came in first in a race, after four months of no physical activity at all! He consistently either wins or comes in second in races in gym class in school, and he also jumps higher than ever before! <br><br>
Please pray for complete restoration of the left hand as well. He is doing well with that, is training hard at basketball which should help, and needs to continue with his exercises. He said, "it's been harder getting back in shape this time in basketball. I must be getting old!" This spoken from the mouth of a seventeen year old. Indeed, Ami was out of practice for four months, but he managed to grow another centimeter during that time. He now is 1.98 meters or 6 feet 6 inches and has to stoop down to walk through the door!<br><br>
Please pray for the court date, September 5th. We're hoping that the trial will begin on that day. I will, God willing, update you as soon as possible after that date because we are usually very busy with media interviews afterwards. Please pray that we would honor the Lord in these interviews.<br><br>
Yours in Messiah<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306522010-08-30T07:00:00-06:002010-08-30T07:00:00-06:00August 30, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">AMI UPDATE<br><br>
This article appeared today on Ynet.co.il:<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3946310,00.html">http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3946310,00.html</a><br><br>
Teitel deemed fit to stand trial <br><br>
New psychiatric evaluation contradicts initial evaluation which determined that 'Jewish terrorist' is mentally ill. 'Teitel was responsible for his actions when he committed them,' district psychiatrist rules <br>
Aviad Glickman <br><br>
A psychiatric evaluation submitted to the Jerusalem District Court determined that "Jewish terrorist" Yaakov (Jack) Teitel, who was indicted for murdering Arabs and attempting to hurt Prof. Ze'ev Sterhell is fit to stand trial and was responsible for his actions, Ynet learned Monday.<br><br>
This evaluation contradicts an initial evaluation submitted to the court three months ago, which stated that Teitel's mental state may not allow for trial to proceed. He was later sent to a different hospital for another evaluation.<br><br>
Teitel has been hospitalized at the Magen hospital for the past three months, and a hearing on his matter is expected to take place next week.<br><br>
His lawyer, Attorney Asher Ohayon, said in response to the new evaluation: "We will study the evaluation and respond to it as part of the court discussions.<br><br>
After the first evaluation was submitted, Teitel said upon entering the courtroom, "I don't know if I'm insane. I don't recognize this court's authority."<br><br>
Teitel was indicted in November 2009 on 14 different counts. The 37-year-old resident of the settlement of Shvut Rachel was indicted for the murder of Palestinian taxi driver, Samir Balbisi, in June 1997, and the murder of a Palestinian shepherd a few months later. He was also charged with laying an explosive device next to a Palestinian home near the West Bank settlement of Eli.<br><br>
The indictment also charged that Teitel attempted to poison Palestinian residents of an isolated village near Eli. He was also indicted for attempting to murder Ami Ortiz, the son of a Messianic family living in Ariel, when he sent an explosive device disguised as a Purim gift to their home. In addition, he was charged with placing a bomb next to Prof. Zeev Sternhell's home.<br><br>
PLEASE PRAY<br><br>
We are happy that the trial will be able to proceed. Thank you for praying in this direction. <br><br>
We will be in contact as events unfold. We had a wonderful visit today from Joel Rosenberg and his lovely wife and children who are all here, visiting Israel. They had a meeting with our Mayor, Ron Nachman, and then came to our house to touch base and for lunch. We love hearing Joel's interesting stories, and we were able to share with the family some of the strange and wonderful things that happen around here as well. <br><br>
Please keep on praying for truth to be revealed in the court case. Thank you again for standing with us every step of the way. <br><br>
In Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306512010-08-27T07:00:00-06:002010-08-27T07:00:00-06:00August 27, 2010Shalom again! <br><br>
This was sent to me today by a Pastor's wife in Haifa, Israel. It is simple, straightforward and to the point! Common sense is not too common these days.<br><br>
MOSQUE AT GROUND ZERO <br><br>
Rita wrote:<br><br>
Received this statement today on the Proposed "Cordoba House" Mosque near Ground Zero (made by Newt Gingrich). Thought it made some good points. <br><br>
July 21, 2010 6pm<br><br>
There should be no mosque near Ground Zero in New York so long as<br>
there are no churches or synagogues in Saudi Arabia. The time for<br>
double standards that allow Islamists to behave aggressively toward us<br>
while they demand our weakness and submission is over. <br><br>
The proposed "Cordoba House" overlooking the World Trade Center site -<br>
where a group of jihadists killed over 3000 Americans and destroyed<br>
one of our most famous landmarks - is a test of the timidity,<br>
passivity and historic ignorance of American elites. For example,<br>
most of them don't understand that "Cordoba House" is a deliberately<br>
insulting term. It refers to Cordoba, Spain - the capital of Muslim<br>
conquerors who symbolized their victory over the Christian Spaniards<br>
by transforming a church there into the world's third-largest mosque<br>
complex. <br><br>
Today, some of the Mosque's backers insist this term is being used to<br>
"symbolize interfaith cooperation" when, in fact, every Islamist in<br>
the world recognizes Cordoba as a symbol of Islamic conquest. It is a<br>
sign of their contempt for Americans and their confidence in our<br>
historic ignorance that they would deliberately insult us this way.<br>
Those Islamists and their apologists who argue for "religious<br>
toleration" are arrogantly dishonest. They ignore the fact that more<br>
than 100 mosques already exist in New York City. Meanwhile, there are<br>
no churches or synagogues in all of Saudi Arabia. In fact no Christian<br>
or Jew can even enter Mecca. And they lecture us about tolerance. <br>
If the people behind the Cordoba House were serious about religious<br>
toleration, they would be imploring the Saudis, as fellow Muslims, to<br>
immediately open up Mecca to all and immediately announce their<br>
intention to allow non-Muslim houses of worship in the Kingdom. They<br>
should be asked by the news media if they would be willing to lead<br>
such a campaign.<br><br>
We have not been able to rebuild the World Trade Center in nine years.<br>
Now we are being told a 13 story, $100 million megamosque will be<br>
built within a year overlooking the site of the most devastating<br>
surprise attack in American history. <br><br>
Finally where is the money coming from? The people behind the Cordoba<br>
House refuse to reveal all their funding sources.<br><br>
America is experiencing an Islamist cultural-political offensive<br>
designed to undermine and destroy our civilization. Sadly, too many of<br>
our elites are the willing apologists for those who would destroy them<br>
if they could.<br>
No mosque.<br>
No self deception.<br>
No surrender.<br>
The time to take a stand is now - at this site on this issue.<br>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306502010-08-26T13:05:00-06:002017-02-01T12:31:16-07:00August 26, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">This is a must see video especially in light of the controversy over the building of an Islamic Center on Ground Zero in New York City.<br><br>
Muslim Demographics<br><br><a target="_new" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-3X5hIFXYU&feature=search">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-3X5hIFXYU&feature=search <br></a> <br>
2 Chronicles 7:14<br><br>
"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."<br><br>
AMI NEWS<br><br>
Ami has continued to heal from his operations, and is back in basketball practice. He was released from all of his therapies for his hand, and continues to do exercises on his own. The surgeon said that as far as he is concerned, the hand surgery was a success. The question is if Ami is satisfied. Ami said that he is satisfied. He has range of motion and strength in the hand he didn't have before. We will go back to the ear surgeon on September 1st.<br><br>
In the meantime, Ami is getting ready for the new school year which will be his last year of high school. Because he will not be inducted into the army because of the injuries he sustained, we are praying about what to do after he graduates. In Israel, all 18 year olds are inducted into the army, both male and female. Girls serve for 2 years and boys for 3. It is a big hiatus in the lives of these young people, and some don't survive as Israel is in a constant state of war, if not cross border than within our own borders. <br><br>
All of my children served in the army in different capacities, and two were combat soldiers. Ami didn't want to serve if it wasn't in a combat unit, and he was able to get a release from army service as he wasn't eligible for combat duty because of his injuries. I can't say that he was happy, it is deemed an honorable thing to serve in the IDF and it is a common experience that all Israeli youth share. It causes them to mature in a very short time, and to take responsibility. There have been studies done on the fact that so many start up businesses succeed in Israel that become successful international businesses because of the army experience and background.<br><br>
Ami's heart desire is to continue with basketball on a more professional level and to study. Please pray for open doors and direction.<br><br>
COURT CASE <br><br>
Our next hearing in the Jack Teitel case is scheduled for Sept. 5, 2010. Please pray that a decision will finally be made on whether he is able to stand trial at this time. The waiting is hard but the long period of testing is also highly irregular according to our lawyer. He spoke to two court psychiatrists who told him that having Teitel in the hospital for over 6 months for testing by the court is unheard of. We appreciate your prayers for right judgement, and for the trial to begin.<br><br>
LAST DAYS WEATHER<br><br>
There's much going on in Israel at this time, and of course our main worry is Iran, which is not only a threat to our country, but to the world. We need to be praying for our country's leaders because no matter who they are and what they believe, the Lord can speak to them and give them Light and Wisdom. We need to prepare our hearts for whatever will come upon this earth. <br><br>
Israeli's are interesting people. Whenever we talk about the climate changes in the world, I tell them that I beleive we are experiencing "last days weather". They readily agree and many say that it is because of our sins that the world is falling apart! It gives good opportunity for discussion. There is so much happening at this time, but it will wait for another update.<br><br>
We appreciate you and the fellowship that we share in the Messiah!<br><br>
In Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306482010-08-05T04:00:00-06:002010-08-05T04:00:00-06:00August 4, 2010<div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow!</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br>
Shalom to all! Two days ago, as missiles were being launched from Gaza onto Israeli territory in the South, and a sniper attack was being carried out by Lebanese soldiers against IDF soldiers in the north, we went back to the hospital with Ami for a check up. Three weeks have indeed passed since Ami's ear operation, and yesterday we went back to the surgeon who removed all the bandages from inside the ear. He said that the hole is closed and all looks good!! However he cautioned us that we still have 3 weeks to wait for a final conclusion - the process is not completed yet - and so Ami still has to be very careful. We go back in 3 weeks for a hearing test and another examination - and so we continue to pray for total success! Ami had been feeling that itching in the ear which signals healing, and so we knew that prayer was again moving the hand of God to heal. Thank you for faithfully standing with us yet once more.<br><br>
Ami's therapies for the recovery for his hand have also been progressing well. We have only one more check up with the occupational therapist as she said he no longer needs their help, and the physical therapist has released Ami to work alone and to continue with the exercises which he has recommended. We'll go back in one more month for a final visit to that clinic as well, because it is being closed down! Unknowingly we were able to get in on the last days of treatment in this particular rehab center! The doctors who were managing it took keen interest in Ami's case and worked on both of his hands to instruct him how to work towards greater strength and flexibility. We are grateful for every bit of grace and favor that is continually poured out through all of our situations and difficulties.<br><br><b>COURT CASE</b><br><br>
We are still in a holding pattern concerning the trial of Jack Teitel. The trial has not begun yet because of the psychiatric testing, and we are left to pray and seek as to what the Lord would have us do during this period if anything! In the meantime we are waiting and praying daily for Teitel and his family. My contact with his wife's sister is very limited although we see one another each week in Weight Watcher's, but she seems very wary of me. Nothing is ever in vain, and we have learned that we need to take every situation one day at a time, because the Lord is always working, even though our ability to see it is limited!! To us, it's as if He works behind the scenes , but in reality, it is in full view of heaven's hosts and to the glory of His Name and Kingdom alone! Praise the Lord!<br><br>
In the case of Chaim Pearlman, suspects are continuing to be arrested, questioned and released, all members of the Kach movement who are followers of the now deceased Rabbi Meir Kahane. (Website on Kahane - <a target="_new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbi_Meir_Kahane">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbi_Meir_Kahane</a>) <br><br>
One Rabbi that was arrested and interrogated was the author of the book "King Torah" which we've spoken about before - which condones the killing of the Jews' enemies by regular citizens, and even the murdering of their children. This exactly mimics the Koran, which also condones the killing of Islam's enemies' children as they will one day grow up to be enemies as well. So......... what is the difference? We have recognized for many years now that the demonic spirit of radicalism is the same across the board - hatred and murder, and it matters not if the person is Jew or Gentile. In the same way - the same Lord is the Lord of all, and it is He that we worship.<br><br><b>Romans 10:11-13 <br><br>
11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."[a]12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."</b><br><br><b>FLORIDA VISIT</b><br><br>
Last but certainly not least - my visit to my mother in Florida was very good, my sister and myself were able to speak about many important things, to laugh together and just enjoy being together. We were also blessed by a lunch date with my Mom's brother and sister, and their families, and it was the highlight of our trip. We miss our family in the U.S. very much, and when we can be together it is a rich experience for us.<br><br>
Thank you for continuing to pray for us and Israel.<br><br>
In Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306472010-07-18T07:00:00-06:002017-02-01T12:31:16-07:00Juy 18, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">Shalom to everyone - There are two important links that I think would be worth your while to look into - one is an article in a Jewish online magazine called "The Tablet". It is a comprehensive article about Jack Teitel. We spent much time with the reporter and he did an interesting and enlightening job on the background and person of Teitel. The link is: <br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.tabletmag.com/news-and-politics/32679/tytell/print/">http://www.tabletmag.com/news-and-politics/32679/tytell/print/</a><br><br>
The next link is to another excellent video by our friend Chaim Goldberg of the Maoz organization concerning the Beer Sheva court case.<br><br><a target="_new" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHgDXtcyCko">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHgDXtcyCko<br></a><br>
CHAIM PEARLMAN <br><br>
In my last update I wrote, concerning the postponement of the hearing - "We pray that what needs to be brought out into the light will be revealed, because we believe that the Lord wants to do something bigger than what we can see at this time."<br><br>
The next day Chaim Pearlman was arrested. He is accused of murdering at least two Palestinians in East Jerusalem in 1998 and wounding others. He is a member of an ultra- right wing outlawed organization called the Kach movement whose founder was Rabbi Meri Kahane. Pearlman has been arrested on minor misdemeanours in the years since the murders. He was very smart though - when he began to be visited by the Shin Bet (Israeli secret service) in the months before his arrest, he had the feeling he was about to be apprehended, and so he secretly recorded the meetings. He recorded 20 hours of alleged conversations with Shin Bet agents, and if nothing else, to us they have revealed a certain modus operandi which is exactly the same as the secret services dealings with Jack Teitel, and interesting similarities between Teitel's and Pearlman's activities..<br><br>
Teitel murdered two Palestinians in 1997<br><br>
Pearlman murdered at least two Palestinians in 1998<br><br>
Teitel was interrogated by the Shin Bet on his involvement and released because of lack of evidence. This happened in 1997. Upon his return to Israel to make aliyah in 2000, he was again interrogated by the Shin Bet who asked him to be an informer of the far-right radical Jewish factions. He agreed, but later ties were cut because of lack of cooperation on his part.<br><br>
Pearlman was interrogated in 2002 by the Shin Bet in connection with the murders that he carried out, but couldn't be arrested because of lack of evidence. He was offered money in order to become an informer of the same, but later on ties were cut because of lack of cooperation.<br><br>
Twelve years passed until Teitel was arrested during which time he committed the rest of his violent crimes, including two attempted murders (one of which was planting a bomb in our house resulting in the critical wounding of Ami), and a string of other violent attempts on people's lives. During that time he collected a large weapons cache, ostensibly taught himself to manufacture bombs, got married and had 4 children.<br><br>
Twelve years passed from the time Pearlman allegedly carried out his murders until he was arrested during which time he was active in right-wing radical groups and activates, got married and had 3 children.<br><br>
Teitel was held in the Shin Bet's prison for several weeks after his arrest. He was denied access to a lawyer and a gag order was placed on the arrest details.<br><br>
Pearlman is being held in the same prison, also has been denied visits by his lawyer but the judge denied the gag order request. Because of this, and because partial contents of the secret tapes were released to the press, we have this information.<br><br>
A secret letter was delivered to the judge by the Police and Shin Bet in the case of Jack Teitel when we took the police to court to get back our confiscated security camera hard disc.<br><br>
A secret letter from the same security agencies has been delivered to the judge presiding at this time over the Pearlman case.<br><br>
MEDIA WAR <br><br>
The Pearlman case is confusing to the Israeli public, as no one knows who is telling the truth-Pearlman or the Shin Bet! All we know is that there is always more than what meets the eye, and we are questioning more each day why Teitel has been hidden away in a mental institution for the past six months, with postponement after postponement by the district court psychiatrist, and why we haven't had the full cooperation or information sharing of any government legal or security service since the bomb went off in our house on March 20, 2008, critically wounding Ami.<br><br>
Here is a link to an article concerning the Pearlman case:<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/mess-report-shin-bet-challenged-by-cases-of-jewish-terror-1.302009%20">http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/mess-report-shin-bet-challenged-by-cases-of-jewish-terror-1.302009 </a><br><br>
AMI NEWS AND PRAYER REQUESTS<br><br>
Ami still suffers, and will live with consequences of Teitel's criminal act for the rest of his life on earth. The question as to what was behind all of this will be coming forth we believe, and we ask for prayer for the strength and wisdom to deal with it as it does. Please continue to pray for full recuperation for Ami from the two operations he just went through. Today we visited the ear surgeon who confirmed that there was no swelling or infection in the ear, and in two more weeks the bandages will be removed from inside the ear and we'll be able to see the results. Ami is suffering from headaches which radiate from the bottom of his neck into his head. He also has had constant ringing in his ears since the explosion, which the doctors have said will probably never disappear. We don't receive those diagnoses, because we know that the Father's divine plan for Ami is to glorify Himself with complete restoration despite all the odds. Thank you for believing with us, and for loving us the way Yeshua commanded us to love -<br><br>
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." -John 13:34-35<br><br>
Yours in Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306462010-07-13T05:55:00-06:002010-07-13T05:55:00-06:00July 13, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">Ami is recovering slowly from the operation, sleeping well, and eating as well as he can as he can only manage soft foods. The whole left side of his head and face hurt! But he's not a complainer, and is resting quietly, cooperating with all that needs to be done, and just waiting for it to all to pass, as by the grace of God, it always does. He thanks you all for your prayers, he said he is grateful that so many are praying for him after all this time! This situation has opened his heart and mind to other's suffering, and he realizes that there are many who pray faithfully for him that carry their own burdens of pain and suffering as well. <br><br>
ANOTHER POSTPONEMENT<br><br>
We were informed today by our lawyer that the hearing scheduled for tomorrow to determine Yakov Teitel's ability to stand trial has been postponed again by the psychiatrists until the beginning of September! There could be many reasons for this, but at any rate it is clear that the court psychiatrist is continuing to re-evaluate. Our lawyer said that the term - "psychotic state" which is what the psychiatrist has determined that Teitel is in, is like the flu in psychiatric terms - something that comes and goes, easily. All we can do is wait - since God is always working, we will give Him the glory and assume that it is all in His hands, and that no matter what the plan or scheme of the enemy of our souls, all things will work together for good. We continue to pray for Teitel and his family's salvation, for our lawyer, the judges, the families of the other victims, and all concerned with this case. We pray that what needs to be brought out into the light will be revealed, because we believe that the Lord wants to do something bigger than what we can see at this time. <br><br>
In Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah<br><br>
Ecclesiastes 3:10-11 <br><br>
I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306452010-07-11T07:00:00-06:002010-07-11T07:00:00-06:00July 11, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">We arrived at the hospital this morning at 7:30 AM, having risen with the birds at 6:00! Ami was one of the first taken into the operating room, but not before we were visited by the surgeon who in essence told us that if he had been the one to schedule this surgery, he wouldn't have scheduled the operation to be done with local anaesthetic, but would have chosen to do it with full anaesthetic - coming in from behind the ear which is much more painful and a much harder operation to recover from. He said that if the hole where the ear drum used to be is too big, he will send Ami home and schedule the other operation for several months from now. <br><br>
Ami was wheeled in, and David and I began to read the Bible form our laptop - he was listening to an online study of the book of Revelation with earphones, and I was reading Matthew at the same time - Chapters 8, 9 and 10. As I began reading of all the healing miracles that Yeshua performed in His earthly ministry, my faith began to build - and I became confident in my spirit that the operation would take place. We read, listened and prayed, and after about an hour, I asked the operating nurse who came out for a minute if Ami was being operated on and she confirmed that he was. An hour and some more after that - the surgeon emerged and spoke to us. He said that the operation wasn't easy, but that he was able to repair some of the fine bones in the ear that had been damaged, and the hole was covered! He said that it remains to be seen if the flap will take hold of some of the edges - but here again, we know that with prayer all things are possible! He said that he is confident that Ami's hearing will be good if all goes well.<br><br>
Thank you all for praying - and when you think of him, please to continue to pray for the next 3 weeks, as after that the bandage will be removed, and we'll see the results. Ami is staying overnight in the hospital - our 23 years old son Natan is staying with him, bless his heart. Ami should be released tomorrow morning, God willing. He is in a lot of pain, he said this has been the most painful operation he's gone through -but he's been sleeping for hours, and so this is good. My daughter lives about 10 minutes from the hospital, and before the operation Ami already asked her to make different kinds of soft foods for him which she prepared and delivered. <br><br>
COURT DATE <br><br>
We'd appreciate your prayers also for the next court hearing which will take place this Wednesday, July 14th, when hopefully the final evaluation of the psychiatrists will be presented and the judges will make their decision as to whether Jack Teitel is sane enough to stand trial at this time. We have so much going on at the same time that we are putting it all into the Lord's hands completely. We appreciate you so much for standing with us in all these battles - and truly the battle is the Lord's! (2Chron. 20) The battles are raging all over the world, and we need to stand for truth and battle in prayer and unity as soldiers of Yeshua.<br><br>
SOME SCRIPTURES FROM MATTHEW 8, 9 AND 10<br><br>
Matt. 8:-2-3<br><br>
2A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." (an interesting way to pray!) 3Yeshua reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.<br><br>
Matthew 8:8-13<br><br>
8The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."<br><br>
10When Yeshua heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."<br><br>
13Then Yeshua said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.<br><br>
Matthew 8:14-17<br><br>
14When Yeshua came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. 16When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases."<br><br>
Matthew 9:10-13<br><br>
10While Yeshua was having dinner at Matthew's house; many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"<br><br>
12On hearing this, Yeshua said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."<br><br>
The chapter goes on and on with one healing after another, miracle after miracle - and my heart was thrilled and challenged to believe afresh and commit my life anew to this wonderful, miracle working Savior who loved us so much, that he Himself became a man and died on a cross, the blameless lamb of God, because it was the one and only way according to the plan of God from the very beginning, that we could be saved.<br><br>
And then on top of everything, in Chapter 10 He makes his followers co-workers and partakers of the authority with which he did all these things........<br><br>
Matthew 10:1<br><br>
1He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.<br><br>
Hallelujah!<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306442010-07-08T07:00:00-06:002010-07-08T07:00:00-06:00July 8, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">Praise the Lord - all is going forward in the strength and might of the Lord! Ami was able to start Occupational Therapy this week and immediately was fitted for a new brace that stretches the thumb away from the hand so he will have maximum movement and flexibility of the joint He will need physical and occupational therapy at least once a week in two different locations for about 2 months. The physical therapist that the Lord led us to is working not only on the thumb, but on the restoration of strength in the whole hand. It is really an answer to prayer. Ami has very unique bone structures in both hands, and this therapist has taken an interest in improving the movement and strength in both. What favor from the Lord! Both therapists are encouraged with the strength and movement that there already is, and are looking forward to helping him to further improve both.<br><br>
EAR SURGERY <br><br>
Besides the daunting therapy schedules, he will be undergoing the left ear drum restoration this Sunday, God willing. We went today to the post-op check up and to sign forms, etc. The surgeon who did the first surgery is an older man who is very fond of Ami, tussling his hair, etc. However, he wasn't going to be able to perform Sunday's surgery, and so he tried to convince us to put the operation off yet another couple of months so he could do it!! We really didn't feel that this was what the Lord wanted, and so another surgeon who is vey accomplished, who just completed a fellowship in the U.S. in some complicated neurological ear surgical procedure will probably be the one to operate. Another doctor who checked Ami in for the surgery checked the right ear that was operated on one year ago. He said that the job is so perfect you can't tell that there was an injury to the ear at all!! Thank you Lord for the miraculous answer to prayer on the right ear drum. All the doctors say that the operation on the left ear will be....."tricky" to coin their words, as there doesn't appear to be much of a rim for the new ear drum to grab onto, it was all so badly damaged.<br><br>
Please keep Ami, the surgery and the surgeon in your prayers this Sunday - the surgery will take place in the morning sometime between 7:30 AM and 12 noon our time, depending on the order of patients that they choose - sometimes they leave the more difficult surgeries for last. Then Ami will be staying one night in the hospital and we'll be able to bring him home the morning after - we also have film crews and others visiting throughout the week, and then I will God willing be travelling to the U.S. for just one week for my mother's 88th birthday. I will be going alone, please pray for travelling mercies and for the Lord to touch my mother's heart, and for her salvation.<br><br>
A SPECIAL VISIT<br><br>
We had a wonderful visit last month from our friend William J. Murray and his wife Nancy for only a few days. He spoke in our Shabbat meeting, and gave a very sobering message. Bill is the CEO of the Religious Freedom Coalition, an NGO which works in Washington, DC to protect Biblical values in our laws and government, and to help persecuted believers around the world. He shared with us that the U.S. government is broke and borrowing large sums of money every minute of every day to finance their wars overseas. They borrow from their enemies in essence - from China, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, and although as a nation the U.S. used to be the world's police force, or watch dog, they no longer have the say they once did or the clout, because they are at the mercy of those lending them millions every day. I encourage you to check out his website - <a href="http://www.rfcnet.org/news/default.asp" target="_new">http://www.rfcnet.org/news/default.asp</a> The RFC has helped us with our legal fees very generously. We are grateful for their love, support and prayer.<br>
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IN CLOSING <br><br>
Ami's schedule will be daunting for the next couple of weeks - please pray for healing of the operation, the scar from his latest surgery - the ear operation, the physical and occupational therapy, and of course total recovery, especially for full restoration of strength in the left hand. Please pray for success in the ear drum restoration, that even though that yet another miracle of restoration will take place. Please pray for grace for Ami as the recovery from this operation was long and painful the last time.<br>
Thank you for praying, for your wonderful emails of encouragement, and for sharing your prayer requests with us -<br><br>
In Yeshua's love and fellowship,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306432010-06-28T11:28:06-06:002010-06-28T11:28:06-06:00June 28, 2010<div style="text-align: center;">2 Many are they who say of me, "There is no help for him in God." Selah.<br>
3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.<br><i>-Psalm 3:2 </i>
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I haven't been in touch in a very long time but you have all been on my mind. I wanted to share with you what has been happening with Ami - as you know he had his 13th operation - reconstruction of his thumb joint, and he is now in a hand brace and needs physical and occupational therapy. Eight days ago the pin that was holding the joint in place after the surgery in which a tendon was transferred to the joint was removed. We knew he was in trouble when as he sat on one of those stretcher like beds in the treatment room, the nurse brought in a pair of household pliers - the type you use to take a nail out of the wall, and placed it on a piece of sterile paper next to him! It was very painful, and took him at least an hour to recover from the procedure which was done without any local anaesthetic. But we are slowly getting the therapy that he needs, unfortunately it has taken longer than we wanted, and will criss-cross with the ear operation on July 11th. This will be the 14th operation which is an ear drum replacement - we have not been given good odds for this operation as the doctor said that the hole is so big, there is only a 60% chance that the graft will "take". A year ago the right ear was operated on and recently we did a hearing test and almost all the hearing in his right ear has been restored - that operation was given an 80% chance success rate and it was 100% successful- and we know that we serve a mighty God who never falters in any of His promises so we are praying for yet another miracle in the left ear!!! <br><br>
TRIAL UPDATE <br><br>
As you know, Jack Teitel has been deemed by the court district psychiatrist to be in a psychotic state at this time - meaning that he wasn't necessarily in that state when he committed his crimes, but at this time he is and therefore unable to stand trial. A hearing was set for early June in which the judges were expected to either accept or reject this evaluation. If they had accepted it, Teitel would be admitted to a psychiatric hospital and treated until he would be stable enough to stand trial, which entails an undetermined amount of time -it could be months or years. However, before the hearing took place, the psychiatrist asked for a postponement until July 14th - which the State prosecutor says is a good sign. In other words he is still being evaluated. We would appreciate prayer for full recovery from Ami's hand operation and success with the ear operation - and for Teitel to not be able to get away with a temporary psychosis plea so the trial can get underway already since this is a precedent setting case in Israel, and so believers in Israel will not have to live in fear of a similar attack happening to them. <br><br>
I had an interesting encounter in my weight watchers group - I thought I recognized a new woman in the group, who was always sitting with the group that comes from the settlement that Jack Teitel is from. After the meeting, I approached the woman and asked her if she was Rivka Teitel's (Jack's wife's) sister - she is. We spoke about the situation, and she mentioned that her family feel as if they are his victim's also, that they weren't raised to hate and really knew nothing about his activities. She mentioned that her own daughter suffered a stroke (she must be very young), and her husband was in a shooting attack at around the same time as the attack in our home occurred. I believe he was blinded in that attack.<br><br>
BEERSHEVA UPDATE<br><br>
I'm sorry that I didn't report to you last month that the Beersheva case has ended with a decision by the judge against the Messianic believers, and the demand that they pay the legal fees of the defendants. Here is an excerpt from Howard Bass from the end of May, 2010:<br><br>
Shalom Brothers and Sisters,<br><br>
A verdict has been handed down by Judge Iddo Ruzin in our lawsuit filed against the Chief Sephardic Rabbi Yehuda Deri, and against the anti-Messianic organization, Yad L'Achim. The judge did exactly what we have been praying and hoping . . . that he would not do! Judge Ruzin has determined that the two defendants are innocent of any wrong-doing concerning the events before, during, and after 24 Dec 2005, and that we did not produce sufficient evidence to prove any personal liability on their part in our civil suit against them.<br><br>
Judge Ruzin has ordered that we pay graded percentages of our claims against them for violations of Israeli law, attorneys' wages for their clients' defense, and the five appearances in court for the trial, for a total of approximately 155,000 ILS ($40,200). This miscarriage of justice is a sad commentary on the state of affairs, and should be seen, too, as a wake-up call to all who care for truth and righteousness.<br><br>
We express our sincere and heartfelt thanks to all of you for your encouragements, prayers, praises to God, and financial contributions throughout this lawsuit to date. We believe, with many of you, that we were led by the Lord to enter into this lawsuit, and we have sought to honor the name of Yeshua. We believe that at least in this latter regard, we were successful: even the judge in his decision referred to the Lord as "Yeshua", and not by the acronym commonly used by many in this land. We understood from the outset that there was a risk involved in taking these particular defendants to court for what we still know they are liable.<br><br>
We always believed, and still believe and accept, that the verdict is from the Lord, and it is for us to discern what He is saying to us through it.<br><br>
Glory to the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel.<br><br>
PLEASE PRAY<br><br>
We ask you to pray for continued wisdom, strength and supply for Howard and Randi Bass and Kehilat Nachalat Yeshua in Beer Sheva. They are stalwart soldiers for the Lord, and real servants of the Lord and the Body of Messiah in Israel.<br><br>
We have been enjoying visits from many friends from around the world - we will be quite busy this whole month with many commitments but I will write after Ami's operation. From our past experience, there will be a bandage inside the ear for 3 weeks, which when it is removed, will reveal whether the operation succeeded. Prayer is vital at this time.<br><br>
Thank you for your prayers and love,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306362010-05-30T07:00:00-06:002010-05-30T07:00:00-06:00May 30, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">We were informed by our lawyer today that the District Court Psychiatrist who is examining Yakov Teitel's mental ability to stand trial has asked for an extension until July 14th. The State Prosecutor says that it is an encouraging sign - maybe they are re-evaluating their initial evaluation? We just know that it is all in the hands of the Lord and that He is answering prayer. We are prepared to do whatever we need to do in order to present our side of the story to the public, but we need prayer for wisdom, for our lawyer to be able to discern God's timing, and to do what is needed in the right time and in the right way. As always, we are aware that our letters are read by anti-freedom of religion groups and individuals, and so we can't share specifics until after the fact, but we are strategizing and carefully, day by day, keeping our spiritual ears and eyes open to the leading of the Lord. Thank you for praying.<br><br>
Psalm 37:7-9 reminds us:<br>
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-it leads only to evil. 9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.<br><br>
AMI NEWS<br><br>
We went back to the hospital for a check up on Ami's hand this morning. The surgeon was concerned that the pin that was inserted in the thumb joint was supposed to have the end sticking out of the skin so it could be removed easier. When we left the hospital, his hand was swollen and the in seemed to have been covered over by skin. Ami had another x-ray taken, and the bandage was removed. The x-rays showed that the operation had "taken" well. Part of a tendon from the base of the thumb was transferred to the joint, and it had attached itself very well. When the bandage was removed, low and behold the end of the pin was sticking out of the skin and hadn't been covered over by skin. Praise the Lord! In one week stitches will be removed God willing, and then in one more month the pin will be removed. Then he won't be able to play basketball for another month and a half, but by that time he will have the ear operation, which would keep him from his favorite sport for a month and a half anyway!! The operations are hard on Ami, and can be very frightening and discouraging - always one or two steps temporarily backwards. The doctor again said that he might need some light physical therapy, but his therapy is usually basketball, we will see.<br><br>
Psalm 34:8-10 was on my heart this Shabbat:<br><br>
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.<br><br>
We have tasted and we have seen how Good He is. We have lacked nothing in this journey, but have been blessed beyond measure through the tears, pain and hardship. Today we visited a couple who lost their son recently. The mother said something that echoed in my heart, she said - "how do people go through these trials without faith?" We know we will come out the other side like polished gold - and we are grateful.<br><br>
1 Peter 1:6-9:<br>
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Yeshua the Messiah is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.<br><br>
With you in Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306392010-05-22T07:00:00-06:002010-05-22T07:00:00-06:00May 22, 2010<div style="text-align: center;">"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."<br>
Hebrews 11:1<br>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">In our prayer life, there are many people and situations that come before us all the time, and many prayer requests sent or uttered. However there are certain people, needs and situations that become lodged in the spirit, and become what the Bible calls "burdens". I call them "prayer projects". One of these "projects" concerns healing needs of others, that become inked in my spirit with my own personal healing needs. The need for Ami's and my own healing is a constant request before the Lord in my prayer time - it has it's a slot that never gets wedged out of my prayer list. However there are other projects that have the same importance as my personal healing needs and are intrinsically linked to the faith that I need for Ami's and my healing. In other words, they share the same "prayer project basket", and the faith for the healing for one will be the faith for the healing of all. The Holy Spirit has made it real to me in this way. The faith that I am waiting and pressing forward for is that clear as a bell, I know that I know because I know moment, that the healing is done in heaven. Sometimes it's a momentary flash of light and link to eternity, with the full assurance of faith that moves mountains. It's only the beginning to believe in the mind, based on the Word of God, that He can do what He has promised. That knowledge has to be mixed with faith in order to enter into the rest of true knowing and believing (Hebrews 4:1-3). Sometimes it's given as a gift, (1Cor. 12:8-10) and at other times it's a process, receiving from the Word, patience having it's way until it enters into the heart through the working of the Spirit in our lives.<br><br>
The fact that Ami and our family have become prayer projects to so many of you, that you have expressed and continue to express that you are with us until the full completion of healing, causes the coals on the altar of incense of my heart to burn warmer and more intensely. The incense of praise and adoration from my heart wafts upwards to the throne room of God. This is one of the most amazing testimonies of the journey we've been on, and one that couldn't have been imagined or expected, that we would walk through this experience so supported and loved by so many in the world-wide Body of Messiah.<br><br>
NOIA <br><br>
That being said - one of the families that shares my prayer project basket is Noia and her family, Israeli believers who have given their lives to ministry. Noia is the baby that you helped to pray for, who was born with a heart defect and had life saving surgery a few months ago. A few days ago, she came down with a fever. Her Mom and Dad took her to the emergency room, where she was admitted into the hospital with bacteria. This is very dangerous for a baby or anyone who has undergone the heart surgery that she had. Please pray for little Noia - for cleansing of her system from this bacteria, and for total recovery. Please pray for her parents, Moran and Melissa, for spiritual, emotional and physical strength, and for the two other children at home, both under 4 years old. <br><br>
AMI GOOD NEWS <br><br>
Ami is recovering very well, Praise the Lord! The pain of the operation and affects of the anesthesia are quickly wearing off - yet another miraculous answer to prayer. In between good healing naps and eating lots of good food, he was up and about, wanting to help, and even went out to meet some friends yesterday. We have a follow-up appointment in a week and will let you know the results of that.<br><br>
RESTORATION MOVIE- IMPORTANT CORRECTION<br><br>
I want to correct a mistake from my last update concerning the movie Restoration- the link to the Monaco website award page was wrong, it is:<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.monacofilmfestival.de/11-0-Awards-2010.html">http://www.monacofilmfestival.de/11-0-Awards-2010.html</a>
</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306422010-05-20T07:00:00-06:002010-05-20T07:00:00-06:00May 20, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">Today was the big day - Ami's hand operation. Yesterday, May 19th we had a beautiful Shavuot meal and get together with my sons, daughter, her husband and our grandson. My daughter and family live ten minutes from the hospital, and so in the evening when the holiday was over, we brought Ami in to check into his room. He had to be on a fast from food and water from 12 midnight until the operation the next morning, and Natan slept over with Ami, roughing it sleeping on an arm chair all night. Then David and I were on the road by 6:30 AM to arrive at the hospital as early as possible to be with Ami before the operation. After some last minute procedures, Ami was whisked into the operating room at 10 AM. Of course everyone commented and laughed about the fact that he didn't fit in any bed or stretcher, and then we waited and prayed, and prayed and waited for two hours until we were notified that the operation had ended. He "slept very nicely" according to the nurse for an hour in recovery and when he woke up and was rolled out of the operating area, he actually was pretty alert and awake. The operation turned out to be a reconstruction of the thumb joint, and a pin was placed in the joint which will be taken out in a few weeks. We spoke only briefly to a doctor, who said the operation was successful but we'll take it day by day and see how the recovery goes - we believe in 100% success because Ami is in Yeshua's hands. God willing, he'll be able to come home tomorrow. Thanks to my sons who have been helping out, taking care of Ami as well, sleeping there, and keeping him company. Thanks to my daughter who sent Ami off with all kinds of delicious food for before and after the operation, and a peach cobbler.<br><br>
PRAYER REQUESTS <br><br>
Please pray for speedy and full recovery, and for cessation of pain. Please pray that there will be no infection or complications, and that Ami will have the spiritual, emotional and physical strength that is needed for recovery from this operation and for the next operation coming up in July. In between he has college matriculation exams, which take place in Israel from the 10th to 12th grades and are very tough. The physical activity that Ami is used to and is part of his life will be totally restricted during recovery from these two operations, and so please pray for grace for him, and patience and perseverance in the Holy Spirit.<br><br>
MORE "RESTORATION THE MOVIE"NEWS<br><br>
We have some amazing news - the Korean film "Restoration" won the first prize for full length documentary in the Monaco Charity Film Festival. Here is the website where you can see it announced - it is under "Feature Documentary" <a target="_new" href="http://www.monacofilmfestival.de/11-0-Awards-2010.html%20">http://www.monacofilmfestival.de/11-0-Awards-2010.html </a><br><br>
Joanne Lee, the producer of the movie, called the moment they won with such excitement! She said, "We won the grand prize! All the glory to Yeshua!" What an honor! May the name of Yeshua continue to be lifted up in the earth in these last days. <br><br>
JOHN 8:23-30 <br>
23 And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." 25 Then they said to Him, "Who are You?" And Yeshua said to them, "Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. 26 I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him." 27 They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father. 28 Then Yeshua said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. 29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him." 30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.<br><br>
Yours in the Messiah,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306402010-05-16T07:00:00-06:002017-02-01T12:31:14-07:00May 16, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">Shavuot Sameach!! (Happy Feast of Weeks). The last festival of the spring feasts is upon us - from sundown May 18th to sundown May 19th. Below is a very short Bible study on Shavuot for those who are interested -<br><br>
Please remember to pray for Ami's hand operation- it will take place, God willing, on Thursday morning May 20th. I don't know when he will be able to go home but I will keep you updated when I can -<br><br>
Also, please see the following video by Chaim Goldberg of the Maoz organization. Maoz is a multi-faceted Messianic organization who partner with Calev Myers of the Jerusalem Institute of Justice, of whom I have spoken many times. Both of these organizations have supported us in every way in this battle. See Calev in this video as he explains some of the work they are involved in. <br><br><a target="_new" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIaHW8WzXuk">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIaHW8WzXuk</a><br><br>
SHAVUOT - FEAST OF WEEKS<br><br>
Shavuot is the Hebrew feast which is translated in the New Testament in Greek to Pentacost. It did not originate in the book of Acts - it originated in the Torah. It was the wheat harvest, the days of first fruits, Yom Habikkurim (offerings of the summer wheat crop), Num.28;26-29; Ex 23;14-19; Lev23;9-14<br><br>
Israel could not eat the of a new harvest UNTIL he had brought the offering of the first fruits to the sanctuary<br><br>
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come,(The Jewish people at this time offering the first fruits in Jerusalem) they were all with one accord in one place. Acts 2:1<br><br>
Little did they know when the Lord told them to wait in Jerusalem what was about to happen, that the great harvest of souls as foretold in Joel 2:28-32 was about to begin, and the mysterious Body of Messiah was beginning to be formed in the world.<br><br>
It was also the day the Jewish People celebrated the giving of the Law to Moses Ex 19;1, and Jeremiah's prophecy came to pass in that God would put His Law in our Hearts Jer. 31;31-33<br><br>
One of the things of this holy day was the waving of 2 loaves of leavened (From the preceding Passover barley harvest) bread made from ripe grain that had just been harvested. (this was done by the priest) with two lambs<br><br>
Le:23:17: Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven; they are the first fruits unto the LORD<br><br>
Le:23:20: And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the first fruits for a wave offering before the LORD, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the LORD for the priest.<br><br>
This is the one time in the year when leavened bread was brought to the Lord (these represent Jews and Gentiles who make up the Body of Messiah)<br><br>
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;<br><br>
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;<br><br>
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross , having slain the enmity thereby:Eph: 2:14-16<br><br>
then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and saton the right hand of God.Mark: 16:19<br><br>
And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen Mark: 16:20<br><br>
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth Acts: 1:8<br><br>
Blessings,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306382010-05-09T09:48:49-06:002017-01-13T06:44:12-07:00May 9, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">May 5th, 2010 was a momentous day. We had another hearing in the Jack Teitel case. As you know he has been undergoing psychiatric testing for the past three months, and yesterday the defence came back to court with the suggestion of the district psychiatrist that Teitel is currently in a psychotic state and not fit to stand trial at this time. This is the third team of lawyers that Teitel has had and the reason they're doing this is because it is literally the only line of defence that they have, as Teitel has confessed to all his crimes and has done re-enactments of several of them as well. The psychiatric evaluation is not a decision - but the media have portrayed it as a decision and so most Israelis believe it is already a done deal, and that at this time Teitel will not stand trial. However, the judges have the power to either accept this evaluation or to reject it, and that decision will be made final on June 1, 2010. The State prosecutor asked for a postponement of the decision for a few weeks to look over the psychiatrist's evaluation in order to be able to respond effectively as the State representative. This means that we have time to pray for the Judges -Zvi Segal, Moshe Drori, and Moshe Hacohen , that they will have divine revelation concerning this case, and that they will bring forth right judgement, not subject to any political or religious coercion of any kind. <br><br>
If the judges accept the evaluation, the trial will be "frozen "and Teitel will remain in a psychiatric hospital under treatment until he is deemed mentally stable enough to be tried, which is unacceptable to us, the victims, as this can take an undetermined amount of time. <br><br>
The courtroom is always packed with reporters. Cameramen, who are not allowed into the courtroom are lined up outside. After the hearing we went out to "meet the press". We told the media and therefore the nation that to us this evaluation is strange and illogical - for 12 years Teitel was active, working out his attacks to the last detail , built complicated bombs and stored a hidden cache of illegal weapons, covered his tracks and outwitted the police and the Shin Bet for more than a decade, learned how to lie on the polygraph test and succeeded when brought in for questioning after murdering two Palestinians twelve years ago, started a family and had children, worked for Y'ad L'achim for five years, worked and even had a business to support his family,and now when he is finally arrested, he is deemed unfit to stand trial because of mental illness.It is very suspicious to us, and to our lawyer.<br><br><b>Teitel: I feel good, but don't know if I'm sane</b><br><br>
As I said, the media came out in droves and we were interviewed all day and evening by them on TV, radio and newspapers. Here is an article from YNET, which is the most widely read Hebrew news website in Israel. They have an English site a well. <br><br>
As first published in Ynet, professional opinion filed in court that alleged Jewish terrorist is not fit to stand trial. Hearing postponed so prosecution can review material. Teitel tells Ynet, 'I don't know if I'm sane. I don't recognize court's jurisdiction'<br>
Aviad Glickman<br><br>
Published: <br>
05.05.10, 12:03 / Israel News<br><br>
After escaping the law for 12 years, the Jewish terrorist is also escaping a court date in the meantime. A professional psychiatric opinion was submitted Wednesday to Jerusalem District Court ruling that Jack Teitel is not fit to stand trial. The judges agreed with the State Prosecution's request to delay the hearing so that they could study the material.<br>
Teitel, accused of a string of terrorist attacks against Arab and Jewish civilians, told Ynet, "I don't know if I'm sane. I don't recognize the jurisdiction of this court. I feel good."<br>
Judges Zvi Segal, Moshe Drori, and Moshe Hacohen postponed the hearing on the psychiatric evaluation performed in Sha'ar Menashe Hospital, which has been accredited by the district psychiatrist. They also ruled that the district psychiatrist must confirm the professional opinion submitted by the hospital.<br><br>
During the hearing, Teitel's legal counsel, Attorney Asher Ohayon from the Public Defender's Office, said that he intends to send a psychiatrist of their own to the hospital to write a professional opinion for the defense.<br><br>
In court, Judge Segal asked the State Prosecution whether there was any indication of any additional illness or previous hospitalization in Teitel's past. Representative of the State Prosecution, Sagi Ofir, said that the matter was raised during investigations, but that this apparently the first time Teitel has been to a psychiatrist.<br><br>
Teitel's mother and relatives of his alleged victims - Samir Akram Balbisi and Amiel Ortiz - were present during the hearing. Amiel's father, David Ortiz, said, "Teitel is a very intelligent guy who carried out his crimes intelligently. It is a test for the judges and the State of Israel not to allow this murderer to get away."<br><br>
The families' representative, Attorney Yossi Greiber said that he was encouraged by the postponement granted in order to study the psychiatric evaluation. "We are stunned by this blatant attempt by one of the most sophisticated criminals to operate in Israel in the past decade who was of sound enough mind to plan the terrorist attacks."<br><br>
Greiber reiterated claims that Teitel conned the psychiatrist or that his mental state is a result of personal circumstances unrelated to the trial.<br><br><b>12 years of terror</b><br><br>
The opinion is based on a month-long psychiatric observation of Teitel performed in Shaar Menashe Hospital in Jerualem. The psychiatrist in charge of the case ruled that Teitel is in a psychotic state. Another opinion will be provided.<br><br>
In the meantime, Teitel will apparently continue to undergo in-patient hospital treatment. Periodically, a committee will deem whether his status has changed and whether he is fit to stand trial or not.<br><br>
It should be noted that the psychiatric evaluation refers only to Teitel's current psychiatric condition and whether he is currently fit for trial. It does not address his mental state when he allegedly committed the crimes being ascribed to him. It is likely that should his mental state change, his trial will continue.<br>
Last November, an indictment was filed against Teitel on fourteen counts of terrorism over the court of 12 years. In 1997, he allegedly murdered taxi driver, Samir Akram Balbisi in Jerusalem and shepherd Issa Jabrin near Sussia.<br><br>
After returning to the US, his country of origin, he returned to Israel and tried to harm police officers and Palestinians. He later planted a bomb at the home of Prof. Ze'ev Sternhell, who was only lightly wounded in the incident. Teitel is also suspected of sending a booby-trapped Purim gift basket to a Messianic Jewish family living in Ariel that seriously wounded teenager Amiel Ortiz.<br><b><br>
AMI NEWS</b><br><br>
Ami will undergo his 3rd hand and 13th operation on May 20th , God willing. The objective will be to fuse his thumb into place, as it is out of joint and somehow doesn't have the ability to stay in joint. Please pray for the surgeons. We thank God for them as they treat Ami with much love and compassion, which we know is favor being poured out from heaven. However we are praying for healing without conventional medicine to the last moment. This picture was taken about a week ago for some articles that will appear in Charisma and in the Issues newsletter of Jews for Jesus. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/25847/05809e9691345a0d96d39e71acf75bb37ddc5fb6/large/Ami-Basketball.jpg?1377783040" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="400" width="300" /><br><br><b>DAVID AND NATAN IN KOREA</b><br><br>
Even though we recently just got back from the States - David got called to S. Korea again to speak about Israel but also because the movie "Restoration" has been such a hit or spiritual blockbuster as quoted from the Korean movie critics. In the beginning it was shown side by side with "Avatar" which has since closed over there, but now it is showing side by side with "Iron man 2", in other words the film has been showing 4 months straight with the theatres still being packed out all over the country. Our hosts were gracious enough to have our son Natan accompany him, and he came back refreshed and with new insight on life. <br><br>
This is David speaking<br><br>
When Leah told me that the S. Koreans requested if I could come over again it was an automatic yes because already the Lord had been speaking to me about it. Just to explain briefly what happened, the amazing events of the trip began when we took off in the plane to Korea. We were seated behind business class, and all of a sudden someone tapped me on the shoulder and said excitedly - "are you one of the Messianic believers in the movie"? I said yes -I am. Natan and I were snoozing off when she came back and said "I want you to come with me to the back - the people want to say hello to you". When I went back a few rows, all of a sudden I got a standing ovation - they stood up with a roar! I wondered to myself why Natan didn't woke up - how he was able to sleep through that - and the stewardesses were wondering if I was some kind of rock star. I woke up Natan and we said hello to the people and they took about 50 pictures. They were a group of about 50 or 60 and took up the whole section of the plane. I was thinking as they were clapping how Jack Teitel and the radical people tried to kill our witness and take away our dignity, but the Lord has restored it -<br><br>
Psalm 91:14-16-"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation."<br><br>
Isaiah 54:7 & 8-7 "For a mere moment I have forsaken you, But with great mercies I will gather you. 8 With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you," Says the LORD, your Redeemer.<br><br>
Travelling through Korea, it was amazing how many people had seen the movie and recognized me on the street. I would describe the trip like a mixture between a non-stop action movie and Israeli military reserve service , where we went from place to place, from TV interviews to radio, to newspapers to two or 3 churches in one day, to Universities. However, out of all of the places I spoke what was the most endearing to me was a large church meeting which was going to be broadcast by radio into North Korea, where our N. Korean brothers who are being held and persecuted for their faith were able to receive our comfort.<br><br>
Psalm 19:1-4-The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their linehas gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world.<br><br>
On the trip Natan said "I know that I have come to Korea to learn something." When he left he confirmed that it had been accomplished. All the Korean brothers took him under their wings and spoke very directly into his life. Isaiah 54:13: "All your children shall be taught by the LORD, And great shall be the peace of your children"<br><br>
The producer, her assistant in charge of promotions, the director, and assistant director who translated non-stop, and all their staff worked night and day. Through their communication with one another and team work with the utmost professionalism, great things were accomplished for the Kingdom on this trip.<br><br>
Because anti-religious freedom people read our letters, I'm limited on what I can share but at a later time I will share more.<br><br>
Thank you for your prayer and continuing love,<br><br>
Leah and David</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306372010-04-14T07:00:00-06:002010-04-14T07:00:00-06:00April 14, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">PASSOVER 2010 <br><br>
David, Ami and myself arrived in New York City on March 20, which was actually the two year anniversary of the attack. We didn't even remember the date though, as we count the time by the Purim holiday as it is done here in Israel. We were picked up at the airport by our long time faithful friend Mary Jean. Mary Jean has been an adopted Aunt to my kids for more than 20 years, and has made many trips to Israel to visit and help us. She is an extremely experienced nurse, and shortly after the attack she flew over to help us with Ami's care when we were still in Schneider Hospital. She has been nursing for more than 30 years, and she said that in all of her experience in hospitals, including emergency room care in inner city hospitals, she has never seen such severe wounds as Ami's. However, she was also an eyewitness to the healing that was taking place so rapidly and miraculously, as she stood by Ami's bedside while the bandages were being changed every day. She said that in the 10 days she was here, the improvement and healing of the wounds was nothing short of supernatural. We can only praise God for His marvellous answers to prayer from all over the world during those terrible days after the attack. <br><br>
We stayed with our good friends in Brooklyn, Jerry and Jessica Park, who together with their two young daughters, hosted us with an outpouring of love, warmth and generosity. David's brother also came to be with us from Florida, and among the many exciting things we did in NY, which the "city" is always very invigorating to visit, David's cousin Henry Ortiz and his wife Milly organized a meeting of family, and old friends from our first fellowship in NYC whom we hadn't seen in 30 years!!! Henry is the Pastor of a congregation in Brooklyn, and we had an amazing time of fellowship, testimonies and authentic Puerto Rican food. It was an historic event and we were greatly blessed. <br><br>
David and his brother took Ami on a day long trip to all the boroughs of NY where they had lived growing up. The next day, we packed up and headed down to Florida to see my mother, and my brother and his family. David and Ami stayed in Florida for only a few days, and then flew on to Puerto Rico to see David's mother and sister and her family for a few days. I stayed behind in Florida and my older sister came in from upstate NY, to have Passover Seder together with my Mom. My sister who is also a believer in Messiah, and I, arranged the readings and prayers for the Seder to make the amazing salvation story of the Passover Lamb as clear as possible without rocking the boat too much, and we chose passages from Exodus 12-14 to read instead of some of the traditional readings from the Haggadah. The family loved it! They said they had never understood the Passover like they did that night, and we do the Seder every year - it is a major landmark in every Jewish family's life. Whenever my sister comes to visit my Mom, she prays for her every night before bed. It was beautiful to join them, and to hear my 87 year old mother, herself not yet a believer, join in and pray as well. <br><br>
David, Ami and I then met in the airport in Atlanta Georgia, and flew to Nashville Tennessee where we were picked up by Tommy Waller and Tim Pearcey. We drove an hour and a half to the Family Week/Passover Camp which is organized and led by the Waller clan, in Kentucky. There were over 100 families - around 500 people in all, at this fantastic gathering. Words can't express the heavenly fellowship we had there, and the power of the meetings. Ted Pearce also came for two days to minister in song on the night that we spoke. The conference is held in a state park, and everyone was camping. Tommy rented us an RV to ease the camping experience for us city people! We had breakfast, lunch and dinner with a different family each day, getting to know the families of many of the young people who come to work in the vineyards with the Wallers. Many families are making great sacrifices in order to be able to spend more time and energy here in Israel. Our lives were deeply touched by Family Camp, and we felt like we came full circle, meeting all the wonderful believers here in the land - and the whole family in the U.S. <br><br>
As we have met more and more people who have prayed for Ami and our family, both in the U.S. and when you have come to visit us in Israel - we've been amazed at the bond the bomb attack has forged between us in the spirit. It is an amazing last days phenomenon, which will help to prepare us for the coming of the Messiah! He's coming for a Bride that is without spot or wrinkle, that has been tried through fire and purged.<br><br>
Revelation 22:11-13 <br><br>
11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteousa]'>still; he who is holy, let him be holy still." 12 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."<br><br>
AMI NEWS<br><br>
When we returned home, we had two important hospital appointments - the first was the geneticist the Marfan's Syndrom. We were seen by two doctor's, Ami was measured and checked, and the diagnosis was that he doesn't have the primary manifestations of the syndrome and so he just has to follow up on a few tests in the coming years because other indications are there. We needed this c heck up for our next appointment which was with the hand surgeons -<br><br>
We arrived early at Tel HaShomer hospital, and as we walked into the office of the specialist who has become a friend, he asked, so is the season (basketball) over? We proceeded to spend the whole day in the hospital arranging the next hand surgery. After the primary check up - we were directed to the next surgeon, and when we came into the room, he looked at me and said - you look familiar. Then he said - was your son in Schneider hospital? Then he looked at Ami and said - Are you the boy?? He was one of the plastic surgeons that took care of Ami in the very beginning two years ago and he is now working in Tel HaShomer hospital in hand surgery!! He said - I have goose bumps - this is amazing. He processed Ami for the hand surgery, and then unofficially looked at the scars and skin grafts- it was a divine encounter - he told Ami that he has doubled in height since he last saw him, and kept on exclaiming that fact for the rest of the afternoon. After that meeting we had to go for x-rays, and then go before a committee of doctors, including the head of the department. All of these meetings were preceded by lengthy waits, but the committee decided on which operation to do, which will be fusion of the joint, and the date of the surgery which will be May 19th. <br><br>
We finally left the hospital at 4PM, but we ask for prayer for this surgery, and the ear drum transplant which will take place on July 11th. The ENT surgeon doesn't have much hope for the total success of the ear surgery, but we know that with prayer all is possible - we are believing for continued miraculous intervention, and for the continuing healing power of Yeshua in Ami's life. <br><br>
TRIALS AND NOIA <br><br>
Our court hearing which was supposed to take place in March was cancelled because Yakov "Jack"Teitel, the perpetrator of the crime against our family, is undergoing psychiatric testing in a psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane. He is still there, and will undergo testing until May 2nd - at which time we have a tentative hearing on May 5th at 9:30 AM Israel time to hear the results and the decision of the court - whether he is psychologically capable of standing trial. Our lawyer said that if he is deemed incapable, that he will be in a jail for the criminally insane, and treated until he can stand trial. He will stand trial one day - we know, before the King of Kings and Lord or Lords - Please pray that this trial will be able to proceed, and for Teitel himself, and his family, to be redeemed and to come to repentance. <br><br>
Psalm 51 <br><br>
12 "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be turned to You."<br><br>
The last appearance in court for Howard Bass and the lawyers for Y'ad L'achim and the chief Rabbi of Beersheva will take place on April 15th. The purpose will be for the sides to try to come to an agreement and final settlement. An important report was done by CBN's Chris Mitchell recently - it's very important to see - the link is: <a target="_new" href="http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2010/April/Beer-Shevas-Messianic-Jews-Await-Trial-Outcome/?cpid=EU_CWN_2010_99">http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2010/April/Beer-Shevas-Messianic-Jews-Await-Trial-Outcome/?cpid=EU_CWN_2010_99</a><br><br>
Many have asked us about Noia's continuing recovery - she is slowly recovering - it is very hard for her to sleep at night however, and Moran and Melissa her parents, are very tired. Please continue to pray for full recovery in every area of her life and for strength and much grace for the family. <br><br>
I also saw Abby Hilton at the Family Week conference in Kentucky, and we had some moments to talk and pray together. Please keep her in your prayers, she is recovering slowly from Lyme's disease but still suffers from strong headaches and lack of strength. She is 20 years old, and very much desiring to get on with her life and service to the Lord, and this sickness is very trying and painful. <br><br>
We thank you for being who you are in our lives.<br><br>
In the Messiah,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306352010-03-03T18:00:00-07:002010-03-03T18:00:00-07:00March 4, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">Shalom - inner heart peace to all!<br><br>
I wanted to update you on Noia's progress - once more, the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective (James 5:16). <br><br>
Noia was due to go into surgery on Tuesday morning at 7:30 AM- I received a call from Moran, her father , at 7AM asking for emergency prayer as all of a sudden she started coughing and turned blue- it was quickly determined that the IV had been put in wrong, and when it was removed she was breathing normally and all was well - then she was taken into surgery, with the surgeons stern orders that no one touch her except for them! However, the surgery was more c complicated than expected because the artery that was going to be used to bypass the short aorta was also in the compromised area, and so quick thinking was needed on the part of the surgeons to execute another strategy. However, this left the aorta open for more than 30 minutes - and they explained to Moran and Melissa that this can sometimes result in paralysis from the waist down. However - God's people were praying, and as the day wore on, Noia began responding and when her feet were tickled by the surgeon, she moved her feet. However, it still wasn't known if there was full movement of the legs, and Noia also wasn't breathing on her own yesterday and so was kept chemically asleep. However! This message from Melissa today...........<br><br>
Noia is doing much better today! She is still in PICU but is doing most of her breathing and other bodily functions on her own. Her lungs are taking the longest to heal: they have some fluid in them but the Drs are keeping a close eye on that. She looks much better though! The cardiologist is checking to see if her heart is working better- that's all for now.<br><br>
Moran wrote -<br><br>
Good news - the operation was successful! Please pray for full recovery.<br><br>
Please keep on praying for strength and peace for Moran, Melissa, Oriah and Eden as well.<br><br>
Thank you all -<br><br>
We love you in Yeshua, you are an awesome prayer army,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306332010-02-25T06:00:00-07:002010-02-25T06:00:00-07:00February 25, 2010<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Romans 8</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br>
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Messiah who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Messiah? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: <br><br>
" For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."<br><br>
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Messiah Yeshua our Lord.<br><br>
Shalom to all! We are grateful to God who gives victory in the midst of every battle! We haven't written in a while, because we weren't at liberty to reveal some important information concerning our case until now.<br><br>
YAKOV TEITEL - YAD L'ACHIM<br><br>
Recently it has been revealed that in one of his interrogations, Yakov "Jack" Teitel, the perpetrator of the crime carried out in our home on March 20, 2008, worked for the anti freedom of religion organization called Yad L'Achim. This organization has a department which it calls itself the "counter-missionary" or "anti-missionary" department. They refer to Gentile Christians and Jews who believe that Yeshua is the Jewish Messiah, as "missionary cults", and admit on their website that they are committed to rescuing Jews who fall into our "net". Here are some quotes from their website - <a target="_new" href="http://www.yadlachimusa.org.il/Index.asp?CategoryID=196">http://www.yadlachimusa.org.il/Index.asp?CategoryID=196</a><br><br>
COUNTER MISSIONARY DEPARTMENT<br><br>
Ironically, Jews who live in Israel are the most vulnerable to missionaries. That's because missionary groups see making inroads in the Jewish homeland as a special achievement and therefore invest tremendous energy and resources there. The missionary infrastructure in Israel is based mainly on a few large Christian cults and dozens of smaller ones.<br><br>
In our battle against the missionaries we are even more motivated. We see the saving of each and every Jewish soul from Christian cults as a sacred mission. This is what drives Yad L'Achim's relentless efforts against the mission and its members.<br><br>
HOW DOES THE DEPARTMENT WORK?<br><br>
We fight the missionaries in a variety of ways, some of which, due to their sensitive nature, can't be described in detail.<br><br>
One of our most important functions is to track the activities of missionaries and respond to them in appropriate ways. We are updated every time the missionaries schedule a conference, open a new center or schedule a baptism for Jews in the Kinneret and have a variety of means - all of them legal - to foil them. When we receive a report of a family that has gotten caught up in a cult we intervene with tried and tested methods.<br><br>
SCOPE OF MISSIONARY ACTIVITY IN ISRAEL<br><br>
There are more than 100 missionary congregations operating in Israel. Indeed, every city has a missionary congregation that runs programs and activities aimed at luring Jews.<br><br>
The annual budget of the missionaries in Israel is in the millions of dollars, often funded from foreign sources.<br><br>
Under the guise of assisting the public, they open community centers, as well as drug-treatment facilities, that serve to advance their cause.<br><br>
The missionaries have at their disposal kibbutzim, convention centers, youth hostels, coffee houses, publishing houses and much more to spread their poisonous message."<br><br>
The head of the anti-missionary department of Yad L'Achim is a Chabad Rabbi, Alex Artovsky, Soviet Union born, who has been questioned by the police many times on charges of harassing and intimidating Messianic Jews. You can read about him on the Roshpina website -he is an example of the type of people who work for the organization:<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://roshpinaproject.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/introducing-alex-artovski-old-habits-die-hard/">http://roshpinaproject.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/introducing-alex-artovski-old-habits-die-hard/</a><br><br>
RESPONSE AND MORE FACTS<br><br>
With the revelation of the admission of Jack Teitel that he was active in Yad L'achim for five years, carrying out various missions for them, it became incumbent on us as a community to respond as there had been no mention of this in the newspapers or publicly by the police. The information was given to a reporter from the Ha'aretz Newspaper, and an article was written that was scheduled to appear in Hebrew on the front page of the paper. The article appeared in English in the English edition of Haaretz, but the editors of the Hebrew edition kept on postponing the Hebrew article for a week, every day with a different reasonable sounding excuse, until they declared that the article was old news and had already been published in English anyway It was very suspicious - perhaps they received threats from Yad L'achim that they would sue if the article appeared in Hebrew? Could someone have been paid off, or was someone pulling strings? Was the paper afraid of being blacklisted or of backlash? For sure, it was not business as usual when it came to this news item.<br><br>
When Teitel confessed to working for Yad L'achim, there were no further attempts to gain more detailed information by the police, and according to Yad L'achim's own statement, they weren't questioned by the police in connection with Teitel either.<br><br>
This is a link from ICEJ commenting on the Ha'aretz article:<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.icej.org/article/suspected_jewish_terrorist_claims_membership_in_yad_l_achim">http://www.icej.org/article/suspected_jewish_terrorist_claims_membership_in_yad_l_achim</a><br><br>
At the same time, Caleb Myers of the Jerusalem Institute for Justice has drafted a petition to the Israeli Attorney General, requesting that Y'ad L'achim be dismantled, based on concrete proof of their illegal activities in connection with the harassment and persecution of Messianic Jews, and their connection with Jack Teitel.. The petition can be viewed on his website:<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://jij.org.il/articles/JIJ-AG%20Request_ENG_.pdf">http://jij.org.il/articles/JIJ-AG%20Request_ENG_.pdf</a><br><br>
We advise strongly that you read Caleb Myer's document. The research is extensive and he's been able to detail the organization's activities in a very detailed way.<br>
Note: The incidents cited in this report are just a partial report of the activities of Yad L'achim against believers, because many of their attacks on the Messianic community go unreported as the believers are often afraid, or don't take the time and effort to notify the authorities. Unfortunately, they know that nothing will be done as a result which has been the case time and again.<br><br>
Here is a link to an Israeli internet news service report about Caleb's petition:<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3853591,00.html">http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3853591,00.html</a><br><br>
Yad L'achim was founded in 1950 and at first it's purpose was to help Jews who were streaming into the re-established State to "find a suitable religious framework", according to their website. However, very quickly it turned into an organization that focuses on destroying Jews who believe in Yeshua, and to dismantle mixed marriages of Arabs and Jews. <br>
Caleb Myers states in his petition to the Attorney General,<br><br>
"According to the Organization's own publications, both on its website <a target="_new" href="http://yadleachim.co.il">http://yadleachim.co.il</a> and on the Chabad site <a target="_new" href="http://www.chabad.info/">http://www.chabad.info/</a>, it is involved, among other things, openly and directly, in tracking, supervising andcollecting information about members of various religions and faiths, including Messianic Jews, tourists, residents and citizens alike, who are perceived by its activists as "dangerous missionaries".<br><br>
Yad L'achim are active world-wide to the point that they were invited by the Chinese government to participate in a conference on "how to help fight cults" - read the head and founder of Yad L'achim, Rabbi Dov Lipschitz shocking comments on :<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://roshpinaproject.wordpress.com/2009/06/29/anti-missionary-goes-to-china/">http://roshpinaproject.wordpress.com/2009/06/29/anti-missionary-goes-to-china/</a><br><br>
From 1999-2009 the State Department has been reporting on the undemocratic and often violent actions of Yad L'achim's activities in Israel. For the 2009 report, see:<br><a target="_new" href="http://%20http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2008/nea/119117.htm%20"><br>
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2008/nea/119117.htm </a><br><br>
Another shocking thing about Yad L'achim and it's associates, is that it receives tax-deductable status from democratic countries like the United States, that stand on the pillars of personal freedoms, one of which is the freedom of religion.<br><br>
WHAT CAN YOU DO? <br><br>
So once again we are turning to you, for prayer and to exercise the power of the pen for this petition to succeed. It is reasonable to assume that Yakov Teitel found out about our family through records in Yad L'achim's office during the five years that he worked for them. We don't want more Teitel's to harm believers in Israel, which will surely happen if we don't take action based on the facts that have been revealed to us. As you pray for these matters, would you consider these following actions: (Isaiah 1:17; Prov. 31:8&9)<br><br>
1. Write to the Israeli Attorney General, Yehuda Weinstein, to consider Caleb Myer's report and the request to disband Yad L'achim in Israel with the utmost seriousness. You can state that you are supporters of Israel and that you are seeking it's welfare and benefit. For example, "As people that support and believe in the State of Israel, in seeking it's benefit, we urge the attorney General to disband this organization so Israel can continue to be a light to the nations by it's example of freedom and democracy in the Middle East, which includes, especially, the freedom of religion."<br><br>
In reality, especially for those of us who live inIsrael, organizations like Yad L'achim and their associates dedicate themselves full-time to be predators, seeking every opportunity to hinder, harass, persecute and murder the Body of Messiah, as in the confession of one of their foot soldiers, Yakov Teitel. These predators shouldn't be allowed any longer to carry out their illegal activities without any fear of due process of law.<br><br>
Letters can be sent only by fax - the number is- 011-972-2-6467001, or by post:<br><br>
Mr. Yehuda Weinstein<br>
Attorney General<br>
Ministry of Legal Affairs<br>
29 Salah A-Din St.<br>
Jerusalem<br>
Israel<br><br>
2. Write to Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu with the same message, and to urge him to not let Teitel's connection with Yad L'achim to be swept under the rug, so that justice can truly prevail in <a href="mailto:Israel.%20bnetanyahu@knesset.gov.il">Israel. bnetanyahu@knesset.gov.il</a><br><br>
3. Write to your Senators, Congressmen, or government officials in light of Caleb Myers petition to the Israeli Attorney General, and the harassment and intimidation of Yad L'Achim, and their connection with Yakov "Jack Teitel"who was responsible for the bombing and attempted murder of Ami Ortiz, to take away the tax deductable status of Yad L'achim in the U.S. and wherever they have chapters.<br><br>
4. Write to the United States Commission on International Religous Freedom, to ask for Yad L'achim's offices to be closed in the U.S. and/or their tax deductible status taken away.<br><br>
800 North Capitol Street NW<br>
Suite 790<br>
Washington, DC 20002<br><br>
5. For those living outside of the United States, you could write to your Parliament members and representatives, and a possibility is to write to the World Evangelical Alliance:<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.worldevangelicals.org/aboutwea/offices.htm">http://www.worldevangelicals.org/aboutwea/offices.htm</a><br><br>
to come on board to write to the Israeli government to stop the activities of these types of organizations that infringe on the freedom of religion of Messianic believers in Israel. Caleb Myer's report can be sent to them as well.<br>
Your letters don't have to be long, anything that you can manage will help.<br><br>
Also to be noted - Yad L'Achim are not representative of the Orthodox Jews in Israel who are mostly law-abiding citizens.<br><br>
Thank you for walking with us in rank, heart to heart, towards the mark. (1Chron. 12:33; Phil. 3:14)<br><br>
Yours in the Messiah<br><br>
Leah<br><br>
PS. Please pray for Howard Bass' trial on March 9th - the head of the counter-missionary department of Yad L'Achim, Alex Artovsky, will be questioned on the stand as to his alleged involvement in the riot that took place in the congregation in Beer Sheva in 2005. Closing statements will also be given, please pray for Howards lawyers, Marvin Kramer and Kevork Nalbandian.<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.casttv.com/video/fpnjht/attack-in-beersheba-video">http://www.casttv.com/video/fpnjht/attack-in-beersheba-video</a>
</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306322010-02-01T06:00:00-07:002010-02-01T06:00:00-07:00January 31, 2010<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Isaiah 65:1</b><br><br>
"I was sought by those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. <br>
I said, 'Here I am, here I am,' To a nation that was not called by My name.</div>
<br><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Isaiah 11:10<br><br></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">"In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious."</div>
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I'm writing an update about my trip to Korea and the Philippines, and some of the things I will write will be limited because we have anti- freedom of religion ("anti-missionaries") that read the updates. This was my second trip to Asia, the first was to Japan and Thailand. I will try to focus my thoughts to express as clearly as possible what the Lord privileged me to be a witness of.<br><br>
Before the bombing, and from the beginning, God has spoken to us through the book of <b>Habakkuk Chapter 1:5</b>, that He was going to do something in our day that even if He would sit down to explain, we wouldn't understand. How t he Lord was able to take the tragedy that tried to rip apart our lives, and how he has used Ami's story literally to the ends of the earth, and that forgiveness is stronger than hate is a wonder. We're proud of Ami, that he decided that the first weapon of choice to be used against this organization of people that wanted to destroy us was the power of love.<br>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>ASTONISHED</b></div>
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There are many instances in the Bible where it says the people, the disciples, Joseph and Miriam, and even the governor Pontius Pilate, were astonished. But within scripture, there are only two times that Yeshua was astonished. The first was in Matthew 8:8-13 where an Italian Gentile Centurion that had 100 soldiers under his command, understood that in the nature of the chain of command, Yeshua's authority was the highest, and that He only had to say the word and his servant would be healed. It says that Yeshua was astonished by his faith.<br><br>
The second time was when Yeshua went to His hometown and was among His own people. His townsmen were so cynical and so lacking faith, that even though the one they were waiting for, the promised Messiah, was among them, with all the scriptural credentials that only He could fulfil, yet they remained faithless. (Mark 6:1-6) Yeshua was astonished.<br><br>
On this trip, out of the 35 countries that I have visited to this day, this has been the most astonishing one ever. I was constantly astonished by all that I saw, heard and witnessed. <br><br>
I guess with me this trip started years ago when I was on Mt. Gerizim, (Deut. 27:11-13), with a group from Singapore. We stood overlooking the city of Nablus, which is ancient Schechem, where 70% of the suicide terrorist bombers come from that carry out attacks against the citizens of Israel. The second they started to pray, they prayed so ferociously, that within my spirit I was like a tree that was shaken by the wind.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>KOREA AND THE PHILIPPINES</b></div>
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I spent 7 days in Korea with Leah and Ami, and 10 days in the Philippines. Leah already explained in short in her last update which can be read on <a href="./home.cfm">www.amiortiz.com</a>, much about what happened in Korea, but I would just like to add, that besides the TV and newspaper interviews, the overwhelming response to the movie "Restoration"appearing in the regular movie theatres, and meeting amazing brethren, I woke up at 5 AM one morning, and I was thinking about where I was. I believe the Lord spoke to me. There is a tremendous revival in Asia that is and will be affecting the world; it's like a mighty wind with which God is visiting the people of Asia. We spoke at numerous meetings but I was astonished many times by their prayer meetings, especially in the smaller congregations. They would pray for quite a long time, but then I noticed, especially in one small congregation that met in a re-modelled barn (that looked like a barn from the outside but was very beautiful inside), that after they prayed, and the meeting was officially over, they began to pray about how to implement the things they had just prayed for! It was like they knew that they would be held responsible for the things they just prayed about. After we pray, sometimes it's almost like throwing a penny into a wishing well with no expectation of response to the things we've prayed for. However, their expectations are very high, and they believe and act upon those things they've prayed for. (James 1:5-8; Hebrews 11:6)<br><br>
I was also privileged before leaving Korea to visit the Blue House which is like the US Whitehouse, and to have one of the Parliament members come to pray with us for the unification of North and South Korea -and also for Robert Park, an American Korean who intentionally crossed the border from China into North Korea to be arrested in order to share the Gospel with the North Koreans. This same Parliament member, who is a born again believer, gave us a VIP tour of their Parliament building as well, with an explanation of how the Parliamentary South Korean government works. We prayed in the Parliament also. <br><br>
Sometimes there are things built into the culture, rituals, customs and philosophies of a people that can work against them in their spiritual lives, but once these very things that worked against them are surrendered to the Lord, they can be used for Him. For instance, here among the Muslims, especially among those trained to be suicide bombers, the dedication to die for something, or to seek a cause to die for, and the lack of fear of death, upon coming to faith, is almost automatically geared to and used for the Gospel with the same fervor. <b>"For me to live is the Messiah, and to die is gain." (Phil. 1:21)</b> This has made a tremendous impact for the Gospel in the Muslim world. <br><br>
I found it to be so in Asia, where dedication, honor, and serving one another is such an art form - I was truly astonished. Sometimes in the West, we lack that so much. I would say that we very much lack that in Israel. I returned with these thoughts in my mind, to dedicate myself more in this fashion. <br><br>
Continuing on to the Philippines, the fact that the y were ruled by the Spanish Empire for 400 years had a personal element for me, as Puerto Rico was also under Spanish rule for 400 y ears, and then in the same year and under the same treaty in 1899, both also became territories of the USA. The Spanish influence has left a very strong mark ethnically, architecturally, religiously and in the unique blend of Spanish and Asian culture and language. The climate is also tropical. For me it was like meeting relatives that I had never met before.<br><br>
I was very astonished by the revival and again the fervor and dedication to the Lord and to one another in the Body , and how they are moving forward with the Gospel, not only in the Philippines, but definitely their vision is very universal, to reach the nations. I found their commitment to world evangelism is like the one in Korea, very much on track. It is with a lot of zeal accompanied with much understanding of international affairs and how to use opportunities for the Gospel, which is a tremendous combination. <br>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>JOEL ROSENBERG AND THE EPICENTER CONFERENCE</b></div>
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I was privileged to be invited by Joel Rosenberg to participate in the first Epicenter conference to be held in Asia, in the capitol of the Philippines, Manila. The conference, "Signs of the Times", was hosted by Pastor Peter Tan-Chi, in his beautiful congregational facility- Christ's Commision Foundation Church (CCF). Pastor Peter and his "mighty men" team (2Sam. 23:8-38) have been used by God to make an impact on Asia with the message of the Good News. We were assigned a security team that guarded over us literally 24/7. I and my children have served in the Israeli army, and so from that perspective I was impressed by the Filipino security which is highly professional. Being with them was like taking a mini-course in security. The staff of workers that covered every aspect of the conference and meetings, covering media, hospitality, transportation, and everything from A-Z, both in Korea and the Philippines, were simply fantastic.<br><br>
There's too much to talk about in one letter, but Joel and the team, which was composed of Dr. Hormoz Shariat, an Iranian ex-radical Shiite Muslim who today loves the Lord, Pastor Ray and Vicki Bentley , Lance Emma, and myself had the opportunity to meet some of the major pillars of Filipino society, many of whom are believers, to be on secular Filipino TV sharing the Gospel, to be on CBN Asia, to have lunch with the Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines, and to accompany Joel when he was invited to meet Gloria Arroyo, President of the Philippines. There he was able to talk not only about political issues, but to share the Good News of Yeshua as well. After our lunch meeting with her, she reverently bowed her head and joined us when we closed in prayer. Pastor Ray, Vicki and Lance remind me of the midwives in Exodus Chapter one who weren't afraid of Pharaoh's command, in that when they see God doing something, and something being spiritually birthed, they are there to cheer it on and assist to bring it forth. <br><br>
I was able to spend more time with Joel this trip than the other times that he has invited me to his Epicenter conferences to speak. Not only I and the team, but the believers, the media, the Israeli ambassador and President Arroyo, were very much astonished by the uncompromising and without apology presentation of his end-time message and the simple "For God so Loved the World" message that Joel presented to them. Maybe none of these people would come into a meeting in a congregation, but they were truly in God's presence as the message of His salvation was shared. The Spirit of the Lord met us where we were, from the President's palace to the Ambassador's area of residence, to the restaurants. The Lord held our hands and led a very clear path before us. There were about 25, 000 attending the Epicenter conference including the overflow rooms, national TV and over the internet. The conference lasted from 9AM to 6PM. Non believing Israelis also wrote in after the broadcast. Truly God was glorified.<br><br>
When I go abroad, I usually go shopping spiritually to see what God is doing in other places, to implement it here in Israel. I look forward to the time Yeshua will say to the Israeli believers and nation, "I haven't seen so much faith anywhere than here in Israel". <br><br>
Pictures of the conference and blogs can be seen on: <a target="_new" href="http://www.signsofthetimes.ph/category/blog%20"> http://www.signsofthetimes.ph/category/blog </a><br><br>
Yours in Messiah,<br><br>
David</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306262010-01-17T06:00:00-07:002010-01-17T06:00:00-07:00January 17, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">MATTHEW 13:52</div>
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52He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."<br><br>
KOREA<br><br>
We got back from Korea on the 15th - it was an awesome trip that we are still processing, as so much went on in the natural and the spiritual realms.<br><br>
We arrived in Seoul on January 7th, after a long but very comfortable flight, on a plane that was almost empty! When we came to the arrivals area, we were met by a group of Israel loving believers waving Israeli flags and singing in Hebrew! For a second we didn't know where we were! Seoul is a huge, modern and very sophisticated city. It reminds me of New York City where I lived for 14 years before we made aliyah to Israel. 11 million people live in Seoul, which is about ¼ of the whole Korean population. It is a city that never sleeps, and many businesses are open 24/7. After the Korean War in 1950 there was widespread poverty, but the country has made amazing progress, and is now one of the most viable economies in the world.<br><br>
The Korean people are very highly motivated. They give themselves wholly to whatever they consider important, and they are devoted. The believers are praying people, and each congregation has an early Morning Prayer meeting. There are also four 24/7 prayer houses that have been established lately in Seoul. There are a small nucleus of believers who really love Israel and have the firm belief that if they bless God's chosen, then He will bless them by reuniting North and South Korea. <br><br>
We had a daunting schedule that included sharing in 8 congregations. David ministered powerfully and with an anointing. His messages are very Old Testament based, bringing out treasures from the old and the new. We were there to promote the film "Restoration" and the opening took place 3 days after we got there. The film opened in 3 theaters, and we spoke in each one, introducing ourselves. The film is playing in a chain of theaters to sold out audiences, and the reviews have been great, saying it is a "spiritual blockbuster". Film companies from other countries have already requested translations into their languages, but the timing of the film comes at a time in Korea where many believers are opening their hearts and minds to the central role of Israel in these last days. <br><br>
Ami shared his testimony at a youth meeting, and it was very good. I was able to share as well. We didn't go to any mega churches, only the much smaller gatherings of believers who pray for Israel, but we met so many precious people. Ami really flowed with the culture, becoming quickly proficient with chop sticks and picking up many Korean words and phrases. Everyone wanted a picture with him - you can imagine how he towered over so many. When we got back I was sharing with my family how it took two people to lower me to the floor to eat ( many Korean restaurants have seating on the floor which is the traditional way of eating), and two people to lift me up! Then, David and I requested forks! Hopeless.<br><br>
We were able to travel up to the border with North Korea. I haven't mentioned that the temperature was freezing in Korea - below 0 degrees centigrade every day but at the northern border it was minus 21 Celsius!! We learned so much about North Korea, that we came away with a strong burden to pray for the believers in that nation who are suffering indescribably. There is a dead and oppressive feeling on the border which is tangible.<br><br>
PHILLIPINES<br><br>
David didn't return with us but is in the Philippines with Joel Rosenberg. It is the first Epicenter conference in that country. I was able to speak to David today, and he is amazed by the favor that Joel has with leaders of government and industry in many countries around the world. They are also going to meet President Arroyo! They are under heavy security as there is a strong Islamic movement in the country. Please pray for this conference to open the spiritual eyes of many. David will be speaking on how to pray for and help the Messianic Body in Israel.<br><br>
COURT HEARING, OPERATIONS<br><br>
The court hearing on January 11th, for which we weren't present, turned out to be just another postponement until February so that the defence lawyer can continue to familiarize himself with the case. Up to this point, Teitel still hasn't responded to the indictments.<br><br>
We've received a date for Ami's ear operation, which will be July 11, 2010. We're now working on completing all the tests we need to do for the hand operation. With Marfan's syndrome ruled out, the next step will be a check up in the Genetics department of Tel HaShomer Hospital to determine some things that the surgeons want to know before operating.<br><br>
Blessings to all,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306302010-01-05T02:25:00-07:002010-01-05T02:25:00-07:00January 5, 2010<div style="text-align: justify;">Ami has been doing very well in so many ways, in every realm of his life he is growing into a very charming and mature young man. He is greatly strengthened by prayer, and is thankful for you who are praying for him.<br><br>
We went back to the hand surgeon the end of December, and were met with a surprise. Suddenly he and the head surgeon were questioning whether the dislocation of Ami's left thumb was even connected with the bomb explosion! They sa id that Ami's height which is unmatched by anyone else in the family, and the different structure of his hands, including overextended joints could be indicative of Marfan's disease which is a genetic disorder that is a very serious condition. A person with Marfan's most of the time has heart abnormalities that can cause sudden death if not treated, as well as other very serious conditions. They said until we checked this out, they couldn't go ahead with the surgery.<br><br>
Well, we were astounded, but as soon as the thing was named, every doctor including our family doctor revealed they'd been thinking about this possibility as well. I realize that we all, separately and without talking to one another about it, looked up the condition on the internet and prayed against it in Yeshua's name. Our first step was to do a heart echocardiogram, which we did this week. By the time we got to the clinic to take the test, the Lord was already speaking to my heart - "no, he doesn't have that". Praise the Lord, the doctor doing the test told Ami that his heart is completely normal! There are a few other checkups we need to do, but we all have Peace at this point. Ami took the news in his customary calm way. He said, well, if I do have that thing, we'll just go on from there - meaning, it will be by faith like everything else that he's gone through. <br><br>
The surgery that will be done on his hand is different than what we thought, and recovery time is 3 months (without touching a basketball, the doctor exhorted). Therefore we are going to try to schedule it for the beginning of May.<br><br>
Our next stop was to go back to the Ear surgeon. He explained that the left ear surgery will be more difficult as there is nothing left at all of the ear drum, not even an edge for the new piece of muscle to grab onto. The right ear had 80% chance of success , which we didn't even know about, and through prayer and the mercy and grace of God was 100% successful. The other ear surgery has a 60% chance of success, but if it is not successful, the doctor explained that something always takes hold and at least a part of the hole will be covered, and then a second surgery would be necessary and is usually more successful. This is of course all in the natural and we ask you to please keep these surgeries in prayer. Of course we believe the Lord can do a miracle of restoration in each case, and so we expect only the best! The Ear surgeon said that if we want the surgery in July, he might not be in the country to do it, would we mind if another surgeon did it? Ami said, "if you trust him to do it, why not?" He then said an amazing thing - "I trust in our Father who is in Heaven, we're only his vessels". We cried out - that's what we believe too! Well, there was agreement on all sides, and we all left quite satisfied, and so we will see what the Lord will do - we trust Him above and beyond all.<br><br>
These surgeries are both very challenging for Ami, with difficult recovery periods, and somehow it has gotten harder dealing with the continued after affects of that split second explosion that changed Ami's and our family's life forever. How grateful we are to our God who has raised up the Body to pray us through until Ami's complete recovery. How grateful we are to be in Yeshua the Messiah who is the Head of this amazing Body called The Body of Messiah! <br><br>
THE NEXT COURT HEARING<br><br>
The next hearing will take place, Lord willing, on January 19th. Teitel's first lawyer has quit. The organization that provided the lawyer apparently didn't see a chance of success, and so jumped ship. He now has a court appointed defence lawyer. In the meantime, there have been a series of articles that reveal Teitel's actual confessions of the crimes he is accused of, including drawings, maps, etc. Below is the link to an article which includes his drawing of the bomb hidden in the Purim basket that he admitted bringing to our door. It is all very chilling, and the more we read the more we realize that this individual is very dangerous. The other day I was surprised by a strong wave of intercession that came over me as I was praying, and prayer for Teitel and his wife came pouring out and up to the throne.<br><a target="_new" href="http://%20http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3828269,00.html"><br>
http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3828269,00.html</a><br><br>
KOREA AND YONATAN GRANOVSKY<br><br>
Ami, David and myself are invited to Korea the end of this week, for the opening of a documentary that was done by a believing Korean film crew this fall. The film is on the Restoration of Israel, and the Messianic believers in Israel. Ami's story is central to the film. We were pleasantly surprised that he was given permission at school to be absent for a week for this purpose. After Korea, Ami and I will return home, and David will continue on to Manila, Philippines where he will speak at an Epicenter conference with Joel Rosenberg. Please pray for travelling mercies, and for the Lord's anointing on us all. Please pray for those who are watching over our apartment while we are away as well. We've been joking with one another, that Korea is experiencing it's coldest winter in 50 years, and 6 hours from Manila, a volcano is about to erupt! <br><br>
A few weeks ago Ami, David and I were able to visit Yonatan Granovsky, a 15 year old son of believers who has become ill with Leukaemia. He is in the same hospital that Ami was hospitalized in for the first six weeks, but on a different floor. Please pray for Yonatan and his family, they are fighting the good fight, and it was a too familiar scene that we encountered when we entered in through those doors again. The presence of the Holy Spirit was strong in the room, and I had a profound sense from the Lord that Yonatan is going to be alright. He has two other siblings, and his parents work in the ministry of Yeshua. They are precious people, and experiencing much blessing and victory also in their tragedy. The Body here is coming together to support them, and there are many praying for him around the world as well. <br><br>
After fellowshipping and praying for Yonatan and his mother who was there, we left and Ami got off the elevator on the floor that he had spent 6 very hard weeks on almost two years ago. He told us to go on, he wanted to do something. He went there and looked around; I believe to think and reminisce, realizing how much the Lord has done in his life. It has been amazing to witness the miracle of recovery that has taken place, and you have been a vital part of it. <br><br><b>Philippians 3<br><br>
7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Messiah. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Messiah Yeshua my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Messiah 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Messiah-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10I want to know Messiah and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.<br><br>
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Messiah Yeshua took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Messiah Yeshua. 15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained<br></b><br>
Yours in the Messiah,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306152009-12-23T06:52:02-07:002009-12-23T06:52:02-07:00December 23, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">Shalom! I have been hearing a particular verse from different people and in different situations this past week, and the other morning I turned to the Daily Light devotional and there it was again-<br><br>
John 16:33<br><br>
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."<br><br>
May the God of Peace be with you this holiday season and New Year, 2010. May He who has already overcome be our rock and strength. We don't celebrate Christmas or the New Year on January 1st in Israel, they are both just regular working days. We of course have long gotten used to this, and delight in the Biblical and extra Biblical holidays celebrated here.<br><br>
TWO MEETINGS <br><br>
Two extraordinary meetings took place last week . The first was held by Rev. Majed El Shafie, a Canadian Minister and Human Rights lawyer who is the founder and President of an organization called "One Free World International". Majed travels the world helping persecuted Christians one case at a time. He travels to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq and every place where believers are facing persecution. He has helped us with our case in the year and a half w hen the investigation seemed to be going nowhere, by sending out a petition calling for the arrest of the one who attacked us, and using his contacts in the Foreign Ministry to put pressure on the security services to do so. Majed's personal testimony is amazing, you can read it on his website: <a href="http://www.onefreeworldinternational.org" target="_new">www.onefreeworldinternational.org</a><br><br>
This year, Majed held his organization's annual meeting in Jerusalem. He brought with him a group which included two MP's from the Canadian government who are heads of the committees on human rights and anti-semitism, and the president of B'nai Brit in Canada among others. The gentleman from B'nai Brit, an Orthodox Jew, gave his "testimony "concerning his friendship with Majed and One World International. He said that he had a very hard time trusting Christian Zionists and Christians whose hearts were turned towards helping Israel and the Jewish people. However through his friendship with Majed he understands now that there is a difference between believing Christians, and others who are Christians by name, and that the believing Christians are indeed very good friends of the Jewish people and of Israel. What a great testimony Majed, an Egyptian ex-Muslim who loves the Lord and loves His people, has displayed before this Orthodox Jewish man. For me, it was one of the highlights of the meeting. Majed also spoke about the attack on Ami. He talked about the dangerous rise of a violent radical right wing in Israel, Judea and Samaria, and the rise in persecution of Messianic Jews, of which the most violent attack against our community was against our family. He introduced us to the audience. One of the MP's who spoke is also a born-again believer whose message against anti-semitism was very clear and interesting. We were so edified and blessed to be a part of that meeting.<br><br>
We were also privileged to go to a conference which was held in the Ariel University in our city! It was a conference on " Law and the Media" and was attended by scholars, a Nobel prize laureate, Members Knesset and a variety of media people. Dr. Mike Evans, a Jewish believer who is also on the board of the University was one of the speakers. Dr. Evans has had amazing favor with the government of Israel since the 1970's until today , is a huge supporter of Israel and is friends with our Mayor. The session which Dr. Evans spoke in addressed freedom of speech in the media in Israel, and when he spoke, he brought life into a very intellectual forum! He spoke from the Bible and about God, and one of the Orthodox Jewish attendees said - why do believers have to come from outside of our country to talk about God and the Bible, and we do not? It was another high point for us. Dr. Evans also spoke about the fact that a terror attack happened in Ariel a few years ago, and he asked the audience if they had heard about it?? People said, "oh yeah, it happened here in Ariel". Dr. Evans said that when the attack happened which almost killed Ami, he was expecting condemnation from the government and the Israeli news to be full of the story - but there was a deafening silence. He said that there is a bias in Israeli media against Messianic Jews - and he also introduced us to the audience.<br><br>
AMI NEWS AND MORE<br><br>
Our lawyers continue to work preparing our civilian case against Yakov Teitel. One of the actions we've taken is to join together with the Arab family from East Jerusalem whose son was murdered by Teitel, in order to sue him for 4 million NIS for compensation and damages ($500,000 for each family). As I've explained, we aren't doing this to receive money from Teitel , but to pack the biggest punch we can in order to prevent others from walking in Teitel's footsteps. We want the message to be loud and clear - hate crimes will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. When we told Ami about this move, he was surprised. He said, "I thought we weren't taking revenge! Why should his children pay for what he has done?" We told him our reasons, and he said, "OK, but if the court holds him responsible for the money, I want to help support his children!" And he wasn't the only one - my daughter also called me and voiced the same opinion - the children should not pay for their father's sins.<br><br>
Ezekiel 18:20 <br><br>
20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.<br><br>
When David explained our reasons and also Ami's reaction, she said she wants to join in to help his children if there is a need. I was pretty amazed and thankful for my kids!<br><br>
We have two doctor's consultations coming up the end of this month and beginning of January in which we will schedule the operations on Ami's left hand and left ear. Please pray for wisdom and timing - Ami also has his first army call-up next week as well, and this is another decision that he has to make - whether to enlist in the army or not. There are many, many jobs in the army that are non-combat, but Ami feels that if he cannot be a combat soldier he would rather not enlist. We will see if this is an option. Please pray for favor and right judgment concerning this, for us and for the IDF. <br><br>
Many Blessings to all,<br><br>
Leah </div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306292009-12-10T06:00:00-07:002009-12-10T06:00:00-07:00December 10, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">Thank the Lord that yesterday has passed. We want you to know that the grace and peace of the Holy Spirit was with us, and your prayer was tangibly felt. We thank the Lord for the brothers and sisters who came to be with us and support us by their presence. As each one appeared in court or outside, we felt excited and honored by their presence. The media were swarming, but all in all were very positive and favorable towards us. We had interviews one after another, which continued even when we got home in the evening by phone. <br><br>
Akram Balbisi ,the father of Teitel's first victim, Samir Balbisi, also was present in court with us, accompanied by one of his nephews. This is the second time we've met them, and it is incredible the bond that we feel because of our mutual tragedy of having been victimized by the same person. It is our honor to go through this process with them. It is also beautiful to see our Orthodox lawyer representing the family and privately and publicly treating them with much respect and care. Twelve years have passed since since Samir Balbisi was murdered and yet the wound in his father's heart is still open and painful. Seeing Teitel did that however, I had the strange reaction of feeling exactly like I did the first day of the attack, my heart was beating and the blood rose to my face.<br><br><b>INTERESTING DEVELOPMENTS </b><br><br>
Several interesting moments occurred - Teitel's lawyer didn't show up! The word was that he was doing army reserve duty, but neither he nor his organization made a formal announcement to the court and therefore they had to find a State appointed defence attorney to represent him. This caused a two hour delay. <br><br>
Teitel's wife and baby arrived, I have to say that I felt something very strange coming from her - a spirit that was very bizarre, there was something almost inhuman about her appearance and spirit. She must feel very ashamed. She doesn't open her mouth to speak to anyone.<br><br>
Teitel entered with what has become his trademark - cynically smiling and holding up his hands in the V for victory sign. It is true that his eyes are frightening - but I could see from all of his bravado, it was an act, and he averted his eyes from us - even though we tried to make eye contact with him. He also has a very bizarre personality, demonic, cynical, rebellious and hard. He refused to stand up when the 3 judges entered, and when one of the judges told him to stand to respond to the indictments, he refused and said he could listen from where he was. Everyone, including the prison guards who accompanied him into the court, were disgusted and shocked. He degraded himself even further by doing that. The judges could have punished him for contempt of court, but we were told later that they decided not to fall into that trap. <br><br>
After about ten minutes it was over and again Teitel's response to the indictments was postponed until January 11, 2010, when his attorney will be present. <br><br><b>PRAYER ANSWERED </b><br><br>
We felt that the Spirit of the Lord was not at all hindered in the court, the believers were relaxed and honored Yeshua in deed and word, and we were proud to introduce them to everyone as our brothers and sisters.<br><br>
I personally was surprised when I saw our interviews on TV and heard them on Radio. We appeared joyful, and full of grace! The strange thing was - I didn't "feel" that way within - and so I realized it was a supernatural impartation from the Lord, ordered by prayer. <br><br>
We want to make a correction from the last update - we referred you to the Hope4Israel website and gave the wrong address - it should be <a target="_new" href="http://www.hope4israel.org">www.hope4israel.org</a><br><br>
Thanks to all who gave me the heads up on that.<br><br>
This is a link to a good article from yesterday which includes a video report: <a target="_new" href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3817424,00.html">http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3817424,00.html</a><br><br>
Thank you all for the strength you impart to us by your love and prayer.<br><br>
Yours in Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306282009-12-06T06:00:00-07:002009-12-06T06:00:00-07:00December 6, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">We found out today that the next court hearing in the Yakov Teitel case will take place on Wednesday, December 9, 2009. It will be his defense's response to the indictments, and David and I will have to be in court with our lawyer in order to invoke our victim's right of appeal if necessary. Please pray for us as we face the person for the first time who caused such suffering to Ami and our family . Thank you for being there to pray for us, as the thought of seeing Teitel is difficult, but we know it is necessary. We told Ami that we will let him know every time we'll be going to court, and the decision will be up to him whether he comes or not.<br><br>
PERSECUTION IN BEIT SHE'AN <br><br>
We are burdened today for a family of Jewish believers in Beit Sha'en which is located in the northern Jordan valley. Please pray for this familY. Below is an article written by Calev Myers of the Jerusalem Institute for Justice -<br><br><i>Persecution in Beit She'an Continues</i><br><br>
Eliav Levine, leader of a small Messianic Jewish home-group in Beit She'an , Israel, and his family have been suffering recently from serious persecution. For the past six months there has been an escalation of harassment against them from the ultra-orthodox Jewish community in this ancient town.<br><br>
We reported in our May 6 newsletter about the Levine's daughter Rivka* being interrogated by ultra-orthodox extremists, and their Volkswagen van subsequently being torched. Since our last update, the Levine family has been forced to vacate two apartments due to threats made against their landlords. The persecution has radically accelerated over the past week, following ultra-orthodox activists driving through the streets with loudspeakers calling to "kick the 'evil missionaries' of the town".<br><br>
Another vehicle belonging to the Levine family was torched on December 1 in the middle of the night. The car was parked in a parking space facing the local police station and the police security cameras recorded the perpetrators, who were caught within a few hours. Recently, other congregational members have been threatened with violence and pressure is being placed upon landlords in Beth She'an to terminate contracts with their Messianic tenants, to remove them from their apartments.<br><br>
The Jerusalem Institute of Justice has called upon David Cohen, the Chief of Police in Israel, to immediately investigate the perpetrators of incitement and violence against the small Messianic Jewish community in Beit She'an, before the problem deteriorates to violence against people, as we have seen in other cases, such as the Ortiz case.<br><br>
The Levine family currently needs to purchase another vehicle. Please contact us if you would like to know how you can send financial support to the Levine family.<br><br>
This link is to an article which appeared in the Jerusalem Post:<br><br><a href="http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1259243066926&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull" target="_new">http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1259243066926&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull</a><br><br>
Please keep this family and all the believers in Beit She'an in prayer, for protection and for boldness. They have determined that they will not leave their homes, and are standing for the truth where they are. Please pray that the rest of the Body in Israel will stand with the believers in Beit She'an, and that we will be willing to do whatever is needed to support them. <br><br>
HOPE4ISRAEL <br><br>
We want to direct you to another website of a very special ministry which is dear to our hearts - hope4israel.com<br><br>
Moran Rosenblit is a Sabra who has accepted Yeshua as his Messiah. He has a fruitful ministry reaching out to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Matthew 10:5-7) He and his wife Melissa have stood closely by our sides throughout our ordeal, and they are two of the most practical people I have ever met in my life! A gifted writer who works with them in the ministry, Tamar Afriat, recently interviewed Ami, David and myself, and the article can be found at:<br><br><a href="http://hope4israel.org/pdf/HFI%20Newsletter%20Dec%202009_web%20version.pdf" target="_new">http://hope4israel.org/pdf/HFI%20Newsletter%20Dec%202009_web%20version.pdf</a><br><br>
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS <br><br>
Blessings to all as we come to the Hanukkah season, the Festival of Lights. Yeshua is the Light of the World!<br><br>
John 10:21-23<br><br>
22 Then came the Feast of Dedication (That is, Hanukkah) at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade.<br><br>
John 8:12<br><br>
When Yeshua spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."<br><br>
In Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306242009-11-28T06:00:00-07:002009-11-28T06:00:00-07:00November 28, 2009<div style="text-align: center;"><b>2 Peter 1:5-1 </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, (Or excellence) and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities (Greek these things) are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.<br><br>
9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers (Or brothers and sisters. The plural Greek word adelphoi (translated "brothers") refers to siblings in a family. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, adelphoi may refer either to men or to both men and women who are siblings (brothers and sisters) in God's family, the Body of Messiah) , be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.<br><b><br>
GETTING OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONES<br><br></b>I have included these verses with the footnotes from the devotional "Daily Light". I've always found these verses to be exceptional in that there is a promise at the end - that if we practice these things, we will never fall! Something to be taken seriously. I've noticed that in the life of the believer there needs to always be within us a pressing forward - like it says in Philippians 3:12-16, to press towards the mark in the race we are running. In the same way that I saw Ami pressing forward daily in the hospital, against all the odds of pain and trauma, and the terrible realities of what had happened to his body and to our family, yet every day, fuelled by the power of prayer, he would do something that he couldn't do the day before. Likewise, as believers, we are to press forward in our walk with Yeshua, never being afraid of the impossible which we see in ourselves, but believing that he who has called us will finish the work He has begun in Messiah Yeshua. (Phil. 1:6) Therefore the qualities or "things" that are listed in the passage in 2 Peter 1 can be ours through the working of the Holy Spirit in us - all we need are willing hearts.<br><br>
I have noticed that one of the main problems in our walk with the Lord is the constant need to be moved out of our comfort zones - and this is bigger than we think. To be willing to be stretched by the Lord into the place where He ultimately wants us to be - and that is to move from brotherly affection to real love for our brothers and sisters in the Body - considering one another siblings, family in the true sense of the word, and not just friends. This was made real to me in May of 2008, when at least 70 congregational leaders and workers gathered in our congregation in Ariel for prayer. It was an amazing morning - and the Holy Spirit spoke to me clearly - we need to be different from now on - we need to love one another with burning love and zeal. Indeed, what happened to our family happened to the rest of the Body in Israel, and we are seeing the fruits of that in these days. With every victory the battle intensifies and we can't expect anything different. The red line was crossed by Yakov Teitel, and now other believers in the land are receiving very real and explicit death threats.<b><br><br>
LEGAL PROCESS, MEDIA <br></b><br>
The legal process is different in Israel because even though the State is prosecuting our case and the other 13 counts against Teitel, we have no jury system, only a judge or judges based on the Mosaic law and the decisions are made only by judges. There is a law for victim's rights and so we have the right to appeal every decision made by the court. The reason we have to use those rights in this case at every turn is because this is the first time in Israel's history that a Jewish person brought a bomb into another Jewish person's home with intent to murder because of ideological differences. It is a precedent setting case, and an example has to be set. For that reason we're also filing a civil suit against Teitel which we are doing together with the Balbisi family from East Jerusalem. Their son/brother was Teitel's first victim in this country. He was shot point blank in the head because he was an Arab. The civil suit is being done in conjunction with the State's prosecution, as we want any future Teitel's to know that their crimes will not pay in any form. <br><br>
As I explained before, the media coverage is important also because public opinion plays a large part in the decisions of the court, and judges read newspapers and watch news as well. All of this has been very expensive for us as we have a lawyer, media advisers, private detectives, because as you know the police handled our case as if we were the suspects, and even questioned our witnesses about us and tried to drive a wedge between us - it's been a battle all the way. <br><br>
We are pressing forward by faith, as we are taking advantage of another "first"in Israeli history - which our lawyer pointed out to us. Never before in Israel's history have Messianic Jews been covered with so much sympathy and support in the Israeli media. This has been the fruit of Calev Myer's (Jerusalem Institute for Justice) screening of newspaper articles and TV news reports, and quick reactions to misrepresentations of our faith (calling us a cult, and referring to Yeshua as "Yeshu"which is tantamount to a curse), and your letters to the editor, which was a part of the battle.<br><br><b>PRESSING TOWARDS THE MARK</b><br><br>
However, because of the high media coverage, believers in different parts of the country are receiving terrible and explicit death threats - and the Body here is beginning also to gather to get out of the fortress in a way that we've never seen before, and we are working to be a part of this in every way possible. A group of native born Israeli believers received the inspiration/burden to spread the Good News and dispel misinformation on the Hebrew internet sites demonizing the faith. They noticed that if anyone would type in Messianic Judaism in Hebrew in their search, they would get a plethora of anti-missionary sites (which we prefer to call anti-freedom of religion sites), and no information for the seeker. They are working on sites, and different internet venues to correct this. Their website which states their aims and information is: <a target="_new" href="http://www.oneforisrael.org/">http://www.oneforisrael.org/</a><br><br>
Please pray for these precious believers as they put their faith into action on this project. (James 2:26) Look at the projects page, it is very exciting. They are asking for contributions of $1 a month, which as they explained is not for their support, but for the cost of maintaining and advertising the websites.<br><br>
So there is a great pressing forward towards the mark that we are seeing, and we need your prayers and support to be able to do this effectively. I thank God because He has bound us together in love these 20 months as you have carried our burdens with us. The vision has expanded, and we are grateful to all who are still with us in covering all of this in prayer.<br><br>
Please pray for the next court date in the middle of December, which will be the defence's response to the charges. David and I will, God willing, be there. Howard Bass from Beersheva and others have expressed the desire to be with us in court when we will see Teitel for the first time in person. Please begin to pray for this trial, and I ask especially for prayer for Ami. Ami has to process what is going on in his own heart and mind concerning the man who intentionally inflicted such harm on his person, with the explicit intent to murder our family. We are giving him space, and your prayer for him is greatly appreciated at this time. Also, please pray for our lawyer, Yossi Graiver, and his team as they are working hard and with excellence on this project. Please pray for the State prosecutor, and the judge who will be presiding. Please pray for fruit to come out of this process, and for the Name of Yeshua to be lifted up and glorified.<br><br>
We love you in Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306272009-11-20T06:00:00-07:002009-11-20T06:00:00-07:00November 20, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">Dear Leah,<br><br>
The Bible says "let the redeemed of the Lord say so." Psalm 107:2, "not only in word but also in deed. It also says that we need to speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves. Proverbs 31:8 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute."<br><br>
The Bible also says to pray for righteous leaders and judges. Timothy 2:1-3 and Proverbs 28:28 28 "When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive"<br><br>
The media dictates so much of world history; this is why it is important to let our voices be known on what is right and wrong. By God's grace your efforts to help us with the Jerusalem Post paid off -however, several people said that their emails bounced back and one friend from the UK wrote to us and said,"I have just heard from the JPost that so many people wrote in on your behalf, their computer could not cope with all the emails!"<br><br>
We spoke to a newspaper reporter who is very well known in Israel and he had several things to say. He said that the believers are like a baker that has the flour, eggs, milk, all the right ingredients and they are a very powerful force but if those ingredients are not mixed, the cake can't be baked. He also said that we have to understand how the media works - they work according to what is in fashion. This is why it is important to let your voice be known. He said that the media works like "monkey see monkey do" and they copy from each other. If other papers see the Jerusalem Post, for instance, disrespecting Messianic Jews, the rest follow. But in this case you made a difference, and below are some of the comments to the editor that were written so beautifully, not only urging them to respect us but most of all to rest the name of Yeshua. Yeshua, said, if they receive you, they receive me and they receive the One who sent me. Matt 10; 40 Here are some of the fruits of your keyboards.<br><br>
You might also want to see the link to a chilling video produced by Maoz about a Yemnite Israeli Messianic believer that won a Supreme Court decision to keep her Kosher liscense in her bakery - and she herself explains what the results of that decision were. We very much have to keep in mind that even though we are experiencing persecution, the persecutors are enemies for the Gospel's sake, but very much beloved by God. Rom 11:11-29 Matt 5; 43-48 Isaiah49:14-16 Ezekiel 36:21-23; Jer 33; 35-37<br><br><a href="http://maoz.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=maoz_pnina_threatened_video" target="_new">http://maoz.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=maoz_pnina_threatened_video</a><br><br>
Yours in the Messiah,<br><br>
David<br><b><br>
Here are some responses we've received, there have been so many that are excellent, but these are a few examples</b><br><br>
Dear Editors of the Jerusalem Post and Ben Hartman,<br><br>
In regards to your article: Teitel court hearing closed to public <br><br>
How do you think Ami Ortiz feels, after having a bomb blown up in his face, nearly dying, going through countless surgeries, being slandered by organizations as far away as Scandinavia for verbalizing that this attack may indeed have been done by an orthodox Jew (which we now know it was), thinking maybe the perpetrator will never be caught, reading in some of the talkback comments that he deserved to die, etc, etc,...and then...finally an arrest is made, and the editors of the post fail to mention one of his most repulsive attacks against a teenager. How do you think that makes Ami feel? Do you care? Is he not human because of his beliefs? Instead you do mention a crime that the police say he most likely had nothing to do with and that he has since renounced.<br><br>
This could only have been deliberate, as it was so obvious. If he was not Messianic, there is no way that you would not go out of your way to highlight the compelling story of a teen who survived having a mishloach manot blow up in his face. You would share how the Doctors told David Ortiz that his son would not make through the night. How God spoke to David and told him not to worry, that He had a plan. You would tell how amazing it was even before the Doctors returned at 4am to give David the good news (His son would live!), that David already knew it inside! What a story! You would surely highlight that the doctors initially said that if he survives he will most likely lose his extremities and how he now plays basketball with all of those extremities. <br><br>
Instead, you leave out his name completely when listing the crimes of his attacker. SHAME ON YOU.<br><br>
I can only hope that your reporting will be more honest in the future. And don't think that the millions of Christians around the world who read this article, who have been praying for Ami and that his attacker would be arrested would not notice this omission. They have been following the Teital case closely.<br><br>
Ron <br><br><b>Two more</b><br><br>
In your article referring to Ami Ortiz, the Ariel teenage victim of the terror attack ostensibly perpetrated by Ya'akov Teitel, Ami is described as a "messianic Jew (Christian)". Through this title using a lower case "m" for Messianic, you communicate a denigration of Messianic Jews. As a subscriber to the Jerusalem Post for many years, I am really surprised by your editorial policy. You don't write "islamic fundamentalism" nor "reform Jews". So why do you write "messianic Jews"? <br><br>
Jan<br><br>
Dear Sirs,<br><br>
We in the U.S.A. have followed closely, the story of the Ami Ortiz family and their tragic attack about two years ago. We are friends and supporters of Israel. I served as a volunteer with SarEl at an IDF base after the Lebanon war three years ago because I wanted Israel to know we loved her. I, and my daughter have made several trips to Israel over the years.<br><br>
We get updates from the Ortiz family once a week about Ami's progress and we watch the JPost for stories on the capture of the criminal (Teitel) who did these crimes against Ami and others because he didn't think their lives were worth living. He took it into his own hands to kill or maim them as he was able. We are astonished that in your news stories about Mr. Teitel's capture, you have chosen to delete the name of Ami Ortiz, who suffered this attack, nearly killing him in his own home. Ami is still receiving Rx for his injuries. Ignoring Ami's plight in the Post's stories is another rebuff to this innocent victim of Teilel's crimes. <br><br>
Please note in all stories about Teilel in the JPost ALL the people whom he has harmed, not just those whom you think are 'worthy' of notice. We notice when Ami's name is missing. <br><br>
Thank you and shalom,<br><br>
Carrol, PhD. <br><br><b>Hi and Shalom</b><br><br>
My name's Tom. I have had a long relationship with the Jerusalem Post. As far back as 1998, I began reading articles online as a primary resource for my work with a pro-Israel group of Christians and Jews working together for the safety and security of Israel. JPost.com is one of the first of many resources I continue to turn to today to inform me of the "facts on the ground" in Israel.<br><br>
JPost.com has continued to be an invaluable resource for me on many levels. I find solace in your reporting that resounds deeply within me, a confessed moderate (or compassionate) conservative, due to the faithful "balanced opinion" you have supported since the miraculous birth of your wonderful nation.<br><br>
It is also crystal clear to me that my faith - a "hebrew-roots-focused" Christianity - is inalienably tied to the faith of the Hebrews of old and the Jews of today. Indeed, my Moshiach is, to me, the quintessential Jewish Rabbi, Yeshua.<br><br>
I'm also tied to Israel through my humanitarian observations of the world I live in. I see the "underdog" nation - opposed by the rich and powerful on all sides - shining with a peculiar light that alone, in my opinion, is the salvation ("yeshua") of planet earth. Although this observation is plainly obvious to anyone who compares and contrasts society with society today, this view of a country that will, itself, present Salvation to the world is also supported strongly in the Hebrew scriptures.<br><br>
This is why, to me, it is a travesty that one lonely story continues to go uncovered by your prestigious paper - the story of Amiel Ortiz and the Ortiz family in Ariel, Israel!<br><br>
I ask, would you please do me (and 10s of thousands of other Christians who daily read JPost.com) the favor of covering this unique, moving story?<br><br>
It is a disservice to the spirit of journalism for you not to.<br><br>
Tom<br><br>
Serving and loving the AtomHolder, Messiah Yeshua, because He first loved and served me.</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306252009-11-02T09:45:00-07:002009-11-02T09:45:00-07:00November 2, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday the media gag order was lifted from the arrest of the suspect in our case. We found out the details of what has been discovered and about the individual that brought the bomb to our house a year and a half ago. His name is Yakov "Jack" Teitel. He is an American citizen who immigrated to Israel in 2000. Before he officially immigrated, he visited Israel in 1997, and within a couple of months murdered two Palestinians in cold blood, one an Arab taxi driver, and the other a shepherd around the area of Hebron He returned to the U.S. and when he immigrated, he began to be active again in 2006. He carried out a number of attacks the last two of which were the bombing in our house, and the attack on Prof. Ze'ev Sternhel. <br><br>
THE JERUSALEM POST<br>
Jewish terrorist arrested for alleged series of hate crimes<br>
Nov. 1, 2009 Yaakov Katz<br><br>
The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and Israel Police have arrested an American-born Jewish settler who is allegedly behind an unprecedented series of deadly terror shootings and bombings spanning over a decade, in which two Palestinians were killed and Israel Prize Laureate Prof. Ze'ev Sternhell was injured. According to the Shin Bet, he also planted a bomb at the entrance to house of a messianic family in Ariel, seriously wounding their son, then-15-year-old Ami Ortiz.<br><br>
Yaakov "Jack" Teitel, 37, was arrested by the Israel Police's elite counter-terror unit YAMAM on Oct. 7th as he was hanging flyers in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Nof in support of the attack on a Tel Aviv gay and lesbian youth club in August in which two people were killed. Teitel, the Shin Bet said, was not the gunman in that attack.<br><br>
Teitel, the father of four from the settlement of Shevut Rahel, came to Israel in 1997 and allegedly succeeded in smuggling a pistol into Israel aboard a British Airways flight. The Shin Bet says the gun was used to kill an east Jerusalem cab driver on June 8, 1997 and two months later to shoot and kill a Palestinian shepherd near the settlement of Carmel in the Southern Hebron Hills. <br>
Teitel then left Israel for Florida and returned 3 years later in 2000. According to Shin Bet he was wanted at the time by American authorities for his alleged involvement in violent criminal activity in the US.<br><br>
"He was a lone attacker," a senior Shin Bet official said when explaining why it took some 12 years since the first attack to arrest Teitel, who has a degree in business and made a living by developing websites.<br><br>
Teitel, officials said, was an "autodidact" (self taught) when it came to weapons expertise. In addition to the gun smuggled by air, Teitel is alleged also smuggled another nine automatic machine guns and pistols into Israel hidden in a shipping container. His father, who now lives in the settlement of Beitar Illit, served for many years as a dentist in the US Marines and officials said it was possible that Teitel learned about weapons and explosives during his time on military bases. <br>
"He is an autodidact when it came to using weapons and assembling bombs," the Shin Bet official said. "They were not the most advanced devices but they were pretty sophisticated and deadly."<br><br>
Teitel was actually arrested by police and the Shin Bet upon his return to Israel in 2000 based on intelligence they had obtained indicating that he was behind the 1997 shootings. The police released him after they could not find evidence to support the intelligence. For this reason, Teitel was allowed to continue to receive an official license to carry a pistol which was discovered loaded and on him when he was arrested last month.<br><br>
Officials said that Teitel was extremely cautious and did not share his attacks with anyone including his wife. As an example, police said that he was nabbed in Har Nof last month hanging flyers while wearing thick gloves in order to not leave a fingerprint. However, he had been under surveillance for a period of time before then.<br><br>
During his interrogations, Teitel confessed to a long list of shooting and bombing attacks. The first two attacks were the shootings in 1997. In November 2006, he planted a bomb inside a police station in the settlement of Eli. The bomb was discovered and dismantled but the Shin Bet official said that "it was sophisticated" and had it gone off "people would have been killed." <br><br>
He said he carried out the coming attack to try and deter police from providing security for a scheduled gay pride rally in Jerusalem later that month. <br><br>
In April 2007, Teitel allegedly planted a bomb next to the Beit Jamal Monastery near Beit Shemesh. A Palestinian driving a tractor set off the bomb and was injured. Teitel told his interrogators that he planted the device since he heard that the monastery was seducing Jewish children with candies. <br><br>
Teitel confessed to planting another bomb in the Jerusalem neighborhood Ramot near a police car on May 15, 2007. The bomb exploded but no one was injured. A month later he allegedly planted another bomb on the side of a road near the Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo and detonated it as a police car passed by. No one was injured.<br><br>
Teitel, officials said, made the explosive devices in a room in his family's home in Shevut Rahel. He hid the weapons cache near his home and hid another gun near the settlement of Adei Ad. He confessed to planting a bomb on March 20, 2008 at the entrance to the Ortiz family home in Ariel, who he believed were messianic Jews and were trying to convert Jews to Christianity.<br><br>
On September 25, 2008, Teitel planed a bomb at the entrance to the home of Sternhell in Jerusalem, which went off and injured the well-known academic. He said he decided to target Sternhell since he understood that the professor had called to kill Jewish settlers. He also confessed to stabbing an Arab youth in 1997 in Independence Park since he thought he was gay. <br>
Officials said that Teitel was in the midst of planning additional attacks but would not specify against whom. In the arms cache found near his house, police discovered a sophisticated sniper rifle, an M15 machine gun, an M16 shortened automatic rifle, a Glock pistol as well as a Browning 9mm. The gun that he said he smuggled into Israel aboard a British Airways flight and was used in the 1997 murders was not discovered by police. He said he hid it next to the Sha'are Zedek hospital in Jerusalem and despite extensive searches it was not found. <br>
While police do not have the murder weapon, they said that Teitel confessed to the murders, reenacted them and knew details that only the murderer could have known.<br><br>
MEDIA ATTENTION<br><br>
Despite the insistence of the police at this time that Teitel was working alone, there have been articles and interviews with terror experts claiming that there is no way that he could have succeeded to act alone. The secret service also have stated that others are involved and other attacks are being planned. We also have information confirming this. His methods were extremely sophisticated and he didn't leave behind evidence. The investigation is ongoing, and so we ask your prayers that all the darkness will be revealed.<br><br>
Yesterday we were featured on Israeli news, and this morning we appeared in the major newspapers in Israel. We asked for prayer from the Body in Israel for wisdom and for Yeshua to be glorified in us, and I pray that was so. In one of the broadcasts David had the opportunity to express our prayer that the Lord would have mercy on the perpetrator and on his family because he has brought shame on himself, his family, and on Israel by his actions. Please continue to pray that we will be sensitive to His voice and open our mouths only for His glory in the coming days as there will be many follow up reports.<br><br>
TED PEARCE<br><br>
On October 28th we had a huge blessing bestowed on us from heaven. Ted Pearce, a messianic singer/songwriter debuted his new CD in a concert in Ariel. It took place in the hotel in our city and it was also held as a benefit for Ami, which was to help us with our extensive legal costs at this time. Ted was with a tour group of 100 people from a church in Tubingen, Germany that has an incredible testimony concerning the holocaust and the sin of the German people which was and still is ongoing-silence and indifference to what was going on during the war, and towards the importance of the Jewish people and Israel. This church has an anointed praise and worship team called "Beersheva"" which ministered before and with Ted Pearce, and it was an evening of praise, healing and encouragement. Ted has a heavy anointing on him when he ministers, and we were blessed to have him come and sing in our congregation as well a few days after the concert. We are so grateful for Ted Pearce and Beersheva's heart, wanting to come to Ariel to minister so powerfully. <br><br>
The results of our case will, God willing set a precedent in Israel, because it is the first case of Jewish terror against other Jews based on their belief system and ideology . Therefore we need to be prepared to use all of our legal rights in order to defend not only our freedom to worship and practice our faith, but for the defence of the whole Body of Messiah in Israel. <br><br>
A case in point happened before the concert, when we arrived at the hotel. Two cars with Orthodox Jews were parked there - in two different places in the parking lot. When one saw David, Ami and myself arrive - he jumped into his car and called someone on the telephone. He was a young man in his 20's, and there were about 4 teenagers with him. We got out of our car, looked at him squarely, and wrote down the licence plate number. They drove out of the parking lot, and David followed him - when he saw David following him, he came back to the hotel. Then we noticed an older man, ultra orthodox, getting out of the other car and walking over to the others. They consulted with one another and left, all the time looking at us with hate. The hotel owner in the meantime had come outside and told the armed security guard to stand outside to watch the men. The owner had David park our car directly opposite the entrance to the hotel to prevent a car bomb from being driven into the lobby. The intention was obviously to disturb the concert in some way, but we took pictures and have turned them and the licence plate numbers into the security services. The arrogance of people is disturbing, but we strive to keep our hearts clean. <br><br>
Psalm 24<br><br>
3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. 5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior. <br><br>
Here are some links to look at concerning the arrest and the man who carried out the bombing.<br><a target="_new" href="http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1125068.html"><br>
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1125068.html</a><br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1125063.html">http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1125063.html</a><br>
(This includes the security camera pictures of Teitel bringing the bomb)<br><a target="_new" href="http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1125062.html"><br>
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1125062.html</a><br><br>
Thank you for standing with us,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306232009-10-19T07:00:00-06:002009-10-19T07:00:00-06:00October 19, 2009<div style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: larger">We have incredible news and answer to prayer. A suspect has been arrested in our case! Actually he was arrested about 2 weeks ago, but there has been a continuing gag order placed on the story. Therefore we cannot tell you all the details because we don't have them yet. To be noted that we didn't hear the news from the police, but from our lawyer and media sources, and today the American Embassy called us to tell us that there was an arrest! We are dual American and Israeli citizens, and I thanked them for having the consideration to inform us.<br><br>
Concerning the suspect, we only know that he is an Orthodox Jew, originally from the U.S. He was living in a settlement in our area, is married, the father of four children, and is now being held by the secret services because the case is wider than we expected. We know that weapons and explosive material were found in his home, and that there is a lot of hard evidence against him. We also know that there are those in Ariel who are under intense investigation as well, but we're not sure if any other arrests have been made. We also know that his lawyer went before the judge to ask for the suspect to be released on bail, and he was refused because of the amount of evidence against him in his file. We expect that the gag order will be lifted maybe on Wednesday or Thursday, and then we will know more details and the press will be all over the story for a few days.<br><br>
GREAT RELIEF <br>
Our family has experienced great relief. We are happy that we don't have to look over our shoulder, we don't have to check our car before we get into it, and we can open our front door with more confidence. Before this we knew there was a murderer roaming free, perhaps standing in line with us in the post office, or continuing to keep surveillance on our house. We also feel sorrow for the suspect who has so ruined his life, the lives of his family, and has brought a bad name on the people of Israel. We can testify that the nation as a whole condemns this man's actions. We have received telephone calls and communications from Israelis throughout this past year and a half, from every town, city, and village in Israel. They have been secular, orthodox and ultra orthodox Jews, and the message has been the same - shock, grief and anger over the incident, and the need to let us know that they condemn this vicious act. They all blessed Ami with wishes for a full recovery, and hopes that he would succeed in life and fulfil his dreams.<br><br>
PRAY FOR WISDOM<br>
Please pray for us as the media interviews begin, both domestic and international, for wisdom and for the name of Yeshua to be lifted up. Please pray for Ami, as he goes back to the moment and shares it publically. He took the news very coolly. I don't think he wants to let his heart get involved in any way, which I understand. Right now he is with all the 11th graders in his school in the northern Negev, in a pre-army type of experience called in Hebrew the "gadna" which means "youth battalions". It's kind of a light basic training simulation with many lectures from the army about what they can expect, and what their possibilities are.<br><br>
Psalm 27:1-6 sums it all up-<br><br><br><i><b>1 The LORD is my light and my salvation-<br>
whom shall I fear? <br>
The LORD is the stronghold of my life-<br>
of whom shall I be afraid? <br>
2 When evil men advance against me <br>
to devour my flesh, <br>
when my enemies and my foes attack me, <br>
they will stumble and fall. <br>
3 Though an army besiege me, <br>
my heart will not fear; <br>
though war break out against me, <br>
even then will I be confident. <br>
4 One thing I ask of the LORD, <br>
this is what I seek: <br>
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD <br>
all the days of my life, <br>
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD <br>
and to seek him in his temple. <br>
5 For in the day of trouble <br>
he will keep me safe in his dwelling; <br>
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle <br>
and set me high upon a rock. <br>
6 Then my head will be exalted <br>
above the enemies who surround me; <br>
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; <br>
I will sing and make music to the LORD. <br></b></i><br>
Thank you for standing with us as you have helped us to pray this through, and for continuing to be with us in prayer.<br><br>
In the Messiah, Leah<br><br><br><br><br></span></div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306222009-10-11T07:00:00-06:002009-10-11T07:00:00-06:00Ami Update October 11, 2009<div style="text-align: justify">
<span style="font-size: medium">Just a quick note to you all - you can see David and I speaking on the Return Ministries Website. Dean and Peggy Byars have an </span><span style="font-size: medium">amazing Ministry for Israel, and one of the services on their website is called "daily focus". It features believers in the land giving a short devotional for every day of the year. Non-believers also talk about their work, and it is very interesting. David and I were featured these past 11 days - October 1-11. If you want to take a peek the website is: <a href="http://%20http://www.landandpeople.ca/dailyfocus.htm%20%20">http://www.landandpeople.ca/dailyfocus.htm </a><br><br>
You can also get a few glimpses of Ami. <br><br><br>
KOREAN FILM CREW<br><br>
I didn't mention in my last update that we had a visit from a Korean Film Crew. They are making a film on the restoration of Israel, on Messianic believers in the land and the persecution we are experiencing. They are using Ami's story as a central theme for the movie, and have invited us to Korea when it will be finished. They expect it to be a full length documentary. We spent many hours with this talented hardworking film crew. <br><br>
The director has been to Israel 31 times in 20 years and is dedicated to educating the Korean Body of Messiah about this land and its significance to our faith. They said there are 13 million believers in Korea out of a total population of 48 million, and there is no anti-semitism in the believing community. However, there is also not much education or information about the importance of Israel to the believer, and so they hope to show this documentary in all the congregations in Korea and also to send it to film festivals! Should be interesting - they have asked for prayer as they edit, that the Lord will direct them and anoint the film.<br><br><br>
In Yeshua - Leah<br><br><br><br><br></span>
</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306212009-10-08T07:00:00-06:002009-10-08T07:00:00-06:00Ami Update October 8, 2009<div style="text-align: justify"> <span style="font-size: larger">We are at the end of the season of the Fall Feasts of Israel which have deep meaning for the believer in Yeshua. The significance of the Spring Feasts bring us back and teach us again the significance of the blood sacrifice, our freedom from the slavery of sin, the death and resurrection of the Messiah, and the outpouring of the of the Holy Spirit which binds us into one Body all over the world. The Fall Feasts are prophetic of the second coming of the Messiah, the national day of salvation of the Jewish people, and the millennial kingdom when Messiah will rule and reign from Jerusalem over the whole earth. It is a glorious and spiritual time in the land, and this year I have felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in such a way that has been a joy and pleasure. As I have been refreshed by the presence of God, the days have also gotten cooler which in the Middle East is also refreshing because the summer sun is fierce and relentless here, often without a cloud in the sky to offer a few moments of respite. The anticipation of the coming of the Lord is tangible, which brings joy in the midst of tensions and the stirrings of war in our region. <br><br>
There is no doubt in anyone's mind in Israel that we will face a difficult year in 2009/2010 (the Hebrew year 5770). We realize that there is the real possibility of a confrontation with Iran in the near future. We have also been informed by the Civil Defence division of the army that a strong earthquake is expected, and we should begin to prepare with storing water and canned goods.<br><br><i><b>Psalm 46 comes to mind:<br><br>
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth.<br>
1 God is our refuge and strength,<br>
A very present help in trouble.<br>
2 Therefore we will not fear,<br>
Even though the earth be removed, <br>
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;<br>
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,<br>
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah <br><br>
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,<br>
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.<br>
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;<br>
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.<br>
6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;<br>
He uttered His voice, the earth melted. <br><br>
7 The LORD of hosts is with us;<br>
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah <br><br></b></i>AS A MOTHER<br><br>
Many women who come to visit ask the question, how, as a mother, have I been able to go through this experience. The answer - only by the Grace of Almighty God and your prayers. I would like to encourage you today, that in times of crisis, and so many of you have experienced this, the Lord is immediately present. He gave us His word from the first moments, which explained to us what was happening, and He gave us promises that we could hold onto during the dark days that followed. What encouraged me greatly was also His personal Word to me - as I watched my son strugglng physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. I saw him weeping, and going through excruciating pain, and I struggled emotionally, mentally and spiritually along with him. I saw my son's body, ripped apart by a bomb, and the agony of knowing I was not there when senseless hatred and violence destroyed his healthy, strong body. It was terrible, and my heart felt like a stone of pain that I was wearing on my chest. <br><br><br>
However, I realized that the Father knew exactly what I was going through. He also watched His Beloved Son's body being ripped apart by Roman torturers, and cruelly nailed to a cross. He saw the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual pain when the sin of the world was laid upon Yeshua. At that moment, the Father had to turn away from his Son, as He heard Him cry out - My God, why have you left me? <br><br>
The Lord of the Universe was carrying us through, every step of the way. <br><br>
AMI NEWS <br><br>
Ami on the other hand, keeps on going from glory to glory! He has begun school and is studying with a serious attitude, and as I said before, he is on two basketball teams. He is also participating in a program that physically trains 11th graders and up for the army, is being tutored in English, and we'll be starting the youth group again after the holidays. He is excited about life, and has many friends. We're considering postponing his hand surgery for later in the year so it won't interfere with the forward momentum that he's on. <br><br>
The other day Ami showed me exactly what is happening with his left hand. He still has low level pain in it, and he also has partial numbness in all of his fingers except the ring finger, which is completely normal. He still doesn't have full strength also, and the thumb is out of joint and requires surgery. Even with that he's able to dunk the basketball with both hands, and he says he's also jumping higher than ever before. Also , in gym class in school, he comes in first in all the races they do (2 kilometers - a little more than a mile ). This despite the predictions that he would never be able to run like he did before! God is Good! <br><br><i><b>James 5:16 - Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.<br></b></i><br><br>
FEAST OF TABERNACLES<br><br>
There are many believers here in the land from all over the world for the Feast of Tabernacles, many attending the various conferences that take place at this time. This is a foretaste of Zechariah 14: 16-18:<br><br>
16Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. 17 If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, they will have no rain. <br><br>
We were privileged to meet with a group of women from Sri Lanka, and one sister from Sidney, Australia. They have been praying for Ami from the beginning - from the ends of the earth!! We had a lightening visit and a refreshing time of prayer with them. It was a blessing, and they were blessed to see Ami doing so well. In the next few weeks, we're looking forward to meeting with tour groups from Germany, Norway, South Africa, Puerto Rico and London, England .<br><br><u><b>Some prayer points: <br></b></u><br>
Please pray for the arrest of the individual or individuals who are responsible for the attempted murder of Ami. We believe that progress is being made in the investigation even though we are given very little information. Also, when the arrests are made, please pray for our lawyer to be able to receive the right strategy for the case. <br><br>
Please continue to pray for the hand and ear drum surgeries, for healing so these surgeries do not have to take place, and for the healing of scars. <br>
Please pray for Ami to progress spiritually as well as in all other areas that he would slowly be able to grow into the place that the Lord has for him as a result of this experience.<br><br>
Please pray for unity and love in the Body of Messiah in Israel that we would continue to grow together to stand against increasing persecution. 1Chron. 12:33 and 38 talk of the mighty soldiers of Israel who could "keep rank". In Hebrew it says that they walked "heart to heart". <br><br>
Please pray for Howard and Randi Bass's court case in Beersheva which is coming up in November. You can read about their case at: http://roshpinaproject.wordpress.com/2009/06/26/messianic-jews-take-beer-sheva-chief-rabbi-and-anti-missionaries-to-court/<br><br>
This case is of the utmost importance for the Body of Messiah in Israel.<br><br>
Blessings to you all - Leah<br><br><br><br></span>
</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306192009-09-10T07:00:00-06:002009-09-10T07:00:00-06:00September 10, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: larger;">We are heading into the cycle of Fall Feasts in Israel and it is always a time of anticipation and joy. It is also a time of national repentance, and looking inward, and here in the land we have much to pray about and repent of. Israeli society has never been a violent society, as we have been very busy defending ourselves from extinction by our surrounding neighbors. However, we have experienced a wave of violence this summer that is unprecedented. Stabbings and murder are almost daily occurrences. The moral character of the nation, indeed of the world, is breaking down very quickly, and I've received many emails from many of you testifying to this. Help us Lord to stand strong in You until You return.<br><br>
AMI NEWS <br><br>
Ami had the stitches taken out of his toes this morning. He is very pleased with the outcome of the operation. The surgeon told him - now you can go straight to the beach. Ami kind of shrugged, and I knew that in his mind he has a long way to go until he'll feel comfortable enough to go to the beach! However, Ami's attitude is good, and he is happy. He believes that the Lord has his future in His hands. How could he not believe it after all the miracles that we've experienced.<br><br>
I was looking back at past updates the other day because there is a possibility that a booklet will be written in Hebrew called "Rami and Ami". Rami Ayyad was a Palestinian believer, and the head of the Bible Society in Gaza . He was kidnapped and murdered in 2007 by the Hamas because of his testimony and faith. His testimony will be published along with Ami's story. I sent many excerpts from past updates to the publisher who is initiating the project, and I've been able to see the rich mosaic that the Lord has been creating through this experience, yet through much pain and suffering. <br><br>
FROM THE WORD<br><br>
The Bible says in Numbers 23:20-21,<br><br><i><b>Behold, I have received a command to bless;<br>
He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it. <br>
"He has not observed iniquity in Jacob,<br>
Nor has He seen wickedness in Israel. <br>
The LORD his God is with him, <br>
And the shout of a King is among them.<br></b></i><br>
This is from the very interesting and ancient account of Balaam and Balak in Numbers 22-24. Balaam was a famous sorcerer of his day, and he was called in to assure victory in battle and protection for Moab by cursing the nation of Israel which was passing through their territory on the way to the promised land. However, this sorcerer couldn't curse Israel, because he had made contact with the God of Israel who kept on making him bless His people. God the Father was already regarding the sin of Israel as forgiven for the sake of the shout of the King that was already among them - the Messiah.<br><br>
My husband David share 2 Kings 6:8-17 with me today which is another interesting account of the king of Aram (Syria) who was at war with Israel. Every plan made by the King of Aram was given as a word of knowledge by the Lord to Elisha who then warned the Israelite king of their plans. The Syrian king heard that Elisha was the prophet who was to blame, and he set out to capture him. They surrounded the city where he was with their horses and chariots, and Elisha prayed that their eyes would be opened. Suddenly they saw the chariots and horses of fire surrounding them! <br><br>
We can identify with these passages and can apply them to what has happened to Ami and our family. What was meant as a curse has consistently been turned into a blessing, because the shout of the King is in our midst. When those who hate us believed they had us surrounded - they are ending up being the ones surrounded by the army of the Lord of hosts.<br><br>
PRAYER REQUESTS <br><br>
I personally believe that the perpetrators will be apprehended soon. We are getting indications that the police are actively working on the case at this point. Can we pray for success for their investigation? I have been praying that those responsible for the crime will make mistakes which will cause them to be caught. <br><br>
Please continue to pray for the healing of Ami's left hand and ear drum, and for miraculous healing of scars. Please pray for strength for us to be able to continue pressing forward in every way, and to walk through every door that is opened for the glory of God and the lifting up of the name of Yeshua in this land. <br><br>
Every blessing on your families for the Jewish New Year! <br><br>
Leah<br></span></div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306172009-08-27T07:00:00-06:002009-08-27T07:00:00-06:00August 27, 2009<div style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: small"> Praise the Lord and thank you Yeshua!! We are back home from the hospital and Ami's toe is fine!! We had an appointment at 7:15AM and we were second in line for the doctor. However, they kept on taking everyone before us, and I felt that the surgeon's were very nervous. Finally we were called, and Ami was directed to the treatment room where the nurse was to take off his bandages. She stopped in the middle as a doctor called her, and Ami just continued to take the bandages off himself. We stood there expectantly and he saw it before anyone else - he said , "it's not white!". And there was his toe- totally normal in color and with a much improved look.<br><br>
The surgeons breathed a sigh of relief. David, Ami and I were praising the Lord. <br><br><br><br>
GOD IS GOOD <br><br><br>
Actually, the day of the operation by the evening we all felt the peace of God. We began to receive email after email from many of you, with promises to not only pray, but to pray with your prayer groups, or to send the message along to others to pray as well. That evening I felt the peace of God descend on our home and I told David, "I think it's going to be alright". He said he felt the same, and Ami was peaceful and in good spirits. Still, it was a battle for all of us to keep our eyes on Yeshua.<br><br>
Yesterday I received a powerful word from the Lord-<br><br><i><b><u>Isaiah 51:1<br></u><br>
1 "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness <br>
and who seek the LORD : <br>
Look to the rock from which you were cut <br>
and to the quarry from which you were hewn;<br></b></i><br>
It was like the Lord was saying - yoohoo - hey Leah- look over here. Remember me? TheOne who has been with you through all of this?<br><br>
Thank you for praying. You don't know what a comfort and strength it has been for us to have you respond the way you did, and to pray through with us over yet another hurdle in this race.<br><br>
Blessings to all - Leah<br><br><br></span></div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306022009-08-25T07:00:00-06:002009-08-25T07:00:00-06:00August 25, 2009<div style="text-align: justify"> <span style="font-size: small">Ami had surgery on his left foot, this morning, and what was supposed to be the simplest surgery to date did not go well. We have a situation that needs emergency prayer - the operation was on the first and third toe, to remove extra skin that is causing him pain and is unsightly. The first toe went well, but on the third toe they had to remove skin from both sides of the stump that is left, and suddenly the blood supply to the toe was cut off by doing that, and what is left of that toe became white, with no blood flowing into it. <br><br><br></span><br><span style="font-size: small">PLEASE PRAY <br><br>
Ami was given local anaesthetic in the two toes, and saw the whole operation, and he was very upset. We have to go back on Thursday, and if the blood is not flowing, they said they will have to remove what was left of the toe after the bomb attack! . The doctor said to David, and thank God Ami didn't hear it, that there's only a 50/50 chance of saving the toe, but I do not receive that! We serve a mighty, all-powerful God who is the creator of the universe. Please pray that the blood will flow, that whatever damage was done will be healed in Yeshua's name. The thought of Ami having to suffer further loss is excruciating to everyone, but especially for him.<br><br><br>
SCRIPTURES<br><br><i><b><u>Psalm 34:3-5 <br></u><br>
3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me,<br>
And let us exalt His name together. <br><br>
4 I sought the LORD, and He heard me,<br>
And delivered me from all my fears.<br>
5 They looked to Him and were radiant,<br>
And their faces were not ashamed. <br><br><br><br><u>Psalm 66:19-20 </u><br><br>
19 But certainly God has heard me;<br>
He has attended to the voice of my prayer. <br><br>
20 Blessed be God,<br>
Who has not turned away my prayer, <br>
Nor His mercy from me!<br><br><br><br><u>Romans 8:28 <br></u><br>
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. <br><br><br></b></i>Thank you for continuing to stand with us, Leah<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br></span>
</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306162009-08-21T07:00:00-06:002009-08-21T07:00:00-06:00August 20, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">I haven't been in touch for a long time - it seems, and I have missed being in touch with you, our many friends that we have had the privilege to meet through these updates!! However, we've been inundated with activities, part of which are connected to a possible breakthrough in the investigation. This past Friday, an article was published in the Jerusalem section of the Ma'ariv newspaper, which is one of the most widely read Hebrew newspapers in Israel. Below is that article that appeared on the internet in Hebrew which I've translated into English, with Ami's help.<br><br>
It only alludes to our case, citing the Zeev Sternhel case by name. I wrote a complaint to the paper, stating that by not reporting on our case by name we see it as another attempt to downgrade the seriousness of the incident that almost killed our son. I requested that they give the same respect to our family as they have to Professor Sternhel, in light of the 5 months Ami spent in the hospital, the 11 operations that he has undergone with at least 4 more to go, and the suffering that Ami and our family have experienced as the result of the mad act of the perpetrators. <br><br>
Here is the article:</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">THE HAREDI NACHAL SOLDIER THAT THREATENED THE HOMOSEXUALS</div>
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It could be that it will be possible to catch up to the underground murderous gang that carried out in the past years crimes against Secular Jews and the (gay) community. To be noted that the arrested man is not suspected in connection with the murder in the gay clubhouse. <br><br>
By a writer of "the central issue"(Friday Jerusalem Magazine section of the Maariv newspaper) Monday, August 10, 8:51 AM 2009 <br><br>
The police suspect that the Haredi Nachal soldier that was arrested on suspicion that he threatened the gay pride rally that took place at Rabin Square in Tel Aviv is a member of a right wing radical Orthodox network that is organized with the purpose to attack everyone whose opinions are different than theirs. <br><br>
The court extended the remand by three days of the Haredi soldier, Shmuel Freimark, and will not accept the defence lawyers request to not reveal his identity to the public. The Jewish Department of the Shabak is involved in the investigation there is hope that the arrest will expose the dangerous, right wing, radical underground organization that was involved in many serious incidents among them the placing of a bomb next to the house of Professor Ze év Sternhel and other attempts to harm people and personalities whose opinions are different than the views of their Rabbis. <br><br>
Among the excesses of the suspected underground organization that distributed a flyer that called to assasinate left wingers and to receive a reward for the murder of 1.1 million NIS. <br><br>
Shmuel Preimark,was suspected of making threats by telephone and over the internet to the leaders of the Homosexual-Lesbian community and of a string of attacks against the community in Jerusalem. A police spokesman said in the Shalom courthouse that we are speaking about a wide spread investigation with a string of suspects. As is customary in the case of an arrested soldier, his weapon has been confiscated as well as his home computer. <br><br>
It should be noted that the arrested soldier is not suspected of the murder of two people about 10 days ago in the Homo-Lesbian Club.<br><br>
This is the flyer that was found in the area of Professor Sternhel's house when the bomb was placed there. This was included in the above article. The people in this underground terror cell need prayer, because they are bent on destruction and murder. It is distressing:<br>
</div>
<hr><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>ENOUGH!<br>
REWARD PROMISED OF 1.1 MILLION NIS<br>
TO ANYONE WHO KILLS A MEMBER OF "PEACE NOW."<br>
THE STATE OF ISRAEL HAS BECOME OUR ENEMY<br></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">Our blind loyalty to our country and her acts has rewarded us with treachery and death every time. Many of these Arabs stand and laugh at the same time that we are burying our dead. They sit and they probably know the the spiritual and political leaders will continue to cooperate with them and to betray us time after time. They think that we are cowards and it is clear to them that the threat of torture and imprisonment will stop us from standing on what is ours. However they are wrong!<br><br>
The time has come to take their crushing heels off of our faces and to demand what belongs to us, what God promised us as His chosen people, this land!<br><br>
The time has come to establish a Halachic (Code of Jewish law) state in Judah and Samaria! The time has come for the kingdom of Judah!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>THE LIBERATION ROYAL ARMY<br></i></div>
<hr><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">AMI NEWS<b><br></b>
</div>
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We had a busy day at the hospital today. We had the pre-operation check up, and when we went into the conference room where a committee of doctors sat, one of the doctor's introduced himself to us as the head of the whole plastic surgery department. All of a sudden he said, "this isn't plastic surgery, it is a rehabilitative orthopaedic surgery!! We were in shock because we've seen the plastic surgeons three times and it was the very capable plastic surgeons who were the ones who made the arrangements for the surgery! The head doctor called an orthopaedic surgeon and off we went to another building in the huge complex of the hospital, and after wandering around a bit, we got to the office of Professor Heim. He is a very compassionate, older gentleman, clearly an expert in his field . He said, yes, the plastic surgeons could have done the surgery, but since we were there, he would do it. It is a simple operation with just local anaesthetic, and not much recovery time, God willing. I was instructed how to change our plans for the surgery, and I pray that all will be well - the hospital is so big and information sharing isn't their high point - however, I would request your prayers that everything will work out as I don't think, in the hustle and bustle, that I gave in all the paperwork that I needed to.<br><br>
Anyway, I believe this was another of the Lord's gifts to Ami, that a very experienced surgeon who is also a professor will be doing his surgery. . It turns out that Dr. Heim is from Zimbabwe originally, and so it was nice to be able to speak English with him, which we have no problem with Hebrew, but it was an extra treat for David and I.<br><br>
Before we went through the pre-op procedure, we were seen again by t he ear surgeon. Praise the Lord, everything is fine and Ami can finally shower without having to put a plug at least in his right ear. In January 2010 we will begin the procedure for the second surgery on his left ear.<br><br>
I would like to ask for prayer for the foot surgery, but also for healing for Ami's left hand, as the more complicated surgery is to take place in November. They will try to build up tissue around the thumb joint in order to hold his thumb in place, and then a nail has to be placed there for 3 weeks. Physical therapy will follow. Can we pray for the left ear drum to grow in by itself, and can we believe God that he won't have to go through these surgeries? We are still God believing for many miracles - for the glory of God, and for the Name of Yeshua to be lifted up.<br>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Psalm 77:13-14<br>
13 Your ways, O God, are holy. <br>
What god is so great as our God? <br>
14 You are the God who performs miracles; <br>
you display your power among the peoples. <br></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><b> <br></b></i>Thank you for your love and prayers,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306142009-08-02T07:00:00-06:002009-08-02T07:00:00-06:00August 2, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">We've been out of touch lately, but we have some interesting things to share with you. <br><br>
Last week we again went for a short holiday in Eilat before beginning all kinds of tests, x-rays and visits to specialists before Ami's left foot operation which will take place on August 25th. Eilat is a tourist town on the Red Sea, on the southernmost tip of Israel. If I stand on the beach in Eilat facing the Sea, I can see the country of Jordan on the left and Egypt (Sinai) on the right! Small country, small world.<br><br>
It is also the hottest place in Israel, being on the southernmost tip of the Negev desert, and we happened to be there in time for a heat wave!! Thank God for air-conditioning, it was like an oven in Eilat, but we still enjoyed ourselves immensely and rested well.<br><br>
REPROACH<br><br>
We had an interesting experience though which I will try to express as clearly as possible. I want to say from the beginning that I am not complaining at all, this has to do with the rejection that we experience in our lives as believers, and very notably as Jewish believers. It is an experience that we are privileged to share with Yeshua, who came to His own, but His own did not receive Him.<br><br><i><b>John 1:10-12 <br>
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:<br></b></i><br>
We decided to drive down to Eilat, a journey of about 5 hours with a lunch stop. We stopped at a kibbutz which is called "Yotvata". They produce many kinds of delicious milk products, and have some dairy restaurants around the country. While there, we bumped into a family from Ariel. Their son is in Ami's grade, but not in his class. They warmly greeted one another, and although I don't know his parents personsally, I've seen them around Ariel for many years, and I believe we had other children in the same class at some point. Anyway, they asked us if we were on our way to Eilat or going home. When they learned we were on our way, they said, Oh, we're going home. When we got to Eilat, they were on line for check in at the very same hotel we were staying at!<br><br>
We were a little shocked, but it really put a damper on Ami's vacation for the first days, seeing the boy with his cousins, we assumed, and ignoring us (out of embarrassment on the son's part). The next morning I woke up with a new clarity.<br><br>
I realized that the Israeli's see Yeshua as someone who is undesirable to the point of being like a leper. We as His followers are likewise, untouchable. We are so completely outside the camp of Israeli societ y, and the verse that rang in my ears was never so clear as that morning, <br><br><i><b>Hebrews 13:12-14 <br>
12 Therefore Yeshua also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.<br></b></i><br>
Psalms 69 speaks of the Messiah. This Psalm is quoted more times in the New Testament than any other Psalm and the word reproach appears several times. I believe that we will need to really come to terms with the wonderful promises we have in the Messiah when we agree to stand for Him 100%, and not compromise with the values of the world. We need to speak the truth in love in these last days, and to be light in this dark and perverse generation. Phil. 2:15<br><br>
Looking to Psalm 69 - here are some verses which stood out to me:<br><br><i><b>Verse 4: Those who hate me without a cause<br>
Are more than the hairs of my head; <br>
They are mighty who would destroy me, <br>
Being my enemies wrongfully; <br>
Though I have stolen nothing, <br>
I still must restore it.<br><br>
9 Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up,<br>
And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.<br><br>
19 You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor;<br>
My adversaries are all before You.<br>
20 Reproach has broken my heart,<br>
And I am full of heaviness; <br>
I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; <br>
And for comforters, but I found none.<br>
21 They also gave me gall for my food,<br>
And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.<br><br>
29 But I am poor and sorrowful;<br>
Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high.<br>
30 I will praise the name of God with a song,<br>
And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.<br>
31 This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bull,<br>
Which has horns and hooves.<br>
32 The humble shall see this and be glad;<br>
And you who seek God, your hearts shall live.<br>
33 For the LORD hears the poor,<br>
And does not despise His prisoners. <br></b></i><br>
This Psalm reveals to us the mental and emotional suffering of the Messiah in his life and death on the cross, whereas Psalm 22 gives us a birds eye view of the physical sufferings of the Messiah. Oh what he endured for us, lost sinners with no hope in this world. And we are called to participate in His sufferings as well as His glory. We have an eternal home with Yeshua, and all of this present world will fade away, it is indeed already passing away the Bible tells us-<br><br><i><b>1 John 2:17 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.<br></b></i><br>
MORE AMI NEWS <br><br>
We met an interesting family in the hotel in Eilat, he is a former NBA basketball player from the Denver Nuggets, who is married to an Israeli woman. They have 3 children and he now is assistant coach for the Maccabi Netanya team here in Israel. They are interested in seeing Ariel and the surrounding area so I hope they will come to visit. Please pray for Willie and his family.<br><br>
Today we did blood tests, x-rays, bought books for school, and made all kinds of arrangements for this month. Ami is going to a dietician because he really wants to gain weight and doesn't know how to!! I should have that problem! We will also have appointments with physical therapists this month who will give him the OK to work out in a gym, Orthopedic specialist who will be participating in the foot operation, a pre-op appointment with plastic surgeons, and another appointment with the ear specialist. <br><br>
Ami is very embarrassed of the big scars on his elbows. The were big and bulging scars, and are now flat, but are kind of floppy, and of all the scars, they bother him to the point of embarrassment. Also, being in Eilat was a little harder for him this time because now he refuses to go into the water, he is embarrassed of his scars which are really kind of scary looking, and his foot. We felt bad for him, and went into the pool only when he was occupied with something else. Please keep him in prayer for continued healing in every way - I've noticed that full recovery seems to be stretching a couple of more years into the future, and it is a little hard for all of us, but especially for Ami.<br><br>
ANOTHER HATE CRIME ATTACK<br><br>
Last night, an Orthodox Jew came into a crowded counselling center and club for Homosexual and Lesbian teenagers in Tel Aviv with a M16 automatic weapon. He killed 2 and wounded 12, some very critically, before fleeing the scene. He still hasn't been apprehended. This is probably the same group which carried out the attack in our home. <br><br>
It raises many issues - one of which is the fact that although this act has been loudly and firmly denounced by the Prime Minister and the heads of every ministry in the government, not one government member has ever condemned the attack which took place in our home. However, this is now the first time that this vigilante group has succeeded to murder. Perhaps now something will be done, but we are without words to express the horror that we feel. <br><br>
These people or person obviously feel untouchable, and they indeed have to this point gotten away with every act of violence that they have perpetrated. They have appointed themselves to be judge and jury when we know that title belongs to the God of the whole earth who has the last word on every situation! We pray for those deceived by and trapped in homosexuality. Please pray that this time the criminal or criminals will be apprehended quickly.<br><br>
Yours in the Messiah,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/305872009-07-18T07:00:00-06:002009-07-18T07:00:00-06:00July 18, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">The Lord God of Israel keeps on blessing Ami in amazing ways! As if last week wasn't miraculous enough, with the honor of the Maccabiah, the newspaper article and then the TV interview - which by the way was shown again as they do a recap of the most interesting interviews of the week. <br><br>
AND THEN ANOTHER MIRACLE TOOK PLACE<br><br>
I was contacted by Bill Axelson who was the chaplain of the Boston Celtics for 20 years (an NBA basketball team which won the championship two years ago). <br><br>
He and his group have been praying for Ami, and because they were here on tour in Israel, he very much wanted to meet him. He came with some friends. Bill and one other man are ex-basketball players, and are 6'5" and 6'6"respectively. They bonded with Ami very strongly, and understood quickly that Ami was made to glorify the Lord through basketball. They ministered to him powerfully that life is much more than the game, and that it doesn't take a spiritual genius to recognize that God has his hand on Ami's life above and beyond what we can imagine.<br><br>
They were impressed by Ami's reach (arm length) and said that is more important than height. Also - they want to bring Ami to NY for a Knicks game and to invite him to meet the players and attend a game. They also want us to attend chapel with them before the game!!! <br><br>
It was so exciting! The men all said that they would take him under their wings and try to help him realize his dream. <br><br>
Psalm 86:12-17<br><br>
I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; <br>
I will glorify your name forever. <br>
For great is your love toward me; <br>
you have delivered me from the depths of the grave. <br>
The arrogant are attacking me, O God; <br>
a band of ruthless men seeks my life- <br>
men without regard for you. <br>
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, <br>
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. <br>
Turn to me and have mercy on me; <br>
grant your strength to your servant <br>
and save the son of your maidservant. <br>
Give me a sign of your goodness, <br>
that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, <br>
for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me. <br><br>
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING AND REJOICING WITH US!<br><br>
We are blessed and privileged to be in fellowship with you. Please keep on praying for the investigation. We hope that in the days to come we will have something to report, but only prayer will bring down the strongholds and cause justice to come forth.<br><br>
Yours in Yeshua,<br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306122009-07-14T07:00:00-06:002017-02-01T12:31:08-07:00July 14, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">WOW, we've had an amazing two days of blessing.<br><br>
About a month ago, we received an email from a sister in Puerto Rico that is the assistant to the Pastor of "Shalom Christian Center". David,my husband is Puerto Rican with a Jewish heart, and has had relationship for many years with this special congregation that has an excellent relationship with the Jewish Community in San Juan. They have regular prayer and fasting for Israel and they were instrumental in instituting a Holocaust Remembrance Day in Puerto Rico. <br><br>
They shared with the Jewish community news of Ami and the bombing in our home. The Jewish community was outraged, and decided that for the upcoming Maccabiah games, Ami would carry the flag for the Puerto Rican contingent. The Maccabiah Games are our Jewish Olympics, drawing Jewish athletes from all over the world. It happens every four years, and this year 7,000 athletes are competing from over 50 countries in the world. Puerto Rico has one athlete participating, a 61 year old Jewish woman who is in the swimming competition, however Ami was honoured to carry the flag for Puerto Rico. <br><br>
David and I attended the ceremony of course, and it was a very exciting evening. There were 900 Jewish athletes from the U.S. alone, and huge contingents from Australia, Canada, South Africa and the whole world. <br><br>
MEDIA COVERAGE <br><br>
Our lawyer sent out press announcements to over 40 Israeli journalists and news agencies, but didn't have much hope that anyone would respond. HOWEVER, a journalist from the most widely read Hebrew newspaper did respond. After talking to our lawyer, he called me asking for more detailed information about Ami's injuries. He was so touched by the story, and wrote an article that took up 1/2 of page 4 in the paper with a big picture of Ami. It was a very positive article.<br><br>
Then, this morning we had a call from a very well known television journalist who has a daily news and commentary show. He likes stories with human interest - and they called me at 8:30 AM to ask if Ami could be interviewed. We rushed around getting everything set up, and sending them pictures to use, and the cameramen showed up at 1PM to do the interview. Ami was so poised and mature - and he gave a fantastic interview. You can see the interview even though it's in Hebrew - look for Ami's picture and press the arrow.<br><br><a href="http://news.nana10.co.il/Section/?SectionID=2171" target="_new">http://news.nana10.co.il/Section/?SectionID=2171</a><br><br>
Also, a great video produced by Maoz organization in Israel about Pnina's Pies. It has English subtitles:<br><br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQfN34wmkvc" target="_new">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQfN34wmkvc</a><br><br>
WARNING FROM THE WORD <br><br>
MATTHEW 24<br>
9"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.<br><br>
In Yeshua,<br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306102009-07-05T07:00:00-06:002009-07-05T07:00:00-06:00July 5, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">We had another follow-up appointment with the ear surgeon this morning - he saw a little patch on the new ear drum that he had to repair - it was a mini repair that he said would cause trouble if it wasn't dealt with. It was painful for Ami, but he was able to bear it even though he felt everything. We have another appointment in a month, and meantime Ami can fly (in an airplane J) and do whatever activity he wants to, he just has to make sure that water doesn't get on the ear drum. Meanwhile, his hearing is still good on the right side, praise the Lord. He said the operation on the left ear would happen in about 6 months to a year. As we were going into the doctor, when he called our name, there was a family of Israeli's that were sitting in the waiting room just beaming at us - and I heard the woman say "that's the guy from Uvda"(Channel Two documentary). It is amazing that people still remember Ami's face and the story, even four months after it was aired.<br><br>
August will be a month of appointments and operations for Ami, and so we would appreciate prayer for this. He will have appointments with the ear doctor, the orthopaedic surgeons and plastic surgeons before his foot surgery, and also we'll try to combine the hand surgery as well. Ami had a good weekend with a friend from the north of the country that he met in the youth conferences, who actually came to stay with another kid from our youth group, for a long weekend. One night they slept over our house, and I had a good time cooking for three teenage boys!! I like the quieter nest, but it was nice to have a fuller nest for 24 hours. <br><br>
I wanted to share an article that was written by Howard Bass and published in the Jerusalem Post this past week. It is another opportunity to give testimony about Yeshua to the house of Israel. Please continue to pray for grace and wisdom for us as a Body, to glorify the Lord with our words and actions.<br><br>
In Yeshua, Leah<br><br>
A nation under law?<br>
Jerusalem Post - Jerusalem<br>
Author: HOWARD BASS <br>
Date: Jun 25, 2009 <br><br>
Note: Have we returned to the land of our forefathers just to turn it over to a band of jihadists? The writer is pastor of Yeshua's Inheritance Congregation in Beersheba. <br><br>
Should we, or should we not go to court? That was the question facing us as believers - both Jews and gentiles - in Yeshua/Jesus. Our congregation in Beersheba had just experienced a second violent demonstration, which its participants called a "prayer gathering." It turned into a full-scale riot that lasted some three hours - and ended only after dozens of police were called to the scene, including the riot squad (see "Abused for our beliefs," The Jerusalem Post, December 29, 2005; Letter to Editor, January 1, 2006).<br><br>
Having already turned the other cheek once in a big way, and numerous times in smaller incidents - similar to Israel's policy toward Hamas - and after counseling with other Messianic leaders around the country, we decided to sue the Sephardi chief rabbi of Beersheba and the anti- Messianic organization Yad L'Achim, which includes within its organization a department called the "Struggle Against the Mission." We have what we believe to be sufficient evidence to link them together in calling for an illegal protest against the lawful right to express our faith in Beersheba and in the rest of Israel. The mind set that refuses to recognize believers in Jesus as the Messiah as a legitimate and historic faith group is reminiscent of the attitude of Israel's enemies, who refuse to recognize the Jewish state. <br><br>
Our nation was reestablished on the ashes of people killed simply because they were Jewish. We, who believe that the writings of Moses and the prophets point to Jesus being the promised messiah, are being targeted for our belief. Our services have been viciously disrupted, a development that is the result of years of insult and contempt. Will this now lead to pogroms and worse?<br><br>
Disturbingly, there has been virtually no Israeli media coverage of either the riot or the trial, which opened in Beersheba on June 10 and continued this week (Civil 1652/07; a final date to complete the presentation before the court has been set for November 23.) <br><br>
Do we consider religious persecution newsworthy only when it happens against Jewish people and synagogues? Should our faith community refrain from speaking out for fear of a backlash? That may be the Diaspora mentality, but we have been brought back home. <br><br>
WE LIVE AMONG our people and are not ignorant of history, of the terrible mistreatment of Jews by those called "Christian." Yet we ourselves as Jews were brought up to see gentiles in a negative light, and unfortunately have not filled our role as a light onto the nations. <br><br>
Most Jews, even if not consciously expressing it, blame Jesus for all the troubles in the world, and want to blot out his name and memory. In our experience with Yad L'Achim and with the Sephardi chief rabbi of Beersheva, they have stated their objective to get rid of us. Have we returned to the land of our forefathers just to turn it over to a band of jihadists? <br><br>
The current laws of Israel regarding its citizens do not sanction trespassing onto private property, disrupting religious services, assaulting individuals or destroying property because of differences in religious beliefs. However, there are ongoing efforts in the Knesset to change those laws and make our activities illegal.<br><br>
I WANT to stress that this lawsuit is not against Israel or against the Jewish people. It is not intended to be used in any way to foment or promote anti-Israel or anti-Jewish actions or reactions. Nor is our legal action intended to be used by any other minority or religious groups in Israel to encourage or affirm anti-Israel/Jewish sentiment. We love our nation and our people, and are committed to her uniqueness among the nations. Whether you consider us as good citizens or only as strangers among you, we are for you and with you.<br><br>
This legal course was not taken in haste. We appreciate the forces that are lined against us. We recognize that proclaiming in Israel our faith in Jesus Christ as the promised messiah is problematic. We acknowledge the political and religious influence of the Sephardi chief rabbi of Beersheba and of the Struggle Against the Mission. <br><br>
By filing this lawsuit and asking for compensatory damages we are trying to capture the public's attention (is anybody noticing or even interested?) to the fact that laws are being violated. If a riot by Jews against those who believe differently is allowed to take place without any legal accountability for taking the law into their own hands, then we are not truly a nation under law, but one that opens a door for lawlessness. Every one will do what is right in his own eyes, resulting in much evil in the Promised Holy Land. <br><br>
Freedom of religion, including the right to change one's faith, are essential for a truly free society, necessitating tolerance of differences and disagreements, both in politics and in religion. <br><br>
Pray, protest, demonstrate, even believe, but let's do so lawfully, in love for our neighbor as for ourselves.<br><br>
Credit: HOWARD BASS</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306112009-07-04T07:00:00-06:002009-07-04T07:00:00-06:00July 4, 2009<div style="text-align: justify">Psalm 89:13-15<br><br>
13 You have a mighty arm;<br>
Strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand.<br>
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;<br>
Mercy and truth go before Your face.<br>
15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!<br>
They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance.<br><br>
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<div style="text-align: justify">It will be wonderful to live in the Kingdom when Yeshua rules from Jerusalem, and this verse will be fulfilled. Still, this truth exists in the heavenlies, and we know that God is on the throne. When it comes to His people who cry out for justice, we know that He hears us and will answer our prayer. Of course I am referring to justice deterred up to this point in our case, and in the cases of Jewish believers in Israel. However, a great victory was won recently by an Israeli believer in Ashdod, who owns and runs a bakery called "Pnina's Pies". Her Kosher license was taken away by the local rabbinic authorities who stated that she couldn't be trusted to know if she was abiding by the Kosher laws because she believed in Yeshua as Messiah. <br><br>
We praise the Lord for the platform that is being provided for Messianic believers to speak out in the newspaper and also on television because of these acts of persecution. The Lord keeps on turning everything around for good ! I remember Pnina and her husband coming to visit us in the hospital when Ami was still in ICU. Her story so gripped my heart that I have prayed for her all these months without knowing what was going on. It was with great joy that we read this article in the JPost the other day..........<br><br>
Jerusalem Post <br>
Court declares Jew for Jesus 'kosher'<br>
Jun. 30, 2009<br>
Matthew Wagner , THE JERUSALEM POST <br><br>
A Jew for Jesus who demanded kashrut supervision from the Chief Rabbinate won a Supreme Court decision on Monday likely to spark another confrontation between the nation's highest legal arbiter and the Orthodox rabbinical establishment. In its verdict, the court ruled that an Ashdod baker's belief that Jesus was the messiah did not make her baked goods unkosher. <br><br>
Therefore, argued the court, the Chief Rabbinate could not demand more stringent kashrut supervision arrangements than for any other baker. The Orthodox rabbinate reacted negatively. <br><br>
"It's absurd that the Supreme Court is telling rabbis how to keep kosher," Ashdod Chief Rabbi Yosef Sheinen said in a telephone interview with The Jerusalem Post. "What does the Supreme Court know about kashrut?" asked Sheinen. He said that according to his understanding of Halacha, an apostate Jew could not be trusted to adhere to the laws of kashrut. "The Supreme Court is undermining the level of kosher supervision," added Sheinen, who said he had not read the entire ruling yet and therefore had not fully formulated his opinion. <br><br>
In 2006, Sheinen revoked a kashrut supervision certificate issued to the Pnina Pie bakery in his city when he discovered that its owner, Pnina Conforty, was a messianic Jew. <br><br>
Later, after Conforty petitioned the High Court of Justice, Sheinen and the Chief Rabbinate agreed to a compromise. The rabbinate's governing body ruled that if Conforty wanted a kosher supervision certificate she had to meet certain conditions not normally demanded of secular Jewish eatery owners. Conforty had to hire a worker approved by Sheinen. This worker had to be paid by Conforty via the local religious council or via an employment agency, and not directly by Conforty, to prevent extortion. <br><br>
This worker would be allowed to bake and do other errands for Conforty in addition to his kashrut supervision role, but Sheinen would define the worker's duties and salary.<br><br>
In addition, Conforty had to give a kashrut supervisor keys to the bakery. The Chief Rabbinate also demanded that she promise not to engage in missionary activity on her premises. <br><br>
Conforty refused to accept these conditions and the Chief Rabbinate refused to soften them. The High Court on Monday rejected Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger's argument that Conforty's un-Jewish religious faith undermined her trustworthiness. "The Kashrut Law states clearly that only legal deliberations directly related to what makes the food kosher are relevant, not wider concerns unrelated to food preparation," ruled the court. <br><br>
Dr. Aviad Hacohen, dean of Sha'arei Mishpat Legal College and an expert in religion-state issues, predicted that the High Court's intervention in the Chief Rabbinate's decision-making would spark a religious war. <br><br>
"We are likely to see a rekindling of old animosities between the Supreme Court and the rabbinate," said Hacohen. He pointed out that Sheinen was aligned with the more haredi stream of Orthodoxy and that Ashdod was heavily populated by the Ger Hassidic sect. <br><br>
"I also think it is highly problematic for the High Court to make a distinction between 'core' kashrut issues and ones which in its eyes are not relevant," Hacohen said. <br><br>
Meanwhile, Conforty said she was ecstatic. <br><br>
"I've been waiting for three years for this decision," said Conforty, who added that without kosher certification her business had been failing. "Finally I won. This is my baby," she said. <br><br>
Conforty said that when she opened her first bakery in Gan Yavne in 2002 she enjoyed impressive business success. But after her faith was publicized in an article in a Messianic Jewish magazine, she suffered from demonstrations outside her bakery and posters with her picture distributed throughout the city warning that she was a missionary. As a result, Gan Yavne Chief Rabbi Meshumar Tzabari revoked her kashrut certificate. At the time she did not fight Tzabari.<br><br>
In 2006 she opened another bakery in Ashdod. But soon word got around that she was a Jew for Jesus and former customers and haredi anti-missionary groups began picketing her bakery while Sheinen revoked his certificate. <br>
"I should be allowed to praise God in any way that I want," said Conforty, who grew up in a traditional Yemenite family. "No one can force their religious beliefs on me."<br><br>
Conforty said that she "came to faith" while working in Ohio for an evangelical Christian family. "God arranged it that I arrived at a place where there were Christians who love Israel more than most Jews do. Their love and faith were so different from the religion I learned at home that was based on fear. I was never taught to serve God out of love until then. They taught me that Yeshua is the messiah." <br><br>
Conforty said that her gradual embracing of faith in Jesus put her marriage in jeopardy. "I was on the verge of divorce and I prayed to God. I said to him, 'If Yeshua is messiah then you have to bring my husband back to me and make peace between us. No more than 10 minutes passed before my husband came to me and accepted the faith." <br><br>
Conforty said that she did not actively proselytize. "But if someone shows an interest, I talk openly."<br><br><br><br><br>
</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306092009-06-27T07:00:00-06:002009-06-27T07:00:00-06:00June 27, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">Shabbat Shalom!<br><br>
Last week, on the 21st of June the second part of the Beersheva court case took place. This time David and I arrived an hour early, and walked into the beautiful new courthouse in Beersheva, where we found the floor and room that the trial would take place. We were greeted by Howard Bass who looked very relaxed and even excited. He said, "the seats are filling up fast - go grab a seat". We were able to find two chairs, and as the case that was taking place before Howard's came to a close, we found ourselves sitting in the courtroom with 18 other believers and with time to spare. We introduced ourselves one to another - we were from Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Beersheva and Ariel. Howard urged us to pray, and we did so, in small groups. Others were reading their Bibles, and the presence of the Lord was evident. <br><br>
THE TRIAL<br><br>
The lawyers, who are believers, were expectant and serious- they were going to face the chief Rabbi of Beersheva, Yehuda Deri of the Shas party, and representatives from Yád Láchim. <br><br>
There were testimonies given by witnesses for both sides, and I won't go over what happened or didn't happen except to say that on the side of the defendants, there was an attitude of smug pride, and outright lying apparantly without any fear of reprisal from the law. My impression was that they were so sure that the case was in their pocket, that they relentlessly interrupted Howard's lawyers with all kinds of objections, not letting them finish a sentence. The judge didn't allow Howard's lawyer to call one of the witnesses, Rabbi Kalifa of Beersheva, a hostile witness, which he was, which prevented him from being questioned in a certain line of questioning.<br><br>
This same Rabbi Kalifa, was written up in a local Beersheva newspaper that serves the Orthodox community as being the representative for Yád Láchim in Beersheva, and although Howard's lawyer had the article in his hands, Rabbi Kalifa said he was never associated with Yád Láchim. The hatred that shone out of his eyes as he called Howard a troubler, was terrible.<br><br>
In the end, the trial was postponed until November 23, because there wasn't enough time to call the two main witnesses for the prosecution, Rabbi Yehuda Deri and Alex Otrovsky of Yád Láchim.<br><br>
THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S<br><br>
I am glad that we were present. We were able to witness the spiritual battle we are going to be facing in court, and what our lawyer will be facing. The hate and smugness that that comes from knowing that the authorities are not interested in justice for Messianic Jews, is frustrating and disturbing. I, however, am very confident in the Lord being for us. It is the anchor of my soul. <br><br><i><b>Psalm 27<br></b></i>Of David. <i><b><br></b></i>"The LORD is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.<span style="font-style: italic;">"</span><i><br></i><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><i><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br>
Hebrews</span> 6:16-20</b></i><b><br></b>"Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Yeshua, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."<i><br><br></i>We were also made aware that some ultra Orthodox hold fast to the teaching of a well known Rabbi who stated that those who "convert" others to faith in Yeshua are themselves like Hitler, and should be killed on the spot. This is not a well publicized teaching, but is like a secret code among some of those that live amongst us. <br><br>
As always, the Lord is our hiding place, and through faith in Him, and His promises, we know that we are in His hands. To die for His name's sake would not be a new phenomenon, as thousands have gone before us in that manner (Hebrews 11). Our times are also in His hands, and the enemy, who is Satan, and not the ultra orthodox, was not allowed to carry out this plan on Purim eve, March 20, 2008. <br><br><b><i>Psalm 32:7 <br></i></b><i>You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.<br></i><br>
AMI NEWS <br><br>
Ami's progress marches on, often in ways that are subtle. After a month of experimenting with taking less medication for the neuropathic pain , he is going to cut the dose even further after getting permission from his doctor. I asked him how the strength in his hand is progressing, and he said that that there is still weakness, but it's getting stronger all the time. The other day he broke the seal of a jar and opened it with his left hand to demonstrate this! <br><br>
Thank you for praying Ami through this school year as well! Some of you wrote to me that you had a burden to pray for success in school this year, and Praise the Lord, his report card came and he did well - very well considering all the visits to the hospital, therapies and operations he went through. . His one 100% came from the guidance counsellor who has discussions with the kids every week. It is considered one of his courses. One day I spoke with her, and she told me that she is so impressed with Ami's wisdom, life view, and attitude. She said that he has found a very healthy place in the social structure of the class, and he is in a class that is very supporitive of one another, and very united. This is the grace of God. His teacher wrote in her comments, that Ami didn't let the events of the past year ruin his life in any way , and although there is always room for improvement, his scholastic achievements were admirable. <br><br>
High School is very challenging in Israel, in that the college matriculation exams dominate the studies, and at the same time kids are getting ready for the army, mentally and sometimes physically, depending what they want to do. It will be a challenge for Ami, but with everything, it is not a mountain too high for the Lord, and our aim is to see honor given to the Name of Yeshua, in every circumstance.<br><br>
Ami also told me that basketball is also coming along very well, and he says that he's getting much better. <br><br>
Prayer request at this time are: <br><br>
- Pray for the investigation. There is a huge spiritual battle on this front, but prayer is moving mountains. We believe that the perpetrators will be caught and brought to justice. Please pray for our non-believing lawyer, Yossi. The spiritual attack against him is heating up as well.<br><br>
- Continue to pray for Ami. Please pray for further healing of all scars, inner and outer.<br><br>
- Pray for the Body of Messiah in Israel to grow in the true Love of Yeshua. (John 13:34) It has become evident to me that in this atmosphere that we are living in now, we need to love one aother more. What happens to Howard and Randi Bass is literally happening to me, Leah Ortiz. This kind of love takes work! It means we have to get out of our little sphere of work and ministry and to consider others concerns as important as ours. Please pray for Howard and Randi's lawyers.<br><br>
- Pray for the Messiah to be revealed to those who oppose the Messianic Body.<br><br>
- Please stand with us on <i><b>Isaiah 54:14-17<br></b></i>"In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you. If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to you. "See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc; no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, <br>
and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD.<i>"<br><br></i>Together In Yeshua, <br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306082009-06-17T07:00:00-06:002009-06-17T07:00:00-06:00June 17, 2009<div style="text-align: center;">"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. <br>
He is a shield for all who take refuge in him."<i> 2 Samuel 22:31</i>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br>
This has been a landmark verse in my walk with the Lord since its beginning, 33 years ago.<br><br>
It is amazing to reflect on the way that He has led me. Each one of us has an individual and personal "way", or set of life circumstances, which are designed to guide us into the destiny that He has designed uniquely to fulfil His eternal purpose in us.<br><br>
As I just finished this sentence, my daughtercalled me to share an example of this - she is at a crossroads in her teaching career (special education) and needs to make a decision which will affect her future. This crossroads is causing her to have to draw closer to the Lord and to seek His wisdom, as there are many facets involved. Please pray for Chen, (pronounced with the Hebrew "chet" ), to take refuge in God and His Word for her direction in life. She has a heart for teens at risk.<br><br>
AMI NEWS<br><br>
We had an appointment this week with Dr. Yafe, who is one of the best hand surgeons in Israel. Ami has been blessed to have her as his surgeon, as there are several in Tel HaShomer hospital, but I have noticed that the top doctors and surgeons are the ones taking care of Ami, as his case has touched their hearts - all of them! We thank Yeshua for the favor He has given us.<br><br>
Dr. Yafe wants to help Ami, and her rather crusty, professional exterior cracks when she sees him to reveal genuine caring. What always impresses me about the doctors at this stage of Ami's recovery is that they ask him what he wants, and what is bothering him the most. In other words, what are you willing to live with, and what further pain are you willing to go through in order to progress further!<br><br>
Ami told her that the lack of movement of his left thumb is holding him back, and she explained to us that the joint at the base of the thumb has been compromised causing the thumb to not be able to stay in joint. When she held the thumb in joint with her hand, then he was able to reach over to his fifth finger with it, but when it slips out, he doesn't have range of motion. She said that they will build up tissue around the joint so it can stay in place, and he will have a nail holding it in place for 3 weeks. When the nail is removed, then he will have therapy to strengthen the hand.<br><br>
We've learned, after every definitive statement made by doctors to say - God willing!And to commit it all to prayer. God willing, Ami will have surgery and it will go as planned, but above and beyond that, we pray for healing and for the Lord's continued miracles as we pray my son through to complete recovery. Dr. Yafe also mentioned that it might be possible to do the hand and foot surgery at the same time, depending on many factors, <br>
such as whether or not Ami will have to use crutches after the foot surgery. Also, Tel Hashomer hospital is huge, and when you're talking about combining two different departments into one operation, it can be a little tricky, but this is not too difficult for our God! Can we prayer for the Lord's will for these operations, and that if Ami doesn't have to go under full anaesthesia twice, so be it.<br><br>
The fifth finger of his right hand was completely curled up after the blast. A piece of shrapnel had been removed from the base of the finger, and he has a big scar there. Initially it was thought that the tendon was damaged, and there was consideration to operate on it and try to improve it's use. However, it never bothered Ami, and as he has exercised and recovered, it has slowly, very slowly, uncurled. When Dr. Yafe checked it she said - it's perfect! Hallelujah!<br><br>
Ami has very different bone structure in his hands anyway, and his very long fingers are naturally not straight, so all of this has been a challenge to determine what needs to be done, and what doesn't need to be done. Being that they are Ami's hands, and he uses them every day, he has been very clear on this subject. He also told Dr. Yafe that the pain in his left hand is getting less, and so we say Thank you Lord for that as well!! <br><br>
LESSONS THROUGH SUFFERING<br><br>
Thank you, prayer warriors, for not giving up and not getting discouraged in prayer concerning the pain in Ami's left hand. The pain has been the biggest obstacle in Ami's recovery. It has been the Highest mountain that he has faced, and he always said that if it wasn't for the pain, he could have progressed even more quickly.<br><br>
Personally, seeing my son suffer excruciating pain has been the hardest thing to deal with in this experience. Recently, a "daughter in the Lord" whose 3 year old daughter is diabetic expressed what I have felt daily since Ami was so critically injured. She said, Ïf only I could suffer in her place". There are still unanswered questions concerning the journey we were thrust into last March, 2008. However, we have seen that "only Goodness and Mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives"(Psalm 23:6). Circumstances are not the bottom line in our lives, rather the immutable promises of God, and He uses every circumstance for good in ways far beyond what we could ever imagine or hope for (Romans 8:28). <br><br>
May we rise above our circumstances today as we trust the Lord to fulfill His promises.<br><br>
Yours in Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306072009-06-13T07:00:00-06:002009-06-13T07:00:00-06:00June 13, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">The articles which I sent yesterday and today are important for us as believers in Yeshua in Israel to bring to the attention of as many people as possible. The bombing that took place in our house was preceded and proceeded by these incidents. In both of these instances, city and religious officials were involved, and no charges were ever pressed against them by the Israeli security services. The bomb that was brought to our house on Purim eve, March 20, 2008, was the worst case of violence so far, but as these incidents go unpunished by the authorities in Israel, the security of Messianic believers is more and more comprised. Especially for those who support and pray for Israel, it is important to pray for the local Body here, for our protection and for the freedom to worship and speak openly about our faith. <br><br>
Would you also prayerfully consider doing something to help us - which is to write regularly to the Israeli Embassy in your area, and to request justice in these cases. When you do, could you also request that the government put appropriate pressure on the security services to arrest and bring to justice the perpetrators who were responsible for plotting and attempting the murder of our family 15 months ago.<br><br>
The below was sent out by the Jerusalem Institute for Justice, which is one of the most important institutions we have in Israel as believers. They are a group of believing lawyers and others who legally deal with many cases of persecution and hate crimes. Their work in the Ministry of Interior is priceless to the Body, as that ministry is trying to keep Jews who believe that Yeshua is the Messiah from making aliyah and getting citizenship in Israel. Their website is: <a href="http://www.jij.org.il/" target="_new">www.jij.org.il</a><br><br>
Thanks,<br><br>
Leah<br><br>
NO PROSECUTION FOR BURNING BIBLES?<br><br>
Nazi Germany, 1933. Thousands of books are publically burned by fanatic Nazis in an attempt to wipe out threatening ideas. We all know what happened next. Perhaps, though, the world should not have been as stunned as it was when the gates of Auschwitz were finally opened in 1945 and the horrifying truth of the Holocaust was revealed. Eerily, German author Heinrich Heine had predicted more than 100 years before the Third Reich took over Germany that "where they have burned books, they will end in burning human beings."<br><br>
For many of us, it is difficult to forget the images of May, 2008, when fundamentalist yeshiva students publically burned hundreds of New Testaments in Or Yehuda, a small town near Tel Aviv. The town's Deputy Mayor, Uzi Aharon, went on record at the time of the burning and called the yeshiva students' actions "a commandment." Other inflammatory comments made by Aharon included "purge the evil from among us" and "burn the evil from your midst." After the incident, Aharon swayed between publically defending his actions, and apologizing for them in a live interview broadcast on a Reshet Gimel with Yaron Dekel. Click here to read CNN's coverage of the Bible-burning incident.<br><br>
Ellen Horowitz, an avid blogger and spokesperson for the radical Orthodox agenda in Israel, actually applauded the burning of the New Testaments and said that "a Bible which is written on a heretical basis is not considered sacred." According to Horowitz, "if the stuff was given to you, then it's your trash. So, sure it's permissible to burn missionary materials." Radical activists like Horowitz, who sometimes refer to themselves as "anti-missionaries," insinuate that the Bibles were handed out in Or Yehuda by Christian missionaries. This presumption, however, is very unlikely and is not supported by a shred of evidence. It is just as likely, indeed, that the books were purchased by "anti-missionaries" with the intent of creating an obscene public provocation. <br><br>
Although a complaint was lodged against Aharon based on a number of criminal offenses such as incitement to commit a hate crime, we suspect that the police have purposefully procrastinated in the investigation due to pressure from high-ranking governmental authorities. Over a year after the New Testament burning episode, and regardless of clear evidence including photographs and Aharon's public confession on live radio, the State Attorney's office has notified us that it has decided to close the case due to "lack of sufficient evidence." <br><br>
The Attorney-General has the authority to re-open the investigation. The Jerusalem Institute of Justice plans to appeal the police's decision, and we encourage you to write to Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz and encourage him to consider this incident as an affront to Christians worldwide. His address is: 29 Salach-a-Din Street, Israel, 91010.<br><br>
UNRULY APPETITE FOR POWER<br><br>
Leviticus 19:34 teaches us that "the stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD your God." Some of us sometimes forget that we were aliens once in the land of Egypt. Others forget that we were aliens more recently in other lands - Morocco, for instance.<br><br>
Our current Minister of Interior, an Orthodox Jew from an immigrant Moroccan family, is lobbying for a legislative amendment which would give him carte blanche authority to revoke the citizenship of any person deemed to have submitted false information in the immigration process or suspected of committing a "breach of trust" against the state. A revocation of citizenship would completely strip the person in question (and his or her children) of all civil rights. <br><br>
While these may appear to be fair grounds for penalizing a citizen, we have seen firsthand how such laws are frequently used against innocent citizens from Messianic Jewish backgrounds who are sometimes accused of being "traitors" or "dangerous missionaries." Such accusations are part of a larger attempt by Interior Ministry clerks to revoke the basic rights of Messianics Jews.<br><br>
Much public criticism has been voiced recently against this initiative, which would allow the Minister of Interior to revoke any citizen's most basic rights with no due process or judicial censure. Most of the debate in the Israeli media has centered on the implications of this legislation to Arab citizens; however, we are concerned that this may merely be a smokescreen to cover an underlying ultra-Orthodox agenda. <br><br>
In fact, we have solid proof that the Ministry of Interior, habitually cooperates "behind the scenes" with radical Orthodox activist groups in order to prevent religious minorities from exercising their legally guaranteed rights. Under the premise of "protecting Judaism," "fighting missionary work," and "rescuing Jews entrapped into cults," these organizations have infiltrated key civil positions with the objective of doing harm to those who do not conform to their fundamentalist standards. Besides being grossly unethical, official cooperation with such groups damages the character of a State which officially guarantees freedom of religion to all. This situation has resulted in numerous instances of illegal discrimination, profiling, and harassment; and has brought about an ironic situation whereby Israel is one of the few nations in the free world in which a Jew does not enjoy freedom of religious choice.<br><br>
We intend to keep an eye on this initiative. Let us hope and pray that it will be stifled by the majority of our legislators who desire to uphold justice and civil liberties here. <br><br>
We at the Jerusalem Institute of Justice invite you to partner with us in our effort to strengthen our nation's democratic values and institutions. We are your hands and feet on the ground in Israel working tirelessly to forge a new reality of inter-faith respect, freedom of conscience, and equality for all streams of faith within our society.</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306062009-06-12T07:00:00-06:002009-06-12T07:00:00-06:00June 12, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">This is a very important newsletter written by Arni and Yonit Klien. It is self-explanatory, and is about a court case which toook place in Beersheva on June 10, 2009. David and I had the privilege of praying in another part of town, connected to the congregation that was represented in this case. Please pray for the below - it is of utmost importance for the Body of Messiah in Israel. <br><br>
We are one in Him,<br><br>
Leah <br><br>
REPORT: ISRAELI BELIEVER'S COURT CASE<br><br>
First a short note from Howard Bass, Pastor of Yeshua's Inheritance Congregation in Beersheva. He has brought this case to trial: We want to thank so many of you who have written or called, both before the day in court today, and since we left there this afternoon. Your support and encouragement have been a real strength for us and a hopeful indication of the Lord's blessings upon this entire affair. Also, on Sunday, the evening of praise and intercession was very freeing in the Spirit and a big part of our preparation for the battle we are in. It was a very tiring day. It is very much WORK for the lawyers. It is definitely a battle, but it is also the day that the Lord has made! A number of brothers and sisters have received Psalm 37 as a word for us, as well as Isaiah 51:1-8.<br><br>
Arab brothers have also stood with us, and one dear brother even came to the court today from the far north! The Body of Messiah in Israel is being prepared for greater things to come!<br><br>
Judge Iddo Ruzin today was very tough, but I would say fair. Most of the witnesses on our side were called, which was actually a surprise for both sides that things were moved along so quickly. THE JUDGE ADMITTED THAT "A VERY SERIOUS INCIDENT" OCCURRED AND THAT THAT IS INDISPUTABLE. What we must do at the next session on Sunday, June 21, is prove that Rabbi Deri and Yad L'Achim are linked to this 'very serious incident' and are responsible and liable for the riot and offenses and damages.<br><br>
We want to make the name of Yeshua honorable and faith in Him acceptable as Jews. I personally believe that by upholding a righteous standard the Holy Spirit can 'more effectively' bring conviction of sin, which Yeshua described as "not believing in Him". We want to be credible as witnesses and shown to be responsible and accountable for our actions and words.<br><br>
We pray that this case will be used by the Lord towards more Jewish/Israeli people being freed from the strongholds over their minds against the gospel, and to believe it! Lawlessness will increase, whether we win or 'lose' this case, and we desire God's mercy to save more before the wrath to come. <br><br>
Even so, come Lord Jesus,<br><br>
Howard Bass<br>
Email: <a href="mailto:songfish@netvision.net.il">songfish@netvision.net.il</a><br>
Website: <a href="http://www.streamsinthenegev.com%20" target="_new">www.streamsinthenegev.com </a><br><br>
Additional Prayer Points for June 21<br><br>
--for God to continue to confuse lying tongues<br>
--that Deri and the Yad L'Achim rep, [probably] Alex Artrovski, will not give compatible testimonies<br>
--that their lawyers will not be able to undo damage done in cross-examination by our lawyers, Marvin and Kevork, of Deri and Artrovski<br>
--discernment for Judge Iddo Ruzin as to who is speaking truth<br>
--boldness to render a decision in accordance with God's righteousness<br><br>
THE BEERSHEVA TRIAL JUNE 10, 2009<br>
(Report by Arni Klien, Emmaus Way in Nes Harim)<br><br>
Dear Praying Friends, We left home around 6:30 AM Wednesday and headed for the courthouse in Beer Sheva. The trial was scheduled to begin sometime shortly after 9 AM. The building opened at 8 and the courtroom at 8:30. There were only about twenty seats available so we wanted to be sure to get in. Most of the seats were taken by believing friends. At around 9:45 a crowd of the Rabbi's followers came, but there was no room for them. Regardless of the outcome, we recognize this as being a historic moment that will most definitely make a difference. It's not every day that the Chief Rabbi of a major city in Israel is put on trial by Messianic Jews. <br><br>
We (Yonit and I) felt so blessed and honored to have been able to be part of the events of the day. And we want to say right up front how proud we are of our brethren - Nahalat Yeshua congregational leaders Howard and Randi Bass and their lawyers Marvin Kramer and Kevork Nalbandian -- that have taken a position at the head of this battle. They have counted the considerable cost, prayed much, and prepared well. What they are doing is on behalf of the whole Body of Messiah in Israel and the nations, to the end that the revelation of the glory of God in Yeshua would be seen by those yet blinded by the prince of this world. <br><br>
Here are some of the details that have not appeared in the recent e-mails speaking about the case. In 2005, on Shabbat, December 24th, two young ladies were scheduled to be immersed in water as part of the regular weekly congregational gathering. The "anti-missionary" organization Yad L'Achim became aware of it, informed the Chief Sephardi Rabbi of Beer Sheva, Yehuda Deri, that there was to be a mass baptism of Jews and ten tour buses full of people were coming to participate. Rabbi Deri passed the information to eight other Rabbis in Beer Sheva. As a result, around 400-500 haredim (ultra-Orthodox Jews) descended on the Beer Sheva congregation. They destroyed property, accosted several of the believers, and even fought with a number of the 70 policemen that came to quell the riot. Amazingly, amazingly the judge declared that the fact that "a very serious and terrible incident" occurred was an indisputable fact. This in itself is a victory. <br><br>
Verbal statements and signed depositions by Deri and the Yad L'Achim spokesman even further establish these facts. In reality they do not need to be proven. What the lawyers must do at the next session on June 21 is prove that Rabbi Deri (personally) and Yad L'Achim are linked to this "very serious incident" and are essentially responsible for the riot and consequently liable for the damages. <br><br>
The defendant's (Deri's) defense is simply that "it is inconceivable for the Chief Rabbi of Beer Sheva to be involved in such a thing." <br><br>
Let's take a lesson from the Ami Ortiz case. There we had a clear instance of attempted murder...over a year ago. Though the police have actual pictures of the person that placed the bomb at the door to the Ortiz apartment, they have yet to bring in one suspect. It is known that the perpetrator is part of the Orthodox community. Without going into detail, we know that the order to place the bomb came from a highly-placed person in the community who apparently has enough clout to have thus far kept the investigation at a standstill. In that light, consider that we are dealing with the Chief Rabbi of a major city, who happens to be the brother of Aryeh Deri, the former head of the Shas party (that controls the Ministry of the Interior), who himself just spent time in prison for fraud. So as you pray, consider the kind of pressure the judge Iddo Ruzin might be experiencing and pray for him. (Incidentally, Israel does not have a jury system, so the decision rests entirely with the judge. It was quite an experience sitting in the courtroom, aware that the judge was as God...there was no recourse when he gave his final word at any point. In our Supreme Court, there are only three judges. After their word, there is no earthly appeal. This system invites corruption-a side note to pray about.) <br><br>
A very interesting thing happened yesterday when the defendant's lawyer was cross-examining Howard Bass, who is essentially the plaintiff in the case. All of a sudden, in the middle of the interrogation, the lawyer seemed confused and unable to formulate any more questions. Our lawyers asked Howard hours of questions in their preparation exercises, so there was no lack of things to ask. But something happened in the spirit. We were amazed. Pray for confusion to continue to overtake the minds of the defendant's lawyers so that they cannot formulate lies. Their case is to assert that though Rabbi Deri was there, he had nothing to do with what happened. Notwithstanding the fact that he came in the latter part of the protest, and admitted disseminating the information about what was to take place, he is claiming that he called for a prayer gathering and not a protest. Beloved, his lawyers have got to know that he is lying. Cover-up and denial to save face has long been a regular part of the Israeli political scene. <br><br>
There is another fact you need to be aware of. Marvin Kramer, the chief counsel for the plaintiff (the Messianics), began receiving threats even before the case was actually filed. He does not consider them to be empty words designed to just scare him off. Remember the bomb delivered to the Ortiz family. Pray for Marvin and Kevork and their families, as well as their law offices. <br><br>
There is a tape of a radio interview Rabbi Deri gave the day after the riot. It is very incriminating! The judge needs to issue a court order for the tape to be released. This is a major point. Pray that this tape will be entered in as evidence. Our lawyers will ask to be able to cross-examine Yad L'Achim's spokesman as a hostile witness. Pray this be granted. (We believe that this person's name is Alex Artrovski.) <br><br>
Our lawyers' cross-examination of Deri and Atrovski will of a certainty do great damage to their case. Pray that their lawyers will not be able to undo or cover over what is brought to light. <br><br>
Pray that the Judge Iddo Ruzin will have the clarity and boldness to render a just decision. <br><br>
The outcome of this case will have ramifications in the spiritual realm that will have repercussions in the natural realm. If human agents of the kingdom of darkness are judged, the power and ability of the spirits behind them to function will be affected. The people on trial are heavyweights. Consequently, the spirits working through them would necessarily be of consequence and influence. Consider where this is taking place. Beer Sheva is the city of the Patriarchs. Its spiritual roots and wells are the very foundation of our identity as a people. We could say that perhaps the greatest problem we have (as a people), which has caused us to be and do what we have been and done throughout history to this very day, comes from our being disconnected from Abraham, the father of our faith. Of all places, Beer Sheva is his city. <br><br>
Furthermore, in 1917 Beer Sheva was the site of a battle that marked the end of Turkish rule over the Land, paving the way for the re-establishment of the nation of Israel. If a principal earthly authority standing against truth is bound on earth, so will the spiritual authority be bound in heaven. When this takes place, knowing the historical spiritual significance surrounding Beer Sheva, it is not a far stretch to expect that this will release a wave of light and revelation to our people along with a commensurate blessing on the believing community in the nations (the church). <br><br>
So dear beloved friends, do not be silent. Make your voices, petitions, intercessions, prayers, and praises heard in the spirit realm! If what you've read here makes sense to you, don't hold back. In whatever way you are able, give yourself to this battle. Feel free to forward this letter to everyone you know that has a heart for God's heart and the salvation of Israel. Fast and pray...now and especially on the 20th and 21st of June. <br><br>
Howard and Randi and the lawyers are not necessarily praying to win the case at this juncture. (Although it would be nice to have this all behind us). We are praying that God would be glorified, that the truth would be made known, that the hidden things in men's hearts would be revealed, and that this case would fulfill its purpose in God's plan in preparing the way for Yeshua's return. <br><br>
May the Holy Spirit allow us to see what our Father in Heaven is doing and give us the grace and strength to manifest His will on earth. It's a great day to be alive. <br><br>
May God bless you from Zion!<br><br>
Arni and Yonit Klien <br>
Email: <a href="mailto:ewisrael@emmausway.org">ewisrael@emmausway.org</a><br>
Website: <a href="http://www.emmausway.org/" target="_new">www.emmausway.org</a>
</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306052009-06-06T07:00:00-06:002009-06-06T07:00:00-06:00June 6, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">New Video: 2009 Epicenter Conference<br>
David Ortiz: Is There Any Hope In Our Troubled World? An Israeli Perspective<br><a target="_new" href="http://epicenter09.com/post/custom.asp?P=451">http://epicenter09.com/post/custom.asp?P=451</a><br><br>
We've had an interesting week, which included 35 visitors from Germany who were a blessing to minister to. We never get tired of telling the story of the bomb blast and what the God of Israel and Yeshua the Son, as well as the Holy Spirit have done in our lives, turning tragedy into triumph.<br><br>
A FREIND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED<br><br>
a friend from the U.S. Has been here for a week. Jeremy Johnson felt the leading of the Lord to come serve with us for a week, leaving behind his wife and 3 very active children. He came just in time to advise us as to a new computer that I desperately needed, as mine was about 5 years old and very slow. He was able to take all of my information and transfer it to the new computer, being that he is a software engineer, and a computer whiz. He has been ministering with us for the week, and it has been refreshing and helpful. It's amazing how the Lord sent someone from Colorado just in time to help us with a very important need.<br><br>
YOUTH GROUP IN JERUSALEM<br><br>
We had another great opportunity. Moran Rosenblit is a native born Israeli who has given his heart and everything in his life to Yeshua. I can't even begin to explain how he and his wife have supported us and stood by us thee 14 months. His organization bought us a new dining room table with chairs, living room furniture, refrigerator, fax machine, and other items, all of which had been destroyed by the bomb.<br><br>
Moran is an extremely talented person, but is also down to earth and one of the most practical people that I know. His wife and children are beautiful - his wife ministers in song, and his kids are adorable. They are a valuable and powerful asset to the kingdom of God, and so are under very strong attack by the enemy at all times. Please pray for the Rosenblit family.<br><br>
Moran oversees a youth group of youth from 6 congregations in Jerusalem. There are about 30 in the group, and they are very lively! However they face huge challenges growing up as teenagers in this world, but also in Jerusalem, which is center of religion in the world. He asked David, Ami and myself to come and share with the group which we did.<br><br>
I was so proud of Ami! He shared with the group with such poise and maturity. He told them what happened that day, and the lessons he's learned from the experience. He said that one of the main things that he's learned is that you can't say, Oh, I'll believe tomorrow, or when I'm older, because you never know what is going to happen the next day, or hour for that matter. He said, that we have to be close to the Lord now, and continue with Him daily. He said that when the blast occurred, he called on the Lord, asked for forgiveness, and called for help over and over. He didn't know if he was going to live or die, and so he needed right then to be right with Him.<br><br>
When I heard him say this - I remembered a promise that the Lord gave us from Psalm 30:1-3:<br><br>
I will exalt you, O LORD, <br>
For you lifted me out of the depths <br>
And did not let my enemies gloat over me. <br>
2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help <br>
And you healed me. <br>
3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave [b] ; <br>
You spared me from going down into the pit.<br><br>
LIGHT IN A DARK WORLD<br><br>
I was so glad to hear Ami express this. <br><br>
Ami has decided that his ear is sufficiently healed and has gone back to basketball practice. We return to the ear doctor in early July. Next week we have an appointment with the hand specialists. I will write after this visit and let you know what will happen with the operation.<br><br>
I pray that the preparation of your hearts for the dreams God has dreamed for you will be realized. We need to be His vessels in this "dark and perverse world" Phil.2:16 -16a -<br><br>
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life,<br>
I never have realized before how much the Lord wants us to be His eyes, mouth, hands and feet in these last days. May the purpose of our lives be to bring glory to Yeshua.<br><br>
Yours in Him, <br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306042009-05-28T07:00:00-06:002009-05-28T07:00:00-06:00May 28, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">SHALOM to all and happy Shavuot, or feast of Weeks. This Biblical feast is the fourth and last of the Spring feasts. On the 4th day of the Passover week, which is the Feast of First Fruits -the day that Yeshua rose from the grave, the counting of the omer begins - which is the counting of 50 days until the harvest festival of Shavuot is celebrated. The holiday corresponds to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, where in the English Bible the feast is called by it's Greek name, Pentecost. Fifty days after Yeshua rose from the grave, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Body of Believers in Jerusalem, and a new age began. <br><br>
We pray that Israel will be drenched with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit during this time - we need it as desperately as we need physical water. In Israel, we are facing the most serious drought in our history. The water level of our only water source in the country, the Sea of Galilee, or the Kinneret in Hebrew, is so low that we were told on the news that this summer, if we don't conserve, we'll have unannounced periods of time when the water will be turned off!! In Israel we have the dry season in spring and summer and rainy season in the fall and winter, and so we have no hope of rain refilling the Lake that we call a Sea until the late fall. <br><br>
Water of the Holy Spirit<br><br>
The need for the water of the Holy Spirit in this land is desperately needed as well. As I wrote in my last update, we are continuing to face a manifestation of violent hatred against the Name of Yeshua. As I was watching Israeli news on TV- I saw the commentator and the presenters, and suddenly the Lord showed me the emptiness in their lives. I began to think how the enemy has succeeded in alienating the Jewish people from the person of Yeshua, so much so that we who believe are no longer considered Jewish. We have been called to bear His reproach outside the gate along with Him, and sometimes it is a lonely feeling. <br><br>
Hebrews 13:12-14 Therefore Yeshua also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.<br><br>
However, tonight I was allowed to see the lack of substance in the lives of the Israeli's, who consider themselves within the camp, and it brought me back to the time before I came to faith in Yeshua, and my lack of knowing who I really was as a Jew and a human being. I found my true identity and understanding of who I am only in the Messiah. <br><br>
Please pray for revival in this nation. The Bible says that when Israel is once more grafted in to the Messiah, it will be life from the dead for the rest of the world, resurrection life! (Romans 11:11-15)<br><br>
We had a good appointment with the head doctor of the rehab hospital. We went to talk about Ami's progress and also his medication. The doctor was so pleased to hear about the ear drum graft, no more pressure suit, the discovery of the dislocation of his thumb, and the easing of the pain in his left hand. He recommended that Ami should eliminate one of the pills from the medication he takes daily for nerve pain. This is very agreeable to Ami who doesn't like to take medication. One good thing that has sprung out of this ordeal, has been that David, Ami and myself take vitamins now daily!! Ami even asked me to add Fish Oil capsules to his daily regimen!! I was amazed.<br><br>
BLESSED FELLOWSHIPS<br><br>
We've had the privilege to receive several groups of visitors from all over the world the past couple of weeks. One group from Canada has an internet TV ministry. They do 3 minute daily devotionals of Israelis giving a short teaching on a verse or verses. They filmed David and I for some of these, which they call "putting a face to the land". They also plan on doing a 20 minute film on "forgiveness". The website for the devotionals is: <a target="_new" href="http://www.landandpeople.ca/dailyfocus.htm">http://www.landandpeople.ca/dailyfocus.htm</a> if you are interested.<br><br>
Every time we retell the testimony of what God has done in our lives this past year, I speak about you, and how together, praying and being One in Yeshua, miracles have taken place which have Glorified His Name. Thank you for continuing to pray - we will be seeing the hand specialists in two weeks to schedule the surgery for Ami's left hand. All of these surgeries are two steps backward, and then many steps ahead. Surgery is not easy for Ami to recover from, and we have two scheduled for this summer, on his left hand and left foot. <br><br>
May your lives be filled with the Spirit to overflowing!<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306032009-05-24T07:00:00-06:002009-05-24T07:00:00-06:00May 24, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">We've had a very busy and eventful 9 days since we last wrote you. Ami returned from a weekend youth conference and said it was very good. The subject discussed was witnessing. He enjoyed the fellowship, renewed old friendships and met new believing youth. He was amazed that kids came from all over the country just for a conference that lasted 24 hours.<br><br>
Ami said that he was sleeping on a top bunk and it was a mistake he shall never repeat - the bed was too small, and he kept on waking up with his arms and legs in mid air! <br><br>
These conferences get all the Messianic youth in the whole country in touch with one another and are a vital ministry. Please pray for the organizers of these conferences, for anointing, strength and protection, and for the young people to dedicate themselves to the Lord during these meetings when they can leave their surroundings and daily struggles behind.<br><br>
Here in Israel, as I believe will be the case soon in the U.S. and Europe, the good news of Yeshua is continuing to evoke violent reactions. As our family was the target of violent persecution, so other believers in the land are targets of the same. Below are three accounts of persecution which need much prayer. One took place recently in Rehovot, which is a city south of Tel Aviv, and the other took place last month in another city in the northern Jordan Valley area, and the third has been ongoing for several years. <br><br>
HAREDIM CLASH WITH MESSIANIC JEWS IN REHOVOT<br><br>
Ultra-Orthodox residents spot Messianic Jews handing out New Testament pamphlets on streets of central city, violent fight breaks out, and secular passersby join in clashes<br><br>
By Matan Melekh<br>
Published: 05.15.09, 14:20 / Israel Jewish Scene <br><br>
Messianic Jews took to the streets of the central city of Rehovot on Wednesday and handed out pamphlets of the New Testament in an attempt to convince passersby to convert. <br><br>
Ultra-Orthodox residents were outraged by the site and began beating the missionaries. Secular passersby also joined in the action, and eyewitnesses said screams and curses could be heard. <br><br>
The ultra-Orthodox grabbed the pamphlets from the Messianic Jews, tore them to pieces and threw them in a nearby garbage bin. <br><br>
One passerby told Ynet, "I think this is a kind of manipulation that is applied mostly on new immigrants. The State also prohibits missionary activity. These are Jewish missionary acts that target Jews. <br><br>
"What shocked me was the violence in the area, and that the passersby did not act to stop it. Their activity in our area has continued to increase recently - they seem to have made the area a target for themselves." <br><br>
The Messianic Judaism stream has been active in Israel for some 40 years. <br><br>
The movement has its origins in American Evangelistic churches and its purpose is to convert Jews to Christianity. <br><br>
Messianic Jews consider themselves to be following in the footsteps of Jesus' first followers, who were Jews. <br><br>
Some of the Messianic Jews continue to keep part of the Jewish traditions and customs.<br><br>
----------------------------------------------------------------<br>
Notice the attitude towards belief in Yeshua, and the misconception that the faith has it's origins in American Evangelistic churches - and not the Tanach (Old Testament).<br><br>
RELIGIOUS FANATACISM AND OUR CHILDREN<br><br>
Jerusalem Institute of Justice Messianic Attorneys For the Advancement of Civil Rights, Freedom of Religion and Social Justice in the Nation of Israel. Jerusalem <a target="_new" href="http://jij.org.il/%20counsel@jij.org.il">http://jij.org.il/ counsel@jij.org.il</a><br><br>
Several weeks ago Rivka (Fictitious name used for confidentiality purposes), an eleven year old girl, the daughter of a Messianic Pastor from a city in the center of Israel, was asked by the principal of her school to leave her sixth grade class, in the middle of a lesson, and come to the principal's office. Not sure of why she was being singled out, Rivka walked hesitantly from her classroom with the principal to the principal's office. She was surprised to meet three men in the principal's office - a well-known rabbi in the city and two others who have been identified by undisclosed sources as Yad L'Achim "anti-missionary" activists. The principal explained to Rivka that these men "wanted to help" her and instructed her to fully cooperate with them. The principal proceeded to exit her office and left Rivka alone with her "new friends".<br><br>
The three men asked Rivka questions for the better part of the next hour; questions such as "Where does your (Messianic) congregation meet?", "At what times during the weeks do you have meetings?", "Can you give us names of members of the congregation?", "Can you please give us their addresses?", and "What is your family's address?".<br><br>
When the principal returned to this special meeting, she carefully instructed Rivka not to disclose to her parents anything that took place in her office. Rivka, wanting to be a good girl, did not mention anything about her odd experience to her parents when she came home from school that day.<br><br>
It was only about two weeks later, when her father's car was firebombed in the driveway adjacent to Rivka's bedroom window, that she felt it would probably be good to tell her parents what had happened in the principal's office.<br><br>
Fortunately, the fire did not spread to the family's house and none of the family members were injured. Damage from this act of arson was limited to property only.<br><br>
The Jerusalem Institute of Justice has initiated a public complaint and a thorough investigation into this matter, via the Ministry of Education, the Israeli Police and the Israel National Council for the Child (<a target="_new" href="http://www.children.org.il/index_eng.asp">http://www.children.org.il/index_eng.asp</a>). <br><br>
We believe that it is of absolute importance to prosecute actions of this nature, as we have learned that unchecked violence by radical religious factions can become a slippery slope (see: <a href="./home.cfm">The Ami Ortiz Story</a>)<br><br>
This is a very serious case, in that the young girl was left for an hour alone with 3 strange men and then urged to hide the matter from her parents! The car could have exploded, but the fire department arrived in time and put the fire out before that happened, Praise the Lord. Please pray for Caleb Myers and the Jerusalem Institue of Justice who are taking action in this case. They are believers, and an important voice for the Body of Messiah and all others who are facing injustice because of their faith.<br><br>
TRIAL IN BEERSHEVA<br><br>
One other prayer request that we have is concerning a trial that will be coming up in Beer Sheva. Howard Bass, the pastor of a congregation in that city will be coming up against an anti-missionary organization, and the Chief Rabbi of the city that held a violent demonstration against his congregation. There was incitement, violence, and afterwards no police action or charges brought against the perpetrators. The following is his statement.<br><br>
Howard writes:<br><br>
As some of you know, I and amutat Nichalim BaNegev(his organization) have filed suit against the Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Beer Sheva, Yehuda Deri (brother of Arieh), and against the anti-missionary organization, Yad L'Achim.<br><br>
The suit comes after prayer and consultation with other leaders in Beer Sheva, the Negev, and around the country. It is based on the riot which the two parties were responsible for organizing against Kehilat Nachalat Yeshua on 24 Dec 2005.<br><br>
The trial dates are set for June 10 and 21 in Beer Sheva. Our lawyers are Marvin Kramer and Kevork Nalbandian. We would ask you all to keep us all, and our 7 other excellent witnesses, in prayer. The judge is Iddo Ruzin, who also needs our prayers.<br><br>
The trial is a case to uphold the legitimate right to express the true Messianic faith in Yeshua here in Beer Sheva and in Israel, according to the existing laws which supposedly govern the State. Our nation was re-established literally on the ashes of people who were killed and then dishonorably cremated because they were Jewish -- mostly unknowing witnesses of the one true God who chose them and gave them a destiny still to be fulfilled.<br><br>
Now we, who believe in the one true God and in Yeshua Messiah whom He sent, are being targeted because we are mostly knowing witnesses whom He has chosen.<br><br>
Our lawyers and witnesses for the trial are an incredibly diverse group expressing the truth that the God of the Jews is also the God of the Gentiles, and that Yeshua is the one who gathers us and brings us home to the Father. <br><br>
What a testimony itself of what the Lord has done! May our combined witness and testimony speak to those who are looking and listening, to the glory of our great God and Savior.<br><br>
Please keep this whole matter in prayer, perhaps even fasting, and encourage others to join in, that the will of God is done, and that His righteousness is revealed!<br><br>
We look forward to the day when the prophetic words of Zechariah, the father of John the baptizer, written for us in Luke 1:68-75, will be fully filled in Israel when Yeshua returns!<br><br>
I include here what I have always sent out to anyone I have communicated with regarding this significant court case:<br><br>
Please note: This case is not against Israel or against the Jewish people. It is not to be used in any way to foment or promote anti-Israel or anti-Jewish actions or reactions. It is already known through the Scriptures that Israel at present is opposed to the good news of God, so we are not out to make them an enemy. Nor is our legal action intended to be used by any other minority or religious groups in Israel to encourage or affirm anti-Israel/Jewish sentiment. For the sake of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, Israel and her people are beloved by God the Father for His honor and glory, and for the honor and glory of His Son.<br><br>
For the salvation of the Jewish people and of Israel, and of many Gentiles whom God will use to provoke His people to jealousy and to show mercy to them,<br><br>
Howard<br><br>
P.S. For those of you who can, please share this with others who can not read and understand English. Thanks.<br><br>
Thank you for your patience in reading this long newsletter - we are burdened for our nation, and covet your prayers to help us as believers in this land to stand strong for Yeshua in the face of opposition. Please pray that in all of these instances, the name of Yeshua will be lifted up, and that He will be glorified through our lives and testimonies.<br><br>
In Him,<br><br>
Leah<br><br>
Quick Links...<br><br>
Our Website<br><a href="./home.cfm">www.amiortiz.com</a> amd <a target="_new" href="http://www.lionofgod.org">www.lionofgod.org</a>
</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306012009-05-15T07:00:00-06:002009-05-15T07:00:00-06:00May 15, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday we went to have the bandage removed from Ami's ear - it was a painless procedure which took place with him lying down, having the bandage removed, the surface of the ear drum cleaned up, and drops put in. The surgeon was very pleased with the healing that he saw, and he said that the new ear drum was in place, covering the hole. When Ami sat up - I wish we had taken a picture of his face - he was hearing! Every sound was heightened for those first few moments and he was almost flinching, but with a big smile on his face. The surgeon was smiling, David and I were smiling, it was a moment to remember. Ami told me - whisper, and I'll tell you what I hear. A few whispered sentences later, he was ecstatic! <br><br>
The surgeon told us that he still has to refrain from lifting anything heavy, participating in sports, and he can't let water get into the ear. We'll come back in another 3 weeks for the final check up. Surgery in the left ear can only be done in another 6-12 months. <br><br><b>MORE GOOD NEWS</b><br><br>
We walked outside, and Ami heard a plane flying overhead (which was very faint), the cars passing by, people talking, he even heard the wind whistling in his ear. It was interesting! We joked with him saying that he had bionic hearing. Throughout the day, he got used to his new hearing ability very quickly, as we went to visit a soup kitchen that is sponsored by one of the American Calvary Chapels, in Tel Aviv. <br><br>
Every Thursday they feed the homeless, alcoholics and drug addicts, and those who have just run into hard times financially. They have tables with used clothing, and our friend, Brian Slater who is a nurse, mans a medical clinic. It is an important and vital work being done in the name of Yeshua, and it was inspiring seeing the work in action.<br><br>
Also some really good news, and further answer to prayer - Ami off-handedly told me that he forgets to take his medication for the nerve pain sometimes. I said, "does that mean that you have less pain". He said, "it just means I forget to take it sometimes, and don't go off writing about it in your updates!" I told him - "it's because of all these people praying that you are making such great strides!" He agreed, but he said that at times he really does have a lot of pain, but there are certain times that he is actually pain free. That is such huge progress! Next week we'll be going back to the Rehab hospital to discuss the medication and so I'll be patient and wait until I hear what he has to say to the doctor.<br><br><b>AND - MORE GOOD NEWS<br></b><br>
We are really coming down the home stretch in Ami's recovery. Next weekend the older kids in our youth group are going for a two day youth conference which is specifically aimed at their age group. Praise the Lord, Ami can go now that he's not wearing the pressure suit. I know it will still be challenging for him to shower in front of the other guys in his room, as his body is still covered with terrible scars, and his left foot is unsightly. However, he is eager to go and I am very grateful for that.<br>
What is still before us............Ami will need surgery on his left hand, plastic surgery for the scars, plastic and orthopedic surgery on the left foot, and the left ear drum. All of this will probably stretch out for another year. <br><br>
In just 14 months we have come a very long way - recovery in every dimension has taken place quickly. We've been able to hold on and trust the Lord only because of His mighty grace and presence in our lives, and because of your prayers. I am saying this with all honesty, we have been restored to mental, emotional, and physical health through the healing power of Yeshua, working through prayer , encouragement and the support of the Body of Messiah around the world. It has been an experience that has turned us into different people altogether.<br><br>
I hope to be able to share some further breakthroughs as far as the investigation is concerned, but please know that the Lord is working in that area. However, the information and what is being done is sensitive, and I can't share it on such a public platform as this. We continue to pray for the perpetrators, and we especially pray that they won't be able to harm anyone else.<br><br><b>BOTTOM LINE</b><br><br>
I remind myself that the enmity towards the Good News of Yeshua has to do mainly with sin.<br><br><b>John 3:19 <br>
19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.</b><br><br>
The Bible is so clear and simplifies every complicated argument that is lifted up against God.<br><br><b>2 Corinthians 10:4-6 <br>
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Messiah, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.</b><br><br>
Interesting to note that obedience to the Messiah causes Him to be able to act against those who are in disobedience.<br><br>
My husband, David, wanted to share something which he dictated to me below - <br><br>
"We were in a restaurant in town, Ami, myself and Leah. There's a man called Shlomo, and a couple of years back he was very much against us. He got kind of violent, but later apologized for his behavior. He saw us sitting down in the hamburger joint, and he came over to our table. Shlomo is originally from Morocco and speaks French and Hebrew, and I count him as a person that has gone through many deep problems and crises with his children. So he spoke to me and said, 'David I just want to tell you something.' What he told me reminded me, in the way he spoke out of his life experience and how he believes God works, of one of Job's comforters.<br><br>
Shlomo said, 'When this thing happened to Ami, I said to myself, how could this tragedy happen?' In his understanding, God allows these things only when He punishes people. 'But then when I saw your son on TV, and I saw the story and saw him playing basketball, I came to the conclusion that I was wrong, because what happened with your son, proves the God is with you. He has been resurrected from the dead.' He said, 'Look at your son! He's alive and going forward.' He then invited us to come to his home for a visit and he reaffirmed his friendship with us. He grabbed my hand to tell me that he is one of the people that is with us at this time."<br><br>
Thank you for continuing to be with us on this journey. <br><br>
In Yeshua, <br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/306002009-05-10T07:00:00-06:002009-05-10T07:00:00-06:00May 10, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;"> Happy Mother's Day to those of you who celebrate it today!<br><br>
I pray as you read this that the Shalom of God is filling your hearts. <br><br><b>NEW FREEDOM</b><br><br>
Ami is enjoying his new freedom from the pressure suit. I hardly see him at home! He's always out with friends, bringing friends over to eat, going to every basketball, volleyball, whatever game that's going on in Ariel, and just enjoying himself. However, he really can't hardly hear anything with the bandage stuffed down his right ear, and the inability to hear well through the left ear.......but this Thursday the bandage will be taken out and we'll see what the situation is.<br><br>
Somehow, Ami forgets things more than I do! We all seem to be in a stage of brain drain, maybe because we've been through so much this past year, but honestly, plans and appointments go in one ear and out the other, and even when written down, I forget to check my calendar! Ami is the same. <br><br>
Anyway, he seemed to have forgotten that after the bandage is removed there is another 3 weeks of recovery. When I reminded him, he took it well. After all, he has no choice but to go along with the program - and we know the Lord has been healing at a rate that is phenomenal, and so we await only good news. <br><b><br>
FRIENDS AND FAMILY</b><br><br>
Two groups of German tourists stopped by this week. They are people who have been praying for Ami as well, and they wept and clapped when they saw him. When groups come to visit, we don't let Ami listen to the story of the incident over and over again - but invite him to come after the fact. People see the horror of what happened, but then when Ami comes into the room, and they see the results of their prayers and what the power of God alone can accomplish. <br><br>
We've had many good reports of extended family members becoming interested in the Lord after seeing Ami this summer. David's sister said that her children are taking an interest more in the Lord because they had never seen a miracle before.<br><br><b>LOOKING BACK AND AHEAD </b><br><br>
Now when I have flashbacks, they are often positive memories that come flooding back, so many details that I had momentarily forgotten, important and moving moments from this past year. <br><br>
I remember that when Ami was still in Schneider hospital, where he was first treated for 6 weeks, he didn't want to see his friends from school because- he had changed so much. His face was still marked from wounds, and was discolored from being burnt. He was weak, and in pain, and still recovering from the shock of what had happened to him - and his friends couldn't have understood, even though they too were heavily impacted by what had happened. They were afraid, and full of sorrow, and they came faithfully just to sit in the waiting room, in the hopes that Ami would let them see him. But several pictures come to mind, like the first time that he agreed to speak to some of the kids by cell phone (they were in the waiting room and he was in his room). When one of his friends heard his voice, all he could say was "Ami" and I saw emotion sweep over and overwhelm him. I saw the love that he had for my son. <br><br>
I remember that the first kids that Ami did allow to see him were the kids from the youth group, the believers. I remember how brave they were to sit with him, and to just talk like nothing had happened. <br><br>
On a more somber note, we know that this world is turning upside down more every day. We are living in an age of evil that has never been known before. Good is truly considered bad, and bad, good.<br><br><b> Isaiah 5:20</b> says:<br><br><b>"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. "</b><br><br>
For those of us who hold fast to the Word of God, we can expect persecution to intensify. However, we have to continue to spread the Good News because hearts that were not ready before to receive Salvation in Yeshua, are ready now. <br><br>
Yours in the love of the Messiah,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/305992009-05-04T22:05:00-06:002017-02-01T12:31:06-07:00May 5, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">I'm sending along two items which might of interest. The first is the transcript to the CBN 700 Club's update on Ami, which has more of our interview than what is seen on the video, and the second is a very interesting article from the Jerusalem Post's Friday edition. It is a good indicator of what the more "tolerant" segment of society thinks about Messianic Jews. It also mentions Ami.<br><br>
700 CLUB UPDATE<br><br>
Video link: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAtawUoAQbE" target="_new">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAtawUoAQbE</a><br><br>
Ami's Miracle: Thriving after Holiday Bomb<br>
By Chris Mitchell<br>
CBN News Mideast Bureau Chief<br>
May 4, 2009<br><br>
CBNNews.com - ARIEL, Israel - One year ago, few people imagined that Ami Ortiz would one day be playing basketball or that his parents would be cheering him on.<br><br>
For months, Ami's ability to survive, much less walk, run and play basketball was in doubt.<br><br>
Click the player to watch the report from CBN News Mideast Bureau Chief Chris Mitchell.<br><br>
It was March of last year that his street - located in the community of Ariel - became a crime scene. A bomb exploded in a nearby apartment building. The blast was so strong, it shattered car windows three stories below.<br><br>
"[There] was this big, huge explosion. The air was shaking, and I thought, 'Oh my God, what's happening here,'" local resident "Marina" said. <br><br>
Purim Package Explodes<br><br>
What happened was a bomb, disguised as a Purim holiday package, exploded when then 15-year-old Ami Ortiz opened it. "Marina," who helped clean the Ortiz home, came running and found young Ami.<br><br>
"He was on the floor, full of blood. It was horrible," Marina said. "He called to Jesus. He said twice 'Jesus, Jesus.' And when I heard it, I said to myself 'okay, he's okay.'"<br><br>
Ami was alive -- but just barely.<br><br>
"To see the violence that was done to his body. How this bomb just mangled his body. It's very, very hard. And it's just a lot of pain, a lot of emotional pain to go through this with your child," said Ami's mother, Leah.<br><br>
Miraculously, Ami not only survived but began to heal at an amazing rate.<br><br>
His Wounds Healed Quickly<br><br>
"His wounds healed so quickly, it was deemed a miracle by the doctors. We've heard the word miracle many, many, many times. He wasn't able to see. He sees perfectly. He sees 20/20," Leah said.<br><br>
Ami's father, David, agrees.<br><br>
"God is the God of the impossible. How He is able to turn darkness into light in an instant," David said.<br><br>
Ami's story spread throughout Israel and the world. More than 4,000 cards and letters flooded into Ami and his family, even more e-mails. The Ortiz's say the worldwide support and prayers carried them through.<br><br>
"Without them, we wouldn't have been able to make it. I mean we were devastated. If it weren't for [the] prayers of the people and the people's support. People don't understand how powerful prayer is. It's been keeping my sound mind. I can close my eyes at night and not fear," David said.<br><br>
Facing the One-Year Anniversary<br><br>
But what was it like when they faced the one-year anniversary of the Purim bombing?<br><br>
"I think I was much more traumatized by Purim this year than he was," his mother said. "You'll see him. He went out and colored his hair orange for Purim. He wanted to go to school. He wanted to do all the parties at school," she said.<br><br>
And what does Ami say about the bombing one year later? Amazingly, he carries no bitterness.<br><br>
"I don't feel hate. I don't see a reason for it. I could say they're blinded by their hate. They think it's the right thing. You can't blame a blind person for running over you so I don't see [how I could blame them]. It's just not there. It wasn't there from the beginning. I don't even know how to explain it but it's just not there. No hate at all," Ami said.<br><br>
Asked of he had forgiven them, Ami replied without hesitation, "Yeah, I have."<br><br>
Yet, it's been a hard year of recovery.<br><br>
"There Has to be Forgiveness"<br><br>
"It was a shock. I didn't know what to do. Just to find out you're missing parts of your body. It's kind of hard," Ami said.<br><br>
Ami's case has attracted the attention of the U.S. and Canadian governments, as well as human rights groups.<br><br>
Majed El Shafie, founder of One Free World International, recently presented Israel's foreign ministry a petition with nearly 2,000 signatures he gathered in less than two weeks.<br><br>
It calls for "The Christian community is behind us and behind the family all around the world. And even the Israeli community, even the Jewish people - the people in the street," the petition states.<br><br>
El Shafie sees Ami's case as an attack on Israel's Messianic believers -- those Jews who believe in Yeshua (Jesus) as the Jewish Messiah. He's calling on Christians and Jews to speak up against the persecution.<br><br>
"Whoever is watching this program today you need to know that you cannot remain silent. You need to do your part. You need to sign the petition. You need to contact the Israeli embassy in your country. You need to tell them, the message is very clear. We love Israel. We will always support the Jewish people but justice needs to take place in Ami's case," El Shafie said.<br><br>
Case Still under Investigation<br><br>
A police spokesman says the case is still under investigation, but he would not elaborate on possible progress. While Ami's parents seek justice, they have chosen to forgive those who tried to kill their son.<br><br>
"Forgiveness has to be. It has to be. I'm convinced that Yeshua died for these people too. And even though they did what they did, God's love is great enough to forgive them," David said.<br><br>
"Forgiveness was a necessity for us. And it is true that if we can't forgive others then - I mean the Lord has done so much for us and so much to forgive us - then if we don't forgive others, He won't forgive us. It doesn't matter what the situation is. It has to be. It's a command of the Lord. Because of the great price that He went through, that He paid in order to forgive us," Leah said.<br><br>
They say Ami's story, which has been broadcast on Israel's national networks, has actually been used for good.<br><br>
"It's been a year of God just bringing up in media who Yeshua is and could Jewish people really accept the Lord and still remain Jewish. So the Gospel has been preached," David said.<br><br>
"I believe that's what the Lord meant to do through an extremely painful, painful situation is that [seeing] his [Ami's] face - people love him, in Israel, and they love him all over the world and it's through that that the Gospel is being preached," Leah said.<br><br>
In the meantime, Ami, now 16, takes part in his youth group, plays basketball and is growing into a young man.<br><br>
"This is a miracle. This is a miracle what happened that day. He's still alive," Marina said.<br><br>
JERUSALEM POST ARTICLE<br><br>
Religious Affairs: Jesus's Zionists<br>
Apr. 30, 2009<br>
Matthew Wagner , THE JERUSALEM POST <br><br>
Like most religious Zionists, Aryeh Bar-David sees the hand of God in the establishment of the Jewish state and the Jewish people's repeated victories against its enemies. Yom Ha'atzmaut has religious meaning as a tangible sign that God is fulfilling his biblical promises to the Jewish people. "God's intervention in the course of history is so clear that, for me, it is absurd that people think we are just another secular democratic country," said Bar-David, who met me on Remembrance Day outside the Old City's Damascus Gate. <br><br>
"This," said Bar-David, gesturing toward the outer wall of the Old City, "is the manifestation of God's prophecies as stated in Ezekiel, Jeremiah and other places in the Bible," referring to the victory in the Six Day War which gave Israel control of east Jerusalem, including the Old City. <br><br>
Also similar to many religious Zionists, Bar-David, a veteran of four wars, is convinced that his religious faith helped him cope with life-and-death situations in combat. Under Ariel Sharon, he took part in some of the bloodiest battles for control of the Suez Canal during the Yom Kippur War. As platoon sergeant, Bar-David was forced to take over command when the platoon commander was killed in an ambush. "No matter how dangerous things got, I never feared anything. In a way I had a longing to be in heaven, closer to God. So I was not ever scared by the prospect of dying." <br><br>
But, unlike most Jewish religious Zionists - who see the establishment of the state as a precursor to the yet-to be-revealed messiah - Bar-David has a radically different eschatology. That's because Bar-David is a Messianic Jew. <br><br>
"Days are coming when the Jewish people will be forced to realize that Yeshua is the only solution to all our troubles," said Bar-David, using the Hebrew name for Jesus. <br><br>
Bar-David, 62, is a second-generation Messianic Jew, whose father, a Bulgarian Jew, "came to the faith" while studying in Switzerland and immigrated to Israel before the Holocaust. <br><br>
Bar-David is one of about 10,000 Messianic Jews living here who believe that Jesus is the messiah and the son of God, and that accepting him as such is a precondition for spiritual redemption. They call themselves Jewish because most were born to a Jewish mother or father. <br><br>
Still, the belief that Jesus is the messiah who already revealed himself once and will be making a second coming normally places someone squarely outside the Jewish fold. In fact, it is difficult to imagine anything less Jewish. Historically, one of the centerpieces of the Jewish faith was its categorical rejection of Christianity. Throughout the ages since the advent of Christianity, thousands of Jews have preferred martyrdom to accepting Jesus. <br><br>
But Bar-David and other members of the Messianic community see themselves not only as Jews, but also as ardent Zionists and patriotic Israelis. They reject Christian replacement theology that sees, for instance, the Catholic Church, as the new chosen people. For the Messianic community, the Jewish people are still God's chosen people, even if they rejected Jesus. The establishment of Israel is a tangible manifestation of the prophecies of the Bible. The ingathering of the exiles, the return of the Jewish people to the land of Israel, is part of God's master plan for the final redemption. Fighting in the IDF against Israel's enemies is tantamount to taking part in the fulfillment of biblical prophecies. To be on Israel's side means to be on God's side. <br><br>
THIS "FAITH-BASED" Zionism is what motivated about 2,000 Messianic Jews and Evangelical Christians from all over Europe including Finland, Norway, Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy and Cyprus to meet in Geneva last week and demonstrate against Durban II. <br><br>
"I'd say we were probably the largest single pro-Israel contingent in Geneva," said Calev Myers, a Jerusalem-based attorney who heads the Jerusalem Institute of Justice, a legal advocacy group for religious rights that represents mostly Evangelical Christians and Messianic Jews. <br><br>
Myers, who works in the law firm established by Gideon Hausner, the attorney-general who prosecuted Adolf Eichmann, gave a speech in Geneva in which he strongly defended Zionism and called Iran, China, Libya and other countries that took part in Durban II members of the "fourth Reich." <br><br>
But Messianic Jews' variety of religious Zionism is not always appreciated. In probably the most violent attack against a Messianic Jew that took place, Ami Ortiz, 15, a dual American-Israeli citizen and the son of a Messianic Jewish pastor, was seriously wounded when a bomb exploded in his home in Ariel on Purim (March 20) last year. The bomb was concealed in a gift basket placed on the doorstep. <br><br>
This is not an isolated incident. The US State Department's Annual Report on International Religious Freedom, released in September 2008, pointed to a marked rise in violence against Messianic Jews. Some of the incidents mentioned included a public burning of the New Testament in Or Yehuda in May 2008, and the fire-bombing of the Baptist church on Jerusalem's Rehov Narkiss, the meeting place of a Russian-language Messianic Jewish congregation. <br><br>
Members of the Messianic community are also singled out by the Interior Ministry. For instance, a Christian Chinese couple who came for a pilgrimage was recently detained at Ben-Gurion Airport after they gave border-control officials the name of a Messianic Jew as a contact person here. They were released only after they signed an affidavit assuring they would not proselytize during their visit. <br><br>
As a result, men like Daniel Yahav, the son of Holocaust survivors who "came to the faith" as a young man and now serves as pastor of a Messianic congregation in Tiberias, are wary of media exposure which might attract unwanted attention. Yahav preferred not to divulge the name of his congregation or its size. <br><br>
Yahav said that the open animosity some Israelis show toward Messianic Jews does not dampen his or others' Zionist fervor. "We are willing to stand up for our beliefs, even if most Israelis reject them, and that shows our sincerity and faith," said Yahav, who said that he was the first Messianic Jew to become an officer after the IDF changed its exclusionary policies in 1980s. <br><br>
Do messianic Jews seek out suffering for their faith as a way of emulating Jesus? <br>
"No one wants to suffer," Yahav said. "We want to live a comfortable life like everyone else. Still, when suffering comes, it is a merit, and there will be reward in heaven for it." <br><br>
AN INTERESTING phenomenon that arises again and again in conversations with Messianic Jews is their strong commitment to military service as part of their loyalty to the state. Yahav said that there are two IAF pilots who are members of his congregation, and several others who belong to elite combat units. The situation is similar at Moshav Yad Hashmona, a small cooperative settlement of about 20 families, most of them Messianic Jews, located west of Jerusalem, according to Ayelet Ronen, its secretary. <br><br>
Like the Orthodox religious Zionists who see their military service as a mitzva, Messianic Jews also see it in religious terms. In fact, several Messianic Jews said they respected religious Zionists for their selfless service to the state, and felt they had many things in common with them - except, of course, for the belief in Jesus. <br>
Messianic Jews' dedication to the military is based on their belief that one must be a good citizen and pray for the success of the state no matter where one lives. But it also has to do with a type of religious Zionism. <br><br>
"Part of Messianic community's success in military service has to do with discipline," said Ronen. "We put a lot of emphasis on behavior and conduct. For instance, premarital sex is not accepted, and young people are expected to act in a responsible way. These values seem to help our young people when they get to the IDF. <br><br>
"Also, our youths are encouraged to reach a deep level of religious conviction independently. Faith is not forced on them. So when someone does commit himself to the faith, it is a result of an internal, not an external, process. And this gives them a lot of strength. But most importantly, we know that when we fight for the Jewish people, we are fighting on God's side." <br><br>
According to Michael - who helps run Mercaz Netiva, a youth organization for Messianic Jews aged 13 through 17 that includes a one-week premilitary preparation course called Netzor - there are presently 200-300 Messianic Jews serving in the IDF. <br><br>
Messianic Jews see no contradiction between Jesus's pacifist teachings, such as the Sermon on the Mount, in which the faithful are taught to turn the other cheek to their enemies, and Messianic Jews' service in the IDF. <br>
Michael, who is an officer in the Givati Brigade, believes that Jesus's teachings make military service more of a challenge. <br><br>
"As believers, we are obligated to love and respect our enemies. But we are also citizens of Israel, which obligates us to serve in the IDF. Every believer has to ask if he is doing what is right and good. The most difficult test is when we are involved in policing the Palestinian population at checkpoints or during patrols inside Palestinian villages. <br><br>
"I personally see it as an opportunity to behave in a compassionate, ethical way, and serve as a witness for Jesus's teachings. There are about 200 or 300 of us spread out throughout the IDF having a positive impact, serving as examples. <br><br>
"We believe this state of affairs will not last forever, though. Eventually, there will be a time of peace ushered in by the prince of peace. In that day, everyone will recognize that Jesus is the messiah."<br><br>
Quick Links...<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://www.lionofgod.com">www.lionofgod.com</a> and <a target="_new" href="http://www.amiortiz.com">www.amiortiz.com</a>
</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/305982009-05-03T07:00:00-06:002009-05-03T07:00:00-06:00May 3, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">Psalm 89:5-7 <br><br>
5 And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O LORD; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints. 6 For who in the heavens can be compared to the LORD? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the LORD? 7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all those around Him. <br><br>
We had our appointment with the plastic surgeons today, and with the burn specialist - and.......... <br><br>
AMI DOESN'T HAVE TO WEAR HIS PRESSURE SUIT ANYMORE!!! He doesn't have to wear the top, bottom or sock! The scars are no longer active, and he is FREE!!! <br><br>
The specialist came into the room with two plastic surgeons, took one look at Ami, and declared "He doesn't need the suit anymore, he's finished". David, Ami and I were all in shock - we said, not even the top part? "No". Not even the sock? "No". Does he have to put the lotions on? "No". "Congratulations!" they said. We just stood there looking at them. "Next", they said. We walked out rejoicing, but really in a daze. Ami said to me - "now you have something to write in your update"! We always have something to write, every week, sometimes several times in one week, because the miracles keep on happening, and the LORD God of Israel is mighty in the midst of his people.<br><br>
Looking back.... <br><br>
Ami started wearing the pressure suit in June 2008. We were told that he would need to wear it for 1 ½ - 2 years. Eleven months later - he no longer needs the suit! That is the healing power of Yeshua, in response to prayer coming up to his throne from the four corners of the earth. <br><br>
All we can say is HALLELUYAH! There is nothing too hard for our God. <br><br>
And of course - THANK YOU for praying and being faithful. <br><br>
This rolls a huge load off of us, as far as normal living is concerned. Ami had two sets of the suit, and he only took it off to take a shower. After the shower, he would have to put lotions on all of his scars, then we had to place silicone sheets on the skin grafts, and then we would put on the suit - and it was hard work! Ami dreamed of the day that he could come back from his basketball game, take a shower and just fall into bed to sleep. Thank you Yeshua; the desires of his heart are fulfilled. And the Lord loves to give us the desires of our hearts, in the same way that we love to bless our children with good things. <br><br>
So, after Ami would remove the suit, I would have to wash it by hand, including the silicone sheets - and this would all happen usually at 11:30 at night by the time we would get around to the whole process after our very busy days. Even traveling will be so much easier, as we won't have to bring all the equipment along. We are so blessed and full of thanksgiving. <br><br>
I looked back to some earlier updates. Just 9 months ago - July 15th I wrote this: <br><br>
"I've noticed that Ami copes better emotionally when he's at the hospital than he does at home. Physically he is stronger and so is doing better in that way at home, but when he's home he goes out with his friends, walking around town, sitting down and talking with people, and the next day he is very depressed. He says he should be going out with friends, playing basketball, but instead he's going back to the hospital. He's seeing what he's lost, and it's huge. He's looking at his left foot, which looks mangled, and is shorter than the right now because of the first 3 toes which are partially amputated, at the skin grafts, which look appalling, at the many bulging scars, at his fingers that don't work well, at the left arm which hangs almost lifeless - it's daunting for a 15 year old. He has a pressure suit for the burns and all the scars which goes from the top of his neck to the bottom of his foot on the left side, and down to his mid-calf on the right, and now he has to put silicon pieces under the pressure suit to further soften and lighten the scars. He wears a brace on his right hand at night to lengthen the tendons, and a small brace on his left hand during the day to straighten out the clawing effect in his hand - He doesn't hear well, he still has much shrapnel in his eyes which doctors are hoping won't come out, and he's in constant pain. It's easy for a 15 year old to feel he's lost more than he could ever regain." <br><br>
We have come so far in such a short but intense time. You have allowed your hearts to be moved by our trial, and you have loved us and prayed for us. I tell everyone about all of you, when they marvel at the miracle they see in Ami, standing before their eyes. We have labored together in prayer, and we have seen much victory. Getting to know so many of you via email and some personally, has been the experience of a life time, and the power of prayer has been a testimony to our family, to my Jewish family, and to everyone who has had any contact at all with Ami. <br><br>
Urgent prayer request <br><br>
Pressing prayer is needed for something else that is time sensitive. We need to raise money to further the investigation which is not happening by the police. We wanted to raise a large sum of money, but because of the financial crisis in the world, it is very difficult to to raise money at this time. To begin the work that needs to be done, we are hoping to raise 1/10th of that amount. On <a target="_new" href="http://www.amiortiz.com">www.amiortiz.com</a>, there is a page called "fundraiser". We didn't create the website, but the Body here in Israel is behind this project and is trying to help, because to apprehend the criminals that perpetrated this act of violence and attempted murder against our family will insure that they will not be able to do it to anyone else. Please pray for a miracle for this. <br><br>
Thank you - and may the blessing of the Lord rest upon you and your families today. May you receive from the Lord the 100 fold from the love, compassion and faithful prayer that you have shown to our family. Don't forget to see the 700 Club on Monday. All our love in Messiah,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/305972009-05-02T07:00:00-06:002009-05-02T07:00:00-06:00May 2, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;"> We are wrapping up our week with the Brooklyn Tabernacle team that came to minister here in the land. They came with a medical team, and a Teens and children's ministry team, 22 in all. They held 3 days of medical clinics in Jericho in the Palestinian Authority area, which was hosted by a ministry there, and they've helped us to minister in Ariel, which included a fantastic all day teens/children's program which has become a yearly event. The program was creative and spiritually enriching for the kids, who are the children of believers here in our city. They all had a great time, and good relationships were formed with the team. The believers in our congregation just love being with the Brooklyn Tabernacle teams that come. Their love and spirit are refreshing and comforting. Many of our congregants come early before the meetings, just to be with them for a few extra hours of fellowship. Our beloved Andrew also came with the group, for those of you who remember him. He took 3 months out of his life to help us last year when Ami was still in the hospital. He took over the youth group, and did countless, invaluable tasks for David and myself, from computer work, shopping, help with our meetings, invaluable help with Ami, etc. Included in the team were also doctors, nurses, and two believing psychiatrists, one a Jewish believer, and the other from Haiti. It was a wonderful, packed to the brim experience. Every minute the team was in Ariel, Ami was with them. It was wonderful timing as he's recovering from the ear surgery and unable to participate in his normal schedule.<br><br>
700 CLUB AMI UPDATE <br><br>
Important news - an update on Ami and our family will be aired on the "700 Club" on Monday, May 4th. For those of you who won't be able to view it on TV, you can view it on the internet on <a target="_new" href="http://www.cbn.com">www.cbn.com</a> for a week after its aired. <br>
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AMI NEWS <br><br>
Ami went back to school on Thursday and is feeling much better. I can see that he has recovered his strength, Praise the Lord. He says he feels the healing going on his ear - sometimes there are strange gurgling types of noises, and the itching which we have learned goes along with skin healing. Tomorrow we will go to a burns specialist, and I'll write to you after that to update you with any new developments. Ami will be having several doctor's appointments between now and June, and will also be taking some important tests which will affect his college matriculation scores, so please pray for success with his studies in between all of his medical treatment.<br><br>
2 Corinthians 1:8-11<br><br>
There have been several tragic incidences of accidents and sickness which have been passed along to us in the last couple of weeks, and we're finding that our understanding and ability to pray for these is very different than it was 14 months ago. We ache for those who are going through such traumatic and difficult situations with a personal identification, and cry out for miracles from a place which has been created by our experience. We thank the Lord that we can share with others, as so many of you have been able to share with us. You have encouraged us with your testimonies of trials, tragedies and ultimate victories in the Lord. It is a privilege to pray for your needs as well.<br><br>
2 Corinthians 1:8-11 8<br><br>
8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.<br><br>
In Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah </div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/305962009-04-23T07:00:00-06:002009-04-23T07:00:00-06:00April 23, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">Ami came out of the ear operation well, and was released from the hospital this morning. <br><br>
THE OPERATION <br><br>
We arrived at the hospital at 7:30 AM on Wednesday, were the first ones in line to get checked in, but Ami was the last one to be operated on- finally at 11:30 AM. All that time he was forbidden to eat or drink, and so it was a little hard. The surgery took two hours - longer than expected. Ami was awake to semi-awake during the whole thing, as he was given something to calm him down, which made him sleepy. He said that at the beginning of the operation he was sleeping, and then heard something like a drill being applied to his ear which woke him up with a start. Afterwards, Dr. Shapira, the senior surgeon who operated on Ami, came out to speak to us. He said that it wasn't an easy or simple operation, the hole was big, the ear drum was mostly gone, but he said at the end it went well (breakthrough). He said, can you tell me in 3 or 4 sentences what happened to your son? We shared the story with him, and his mouth dropped. When he understood that it was Jewish against Jewish, he simply couldn't comprehend the violence he saw demonstrated on Ami's body. We gave him a CD of the Uvda story. Ami was admitted into the hospital for one night. We were instructed this morning as Ami was being released, that the operation was a very delicate one. A little piece of muscle was taken from above his ear (he has stitches there), and placed where the ear drum was. It is a flap that needs to heal and it takes at least 6 weeks - sometimes longer. Can we pray for speedy healing of the grafted ear drum? In the meantime, Ami can't play sports, lift anything heavy - travel to a different elevation (Jerusalem or Dead Sea), fly in a plane, or even sneeze with his mouth closed. Anything that causes pressure in his ear can cause the flap to come loose, and ruin the whole operation. He can't allow the inside of the ear to get wet, because infection is always a concern. He has a bandage inside, and it will come out after 3 weeks. Then we'll see how well successful the operation has been, and he will get a hearing test. The final check up this morning was when the surgeon came into our room with a tuning fork. He activated it, and held it to Ami's teeth! He asked him, do you hear this better in your right or left ear? Ami said - "in the right ear". That was all they wanted to hear - and we were sent home with a follow-up appointment in 3 weeks. <br>
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OUR ROCK IN TIME OF TROUBLE <br><br>
Ami is feeling like he was beat up on the right side of his head, he feels pressure, and when he walks he feels pounding in his head, so he will be resting at home for a while. Thank you for continuing to pray -I am noticing that there is a big attack on believers in these last days, especially mentally and emotionally. We need to depend on Yeshua to be our rock more and more in these unstable and confusing days. <br><br>
PSALM 27:5 5<br><br>
For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. <br><br>
That is - high above my troubles, enemies, and every confusion in my life. <br><br>
With much love and appreciation in the Messiah, <br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/305952009-04-21T07:00:00-06:002009-04-21T07:00:00-06:00April 21, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">HUGE NEWS!! We just got back from Ami's pre-op check up. We visited the anesthesiologist first, and then the ear surgeons, because as you remember Ami's operation was switched from local to general anesthesia. That's why it was postponed for 5 months.<br><br>
We waited a good two hours in the waiting room for the anesthesiologist, and then I didn't have the blood tests we needed, or any x-rays, in short, I was unprepared. However, we had time until May 13th so she finished the paperwork and sent us back to the ear surgeon.<br><br>
A TALE OF TWO SURGEONS<br><br>
Two of the doctor's who have been watching over Ami's case were in the room, and they are very concerned over him. They checked the ears - and there's been IMPROVEMENT!! Lots of improvement, the holes are smaller - the ear drum is growing back - however they found skin growing in a place where it shouldn't be in the right ear- and the hole in the right ear drum is so big they said "in the natural" that even if there is more healing, it won't completely close. HOWEVER, all of a sudden we weren't talking about such a major operation as it was going to be before - and we were talking about local anesthesia again, and not general. They said that it makes the whole operation more simple, and he doesn't need a graft anymore, but an under lay, or over lay - I can't remember.<br><br>
Then one of the surgeon's went out to reschedule the operation, and he said - "There's a cancellation for tomorrow- do you want to do it?" We all said "yes" in unison, and we began scurrying around, getting everything organized.<br>
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All the paperwork got done, we had another appointment with the chief surgeon, a totally delightful older gentleman who looked at Ami and said, "We have a problem - we don't have beds big enough for him!" He joked around with all of us, he and David ended up speaking Yiddish to one another, and then he told the other surgeons - this is a solo operation - I'm doing this alone, meaning - you can't help me!! Then I realized they were kind of fighting over who would do the operation!<br>
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Oh the favor of God, and how grateful we are to you, our family, who have prayed faithfully for his ears to heal. The Lord has heard and is answering....<br><br>
DETAILS, HOW TO PRAY<br><br>
We are so jubilant and excited, this has been a huge lift to all of our spirits, especially for Ami of course. The doctor said that the surgery is not painful, but the after affects can be a little pain and dizziness, or loss of balance. He'll have to be in the hospital for a day or two, and then his ear will be packed up with bandages which will slowly dissolve in the ear. After 6 weeks, in which he can't fly in a plane, play basketball and any other sport, or lift heavy things, he will have another appointment to check the hearing and see if the surgery was successful. It is not always successful, and so we need to pray for safety also, because if he gets hit in the ear, it could ruin the whole surgery.<br>
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I will write probably next week with the results of the operation because a group of 22 are coming from our congregation in the U.S. for 10 days on Friday, but I will try to grab moments to keep you updated. Again - BIG Thanks and hugs from all of us for your friendship and prayer. <br><br>
WORDS FROM JOSHUA CHAPTER 2<br><br>
I've been reading the book of Joshua, and it is so rich. I began reading it with our Youth Group also - challenging them to take from these very ancient scriptures truths for their lives today. This was the generation that was born in the desert, that had the faith to take the promised land for the nation of Israel. They're called the Joshua generation, although Joshua was 80 years old at this time. Hallelujah!<br>
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Rahab's Salvation Experience (parenthesis are mine)<br>
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Joshua 2:8-11<br>
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8 Now before they lay down (the two spies), she(Rahab) came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men: "I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. 10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt(40years before), and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.<br><br>
Amen and Amen.<br><br>
In the Love of the Messiah,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/305942009-04-19T07:00:00-06:002009-04-19T07:00:00-06:00April 19, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">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!<br><br>
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!<br><br>
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!<br><br>
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. <br><br>
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.<br>
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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.<br><br>
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. <br><br>
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.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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 <a href="http://www.epicenter09.com" target="_new">www.epicenter09.com</a> They are selling CD’s and DVD’s of the conference.<br><br>
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.<br><br>
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. <br><br>
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.<br><br>
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. <br><br>
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.<br><br>
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. <br><br>
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!!<br><br>
Love to you all in Yeshua,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/305932009-03-26T19:00:00-06:002009-03-26T19:00:00-06:00March 27, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">Shalom from the busy Ortiz household. We are preparing to travel to the U.S. with Ami, as he has vacation for Passover. What prompted the journey was an invitation by Joel Rosenberg to attend his Epicenter 2009 conference in San Diego. He has invited David to share, and Ami and I will be standing on the platform with him. They are expecting 10,000 people at the conference, and we're looking forward to hearing the realities that face us here in the Middle East and around the world. Even though we live here, we're not told the inside story most of the time, probably because it would cause mass panic! However, as believers, we need the whole truth, and we need to prepare ourselves in prayer and the Word for the times ahead of us - which promise to be more and more challenging.<br><br>
This will be the last update for about 3 weeks- I pray that you all will have a joyous Passover Season, and resurrection Sunday. What a joy it will be for me and my family to join my mother, brother and his family in Miami for the Passover Seder. Please pray for the truth of the Passover Lamb to penetrate their hearts and spirits. We will also visit David's mother in Puerto Rico, as well as his siblings, God willing of course.<br><br>
NEW WEBSITE<br><br>
Another miracle has occurred for Ami. Many of you have seen the website that was created for us by George Whitten, <a href="http://www.lionofgod.org" target="_new">www.lionofgod.org</a> which was a gift from the Lord for which we are daily grateful. Another brother in the Lord, <a href="http://www.aviadcohen.com" target="_new">Aviad Cohen</a>, met our family, and has taken Ami to heart. He is an extremely talented artist and a genius in all kinds of media, music, computers, etc. He has created a website for Ami which is comprehensive and powerful. He created it with the cooperation of Calev Myers and Albert Veksler of the Jerusalem Institute for Justice. On the website - which is www.amiortiz.com you can see the "Uvda" journalistic film with English subtitles on the home page, and a film that was commissioned by the Jerusalem Institute for Justice on the incident as well, also in Hebrew with English subtitles on the documentary page. It is particularly powerful, and tells the story conveying the trauma of the incident, and yet the victory, which is Ami himself, who survived and is daily overcoming in such a miraculous way. You can very much get a feel for who Ami is in this film. It is titled "Haman's Visit" and is rated 'R' because of the graphic images of Ami's wound. The website is full of information and more to come.<br><br>
FOREIGN MINISTRY<br><br>
We had a landmark meeting yesterday with the initiator of the action alert and petition, Adv. Majed El Shafie from Toronto Canada. He came to Israel to meet with several people, among them two men from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He presented them with a notebook which contained the action alert and petition, 1,800 signatures gathered in two weeks, with strong comments from the signees, and between 80-90 emails, some of which bring tears to our eyes, and some of which are strong in their messages of justice deserved. David, Ami and I participated in the meeting with the Director of the Department for Religious Affairs of the Foreign Ministry, and also the head of the Legal Department of the same ministry. Unfortunately, Majed told them after they spoke to us, that since the last time he had met with them seven months ago, nothing had been accomplished. The information was exactly the same, which was, "Yes, the Government of Israel condemns this crime, and we've spoken to the police, but they said the investigation is top secret and we can't divulge any details."<br><br>
Majed explained that the petition was remaining open on line until next Purim, that people would continue to sign and comment - and that hopefully justice would have been served by then. He said, "Remember this saying - justice delayed is justice denied". Please pray for Majed as he is on the front lines of the battle for the persecuted church. He is an important tool in the Lord's hands, serving persecuted believers all over the world - including those in Pakistan and Afghanistan.<br><br>
David then spoke, he said, "First of all, in all the cases of terrorism in this country, there is always someone from government condemning the act. However, in our case, no one publicly condemned the bombing in our home, no one came to visit Ami in the hospital (from the central government) and we didn't even receive a telephone call.<br><br>
Secondly, even though you say that you condemn the incident, it has been done quietly, not publically". David then shared Deut. 21:1-9:<br><br>
1 If a man is found slain, lying in a field in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who killed him, 2 your elders and judges shall go out and measure the distance from the body to the neighboring towns. 3 Then the elders of the town nearest the body shall take a heifer that has never been worked and has never worn a yoke 4 and lead her down to a valley that has not been plowed or planted and where there is a flowing stream. There in the valley they are to break the heifer's neck. 5 The priests, the sons of Levi, shall step forward, for the LORD your God has chosen them to minister and to pronounce blessings in the name of the LORD and to decide all cases of dispute and assault. 6 Then all the elders of the town nearest the body shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley, 7 and they shall declare: "Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it done. 8 Accept this atonement for your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, O LORD, and do not hold your people guilty of the blood of an innocent man." And the bloodshed will be atoned for. 9 So you will purge from yourselves the guilt of shedding innocent blood, since you have done what is right in the eyes of the LORD.<br><br>
This passage is about taking responsibility for the shedding of innocent blood when the perpetrator is not known. It is the elders of the community that need to condemn it, and atone for it before the Lord.<br><br>
David told them, "It is a shame that other governments have taken responsibility in condemning the bombing, and ours has not. The Kentucky State House of Representatives passed a bill condemning the bombing - The Canadian government has condemned it - On Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Ami was a topic of conversation among many Senators and Statesmen.......but when people ask me what has your government done to condemn this act, I have to keep my mouth closed."<br><br>
David said, "The flyers that were handed out in Ariel against us, and which had our pictures, names and addresses, weren't handed out the other day - 2 years have gone by and nothing was done by the police, not only in Ariel but all over country where flyers have been handed out against the Messianic believers, in Arad, Beersheva, Tel Aviv area, Ashdod, and others."<br><br>
The Police have also been irresponsible with evidence that we gave them, and only when one of the news channels did a story on the incident, did the police begin to ask us to resend several pieces of important evidence that had been given to them from the beginning." We told them that we had to go to court to get back our hard disk and that the police didn't invite us to see the pictures of the man who dropped the bomb off near our door, we had to request it.<br><br>
David said, that because the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested to meet with us, now when we go to the U.S. and speak in front of ten thousand people, at least we can say that someone approached us from the government trying to solve problem. Until now, the outcry of injustice has not been by government, but by residents of Ariel and Israel, especially after the Channel two story.<br><br>
Ami spoke up saying that he doesn't feel protected. He said that when he walks down the street alone, he feels that he has to check out the area, and look behind him to see if someone is following him - that is a terrible feeling, knowing that criminals are still out there and could strike again, at us or someone else.<br><br>
Then I spoke and said "I don't care what people think about me, because I know who I am. But - I don't want my son to feel like a second class citizen. He is a loved and valued member of the society in Ariel - He's on the basketball team, and he knows kids from every school in town. However, it has offended him that he was never visited in the hospital by a member of the central government (except for by the Mayor of Ariel). When has this ever happened after a terror attack in Israel?? Especially since his body was ripped apart by this bomb that came into our home and he still has many operations and much recovery ahead of him (then I told them which operations in detail). We kept on trying to show them his scars - but they wouldn't let us. They said that they had seen them in pictures.<br><br>
They promised us that they would help us by putting pressure on the police to carry out this investigation.<br><br>
Can we pray for fruit from this meeting? However, our trust is not in man, but in the Lord.<br><br>
Psalm 118:8-9<br>
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.<br>
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.<br><br>
Yours in the Risen Messiah,<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/305892009-03-18T07:00:00-06:002009-03-18T07:00:00-06:00March 18, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">Just a quick praise report!<br><br>
This past Monday, our good friends, and the Middle East Correspondent from CBN’s 700 Club, Chris Mitchell and his wife Liz, came to do an update on Ami and our family. I don’t know when it will be shown, but we’ll let you all know as soon as we find out. Chris and Liz are unique servants of the Lord, picked and polished for the ministry of the 700 Club in Israel. We thank God for them.<br><br>
ORANGE HAIR, ANSWERED PRAYER<br><br>
Today we had the conference with the hand specialists in Tel HaShomer hospital. When we walked into the conference room, there was long table the length of the room, and at least 15 orthopedic specialists around the table. It was quite intimidating. However, the wonderful surgeon who operated on Ami’s arm in June, 2008, and her fellow surgeon who has been seeing us since, were there and they took over.<br><br>
They grabbed his EMG’s and saw that they apparently showed little improvement in the nerve function since September, and then Ami was grilled by the doctor’s. They asked him what bothered him the most - he said the lack of function and neuropathic pain in his left hand. He said the pinky on his right hand which still has some clawing, didn’t bother him. He has trouble bending his thumb to touch the pinky of his left hand, and the doctor’s were thinking that the problem was the tendon, and they started discussing doing a tendon replacement when all of a sudden, the doctor who was manning the computer found an x-ray that apparently no one had seen before! It showed quite clearly that the joint at the base of the thumb is dislocated!!<br><br>
All of a sudden, everyone said, “that changes everything”. Ami got nervous - but when they explained that this was a much simpler operation with much less recovery time, he was ecstatic and nearly sailed out of the room! We made another appointment for June, and now we know how to pray! Lord, please just pop that joint back into place, in Yeshua’s Name, Amen!<br><br>
PETITION, LETTERS<br><br>
Thanks to all who have signed the petition, we’re up to 1,500 now and climbing - a very respectable number. Thank you for your very effective, and at times moving comments, and thanks to all who have written to the Israeli Embassy in your area. We are doing what we can as led by the Lord, and we thank you for standing by us in everything, every step of the way. Gratitude wells up in our hearts.<br><br>
In Yeshua, Leah<br><br>
Psalm 18:33-35<br><br>
33 He makes my feet like the feet of deer,<br>
And sets me on my high places.<br>
34 He teaches my hands to make war,<br>
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.<br><br>
35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;<br>
Your right hand has held me up,<br>
Your gentleness has made me great.<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/305902009-03-14T07:00:00-06:002009-03-14T07:00:00-06:00March 14, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">Shalom, Shalom! Much to report, very little time to do it in. I will begin with our Purim 2009 Saga. There was much mixed emotion and spiritual warfare with this one year mark that came and went with Purim 2009. Our hearts and minds were thrust back to last Purim, and throughout all the preparations especially in the media, and meeting with first responders, we had an emotionally and spiritually difficult month leading up to the holiday. I personally had flashbacks, and broke down in tears once after a particularly real flashback. Fear began to attack me, and it nearly overcame me several times. David was also very conflicted and upset, and Ami as well, went through a trying time of discouragement, as he had believed that his injuries would more or less have healed completely by one year.<br><br>
PURIM 2009<br><br>
What amazed me however was Ami’s apparent total lack of fear and trauma concerning Purim 2009. The youth group that I lead have taken over the tradition of doing a Purim play every year, and holding it at a certain house of believers, with all congregations in town represented, and everyone who used to go to a congregation, or who wants to be a believer in attendance. It’s a grand event, and one that I shunned this year and didn’t want anything to do with. The kids however, kept on pressing Ami to be a part of the play, and although he resisted at first, and I presented them with all kinds of difficulties, like the fact that we weren’t even going to be in town on Purim, they were undaunted and pressed on. Ami finally capitulated, and they planned the party and play for when we would get back, the day after Purim.<br><br>
Even though Purim this year began on Monday the 9th, which was erev Purim, or Purim eve, and which took place on March 20 last year, the kids celebrated in school on the 8th. I had wanted to be out of Ariel by the 9th, but Ami had a big basketball game on the 8th in the evening, and so we had to leave on the 9th. Ami surprised us on Saturday evening by going to a hairdresser and returning with bright orange hair! ( kids dress in costumes for Purim, and this was his version of a costume) The next day he went to school, and had a great time, participating in all the festivities at school, and returning late in the afternoon. I was amazed at the health of his soul and spirit, and for not letting the enemy steal from him the joy of Purim.<br><br>
AUSTRALIAN RADIO, DEAD SEA, MS CLINIC<br><br>
That same afternoon, we had the Australian Broadcasting Company come over to interview us for Australian Radio. I so much wanted to say hi to my four boys in Melbourne, but they wouldn’t let me!! Anyway, we were interviewed, and they reacted to us very favorably. We had a very clear chance to explain our beliefs as Jewish believers in the Messiah, and to describe what the Lord has done in our lives through this very difficult year. Ami was also interviewed.<br><br>
The next day was Purim eve, and even though I had dreaded that day, I awoke with a deep sense of peace and well-being. We packed and set off to a lovely hotel at the Dead Sea, where we were joined by our daughter, her husband and our grandson, Rani. We had three delightful days of rest and relaxation, with good family time and fun with the baby, who is 13 months old now. We even got to babysit when his Mom and Dad got messages.<br><br>
Back to Ariel, and the next day I had an appointment at the MS clinic where I’ve been treated since 1999. At this point, I go to see them twice a year, but it had been a whole year since I’d been there because of the terror attack. Everyone in Israel turns into family at some point or another, and so it was a great reunion. They had seen the Uvda report, and my doctor said - the main thing that I saw was that you were walking well! They take a whole hour for the checkup - we talk at length about any new developments, medications, etc., and then they do a check up. My doctor said that my condition has not progressed at all since last year, and that considering what I had been through this year, (his words) it was a miracle that there was no progression. I agreed , and I told him that God had been very good to me on this front, and had given me the strength to endure 5 months in the hospital. All the doctors came into the office at that point, and they were all amazed. I praise the Lord for the witness to these doctors of Yeshua’s healing hand on my life, living with MS. It has been a miracle.<br><br>
STEWART WHITMORE<br><br>
Then on Friday, we got to meet Stewart Whitmore, a man from the U.S. who has been praying for Ami all year and has a powerful testimony. We had erev Shabbat dinner together, and he spoke in our congregation tonight. You see, in 1998 he tried to take his life by putting a gun under his chin, and shooting, but he survived the experience. He said that in the last split second before the bullet blew off his face, he cried out to God for forgiveness, and the Lord heard him, and he lived. He was in an extremely isolated area, but someone found him, called for an emergency helicopter which airlifted him to a hospital, in which there were two new surgeons who had just learned the latest in reconstructive surgery. After 17 surgeries to reconstruct his face, and after coming to the Lord through the experience, he has traveled to many countries in the world and given his testimony. Unbeknownst to us, there was a couple who had never been to our congregation before, whose son-in-law had committed suicide last year, and who were greatly comforted by his testimony.<br><br>
On the 18th, this Wednesday, we will God willing have a meeting with the hand surgeons in Tel HaShomer hospital to discuss with Ami where to go from here. Please pray for wisdom, and continued miracles, in Yeshua’s Name.<br><br>
Psalm 13: 5-6<br>
5 But I have trusted in Your mercy;<br>
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.<br>
6 I will sing to the LORD,<br>
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.<br><br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/305912009-03-06T06:00:00-07:002009-03-06T06:00:00-07:00March 6, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">"And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.” 13 However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews." John 7:12-13<br><br>
It is amazing how relevant the Bible is and how human nature never changes. The above verse exactly describes the division that has come to light after the airing of the program on Channel 2 Israeli TV called “Fact”. The story was ½ hour long and very moving. They covered the story of the incident with much sensitivity bringing forth the following points.<br><br>
1) It was a terror attack carried out by a radical, Jewish group or organization;<br><br>
2) The police are not arresting suspects, and haven’t even interrogated one suspect for unknown reasons, and this means that our family and the whole community of Messianic Jews are still in danger;<br><br>
3) There are anti-missionaries that say that we are nice people, but like the verse above, we are like snakes that slip under the door, into homes, and we deceive people, stealing the souls of Jews;<br><br>
And 4) Ami is a total over comer, has forgiven his attackers and is pressing forward to return to a full and normal life. Our family has also forgiven, and we have no desire for revenge. Justice yes, revenge no.<br><br>
RESULTS<br><br>
From the moment that the story was over, our phone began ringing off the hook. Israeli’s from all over the country, from the north to the south, began to call. The message from everyone was the same - They all said that the story was shocking and heart wrenching, and that it was shameful that such a thing happened in the land of Israel. They all said that they supported us, and that they send us hugs and kisses to our family. They said that Ami was adorable and sweet, and they are so sorry that this happened to him. They all said- “send Ami warm hugs, and that he should go forward in life and only succeed in whatever he wants to do in life.” One man called from the Tel Aviv area was in tears, he said he couldn’t stop crying.<br><br>
The telephone did not stop ringing for two days. Even a Hasidic Jewish man called us at around midnight one night, and said, “I am a Hasidic Jew, but I don’t agree with what these people did to your son. Then he said - “I see that Messianic Jews like to contribute - we have many needy families in our community, maybe you’d like to contribute to them?” We told him that we are regular contributors to another organization that helps needy families and children with illnesses, but we’d take his telephone number in case someone else wanted to help them!<br><br>
David was with Ami in Petach Tikva, around 20 minutes drive from Ariel the day after the airing of the program. They had errands to run, and afterwards were eating falafel. A man with a kippa recognized them from the TV, came up to Ami and exclaimed “You are a hero! Keep overcoming, never give up!” David took our car for an oil change and when the people in the car garage saw him, he said it was like a storm broke out! The Israeli’s there expressed anger over what had happened, over the opinion of the anti-missionaries, and really tried to encourage him. People continue to stop us wherever we go, in Ariel and outside of Ariel, to offer their support and love. Tonight we went out to dinner in Tel Aviv and a woman came over to us and said, “Excuse me for having the nerve to do this, (and she looked Ami in the eye), but I am so ashamed that this happened to you in our nation, and I pray that you will only succeed in life. I saw you, and I remembered you from the program - I will never forget your face. You are so sweet………<br><br>
The point of the program was to raise public awareness about this horrible crime that was committed, and to place pressure on the authorities to bring the criminals to justice. The talk backs on the internet where the story can be seen until next Monday, have been split down the middle - On one side, the opinion of the anti-missionaries who disdain the Name of Yeshua, on the other side, support for our family and community and the opinion that we are living in a democratic nation with freedom of religion.<br><br>
God wiling, the story will have English subtitles added to it soon, and will be uploaded onto YouTube. We’ll keep you informed.<br><br>
AMI NEWS<br><br>
Doctor’s appointments have begun with a flurry again. We were at the rehab hospital this week, and the occupational therapist was there with a specialist in hand therapy, and they determined that Ami doesn’t need any more occupational therapy. We will God willing have our meeting with the hand surgeons soon. Please continue to pray for full restoration of his left hand. We have to also see a burn specialist who will be able to tell us if Ami still has to wear the pants of the pressure suit, but that won’t be until May. Please pray for miraculous healing of his scars. There are many large scars from the skin grafts that in the natural can only be covered over by radical plastic surgery. But our God is a mighty God, and Yeshua is Mighty to heal - Let’s pray for continuous healing.<br><br>
Ami has begun to express more freely what the Lord has done in his life through this experience and we are grateful for that - so many of you have prayed in this direction.<br><br>
IRON SHARPENING IRON<br><br>
We received a very special email that I would like to share with you - as I read it my heart was pierced by the truth that we have to wait in patience until that which the Lord is doing is complete. This verse came to mind -<br><br>
Psalm 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerns me;<br>
Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever;<br>
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.<br><br>
This person responded to my last update:<br><br>
What came to mind is related to building a house. I have been blessed to see my brother’s house being built in the various stages and to be part of various stages of construction as a helper with friends. Initially as the house goes up there is preparation and then time usually in waiting for the foundation to set. Once the framing happens things seem to move along relatively quickly. The contractor is generally focused and things happen in relative good order. Then almost always in my experience I have noticed the following. About the time the job seems complete, the finish work begins to happen: tile work, cabinetry, finish carpentry painting, and then the walk through, and punch list of things that have to be complete. The energy I’ve experience in these closing moments of construction are at best slow - actually almost painfully slow. It seems like the house, addition, whatever it is, will never be finished as the list of minor details, which makes the house complete seems endless.<br><br>
This is the sense I get of where Ami is at. He has had a very long haul to get to where he is. The doctors are saying in effect, on the punch list of things that we can do for you is an upgrade to where you’re at now, but before we complete the work we have to “deconstruct” this part of your house in order to make it that much better. All Ami wants to do is move in already.<br><br>
I agree with you - the question was a very good one: “What do you want?” While it is painful to consider, and truly I cannot fully appreciate how painful or frustrating this is for Ami - it is my prayer, if that counts at all, that YHWH bring him the strength to breathe in deeply and know that in the scheme of things - any minor sacrifice of time now can bring him greater dividends and joy later. I have no place to do so, but I encourage Ami, you, David, your family - and BELIEVE with a full heart that Ami is fully healed already.<br><br>
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. We are blessed to be able to fellowship with you via email. It has been one of the unexpected joys in the midst of this event. May the Lord Yeshua receive all the glory.<br><br>
Love in Messiah,<br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/305882009-03-03T06:00:00-07:002009-03-03T06:00:00-07:00March 3, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">Our days and nights are packed with activity as we approach the second Purim since the incident. Last night our story aired on an Israeli TV program called “Uvda” or “Fact”. It is something like the American 60 minutes, and tells the stories of regular Israeli’s and their life situations. We’d been working on this with them since October, and finally it was aired. They did such an amazing job, they portrayed Ami so sensitively, and showed his heroism. They showed who we were as believers, and the dilemma that we face in living with the criminals still not caught. It showed that we are not angry, and have no desire for revenge. It also portrayed a Christian Danish group of lovers of Israel that David was showing around the area. (That part is in English). A person from an anti-missionary group was also interviewed, and he was seen as being unreasonable in his opposition to us, actually saying that our activities are so horrible that we deserved what happened to us.<br><br>
Even if you don’t understand or speak Hebrew, and you want to see the pictures of our family and Ami also playing Basketball - you can log on to the website at:<br><br><a href="http://www.mako.co.il/tv-ilana_dayan/2009-ba6de11e0d2bf110/Article-6218270b6a8cf11004.htm" target="_new">http://www.mako.co.il/tv-ilana_dayan/2009-ba6de11e0d2bf110/Article-6218270b6a8cf11004.htm</a><br><br>
We are God willing going to try to get it translated and posted on YouTube. If you want to write a comment in English or your language to Channel 2 which is the station which aired the program, the email address is: <a href="mailto:uvda@keshet-tv.com">uvda@keshet-tv.com</a><br><br>
We have been receiving telephone calls from all over Israel from Israelis who are not believers, but who were touched, saddened, and even angered that this happened to us. They all send messages of respect, support, love, hugs and kisses to all of us but especially to Ami. They expressed amazement that he isn’t angry. One man said that he couldn’t stop crying. Some have expressed interest in the faith, like one woman who also suffers from MS. We had a long talk about many things, and she asked if she could call me from time to time.<br>
Ami got a hero’s welcome in school today, and he was very happy.<br><br>
HAND UPDATE<br><br>
We went to the hand surgeon this week for another check up on Ami’s progress. The doctor was impressed with the strength and dexterity he has, but said there is still much lacking. Most of the healing takes place within the first year, and so we have to do another EMG to see if healing is still taking place, or has stopped, and then we will have a meeting with the whole staff of hand specialists in two weeks to see where we will go from here. I thank the Lord for the favor of these doctors, that they would call a meeting just for Ami. They are busy, big name doctors, and yet they are very concerned about Ami and want to help him.<br><br>
One possibility of an operation would be to transplant a tendon from his wrist to the right pinky, as the tendon seems to have been severed and he can’t straighten out the finger. The doctor said that in order to go forward with that operation, Ami would go a bit backwards initially in his recovery. He said the operation wouldn’t be difficult, but he’d have to have a cast for 3 weeks, and then have therapy until the brain learned to work that tendon again. Ami’s not sure he wants to do that. The doctor said something interesting - at the end of the check up, he said, “Ami, what do you want”. Ami said that he wanted strength back in his left hand, and to be able to use it normally. His left thumb and some fingers still can’t do everything normally.<br><br>
David and I thought that was a very important question, and one that the Lord often asks us in our relationship to Him. What do we really want from Him? What do we want to see Him do in our lives and the lives of our families? When Yeshua said, “Ask and it will be given, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7), He’s telling us that the initiative is ours. He’s saying - “What do you want of Me?” What a privilege that the God of the Universe cares about what we want!!<br><br>
After the appointment, Ami was discouraged. Doctor’s can be very pessimistic, and Ami felt that maybe the healing is over and this is what there is. He just got back from taking an EMG, and it shows that there has been no improvement since September. Can we press in and pray for total restoration of both hands? Can we believe the Lord for continued miracles in our young man’s life, body, heart, mind and soul? I see that the process is actually getting harder for him, as time seems to drag on, and after a whole year, he still isn’t complete. Ami feels time slipping away, and recovery keeps on stretching out before him.<br><br>
Thank you for praying, and continuing to be a support and strength to our family. This Purim we will be going away with Ami, our daughter, son-in-law and grandson. Please pray for traveling mercies and for safety for the whole Body of Messiah at this time.<br><br>
In Yeshua’s Love,<br>
Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Storytag:amiortiz.org,2005:Post/305922009-02-24T06:00:00-07:002009-02-24T06:00:00-07:00February 24, 2009<div style="text-align: justify;">This update is late because we were in the midst of some huge events taking place as far as our legal case is concerned. Also, since Sunday night we’ve had a team of 14 praying Greek and Cypriot spiritual warriors who have come to help us minister for a few days, and who have been staying in our congregational facility which is next door to our house. They are a blessing, and minister powerfully in prayer. They helped us with our youth meeting, and have been traveling a bit with David in the area, ministering to believers.<br><br>
Victory in Court<br><br>
The police have been in possession of the hard disk from our security cameras since the bombing which took place in our house on March 20, 2008. We were naïve, and in a state of total shock when we signed a release for them to possess the disk the day of the bombing. From that time, we’ve been able to see the pictures of the person who brought the bomb to our door only once, and the police have refused to give it back to us, stating that they need the original for evidence in court when the criminals are caught. Long ago we told them that they can give us a copy of the material, but they refused to do that as well. Moreover, as of today, they say there are no suspects and no progress in the case.<br><br>
Our first hearing was last week. We sent a letter to the court to request that they order the police to return our hard disk. We arrived with our lawyer. The policeman who is the head of our investigation arrived without a lawyer. After presenting the judge with their claim and secret letters from their division and the secret services as to why the material shouldn’t be in our hands, the judge still pressed him further for the reason why our property shouldn’t be returned to us.<br><br>
He finally said that they don’t want us passing the pictures on to the media, and he admitted that our case was part of a wider investigation which includes 3 incidents of bombs being planted before ours, and one after us. Before this hearing, they wouldn’t admit to us that our case was related to other cases.<br><br>
The judge wanted several days to make a decision, and told us to come back this past Sunday. The police said that if the ruling was against them, then they would appeal to a higher court. We arrived at the stated time, but the police didn’t show up. The judge ruled that the hard disk be given back to us, but deferred to the police and said that the images can be shown only to our family. Our lawyer received a phone call today from the police stating that the copy was available, and could be picked up at the police station. We are satisfied with the ruling, and thank the Lord for His goodness, mercy and favor that He continually pours out on us.<br><br>
Insight<br><br>
A couple of days after the first hearing, our lawyer told us that he had an experience which opened his mind and heart to something he hadn’t understood before. He closed his finger in the car door, and the tip of his finger and the nail were completely black and blue. He went to the doctor, who said that he had to do a procedure under the nail, but it wouldn’t hurt because the nerves were dead. Well, they weren’t dead, and he said “I felt like I went down to the gates of hell”, the pain was so bad and intense. Then he said, “I was in such pain in my little finger, but all of a sudden I realized that Ami has felt this intense pain all over his body for this whole year. I suddenly felt empathy for him like I never did before - it went from my intellect to my heart”.<br>
Family News and a Word from the Lord<br><br>
Back to the home front - Ami is doing well. He surprised me by telling me that he wants to dye his hair green for Purim. I’m trying to escape Purim, and he’s dying his hair green!! It shows me that he has really been given the strength from God to overcome trauma - maybe more than the rest of the family. It is amazing to me.<br><br>
This Thursday, my sons Natan and Ariel, (25 and 22) who have been at home for a few months to help out with Ami, Elad who is 20, and another son, Aaron (28) who has been working in the U.S. for several years, are taking off for Australia for a year. They said that they want to escape the warfare in Israel for a while, work things out in their hearts and minds concerning what we’ve been through this past 11 months, and some other goals that they hope to accomplish. It is interesting to me that they are all going together, but it’s difficult to say goodbye to four sons for one year! Please pray for healing and direction for them.<br><br>
I was meditating tonight on a conversation that we had in a blessed Prayer meeting for Pastor’s wives this morning in another city nearby. We were talking about the present government, and what kind of coalition will be formed, and whether this or that possibility will be good for us as believers and our ability to spread the Gospel. I believe I received a word from the Lord. In 1 Kings 18 is the account of Elijah the prophet who challenged the prophets of Baal in front of the nation of Israel. What struck me is the impossible odds that Elijah himself set before the nation while challenging the false prophets. He was jealous for the true God and the scenario went like this…….<br><br>
30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. 31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, “Israel shall be your name.”[ 32 Then with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD; and he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, “Fill four waterpots with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood.” 34 Then he said, “Do it a second time,” and they did it a second time; and he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time. 35 So the water ran all around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water.<br><br>
36 And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. 37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!”<br><br>
I believe that our problem is that we want to remain as comfortable as possible. We want to avoid suffering at any cost. However, I believe that as believers in Yeshua, no matter which government is in place, we must ask for the faith to believe the Lord for boldness, like Elijah, in our witness for Him. Elijah had an “in your face” type of attitude but his motivation was jealousy for the honor and glory of the true God. In the face of the opposition of the whole nation, he challenged the false prophets and the Lord answered by sending down His fire. May it be so in our day!<br><br>
Blessings, Leah</div>The Ami Ortiz Story