Shalom!  

The Land of our Fathers is bursting with life and thirsty for water.  All 50 of us have poured ourselves out from 'can 'til can't'.  The ground team is busily preparing housing and logistics for 252 harvesters who are coming from the nations of the world.  The vineyard owners are ecstatic with anticipation!  For years we've replaced missing plants in existing vineyards, but for the first time ever, we planted 72 dunams (20+ acres) of grape vines. This single act doubled Nir's vineyard on Har Bracha!   

Of course, it took days of preparation, clearing the fields and running irrigation.  Over 100 people turned out from the community to celebrate the rebirth.  Families brought out their little children to take part and plant a young vine.  Governor Mesika and Rabbi Melamed were among the joyous crowd. What a glorious time, planting vines in the Mountains of Samaria - an act of faith, a statement of the permanence of the nation! Nir says when you prepare a new vineyard, 'it is like getting married again'.  Now that's a new concept to meditate on - the intimate relationship between the vineyards and the Land.   

However, it is never as simple as just coming and picking grapes, there are always many challenges for us.  This season we are again approached with questions concerning who we are and what we are doing.  I guess it is unusual for people to center their lives around traveling to a foreign land to work for free for 5-6 months out of the year.  I guess I would question a person's motives if they showed up at my house for half the year to offer their services year after year asking nothing in return.  And if their parents or grandparents had not been particularly attentive to my needs, it might create an uneasiness in accepting this unique gift.  Does it seem odd to you?  Probably not.  Most of you have been called into this work with us.  It is the heart of God.

It is a phenomenon. Only God would pour out such a lavish love offering on His people. You know, He is into that sort of thing - showing His great love to His people.

The LORD has appeared of old unto me saying, "Yes I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness have I drawn you. Again I will build you and you shall be rebuilt o virgin of Israel."

Jeremiah 31:3,4

"For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed." says the LORD who has mercy on you.

Isaiah 54:10

Say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!  

Isaiah 52:7  

Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul.  

Jeremiah 32:41

So here we are again planting and harvesting, doing what we were created to do.  Obeying God's call on our lives, coming to bless and serve.  That's it.  Everyone that comes with us agrees.  We are making a big statement doing a small, seemingly menial thing.  We believe it is the greatest way to stand with Israel . . . to come and tend Her Land.  Standing with God's chosen people, even if many others are being led to come against them.   

Interestingly, during this season, other people are being drawn out of the masses to come alongside Israel.  Lots of people do.  Jerusalem is full of people who have the desire to give their strength to Israel.  It depends on who you are, how big of a wave your allegiance creates.  Tidal waves are being made by Pastor Enoch Adobye from Nigeria and national media figure, Glenn Beck.  Tommy flew to Nigeria to meet Pastor Adobye and attend a conference of 5 million people.  You talk about broadening your vision! Both men are choosing to make a stand and using their influence to make a difference.  Pray for them.  They are under microscopic scrutiny.  

Glenn Beck's event at Caesarea

This week is full of Glenn Beck events in Israel. Tommy gave some of the staff the Shomron (Samaria) tour, his favorite thing in the world to do!!  Guests from GBTV and from Nigeria will venture into the heartland with us. The vineyards are a happening place!  I stand amazed as God makes Himself known to the world! May He be glorified!!

Please pray for the peace of Jerusalem, may they prosper who love Her.  

At the King's footstool,

Sherri

P.S. Glenn Beck's main event, the Restoring Courage rally, is happening today, August 24th. If you'd like to tune in and view the event online, you can go to GBTV.com and sign up.  The video stream has excellent quality, but there is a fee of $5 to become a member for the month, in order to view all the events in Israel. It looks like it would be very easy to unsubscribe when the month is over. The fee is one reason they are encouraging people who subscribe to invite others to a viewing party.  You can also look on the website to see if there is already a viewing party registered for your area, and attend there.  The event, and others that have occurred earlier in the week, will be broadcast at different times and available in archives as well.

Blessings,

Amy