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From: Ephraim & Rimona Frank
To: heb_roots_chr@hebroots.org
Subject: CFIC: Helping the settlers in Israel

Shalom Fellow Israelite,

Before beginning this week's letter, I would like to share with you some responses to letter 110. I had planned to continue this week on the subject of harlotry in the House of Yehuda, but interesting 'interruptions' have prevented me from doing so. Dealing with this aforementioned topic, therefore, will have to be deferred.

The following is the first of the letters:

"Many articles are written pointing the finger at "Babylon the Mother of Harlots" (usually referring to the Catholic Church), but few about the harlot daughters. Ezekiel 23 tells us Oholah is Samaria and Oholibah is Judah, Ephraim & Judah. I am ashamed, and I have a hard time rejoicing in the teaching sometimes because of shame, joy seems out of place, because many of our brothers and sisters are unaware of the low state to which we have fallen. Days of darkness will come before we are gathered, it is time to repent, pray for instruction and mercy. May we remember YHVH's statement of His attributes in Exodus 34:4 and return to Him with a whole heart. Love is the fulfillment/goal of His commandments and covers a multitude of sin. May we find the path of repentance, truth and love in Y'shua the Living Torah and walk in it. He will chasten and He will heal."

Shalom shalom,
Lisa

Thank you Lisa for sharing your heart.

And another letter:

"Thank you for this article. It's about time. I've been wondering when one of our teachers was going to "speak out" about Ephraim's jealousy. It is absolute, Yahweh speaks of Ephraim's jealousy in more than one Scripture, and Ephraim's harlotry in "lots" of Scriptures. But I have noticed (and who could fail to) that those who "harp continuously" about Ephraim's jealously and harlotry don't seem to want to use Yahweh's scales of "just measures" when it comes to both houses. They will sometimes make a vague statement about Judah's vexing, but never about Judah's "treacherousness". If Ephraim's jealously is such a grave danger, then what about Judah's treacherousness ? Yahweh mentions it "quite" a few times!

I am against "inhouse" fighting, but this continuous use of "unjust measures" is a continuation of the vexing of Ephraim coming from "both houses".

May we all come into Messiah's glorious Kingdom Truth, but let us not trample down each other, trying to get there!"

Cathy

And now to this week's highlight in our neck of the woods.

This week our settlement of Alfe Menashe had some very special guests who stayed with us for two days and two nights. They were members of a Christian community from Menasha, Wisconsin. Christ the Rock fellowship and their pastor Bill and wife Janet Lenz first started coming to our settlement 4 years ago, and since then have been coming with a group each year. This year especially, their love, courage and support were evident as they brought 20 more of their members to Israel, all of whom were here for the first time. We take our hats off to honor those who would make such a sacrifice, and come at a time such as this.

An organization called Christian Friends of Israeli Communities, which has an operation base in the neighboring settlement of Ginot Shomron, and coordinates with the main branch in Colorado Springs is responsible for churches 'adopting' settlements. At this point there are some 50 churches involved, aiming at fostering Christian support for needed projects in the settlements. From my point of view, probably the most important aspect of this connection is the mutual exchange of friendship and respectful trust, which takes place each time such a group graces us with their presence. For the Christians it is an eye opener to the reality of Jewish life and faith that they had not been acquainted with before. The Israelis, on the other hand, have an opportunity to meet at close quarters these Christian 'emissaries', who with faith and love break down, albeit unconsciously, age-old barriers.

Our settlement perhaps is the only community that actually has the group stay in the homes of the settlers, thus enabling the ties to become even more substantial. The visitors not only 'view' Alfe Menashe and visit various projects, (while hearing about others to which they make some contributions), but they also have a chance to experience and taste a little bit of our daily lives, as they stay in our homes. Every household that has hosted these lovely and gentle folk has not regretted doing so.

Individuals and groups from other communities and churches tied to this organization have also made an impact, as we understand, in the settlements they had visited. All too often Christian organizations and ministries tend to parade their visions and the resultant activities, with that being especially true when in comes to having connections to or in Israel in general, and Jerusalem in particular. This organization, however, seems to be different. The names of the founders, presidents, coordinators etc. are nor written anywhere in big and bold letters (or even in small print). Their activities are not lauded and their successes are not posted up for higher 'ratings'. They do not mount big campaigns, raise funds for their needs, neither do they organize conferences and feature 'star' performers. Their interest lies solely in giving material and moral support to the settlements, whilst their more visible representative and worker is an Orthodox Zionist settler. The settlements do not exist in order to serve the ministry, nor are they used as launching pads, as is so often the case. Here it is the 'walk' and not the 'talk' which speaks the loudest. And what's more, the visitors themselves are not working on behalf of anyone; be it the said organization, their church, or their own personal ministries. When the Lenz's come here, they are not noticed above and beyond anyone else in the group (unless, in our gatherings with the group the moderator singles them out). It is the unassuming individual, in his humility and eagerness to learn, forming relationship with another individual, or with several, who makes the most impact of all. The success of Christian Friends of Israeli Communities lies in the quality of the groups of individuals who come, amongst whom relationships are already evident, and in not having them represent the organization, or even their particular churches. The people who come seem to represent only one interest, that of Israel's Elohim.

http://www.cfoic.com/

We personally, as well as the community of Alfe Menashe wish to thank the Lentz's and the wonderful ambassadors who came with them. A special treat was in store for them this time, as Moshe Arens, a Knesset Member and a former (and excellent) defense minister happened to be here and addressed the group with the same amazement and appreciation that we all did, for their courage and love in coming here during these most dangerous and difficult times.

Shabbat Shalom

Ephraim

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