confirmation and patience

i would like to apologize to all my friends back in the states for a lack of blogs in the past...
and especially thank those who have been so faithful reading these little windows into what God has been doing.. or the struggles we are facing.. or what is on my heart.
and... i really would like to thank all of you for the prayers. i can not say how much you all are worth! each with power behind your prayers and authority to overcome the enemy with one name! JESUS!
and i must say, God has been answering prayers... from day 1! He cares about us and takes joy in showing it! (this is what i believe).
and.. before i begin.. i would also like to give a special thanks to my dear ones in missions group, singles, and the ladies group at MBC. you know who you are, thank you for walking this path with me. it is a joy to know that we are in this together!

so.. God answers our prayers! i kid not!
a few weeks ago some of you know that katharina was in the hospital for some problems with her intestines. the doctors said that probably came from her time in india. this brought conflict with her family and her and i had to really lay down our rights and desires about whether we would be going back to india or not.
then, she underwent a procedure and the doctors said that it was probably not from india... but had no idea exactly what it was. a week later, she went in again for an appointment to hear if they have found anything out.. and all they could say is that it was gone.. and they don't know where it is!
our prayers are answered and God is bringing more healing than we can ask for!
thank you! and praise to God!

the next exciting news is a blessing in disguise.. and it wasn't until lately that i realized what it is.
very often, i am in transit from berlin to memmingen and back. i think some have looked at it as a hassle and cannot understand why i would keep doing it (besides for the time with katharina and building our relationship). clearly is this so.. but after discussing the things that have happened during the times hitching from one end of germany to the other, i have realized that these time with strangers have been completely blessed. katharina put it something like this...
>>all those people who are traveling and pick you up hear about jesus.. and as much as you do it, soon everyone traveling in germany will be evangelized.<<
i had for a while frustration because i wasn't in one fixed place so long and keep going from one place to the next.. and in this, it is difficult to do ministries or to build on a ministry. but that is exactly what has been happening.
God has completely used and blessed the situation of me being in berlin and katharina being in memmingen. each time i travel to her or back to berlin, at least one person has to hear about the things God has been doing! (just being able to talk with them in german is a miracle and is almost always talked about... no one has been able to really explain it as anything else!)

in these times with these loved strangers, i have been stretched in really explaining what i believe, why i believe it. the german mentality is not easy to accept things they don't know.. or haven't experienced. and when i explain that Jesus died for them... one man asked why? as i explained more.. i could understand why it could be so hard to understand. trying to explain to someone that sin separated us from Him and that's why He came as Jesus to pay for all our sins is not so easy without proof. he looked back at me with unbelieving expressions.. then i was able to share testimony after testimony of things God has done in my life.
he asked if i really believe that God did all of it.. i had to honestly reply, "Yes. i do."
he did agree that going places to help them and show them practical love (God's love) is the better way of life, but going without money or not knowing what will happen or what's next is not something that he could do. and to call it serving God is hard for him to accept. there was even one point when we spoke on buddhism and hinduism and how they are different from christianity.
all in all, after we arrived in berlin, i got his number and he said, "well, i heard something new today." a seed was forsure planted.

it is things like this that has encouraged me in so many ways and helped confirm what i believe God has called me to.
i am excited to do this more with katharina.

things to pray about:
-finances for katharina to do this SBS (school of Biblical studies - YWAM)
-funds for the things i need to pay for... i.e. insurance, work permit/or flight back to the U.S..
-further direction for the next nine months.
-strength, perseverence and grace in the struggles of learning more about each other with the arising cultural difference and preconcieved ideas.
-acceptance from katharina's family for us and the way of life God has called us to.
-and more boldness and God's spirit when sharing His salvation and miracles with others.

we are both greatly encouraged by all of your prayers. thank you all so much!

know that we are praying for you too.. for more of His spirit.. leading.. and strength to live a life worthy of His calling.. for healing (miriam and daniel-dresden).. strength.. provision and trust.. and thanking Him for each of you and all He has already done!
all praise and honor to our KING!

much much love, israel