what a God

the last day since being back from wisconsin have been fast paced. i am thankful for the work, and thank God for the ability to pay towards the school loans to freedom from debt. each penny counts, and He is faithful. it is good to learn this responsibility and lesson of good steward.

the time in wisconsin with luke was a huge resting blessing, but yet woke my heart yet again for something bigger. i am not entirely sure what exactly, and as kathy and i pray about it, we are reminded that we still have much that needs to be done before following some calling on our hearts, such as for a family, returning to india, and even helping start a base for a certain ministry. we have steps to take now, such as prayer, working and studying.. and we know that He will continue to lead us. Sein Name sei geehrt für immer und ewig!

i have been longer for more fellowship with many lately. the time with, once again, was a huge confirmation of my heart, and Lord willing, the best roomie in life, Sam, will be visiting in a couple days.

i try to keep close contact too, with those in india, germany and all over where God has blessed me with relationship. time has proven difficult because of work and a go go schedule of things to do. but i pray that He will continue to lead each step and keep our hearts focused on what is most important.

i desire to get down to nebraska soon, but it looks that it may not be on a sunday but instead mid week. Lord willing we can all still get together and see each other once again. i trust God, He has a super good plan!

officially kathy and i have less than two months yet to wait before again together. praise God!

thank you all for the prayers, so much! God has truly blessed us beyond expectations, even now while being apart. and we both look eagerly forward to what He has for us, while being thankful for the time now to continue to grow and deepen our roots in faith and hope.

and as for all those i have not been able to keep closer contact to, sorry. please send me an email and let me know how things are.

know that i am more than thankful for all of you and the prayers and support over the years. i know He hears our prayers. this must be true!

work has been good to. i believe that it is completely on purpose that i am there and it will be interesting to see things unravel.

one more note, last year this time i was in india.

that may have something to do with the deep longing on my heart for being there.

oh so exciting! (i felt the want to look at my passport as i was flying back on the 25 from luke.. there stamped in red ink from an indian passport control agent was Jan. 25.. entry to india. what a God).

many prayers and infinite hope, keep it real my dear brothers and sisters.

keep focused on those things that are worthy of thought.

viel Liebe, israel

wir sind in Deiner Hand

through all things, take joy in the Lord. i will not tire from telling you this.. because it will make you even more stronger.

Father, thank You for Your presence and guidance, even when it seems so far away.. for taking us deeper with You through everything.

so it seems that there is usually at least two ways of looking at things such as struggles. a worldly way and an out of this world...ly way.

where lies our hope. within us, in this world.. or out of this world????

the joy of the Lord will be our strength.. and our choosing to trust Him in all things will teach us much.

though there has been some stress over the last couple of weeks, God is in control.. i know this!

i know this!!

really!

thank you all for the prayers.. God is so faithful.

please pray for katharina, and a friend of hers. there has been a death and we pray for comfort and His will out of this. also for protection of thoughts.

also, please continue to pray for the finances of her school.

we are trusting God and asking you to join us in this step of faith for the finances of the school.

Lord willing, i am flying to spend time with a friend from wisconsin to seek God on some possible future ministry this thursday. it will be a good vacation from word too. i think its needed.

thank God for that.

and there are also some pray needs for some health things for a couple friends. He knows what they are.. please lift them up with us.

thank you all for the prayers and joining us on this journey.

much much love, and may you be blessed with His greatest.. just because He loves you!

der israel

much yet to come

sometimes i am filled with such a joy and have a hard time expressing it into bunches of letters to make sense to those whom i am not able to hug or cry with right now.

more and more i am being convinced, though going through so many miracles and showers of His grace already, i am convinced that He loves us.. and not just us who know our forgiveness.. but those who really are lost.

what is the point to love others except to share the love, acceptance, forgiveness and mercy that we too have received with those whom we may call unworthy, or undeserving.

thank You Father that even though You know me, You still love me.

over the last weeks... well, possibly the last matter of days, much has happened and i expect much yet to come.

through working at starbucks, i have been privileged in meeting many new people and spending time with some of them.. whether it be climbing frozen waterfalls with them, or speaking about the differences of muslim beliefs and believing in Jesus... God has for sure been giving me opportunities for growth as well as relationship building.. including my relationship with Him.. and Kathy and my relationship.

for the time being apart, we have truly been blessed with time to skype, write emails or letters.. and when we have spoken, God has continued to grow our love as well as trust and understanding of each other. if He can do that while we are so far apart, how much more can we expect when we are again together (und nie mehr trennen müßen.)

sunday, she will travel back to wiler, switzerland, to continue with the Bible school. it is soooo good that she is doing it. we are still trusting Him for the finances. i know He will provide!

through His grace, the love of dear friends, and trust, i will be, Lord willing, flying to switzerland over easter to spend three weeks with my fiancée. it is really a miracle how it came to be and i am still staring as one who was just revealed the treasure of site. thank You Jesus, and thank you my dear friends for acting on His Spirit that dwells and lives through you.

Lord willing also, in two weeks, i may be traveling up to wisconsin to spend time with a dear brother whom i spend time together with traveling around in india. He has a dear heart for those in northern india and offered to get me up there that we can talk face to face about some things... i.e. missions, business, and conquering the world (nice way of putting it luke!!)

shortly after, i am hoping that a dear friend, brother and the best roomie one could never expect, may be coming to visit for a short time before flying to england to be with his honey honey. during the time that he is there.. it may be possible to drive down to my loved friends and family in scottsbluff, neb.

all of this is Lord Willing, and i continue to pray that His will be completely done in these plans, but i truly look with joy at how He will lead us and cross paths again.

my computer, thank God, is working with no problems. after that incident i was wondering if it would hold out, but since then, there has been nothing of the slightest as a defect or problem. i believe it was your prayers! thank you! (it may sound funny that i would ask for prayer that my computer doesnt break.. but it has been a major tool in prayer, relationship building and keeping in contact with many throughout the world since i have been back. so thank you again.)

Prayer points:

-Kathy and i as we are still apart and cannot skype so often. please pray that we are clothed in the entire armor of God eph. 5.10-18. wir schaffen das!

-for financial support for the Bible School.

-continual health.

-our families.

-our family.

also that i can soon meet with those i have not had much time with since i have been here. and His will be done in each plan that we have made for the near future.

i am thankful for the blessing that God will reward each of you for the pray and help regarding us or every other He has placed on your hearts.

thank you all who have been able to take action on their faith and help those in need.

as i have been encouraged to do so..

love in mercy.

we have all been shown mercy when we did not deserve it.. even now.

it is our joy to share that love.

viel Liebe, israel

philippi

so i am determined to update and let all of you know what is happening.

it seems that every time i have desired to, it just has not happened and i apologize.

your prayers are huge, so first off, thank you!

i have mentioned last time that i was to shadow for the cna job again and see what God speaks to my heart about it.

last monday i called and cancelled the job shadow after much prayer and talking it over. i had mentioned that i want to help people, and not to do something just for the money in the interview. after i had said it, i felt a heavy push on me to keep to that. and i started checking in areas, especially this job possibility, to keep that real.

after the first shadow, and learning what the job included, it didnt line with my heart. i knew it would be done for the money and not for the work. i continued to pray about it, and was encouraged that if it is not something that i want to do, dont do it.

thus i called and explained my heart and what was up. she thanked me and said it is good that i know that much about me.

i believe that He is faithful, and that it is because of His grace that the loans will be paid off... not just mere human (my) effort. this creates a hope in me.

i remember talking last year with a guy from ywam as i was visiting my father in nebraska. we spoke about the debt and working. he told me that if God wanted to, He could pay off the loans with a flick of the wrist. and that indeed He does want to, but He wants more than just the loans gone. and the process that is taken to be financially free again will be something more of a huge blessing due to the journey and the relationships and the faith that is build.

so, not blindly, but with eyes fixed on Him, who i cannot directly see, but the effects of His glory and love can, and hopes to a goal i cannot yet see or imagine, i pray and work.

thank you for the prayers for katharina and i and our families. Kathys school starts up again around january 10th, (for those who dont know, she is doing a sbs in wiler in switzerland.) please pray for more supporters and financial help for the school. we both know that God called her to do this and me to be here and work. so we both put all our trust in Him!

i was reading pauls heart towards those in philippi, and how He thanks God all the time when He prays for them. i do the same for all of you. God has truly blessed me so much with the relationships with all of you, and the joy of fighting with you in battle for His truth.

the name of the blog right now is auf Seinem Weg which means, on His path. we crave this, that we can be the most effective for Him and with Him. but it is not just kathy and i who are on this path together but all of you who continually have prayed for us, supported us and remember us as we seek Him more and share His truth more boldly through His grace!

right now it is not so easy to see the victory, but surely as the sun rises every morning, so shines His victory in us!

i also pray for all those who are all over, whether it be in india, germany, nebraska and everywhere!!! and are working that His truth be shared to those who dont know it, for strength, love, energy, hope and more of Him!

for more workers for the field!

and for a unity that cannot be broken due to mere theological differences, minor offenses or death!

lets live for something higher than ourselves and our own needs!

calling the nations to the truth!

much love and thanks, israel

die mit deinen Füßen wirst du niedertreten

the psalm will be in german.

its psalm 91...

this is truth. this is hope.

Wer im Schutz des Höchsten lebt, der findet Ruhe im Schatten des Allmächtigen.

Der spricht zu dem Herrn: Du bist meine Zuflucht und meine Burg, mein Gott, dem ich vertraue. Denn er wird dich vor allen Gefahren bewahren und dich in Todesnot beschützen. Er wird dich mit seinen Flügeln bedecken, und du findest bei ihm Zuflucht. Seine Treue schützt dich wie ein großer Schild. Fürchte dich nicht vor den Angriffen in der Nacht und habe keine Angst vor den Gefahren des Tages, vor der Pest, die im Dunkeln lauert, vor der Seuche, die dich am hellen Tag trifft. Wenn neben dir auch Tausende sterben, wenn um dich herum Zehntausende fallen, kann dir doch nichts geschehen. Du wirst es mit eigenen Augen sehen, du wirst sehen, wie Gott die Gottlosen bestraft.

Wenn der Herr deine Zuflucht ist, wenn du beim Höchsten Schutz suchst, dann wird das Böse dir nichts anhaben können, und kein Unglück wird dein Haus erreichen. Denn er befiehlt seinen Engeln, dich zu beschützen, wo immer du gehst. Auf Händen tragen sie dich, damit du deinen Fuß nicht an einen Stein stößt. Löwen und giftige Schlangen wirst du zertreten, wilde Löwen und Schlangen wirst du mit deinen Füßen niedertreten!

Der Herr spricht: Ich will den erretten, der mich liebt. Ich will den beschützen, der auf meinen Namen vertraut. Wenn er zu mir ruft, will ich antworten. Ich will ihm in der Not beistehen und ihn retten und zu Ehren bringen. Ich will ihm ein langes Leben schenken und ihm meine Hilfe erfahren lassen.

da steht es: Du bist meine Zuflucht und meine Burg, mein Gott, dem ich vertraue.

heute von dominik habe ich gehört und mit ganz viele Freude preise ich Gott. Er hat nochmal ein Wunder getan. Luiza, und schuldigung ihr beide wenn ich ihr name falsche bestabe, hat ein unmögliche Visum bekommen, das sie brauchte, in Amerika unterwegs nach costa rica umzusteigen.

wir sollen wirklich Ihm vertrauen. Er macht das Unmöglich möglich. das macht Er auch mit Freude, glaube ich, und das wir Ihm weiter noch glauben.

*it reads that He is our refuge, our fortress, our God whom we trust. today i heard from dominik and praise God with a great joy! He has done another miracle! Luiza.. sorry to both of you if i spelled her name wrong, has gotten the impossible visa needed to transfer in america on the way to costa rica to spend the time with dominik

we really should trust Him. He makes the impossible possible, and He does it with joy, that we trust Him even more!

wenn es bei dir etwas gibt, womit du Gott wirklich vertrauen mußt, macht so. hoffe auf Gott und keine andere.

lese Johannes 14 vor, und höre was Jesus zu den sagt, die nach Ihm folgten und auf Ihn hofften!

*when you have something that you really need to trust Him with, do it. put your hope in Him and no other.

read john 14 out loud and hear what Jesus tells those who have been following Him and placing their hope on Him.

kathy sollt jetzt daheim. danke sehr um Gebete für uns. sie vermisse ich ganz arg und freue mich auch sehr denn wenn wir dadurch gezogen sind, werden wir noch stärker in dem Herrn, und wissen durch alles mit Ihm zu gehen ist durchführbar.

*Kathy should be home now. thank you all so much for the prayers for us. i miss her so much but am also so excited when we get through this because we will be stronger in the Lord and have a knowledge.. or experience that with Him, getting through everything is possible!

ich spare noch um ein Flug, nach ihr am Ostern zu fliegen.

bezahle ich auch die Schulden und bete ob ich als Krakenpfleger arbeite. gestern hab ich es probiert und whoa.. nicht einfach ist es. ich bete noch und hoffe auf Ihn!

*i am saving now for the flight to see Kathy over easter. i am also paying a lot on the debt and am praying about whether or not a will take a job as a cna (certified nursing assistant). yesterday i shadowed someone for the job and whoa.. it is not easy but i am praying about it and hoping in Him!

also.. an den Gottesfürchtigen hab ich viele Freude und bete ich für euch, ihr den Herrn liebt.

höre niemals auf zu beten um alles, und dankt Ihm. Er ist groß! großartig ist unser Fels!

so.. on all those who fear the Lord, i have so much joy and am praying for you, who love the Lord.

dont ever stop praying for everything and thank Him. He is so big! so majestic is our Saviour!

viel Liebe und Hoffnung, israel

bpains

december already.

the days go fast, but sometimes not fast enough.

i have been filled with joy in this time of preparation as well as filled with pain. though i consider far off, love is becoming more clear and i can understand bits more of how those felt, who wrote the churches in the earlier times, full of emotions and love for those who give it all for the sake of Christ.

how amazing it is to hear from others on how God has been leading them and blessing them with opportunities of growth and trust.

i only wish i could be with all those who are dear to my heart.

i dont doubt, however, that the day will come when i will have again time with each of you and we can praise our Father together.

i know that this time right now is a season, though necessary as it is, it is not easy.

katharina has Christmas break starting next thursday. she looks to work while she is home and Lord willing raise support for the rest of the school. please keep this in your prayers.

i look forward that she can be home with family and i only hope that they will speak truth into her, words that will build her up and give life. also that she can do the same for them! may she be protected from all lies and burden and leave it all with Him!

the seasonal job ended yesterday and now i am working at starbucks.

next tuesday i have an interview for a cna course. i am excited for it and we will see what happens.

we are at the time praying for an official date when we will marry next year. :) so incredible is our Father!

and Lord willing i will fly to her over easter.

thank You Papa for how You love us. i do believe that this time is really worth it and we thank You for the strength and grace to not only get through it, but to grow and learn much. please use us, all those who read this blog, and those who love You all over the world, for Your plans.

it is because of You that we have life in us. and may that life bring praise back to You.

let us not be useless with the knowledge we have of You, but shout it from the mountain tops to all the world.

to those in india, there is a hope that is falling and filling the air. of new pure life. i look forward with anticipation with you for your people!

zu allen in Deutschland, an euch habe ich große Freude und bin noch sicher das Gott etwas richtig schön bei euch macht. ich hab euch Lieb und denke an euch oft. vergisst nicht alles was Gott euch getan hat. ihr seid beruft! mit ein Beruft aber kommt auch Widerstand des Feindes.

wir haben aber schon gesehen wie größer Seine Macht ist als die Macht, die in der Welt ist.

ich freue mich euch wieder zu sehen und danke sehr um Gebete!

and to those here in the states, washington, oregon, nebraska tennessee and south dakota..

may His love fill your hearts as you live everyday. that your lives would be lived worthy of the calling He has placed on all of you. whether we see each other, and i hope we do soon, or whether it is still a long time between contact, know that my heart is with you as well, and my prayers for you is that love covers you. that unity lives among you and that each word spoken to each other is to build up. we are all part of one family, called together in one hope for one glory!

we can not thank all of you enough for all the prayers and love that we have been shown.

i hope that we can somehow repay all of you for the encouragement that you give us.

enjoy the Christmas season. the time when our Erlöser came to save us.

with much love,

israel

yokes

so here i sit once again in starbucks after a shift, writing emails, talking with random people and skyping with Katharina.

for those who didnt know, she had some problems with her health this last week which almost sent her home early and possibly to the hospital for an operation. i send emails out for prayer and the next time i heard from her, i read about how God hooked it up and that she is now much much better and will stay the next week before their Christmas break begins. Praise be to GOD! in all seriousness, He answers our prayers.

so it looks that the seasonal job will be ending soon. that means that i may be earning less money but gaining more hours at starbucks. i had gotten a call back from the CNA job and am seriously considering it. the class wouldnt start until next january and then from there no job is promised. however, i know that when it is His will.. the job will be there at the perfect timing. or maybe just the training is what i am suppose to get for something else. i have been learning for years that what we may see as one thing is really quite another. step by step.

this Christmas may be the last one here for some time. all is Lord willing, but we will see. i would like to enjoy it to the fullest with friends and family. it seems that the time here so far has been both super good and super frustrating. sometimes i will go to bed praising the Lord and in the morning when i wake up i am full of discouragement. it has brought me to a point of being on my knees in praise regardless the circumstances. He is worthy, in every situation, of praise!

the loans are being paid on. i think the interest is finally up to par that i can start paying to the principle. it can be so frustrating sometimes as i look at the large numbers. my math takes me to getting these paid off much slower than i would desire. but my trust and hope is in God. as Kathy put it today: trust God!

i heard from dominik and would ask you to keep him and his love in prayer. they are suppose to meet in costa rica for Christmas and spend time in nicaragua helping, serving and loving. but she needs a transit visa for connecting in the u.s.. she comes from east europe and was already turned down for a similar visa that she could spend Christmas here in america with him. so plan b was in nicaragua and now this comes up. Dominik is a blessing and they really need prayer for this. please, even it is one time, lift this to our Father. He hears us!

katharina and i are still praying about if i can visit there for easter. i feel some prompts on my heart and have started saving money. yet another thing to trust Him with.

it is amazing that no matter how many things we come to Him with.. He is not overwhelmed. sometimes i automatically try and take family stuff along with katharina and i and my yearning for those all over whom are on my heart on and i am just thrown to the ground with all the intensity of how much we need Him.

yet!

our hope in Him never runs dry, He knows all that we need and He even tells us to throw all these heavy burdens on Him! matt.11.28-30

Katharina and i,

our families and friends,

all our needs,

Lord we look to You. Your grace alone is enough.

thank You Jesus for giving us hope to live for!

wir glauben Dir.

thank you all for the prayers and encouragement.

much love, israel