Armenia and Israel – part 2

Volcanic ash from Iceland meant that we could not fly home from Armenia. I had already planned to be in Israel the following week but this would have been after three days back in the UK. Suddenly I was told it was possible to fly from Tbilisi in Georgia direct to Tel Aviv. Karen offered to take us on a 5-hour drive over the mountains. It was truly memorable but perhaps more memorable was hearing Karen’s personal testimony of conversion from being a zealous communist within the Soviet Union to becoming a believer. I must tell that story on another occasion. The power of God is phenomenal!

A letter recently received from Karen:
‘I am very grateful to you and Martyn for your unforgettable visit. For us those days were days of heaven on the earth … The messages, the healings and the personal dealings with the people have impacted the life of our church greatly. We can say that there is not any sphere, individual or ministry that was left untouched.

‘Right now we are witnessing in our church a new devotion to the work of the Lord, a new love among our members to the Lord Jesus, a new care for each other, a new passion for being filled with the Holy Spirit and for the prophetic spirit, a new enthusiasm of finding out personal calling and ministry.

‘The Lord is continuing what was started through you and the people in faith have taken their privilege and authority in Jesus and we are witnessing new healings in the church (even people healed of the sicknesses that are considered as incurable), baptisms in the Spirit, prophetic visions and abundance of revelations … The same is going on in Artashat, Masis and Kharabakh churches, God is moving mightily, healings, baptisms and spiritual experiences are happening and the number of people who are coming to church, is increasing …

‘We are thankful to the Lord from all of our heart for being a part of Newfrontiers family and for you being a reason for such important blessings for us … I often remember our conversations, your opinions and considerations about different issues – especially to ride with you to Tbilisi was a gift from the Lord to me …’

Pastor Karen Khachatryan

New Covenant people in Israel
What a joy to preach the grace of God and freedom from law to enthusiastic Jewish believers in Ashdod. They drank in the Word with great enthusiasm and again, to our great delight, many were healed. Their worship was full of life and joy and the presence of God. It was a superb time.

Towards the end of our stay we had two days spare to visit some of the historic sights. While at the ‘Mountain of the Beatitudes’ we bumped into the Principal of a Jerusalem-based Bible College who knew the pastor who was guiding us. He approached us with real warmth and I simply must record his words, ‘News of the healings in Ashdod reached Jerusalem!’ Some of the people who had been healed in the church also visit the Bible College so it was great fun to hear him make such a comment.

We also enjoyed going to the top of Mount Carmel, visiting Galilee, Capernaum, Caesarea, Haifa, Jerusalem and particularly the Garden Tomb where Richard, the overseer of the Garden, made us particularly welcome. These were truly remarkable days and I am so grateful to God for the huge blessing of being there.

Israel, who is the pastor of the church in Ashdod, plans to be with us again at Together on a Mission in Brighton in July, and a number of his young people aim to be at Newday in August. We are delighted with this relationship with these dear believers in Israel. I have often longed for such a development and am so pleased to be able to report it here.