Update from Tel Aviv (from Dov and Olga Bikas)

New vision for the future of former addicts

"This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain" (Mark 5:3). These words that describe the Gerasene demoniac remind me very strongly of drug addicts we meet and share the Gospel with here in Israel. Their problem is unsolvable; their disease is incurable. They are just a disturbance, an awkward burden for the society... Now, however, let's look at Luke 8:35. "When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid." What a tremendous change the Lord has made in this man's life! This is exactly what we see in the lives of drug addicts who open their hearts to God. They are being transformed right before our eyes, and in a very short period of time, they become perfectly healthy, normal people. I am sure I have already told you all that before, but now I would like to take you a step further and share with you a vision God has recently given me.

In Luke 8:35, have you noticed where the former demoniac was? He was "sitting at Jesus' feet"! I believe that this phrase does not only describe the man's physical location, but his spiritual state as well. We hear many sermons dedicated to Luke 10, where Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus, but, I am afraid, not as many people pay attention to the fact that the demoniac was doing the same! This detail shows us he had become a meek person and wanted to listen to Jesus and learn as much as he could from Him.

We see the same hunger for the Word of God and desire to be with Him when we look at former drug addicts. Interestingly, almost all rehabilitants from "Bethel" recovering center for addicts (managed by our co-worker Maxim) not only remained in the center after they had finished the rehab program, but also looked for a job that would allow them to attend daily Bible studies and lead an active spiritual life. It is hard to find many believers who would equal with former addicts in this zeal to serve God. They grow spiritually very fast, but at the same time they are very meek and humble people because of all the suffering they went through, and because they clearly saw how God's power and glory delivered them from their sins and addictions.

In Mark 5:20 we read that after the former demoniac met Jesus he "went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed." In Greek, he did not just "tell," he "preached": the same word is used to describe what Jesus or John the Baptist did, and I truly believe that this man went from town to town and preached boldly, in the power of the Lord Jesus Christ and amazed many people. This is the vision I wanted to share with you. These former drug addicts, having received proper spiritual instruction and education, can become -- with God's help and guidance, of course, -- preachers, teachers, pastors and ministers the body of Christ and the rest of our people here in Israel need so much! Please pray for this vision and for these young believers to keep "running a good race!"