Suzi's mom, Heidi and Suzi at table in Madison Park to answer questions about the Bible (Christine was taking the photo.)
We were happy to participate with an Israeli/Jewish American group called Dor Chadash in the Jewish parade last Sun. in NYC..
All the "Good News Friends" love Israel. (Good News Friends is what we call the team in NYC :-) I am glad Heidi got to march in the parade!
I love the Jewish people. Christian, another team member, is also pictured in the photo above. He marched also with Heidi.
From NYC team:Shalom Dwayna:
It has been quite an eventful last two weeks here in New York City.
Suzi's mother was visiting from California during the weekend of May 15th, so we forewent setting up in the subway or in front of the post office and, instead, decided to set up in Madison Park which is located between 23rd and 26th Streets between Madison Avenue and Broadway in Manhattan, an area known as the "Flatiron District" and highlighted by the famous tourist attractions of the Flatiron Building and the "Shake Shack", a fastfood hut with lines so long, filled with people desiring to savor one of the "best burgers in New York City". It was a nice day, so we put two of the park tables together and put some of the items we had on hand on the table, some Bibles, Jewish tracts, Gospel tracts and various CDs as well as some childrens' books. This park is particularly noteworthy by evangelists as a park having many strongholds, including false religion and new age presences.
After a group prayer for divine appointments and protection, Christine and I set off around the park and picked a location on the far side of the entrance to the park to hand out tracts. While some people ignored us and many more politely refused to take any, there were others who did, so we were happy about that.
We then returned to the table where Suzi and her mom were and waited for people to approach. Only one gentleman approached, and it was quite obvous that while he had some basic understanding about Jesus and the Bible, his religious worldview was quite syncretistic. Before he left, I believe he did take some materials. This day was a little quieter than usual as far as people coming up to us and wanting to take things. Yet, in all, it was a good day as we got time to discuss discernment issues among ourselves and prayed for salvation of people.
This past Sunday, the Salute to Israel Parade a/k/a the Israeli Day Parade took place in New York City along 5th Avenue from 57th Street up to 74th Street. During the days prior to the parade, I had decided that it would be a good thing to go to the parade and support Israel and her independence of 62 years and the people. But... much to my surprise, the Lord impressed upon my heart and gave me the desire to not just be a passerby, but to actually PARTICIPATE AND MARCH with them, yet, I had no clue how to even go about doing this. As God is so fond of doing, He managed to provide the information to me, after I began searching on the Internet for any activities concerning the parade. I then came across a website and therein browsed and saw all the sponsors and participants in the parade. I ended up clicking on an organization called "Dor Chadash", which means New Generation (www.DorChadashUSA.org). Basically, it is a group which bridges the gap between Israelis and American Jews here in the United States through a variety of civic activities and social events. While it is Jewish-focused, they welcome anyone who has a love for Israel and her people and for the culture. I decided to contact them to find out more regarding the Parade and after conversation, I was invited -- along with my friends -- to come march with them at the parade!! As a result, we all decided to go to the parade. Christine and Suzi and any others who were able to join them would do ministry in the crowd as the Lord would lead, and I had planned to join up with them afterwards. Christian was able to join me at the parade and marched as well. We both were volunteered to hold the banners for the organization. Christine took some photos of the parade but the one of Dor Chadash, with whom I was marching, was not the greatest angle, as you can see me, but barely. The photos are attached.
I was not able to reunite with the girls, but they were able to engage with various people in Central Park at the Jewish Music Festival which was taking place simultaneously and after the parade. They will be providing an update on their encounters with variuos people, including a group who follow the "Noahide Covenant Laws", another judaic last days fringe movement which seems to be gaining in popularity not only with the Sanhedrin, but also with the major world religions and those in favor or ecumenicism.
Christian and I, after finishing at the parade, ended up hanging out with a small group of Israelis at the concert. All during the day, Christian engaged with several members on topics concerning the Bible and Messiah, and I also had opportunity to speak regarding true Biblical Christianity and the Jewish roots of our faith and was questioned on various occasions why I, and many others, love Israel. We went to dinner with several of them and enjoyed a good time over Israeli food and conversation. I had a conversation with one of the young men concerning the validity and authority of God's Word and its sufficiency for all things concerning righteousness and salvation vs. the Kabbalistic leanings of many in the Jewish faith. Judaism, like alot of Christianity today, has its different facets and organizations, from Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Ultra-Orthodix, Hasidic, Kabbalistic to syncretism and new age. It saddens me that a lot of the Jewish people are ignorant of the evolution of their faith from the Mosaic paradigm to the Rabbinic/Talmudic paradigm and the heavy influence of eastern mysticism into their everyday lives. It is hard enough trying to get them to see their Messiah, but even harder trying to get them to see the danger in the mystical and hidden knowledge schools of thought. All in all, it was a great time, and I was so blessed to be able to be there and show our love for them and our willingness to stand with them.
As the weather gets warmer, we will be alternating between setting up the table at various locations and/or setting up in parks in a more informal manner, all as the Lord leads.
We ask that you continue to pray for the salvation of souls, for the Peace of Jerusalem, and for more laborers to raise up and be the watchmen and prophets on the wall, as these truly are the last of the last days and time grows short and the night soon approaches.
God Bless and Shalom,
Heidi
on behalf of
The Good News Friends
It has been quite an eventful last two weeks here in New York City.
Suzi's mother was visiting from California during the weekend of May 15th, so we forewent setting up in the subway or in front of the post office and, instead, decided to set up in Madison Park which is located between 23rd and 26th Streets between Madison Avenue and Broadway in Manhattan, an area known as the "Flatiron District" and highlighted by the famous tourist attractions of the Flatiron Building and the "Shake Shack", a fastfood hut with lines so long, filled with people desiring to savor one of the "best burgers in New York City". It was a nice day, so we put two of the park tables together and put some of the items we had on hand on the table, some Bibles, Jewish tracts, Gospel tracts and various CDs as well as some childrens' books. This park is particularly noteworthy by evangelists as a park having many strongholds, including false religion and new age presences.
After a group prayer for divine appointments and protection, Christine and I set off around the park and picked a location on the far side of the entrance to the park to hand out tracts. While some people ignored us and many more politely refused to take any, there were others who did, so we were happy about that.
We then returned to the table where Suzi and her mom were and waited for people to approach. Only one gentleman approached, and it was quite obvous that while he had some basic understanding about Jesus and the Bible, his religious worldview was quite syncretistic. Before he left, I believe he did take some materials. This day was a little quieter than usual as far as people coming up to us and wanting to take things. Yet, in all, it was a good day as we got time to discuss discernment issues among ourselves and prayed for salvation of people.
This past Sunday, the Salute to Israel Parade a/k/a the Israeli Day Parade took place in New York City along 5th Avenue from 57th Street up to 74th Street. During the days prior to the parade, I had decided that it would be a good thing to go to the parade and support Israel and her independence of 62 years and the people. But... much to my surprise, the Lord impressed upon my heart and gave me the desire to not just be a passerby, but to actually PARTICIPATE AND MARCH with them, yet, I had no clue how to even go about doing this. As God is so fond of doing, He managed to provide the information to me, after I began searching on the Internet for any activities concerning the parade. I then came across a website and therein browsed and saw all the sponsors and participants in the parade. I ended up clicking on an organization called "Dor Chadash", which means New Generation (www.DorChadashUSA.org). Basically, it is a group which bridges the gap between Israelis and American Jews here in the United States through a variety of civic activities and social events. While it is Jewish-focused, they welcome anyone who has a love for Israel and her people and for the culture. I decided to contact them to find out more regarding the Parade and after conversation, I was invited -- along with my friends -- to come march with them at the parade!! As a result, we all decided to go to the parade. Christine and Suzi and any others who were able to join them would do ministry in the crowd as the Lord would lead, and I had planned to join up with them afterwards. Christian was able to join me at the parade and marched as well. We both were volunteered to hold the banners for the organization. Christine took some photos of the parade but the one of Dor Chadash, with whom I was marching, was not the greatest angle, as you can see me, but barely. The photos are attached.
I was not able to reunite with the girls, but they were able to engage with various people in Central Park at the Jewish Music Festival which was taking place simultaneously and after the parade. They will be providing an update on their encounters with variuos people, including a group who follow the "Noahide Covenant Laws", another judaic last days fringe movement which seems to be gaining in popularity not only with the Sanhedrin, but also with the major world religions and those in favor or ecumenicism.
Christian and I, after finishing at the parade, ended up hanging out with a small group of Israelis at the concert. All during the day, Christian engaged with several members on topics concerning the Bible and Messiah, and I also had opportunity to speak regarding true Biblical Christianity and the Jewish roots of our faith and was questioned on various occasions why I, and many others, love Israel. We went to dinner with several of them and enjoyed a good time over Israeli food and conversation. I had a conversation with one of the young men concerning the validity and authority of God's Word and its sufficiency for all things concerning righteousness and salvation vs. the Kabbalistic leanings of many in the Jewish faith. Judaism, like alot of Christianity today, has its different facets and organizations, from Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Ultra-Orthodix, Hasidic, Kabbalistic to syncretism and new age. It saddens me that a lot of the Jewish people are ignorant of the evolution of their faith from the Mosaic paradigm to the Rabbinic/Talmudic paradigm and the heavy influence of eastern mysticism into their everyday lives. It is hard enough trying to get them to see their Messiah, but even harder trying to get them to see the danger in the mystical and hidden knowledge schools of thought. All in all, it was a great time, and I was so blessed to be able to be there and show our love for them and our willingness to stand with them.
As the weather gets warmer, we will be alternating between setting up the table at various locations and/or setting up in parks in a more informal manner, all as the Lord leads.
We ask that you continue to pray for the salvation of souls, for the Peace of Jerusalem, and for more laborers to raise up and be the watchmen and prophets on the wall, as these truly are the last of the last days and time grows short and the night soon approaches.
God Bless and Shalom,
Heidi
on behalf of
The Good News Friends
