Greetings from near Jerusalem.

Dan: Patty and I have just made the difficult decision to cancel our Summer Itinerary to the United States.  It was originally set for us to travel back to the States in the middle of May.  Our flight was canceled, and rescheduled for June. Then it was canceled again and rescheduled for July. Now we can not even get through to the airline!  We are also in that category where Patty especially should not be taking any risks.  So we are looking to reschedule in the fall if that seems both safe and possible.

However, staying in the Land has many great advantages for the work we are doing here. The corona virus challenge has not left me with less work.  Yes, much of that work is in zoom calls, phone calls, writing e-mails and WhatsApp communications, but with the lifting of restrictions, we have begun to meet with people personally.  One of the first in-person meetings was discerning with a couple who are desirous of planting a new community in the North.

Being in the Land gives more opportunity to meet with leaders, to continue mentoring and now to return to more in-person meetings.  There are two major projects as well.  The first is that I am part of a team to expand an effective theological institute in Israel that reflects our values and theology.  The second is to launch a teaching channel for my most important courses.  I plan to have short 5 minute presentations on the topics, beginning with apologetics for young people, then 15 minute presentations and then a whole mini course of 6 ½ hours.  I think staying in Israel is key to seeing progress with these projects this summer.  I have apologetics, Messianic Jewish theology, eschatology (the last days), New Testament theology, Torah application in the New Covenant, and more.  Please pray for this vision.

Ben: This has been a year of great transition. Transitions come with some uncertainty, yet our hope remains in the Lord.  For Lorena and myself, the biggest change is our planned international move from Israel back to the United States. It is such a strange mix of sadness and excited vision. I am leaving this special Land that I love and that has become my home. It is also the place where for five years, we have enjoyed many family celebrations and holidays with my parents, siblings, and children. I cherish the weekly walks with my father, as we have discussed life and ministry and the Kingdom. I will miss my home congregational community in Jerusalem, where I have been serving as an elder, as well as the small-town environment where you run into people that you know almost every day.

Yet, God is also filling me up with vision and a deeper heart for the Tikkun America network of congregations and ministries in North and Central America.  It has only been a few months since I stepped into the role as President of Tikkun America, but there has been abundant favor from the Lord among the leadership team as the strategy starts to crystallize for the next season.  I will also continue to be much involved in the support of Tikkun Global out of the Restoration from Zion ministry. We are planning some US Roundtable meetings of apostolic and prophetic leaders for the near future. Would you please stand with our family in prayer as we prepare to make our move?

We also are in need of a significant sum of money in support of the move. The flights for our family will be about $7,000, and the shipping container and taxes will be about $10,000.  Please consider whether you could make a special one-time gift this month or next month that could go toward the relocation costs.

We are so appreciative of our regular supporters, churches and individuals.  We are fully engaged and not flagging at all.