The Ahava Adventure Continues…Day 2 in Jerusalem April 4, 2022. Rabbi Kokeb, Avraham, and the questioning, though eager Jewish man
April 4, 2022 Love For His People ministry Jerusalem, Israel
Morning came early today for David and me. About 3:30 am early Jerusalem time. A lot to share but I will give you just a few of the highlights on this second day here in the Land.
With only a noontime lunch planned with our friend, Ethiopian Messianic Jew Rabbi Kokeb Gedamu, we had a few hours to let the Holy Spirit guide our steps with divine appointments until then. As we hear and obey, He is always faithful to lead and show the way.
Never miss an opportunity to have some good Israeli coffee. Starbucks never made it here in Israel. They just couldn’t compete. Just a few good ounces of the coffee that beat them out will also help get your step going. We enjoyed the cappuccino type at the Jaffa Street shop just around the corner from our stay at the Abraham Hostel. Throw in a few freshly baked pastries and the day can’t go wrong! We enjoyed the baker named May who in turn enjoyed conversing with us. And his smile added more light to the bright shop as the sun started coming up.
After completing the Israeli-style breakfast included with the hostel room, we set out east down Jaffa Street. Ben Yehuda shops were still just getting started so what would end up being a 6.7-mile walk today began as we headed towards the Jaffa Gate of the Old City.
A photo here. A few at the “I Love Jerusalem” popular photo spot helped me get my normal daily 100+ photos.
Oh yes. Because our checked luggage was still in NYC as per the American Airlines email, I had to get toothpaste, a toothbrush, some socks, etc. Just a slight adjustment on the second day of this adventure. I would have to make do with the few things I was wisely taught by an internationally traveling minister I served with, to take with you in your carryon. In case your 48-pound other full checked bag takes a side trip on its own.
It is really good to see the tourists coming back! In a report I read earlier, the travel industry is scrambling here to keep up as so many over the last two years had to find other employment due to lockdowns. For example, tour guides left previous jobs to work in the high-tech industry. For many, it was indeed a very suffering time.
Please listen to Rabbi Kokeb’s interview recorded today on our website: https://loveforhispeople.com/2022/04/04/ethiopian-messianic-rabbi-kokeb-gedamu-in-jerusalem-shares-on-the-life-of-ethiopian-jews-in-israel/)
Many Old City shops struggled immensely, and as we walked towards the Western Wall it was very telling. A good Arab friend I had for years, named Louie from Jericho, was among the casualties. His shop no longer exists.
Once we got to the Hurva Synagogue we began to head back so as not to miss our lunch appointment. As we started out, to take the Armenian Section route through the Old City, being it is less hilly than coming the way we did, it happened. Right near the huge golden menorah encased on the plaza, ready for the Third Temple, a man in his 50s I guess asked me a question. I don’t remember what that specific question was (I am 67 mind you) but the Holy Spirit, Ruach HaKodesh certainly used it to begin the half-hour conversation David and I had with him.
His name, Israel, was searching. He was curious as to why we were there.
“Because we love Israel and the Jews. God’s chosen people.”
“You really believe that?” he asked.
“Certainly”, I replied. “Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ) came to save first the Jews, and now we Gentiles, Christians, are grafted in. We love Yeshua and His people.”
While into the conversation, he told us of his rabbi father and his imma (mother) who lived in Mea She’arim, the ultra-Orthodox Haredi and Hasidic Jewish neighborhood in Jerusalem. They both had survived the Holocaust. And they both told him never to believe anything about Yeshua.
And so we spoke of the Scriptures from his own Torah, which he said were never taught in the yeshiva (Bible school) he went to. The rabbis insisted the Talmud, oral traditions, were more important than the written word Torah. He never knew about Isaiah 53, which is prophesied and written by his own major prophet, of the Suffering Servant, the Messiah Yeshua, ever existing.
We could see the Holy Spirit touching his heart. We prayed with him and do hope to make further contact. Lord, continue to open his eyes to see You!
Our very good friend Rabbi Kokeb, who made aliyah (immigration to Israel) was able to join us in the early afternoon. Again, for written length purposes of this report, please hear him speak personally in the recording we made. (https://loveforhispeople.com/2022/04/04/ethiopian-messianic-rabbi-kokeb-gedamu-in-jerusalem-shares-on-the-life-of-ethiopian-jews-in-israel/)
Always a joy it is to be with my very mature friend, Avraham Saidan, who came to Israel from Iraq in the late 1940s. Now in his 80s, this dear, small stature of a man has such a big heart. Along with his two sons, David and Dan, and daughter Dahlia, they own and operate two shops on Ben Yehuda Street here in the capitol city. Helping Avraham make a phone call over 15 years ago started this lasting friendship.
I trust you are enjoying these short reports. Maybe I need to expand them further and make into a book later, with a lot more leadings of the Holy Spirit? The Lord knows…
Ahava and shalom from Jerusalem,
Steve Martin
Love For His People
P.S. The shawarma sandwich here is always great. Choose chicken or beef within your pita bread or wrap.
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Message #2 – in the year of our Lord 04.04.2022 – “Ahava Adventure in Jerusalem” – Tuesday, 11:58 pm in Jerusalem, Israel
