Jay and Meridel Rawlings. Box 47554, Ermioni, Greece. 210 51 December 2023.
Our heavenly Father IS Love. Jesus IS His Beloved. Holy Spirit IS the Spirit of Love.
May Jesus bring Peace to us at this time of world exploitation, loss, war, and sorrow. I chose a copy of this unusual painting because of Who Jesus was on earth and IS to us today. Here we see an angel strengthening Him in those last lonely hours in the Garden, while Satan lurks in the shadows. Jesus faced His last ordeal feeling forsaken and alone. All was quiet in the olive grove. “Father if it be your will, let this cup pass from me.” Jesus pleaded. His answer was an awful silence. What a severe lesson in obedience and faithfulness.
Let’s look back to the night of His birth; overshadowed as it was in the quietness of Heaven’s watch. The Holy Family ‘unseen’ by the world was left alone, and considered of no consequence to the world. The famous Shepherd’s fields, *Bethlehem-Ephrathah (the place where lambs were raised for Temple sacrifices), exploded with the Sound and Light of heavens splendor. Shepherds, spurned by society, came humbly and worshipped. Herod, King of the Roman Province of Judah became afraid of this baby.
Question: “What shall I give Him this holy season?” Will it be my heart? *Micah 5:2
The Rawlings Family Update:
2023 was a year of change with a capital ‘C’.Jay and I enjoyed Christmas 2022 with Chris, Terhi, Noam 24, and identical twins Youni and Liam 16. They showered every kindness upon us, including a concert to hear the magnificent 150-voice boys choir performing in the ‘White Cathedral’, which overlooks the Port of Helsinki. The famous ‘Cantores Minores’ was conducted by Terhi’s eldest brother Professor Hannu Norjanen. Their beautiful Finnish home has a built-in sauna. Being together was the best gift to Jay and I.
We flew back to Greece for less than a week before returning to Jerusalem. For months, the LORD had been dealing with us both Jay and I about leaving Israel. It was a difficult change after 50 years of total commitment and involvement with the nation of Israel, becoming citizens. We fell in love, giving the nation our all. Our sons were just as involved, being very young when we arrived. David and Josh served in IDF fighting units. We have all lived through many wars and the never ending terror. Yet what is going on today is the worst ever! The reality is horrifying and involves Intense psychological, satanic warfare being applied to every soul in the nation and reaching all who pray for Israel. I am sure you are abreast of the news. Have you discerned the fact that ‘the big boys’ don’t want Israel to win? The IDF men on the front lines face certain death at the hands of thugs, liars, and evil manipulators. The dark side triumphs at present, backed and protected by the UN and the world. Palestinians in Gaza have never had a day of freedom since before 1953 when ruled by Egypt. They are the first victims of Hamas. We watch and pray. The Lord speaks to us in scripture and in our dreams. We love to work with the Holy Spirit, as sad as the moment is.
“If two agree together…” Jay and I have learned after 55 years of marriage, to do nothing IF we do not agree. Finally, we were able to agree to sign the contract for the sale of our Jerusalem property. Fortunately at that time. We began to empty the media centre and our home in April. Joshua joined us to help with the heavy lifting and unending challenges. The family who bought our home queried: “How can you leave such a beautiful place, are you prophets?”
Meanwhile, in April, the LORD spoke to Daniel and Shelly, to move to Kalamata on the southern coastline of Greece. Shelly had an epiphany, which helped them make the decision. When they were considering renting a small house in Israel, she asked the owner, “Do you have a bomb shelter?” He replied, “No.” Instantly she saw herself, Ryan and the new baby Gabriel, squatting under a table during a missile attack. (More than 2,000 missiles hit Israel from Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen since Oct 7th.) Dan and Shelly quickly gathered courage and moved. Kalamata beautifully situated on the sea is ringed by mountains on three sides. It is famous for its large olives. Built on 4,000 years of history; today it is a thriving seaport, a university town and a flourishing commercial center. An Interesting fact is that Kalamata is also a NATO base. Israeli instructors train NATO pilots to fly jets.
Meridel: (Jay writes.) This year, she was challenged and changed by the painful reality of the financial strains and general suffering of Israelis. With the gift of ‘seeing’, it grew into an unending painful reality. I am sure you felt it in her Still Small Voice blog. She writes and then reads to me, and we proof it together. Thank you for praying for Israel and staying in touch with us in these soul crushing times. We knew things were bad, because of corruption in high places, but we did not see this horrendous war coming. Meridel’s heart just ran out of strength and on July 31st, it gave out. Fortunately, she called out, “Jay I can’t see…” and then faded away. I immediately called out in the Name of Yeshua and bound the spirit of death. Her former classmate of 63 years, Irene Bredlow joined with me as did another house guest. Her pulse was gone, along with her spirit, and her eyes turned blue. We refused to stop crying out in the Name of Jesus. That is the absolute truth. We had almost completed all of the requirements of closing down. Eight days later we flew back to Greece. We now have our residency. Upon our return Chris sent us this blessing;“My hope and prayer is that you will now begin to enjoy your golden years with your children. You both have endured many hardships which has made you both strong and able to help others.”
Jay is now slowly adjusting to a much quieter life and can swim about 9 months of the year. Just 500 meters from home a wonderful beach 1 or 2 km wide spreads itself out at the foot of our gently slopping valley road. The sound of lapping waves is heard from our patio. We have olives and planted fruit trees.
Daniel and Shelly are settled into their own apartment now and love their location. They are the heart of hospitality and have arranged to meet every week for a meal with a group of Israeli parents and their kids on Shabbat who have recently arrived from Israel. Shelly creates a video blog in Hebrew. Daniel makes video clips for their various enterprises and offers his media gifts whenever approached. Real estate has also caught their interest. Ryan has so many different interests, and announces: “I have a very good idea?” Gabriel is vocal and makes his powerful little presence felt in comical ways. After watching these young parents in action big brother David commented, “Daniel & Shelly are the best parents …“
Joshua is fast becoming a farmer. He loves the land, and as I write, is busy pruning the olive trees. We use the ‘slash’ in the fireplace at night and make compost with the branches and leaves. We see how the locals make use of everything. A highlight this year was taking grandkids up the mountains to visit our friend, Petros. He is a shepherd from a long line of shepherds as far back as he can remember. What fun it was for us all to play with the newborn kids and let them suckle our thumbs. Josh has made good friends and is speaking Greek. He planned and oversaw the design, construction and finishing of the downstairs and barbecue, done in classic Greek style. Consequently, our kids and their wives and grandchildren are now making it a holiday destination. We have seen everyone except Adi and Amitai and we hope they will make it this Christmas with David. Family times are preeminent. Josh’s daughters, 24, 20 and 18 landed on our doorstep in July and settled in immediately like locals. They love Greece. Maya is completing her last year of Osteopathy in London. Sophia is in her 2nd year of Physics in Copenhagen. Cecilia is finishing high school in London. She has gone into the sweatsuit business with her Dad. Together they developed the designs and business model. The girls are a joy to Josh and I know he is also a comfort to them.
Chris was led to restart Israel Vision before the war broke out on Oct 7th. It is now a private nonprofit family ministry run by Chris and David. There is a Pay Pal button on the site. www.israelvision.com He set up a GoFundMe campaign for families of the 240 hostages taken into Gaza. Between Israel Vision and Still Small Voice, we have given away 5,000 Euros. That equals: CD$ 8,500. or 20,000 Israeli shekels. It will help some of the families of hostages. We bless everyone who gave. Thank you.
Chris brought his family for a holiday this fall. Sadly, Terhi, lost her Mother this February. Jouni is a valuable basketball star in high school and Liam is an ardent fisherman and has a sketching gift like his Dad. Both plan to spend next summer with us. Noam completed a BA in business and finance from Amsterdam University and works in Helsinki. He and his fiancé Heidi are to marry in September 2024. We bless them and hope to be present.
David and Adi, Amitai are Liyah live in the heart of Jerusalem. They are all very busy with the war effort. Liyah is taking a break to visit her cousins in London. She and Shelly (Israelis) are crazy about Christmas! Adi heads a Jerusalem dance troupe that are traveling around Israel creating events for locals to dance along, and forget the grief of war for a brief moment. David is creating video reports for Israel Vision; he is hindered at present, due to his dying computer, but we are all believing for an upgrade for him. Praise God Israel Vision is back. Our sons worked with their Dad. Noam worked with Grandpa Jay who was Founder and CEO. See : YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@israelvisiontv and https://www.youtube.com/@israelvision5344
Jay, celebrates his big 80th this February. Some of you will remember how we were helped to ‘buy a little donkey’, a 2009 Honda. We gave it away when we left Israel. The sons and I recently encouraged him to buy a 2016 BMW series 2 in mint condition, easy on gas with only 43,000 kms. In Canada (1969) he drove a Corvette StingRay. When ‘called out’, he graduated to a WW2 weapons carrier, Toyota, dump truck, etc you name it! Other times, we walked or travelled on local trains, buses, trams, trucks, out-rigger canoes, ferries, and cheap flights. His eyesight and hearing, have become a serious challenge now and we want him to enjoy his retirement years. We ask for your prayers. He also hopes to get back to painting.
Meridel (Jay writes)has motored on into her 82nd year. Her birthday brought so much love, lots of laughs and 3 cakes! I drove her to Kalamata in my new chariot for 3 days of fun with family. Some family quotes”
“Happy Birthday to the one and only Queen Mother.” Adi. “Happy Birthday to the light of our family. Love to you and Jay.” Shelly. “Mom Honey,” (The name chosen by Amitai when a tiny tot), ”You are the most attentive, caring, and daring Grandma I could ever ask for. I wish you the very best this year. See you soon young lady!” Amitai We have experienced afresh the reality of Jesus. It has been a change to live outside of the storm that perpetually hovers over Israel. Life there was all consuming, but we are charged to keep a daily prayer watch. Every morning I love to watch the sunrise, dissipating the darkness degree by degree. It comforts me, reminding me Our Father is still in charge.
This long letter is sent with our loving prayers and thoughts. Thank you for WHO you are to us. Every blessing for a very meaningful and tender Christmas season with quiet moments and a blessed New Year.