Summer 2010

Dear Friends,

Even though it is 111 degrees this afternoon, I’m going to get this letter out to you. For those of you who are saying, “I’m glad I don’t live there,” let me give you a call in February!

I’ve had some good opportunities to share the Good News in the last few months, so let me begin by telling you a few stories that happened while I was in Israel.

Stories

As I mentioned in my last letter, I had the opportunity to attend this year’s AMMI conference. Gideon Levytam, our director of international ministries, invited me to bring the morning devotionals. Workers from several different continents attended, and it was a privilege for me to be able to minister to them. I was able to renew old friendships and meet some of the new workers as well.

While there I had the chance to share the Good News of Messiah. It might be better to say that I had the chance to bring up a few issues with people we met. One day, a taxi driver outside the hotel was hoping for some business. I disappointed him when I told him that I only came outside to “get some air.” But he wanted to pass the time while he waited for a fare so we began talking about spiritual things.

When he heard I thought the Messiah had already come, he was not surprised but challenged the basis of that thought—the Scriptures. He told me, “The scriptures are like the telephone game. A person starts out on one end of the line and whispers something to the next person. By the time the sentence reaches the other end of the line, it never comes out the same.” I told him about the uniqueness of the Scripture and how his own people, the Jewish people had been entrusted to pass them down to us—and what a wonderful job they did. He wasn’t ready to be convinced.

I was on Ben Yehuda Street, a main thoroughfare in Jerusalem, the next day. Everyone who comes to Jerusalem stops by its many shops and places to eat. I was with one of our workers from Canada and we were having a discussion about wearing a mogen David (star of David). I told her I did wear one; it was a gift from my congregation in Toronto. I also wear a cross on the same chain, and people always ask me about the unusual combination—it’s started many conversations.

She asked to see them, so I took the chain out to show her. As soon as I did, an orthodox man came up to me and said, “Which one? Which one?” I knew what he was talking about, and I said “both.” He said, “It has to be one or the other.” Then I told him that because of the Messiah you could wear both. He stepped right up to my face, looked me right in the eye and said, “So, who is the Messiah?” I responded, “Yeshua” (Jesus). His reply was “B-loney!” And I said to him, “No, B-emet.” (Hebrew for “in truth” and used for really!) In spite of himself he laughed at my reply. We spent a few more minutes speaking, but parted with him holding the same position about the Messiah.

Travels

Since my last newsletter I have been able to travel to Israel, LA, and San Antonio. Exciting things happened at those meetings but I’m going to save them for another time.

As you know from my last few letters, I will be part of the Live the Land tour to Israel again this summer. We will be in Israel for a few weeks with a group of approximately 40 people. The younger crowd seems to grow every year! I always look forward to being able to teach about the special place of the Jewish people and the Land of Israel from a biblical perspective.

PLEASE think ahead to our trip next year!  If you, or someone you know (college-aged children or grandchildren) wants a great experience in the Land of Israel, let me know and we can begin to make plans.

Mixed Bag

In June, I did have a successful recording of “Taxman to Soulman,” my overview of the Gospel of Matthew. We have recorded five stories, so far, and they need to be edited. But we are making good progress.

We are still working on a special project that will be announced in the winter (most likely).

One last thing, if you know a church, or are part of a church that would like to have the ministry of 2nd Adam, please give me a call or send an email.

Before I forget, please know how much we appreciate your prayers and support! Without those, we would not be able to fulfill God’s calling in our lives.

Prayer Needs/ Praise

Our third grandchild (the first girl) Sierra was born on March 14. Thanks to all of you for your prayers for a safe delivery—they were answered. Please pray for:

• The upcoming Live the Land tour.

• The successful completion of the DVD recordings.

• The “special project” in development.

• A full calendar of church meetings.

Thanks and shalom,

Rob and Sharon Styler