Global Gospel Graces
Do Christians in Israel go to church on Sunday or Saturday?
It was a question I never imagined having to answer in Thailand!
A few weeks ago, one of the members of Cool Shade of Life Church announced he would be moving to Israel for five years to work in the agriculture industry. Like many people here in Thailand, finances have been extremely tight for his family and they decided the best thing to do would be to send him thousands of miles away to work in the fields.
The money might be good, but our hearts were broken at the impact this would have on his young family and the thought of losing him for so long!
They had questions. So did we!
- What about the war going on there?
- Would there be churches for him to attend near where he worked?
- Was this work arrangement even legitimate?
One of Ben's seminary classmates (from 20 years ago!) is a pastor of a church near Tel Aviv. Ben reached out to him to get his thoughts on the situation.
As it turns out, it's quite common for Thai people to move to Israel for work.
In God's providence, our pastor friend even had a Thai man worshipping at his church and staying at his house for the evening.
We were able to connect our friend in Thailand with a fellow Thai Christian at a church we had connections to...all the way over in Israel!
Our friend from Cool Shade was able to ask his questions. There are Christians there. There are places to worship. He wouldn't be put in danger. And if he was working close enough, he was more than welcome to be part of the fellowship at our pastor friend's church.
This is God doing his incredible, providential thing! He sends his people all over the world in order to help, care for, and love their brothers and sisters.
It was moving for us to be able to make a connection like this...for people we love...with people we love.
We're able to be part of God's work like this, in part, because you and people like you help us to live and work here in Thailand.
Thank you for your part in all of this!
As you are considering making any year end contributions to ministries you love, we would be honored if you'd consider the work God is doing through our family here in Thailand. Your generosity makes stories like this possible.
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May you be helped, cared for, and loved by Jesus' church during this Christmas season as well!
Blessings,
Ben and Becca Johnson
P.S. Most churches in Israel worship on Saturday because Sunday isn't a day off of work there. Now you know!
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