Son of Ephraim

It has already been three weeks since I arrived in Israel and while this visit has been just as unique as the other trips I have hardly been able to write anything other than a few brief posts on Facebook and some journal entries.  I spent my first night at Hotel Gilgal in Tel Aviv where I had the opportunity to greet Yaakov and Elisheva Damkani before leaving for Afula located in northern Israel.  My friend Jiries drove from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv then drove both of us through the heavy week-end traffic to Afula.  The time spent in Afula was truly a blessing as I met people from various parts of the world who were waking-up to their Hebrew identity whether it be Jew (Judah) or non-Jew (Ephraim).  It is not only interesting but also very encouraging to hear the stories of others who are receiving the revelation of the restoration of the whole House of Israel—the Tabernacle of David. 

They were coming to Afula, some intentionally and others unintentionally, to learn more about this ‘new thing’ that was opening their eyes to a deeper understanding of the Bible and their own personal identity in relationship with Yahshua HaMashiach.  While glorious this eye-opening revelation seriously challenges some commonly held traditional beliefs, whether biblical or not biblical, that have been passed down through the generations.  As these sojourners shared some of their own challenges in walking-out their newly discovered destiny their concerns and frustrations were falling on empathetic ears.  By the grace of Yah, many pilgrims passing through Afula have been encouraged through fellowship with other fellow travelers passing-through like themselves.  Many discover something unexpected and walk away affirmed in their own Abrahamic journey. 

After spending a week in Afula, I hitched a ride with people who were going to Jerusalem for a weekly meeting.  The weekly meetings are held at the Anglican School located on HaNeviim St. (The Prophets).  Miguel Demelli joined us on the ride to Jerusalem.  Miguel lives in Florida and is of Puerto Rican descent.  He recently wrote a book called “Recognizing the Real Enemy” that deals with spiritual warfare and cleansing within individual Believers and more specifically within those who call themselves Ephraim.  Along the way to Jerusalem we met Avi Ben Mordechai and his wife Dina.  Avi and Dina are Messianic Jews who made Aliyah to Israel from the States and have a ministry to all of Israel but especially to returning Ephraim.  Miguel ministered to Avi and his wife about spiritual warfare and all of us were blessed. 

After a short drive from Avi’s home to Jerusalem, Miguel and I were dropped off in the center of the city near Mamila.  Miguel flagged a taxi to see me off to the Israel Museum where Jiries works.  I asked the taxi driver if he was Arab or Jewish and he replied, “I’m Christian.”  His name was Joseph and he provided excellent service.  While waiting on Jiries I marveled at the new design of the museum.  Jiries arranged a security clearance then took me to a small cafeteria where the museum employees dine.  After he finished his work for the day he took me to see his new flat where his family would be moving to in the next few weeks.  We then drove to Lloyd George Street in German Colony located just outside the Old City.  Rami was standing on the porch as Jiries and I walked up to the entrance on the side of the house. 

Greetings were exchanged and Rami announced to Gil his daughter that I had arrived.  Ayelet was away and wouldn’t return for a few hours.  Rami showed the way to the familiar downstairs apartment or ‘zimmer’ as they call it in Israel where I had stayed nearly two years ago.  I dropped-off my bags then went back outside to join Rami and Jiries in the crisp Jerusalem night air.  It is hard to describe the feeling of being back on Lloyd George Street standing and talking with Rami and Jiries as we watched the one-way traffic make its way to Emek Refaiim—the main road that runs through German Colony.  Rami asked where the meeting was going to be held that night and when I told him HaNeviim Street he smiled and asked, “Do you know what HaNeviim means?”  I replied “Yes” while smiling back at him.

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