"Oh do we need your prayers!"

This was the Shalom Team's earnest request a few days before I lead a team of some 30 warriors to Israel.

I have been there around 20 strategic times, including Israel's war in Lebanon (we were there on the outskirts of Beirut) and wearing gas masks with Jews as missiles were fired from Saddam in Iraq. We have met with many leaders including Menachem Begin, Ariel Sharon and Benjamin Netanyahu. One team served the Israel Defense Forces during the SKUD missile crisis. I say this to emphasize that we know what Israel is up against.

Today, I actually believe things are worse-just as the Scriptures predict. Israelis feel alone and isolated

Today, I actually believe things are worse-just as the Scriptures predict. Israelis feel alone and isolated with enemies all around. Behind the brave front that "But America is our friend" is Jewish fear that leaders in Washington are really more with Israel's enemies than with the Jews. I believe they are right.

We who trust God's Word know His solution awaits Israel's acceptance of the One who opened His heart and arms two millennia ago. We also know that prior to that revelation there will be dark and dangerous days. That's why this journey was important-even urgent. Thanks to those who prayed as we journeyed and served.

Please continue to pray for the Shalom team.

We don't want to merely "walk where Jesus walked" but we want to love, pray and witness as Jesus did. Pray that Israelis will see and feel the glory of God through the ongoing ministry of Shalom and other teams that may go. Pray that signs and wonders will follow us as we pray for people's desperate needs. Pray that we will reach in our witness modern day Pauls, Peters, Priscillas, Aquilas and Apolloses.

We're asking big. We're believing big.

A note of thanks to two "Gideons"-God's men of valor-who worked with me on this front lines assignment-Shalom's Walter Contreras and my East Coast buddy, Pastor Bob Hakala.

And again thanks for standing with us in ministry through your prayers. And I invite you again to help fund this faith ministry with your gift whenever God might direct and provide.

Frank Eiklor
for the Shalom International Outreach team