24 June 2003 
Dear friends of Shevet Achim,
Let me start with a few words written by Chuck Kopp, pastor of the Narkis
St. International Congregation in Jerusalem and one of our board members:
Adrenaline ran high as the war coverage in Iraq was displayed for the
world to see. With the conflict coming to an end and new beginnings set
in motion, now is the time to channel that adrenaline with the urgency
that the message of the resurrection deserves. Each new fragile, delicate
beginning needs to be green-housed into fruition and growth. Now is the
time to move forward with all the opportunities affforded us, and they
are many, in Israel and the region...Freedom has a way of snowballing
and preparing the way for truth. Let us not disdain new and small beginnings
but remain steadfast with the thrust of proclaiming the life-giving message,
enabled by the "dunamis" (power) of the Holy Spirit. By word
and deed the essence of Jesus' resurrection life will be made known to
those with open hearts.
The primary mission of Shevet Achim is opening the hospitals in Israel
to our neighbors' children in need. For the past seven years we've worked
almost exclusively with Arab families from the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
Is this the time as well to reach out in Jesus' name to the long-suffering
people of Iraq? This would take the work of Shevet Achim to a whole new
level. I believe that the doctors and people of Israel, who long for better
relations with their neighbors, would be enthusiastic partners.
My family and I have been based in Colorado the last three months for
what's proven to be a vital time spent together with all our children.
But God willing on June 30 I will return to Amman, Jordan, in anticipation
of an exploratory trip into Iraq. Our oldest daughter Renanah will be
joining me as translator and photographer. Please pray. On our return
I'll report to our board and then to you on what we find.
Moving forward will require our financial involvement. In addition to
any new outlays, we've committed to contribute toward heart surgeries
the Israeli doctors have done for nine Gaza children during April, May,
and June. $13,100 is needed by June 30. As Dr. Kingsley Priddy (a longtime
associate of Rees Howells) put it, to become true intercessors in a situation
we must be willing for God to meet the need through us. Will you join
us in becoming intercessors for the people of Israel and their Muslim
neighbors?
Meanwhile our staff in Jerusalem has had two blessed new additions. Longtime
friends Brian and Shoshi Kvasnica have joined the Berg and Zweverink families
living in our Jerusalem center. Shoshi grew up in Israel and is already
helping us cut through the tangled knots of bureaucracy. And praise God,
they've now been joined by a beautiful baby boy named Boaz, born at Pentecost
in Jerusalem. You can welcome them by writing shoshi@shevet.org.
Yours faithfully for Jesus' sake,
Jonathan Miles
Coordinator
Shevet Achim
www.shevet.org
