INSIDE THIS ISSUE

ICEJ AUSTRALIA
AUGUST NEWSLETTER 2011
Visit our website at www.icejaus.org.au for our online
Bookshop, details of events, tours and projects. www.icejaus.org.au
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Letters from the
Australian Director &
ICEJ’S new Executive
Director
Blessing the Nations
Jesma O’Hara
ICEJ AID Projects
The Jewish Calendar
Aug - Nov
Ethiopian Jews celebrate the Sigd Festival which marks the day of accepting the Torah and is connected to their prayers, now
answered for many, to return to their Homeland. Many more Jewish Ethiopians are arriving in Israel and the ICEJ is playing a part
of this latest aliyah, the home coming of the Jews.
Contact the Australian Branch for information or to see how you can comfort Israel through ICEJ
ICEJ Australia Office • PO Box 608 • Nambour, Qld. • 4560 • Tel: (07) 5476 4244
Email: icejaus@bigpond.com Website www.icejaus.org.au

ICEJ AUSTRALIA
The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) was founded
in 1980 as an act of comfort and solidarity with Israel and the
Jewish people in their claim to Jerusalem.
Today, the ICEJ stands at the forefront of a growing mainstream
movement of Christians worldwide who share a love and concern
for Israel and an understanding of the Biblical significance of the
modern ingathering of the Jews to the land of their forefathers.
The ICEJ is represented nationally through its branch network in
some 60 nations of the world. The Australian Branch of ICEJ is part
of this international network.
WHEN YOU GIVE TO ICEJ AUSTRALIA
ICEJ Australia freely distributes teaching materials and information
to Pastors in the South Pacific area as well as in several countries
within the continent of Africa.
The Branch provides well known speakers who travel at their own
expense within Australia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. Teaching
Seminars on the Hebraic roots of our faith are conducted to help
Christians understand the Jewish context of the scriptures.
ICEJ Australia conducts tours to Israel, particularly at the time of
the Feast of Tabernacles.
Your gift will help distribute the
Word From Jerusalem without
charge, throughout the
Australasia/Pacific Region and
to Pastors in Malawi and Kenya!
GRAFTED AUSTRALIA
ICEJ’s Young Adults Department.
Young adults of Australia are beginning to hear about the
heart of God for Israel! Make Grafted known among your
Church’s young people – for more information visit the
Australian website or write to Daniel Abel
danielabe12@hotmail.com
Grafted Australia is on Facebook.
Your gift will help maintain our
Embassy in Jerusalem that
declares ‘Christians stand
with Israel!’
ICEJ AUSTRALIA QUARTERLY
Director:
Editor:
Layout Design & Printer:
Administration:
Photos:
Contributors:
Bruce Garbutt
Maxine Carlill
Steve Vawdrey
Kelinda McLachlan
Jesma O’Hara; ICEJ Jerusalem;
Israel Images
Bruce Garbutt; Jesma O’Hara;
ICEJ Jerusalem; Maxine Carlill
Your gift will help us maintain our
commitment to the lease of a food
van that is an essential part of an
Israeli food assistance program!
As well as other ICEJ AID projects.
The next ‘Quarterly’ will be produced in December to fit in
with the publishing timetable of the ‘Word From Jerusalem’ by
our International Headquarters.
See our donation form on the insert or
donate via our website

FROM THE AUSTRALIAN DIRECTOR
“But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and
the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers
of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the son of man will appear in the
sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the son of man
coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And He will send forth
his angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together his elect from the
four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.” (Matthew 24:29-31)
In my recent articles, I have been sharing how Jesus in His death and resurrection has given us the Spiritual ‘substance’ to the physical
events connected with the Hebrew celebrations of the Biblical Feasts (or appointed times) of Passover and Pentecost. Because of the
compelling weight of evidence that we see manifest in the world today, I want to project forward to the next “Appointed Time” which is
the Feast of Tabernacles, which will be celebrated in October this year.
As with the Feast of Passover which as we saw comprises three ‘appointed times’, Passover, Unleavened Bread and First Fruits, so too
Tabernacles also comprises three ‘appointed times’, Trumpets, Day of Atonement and Tabernacles.
As indicated in the above scripture from Matthew’s Gospel, it is my firm conviction that events associated with the return of Jesus, will
be heralded on or about the Feast of Trumpets. When we consider the Bible passages of Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21, all of which
describe events leading up to, or associated with the coming of the “ Son of Man”, for example the following from Luke 21:25-27 - There
will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,
men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be
shaken. Then they will see the son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory – we would have to be ‘blind’ to not see the
comparison of those things described in Scripture, and events occurring around the world at this time. I have to stress however, that as
Jesus tells us “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” (Matthew
24:36) – I am not attempting to suggest the ‘day or the hour’, but I do believe we will know ‘the season’. Jesus describes in great details
events that will occur throughout the world, that would be a ‘sign’ of the impending return of the Lord.
The prophet Habakkuk, in describing the forthcoming invasion of Israel by the Chaldeans says this: “Behold, as for the proud one, his
soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith. (Hab. 2:4) The writer to the Hebrews, in Heb. 10:37-38, in relation
to the return of Jesus says, “For yet in a very little while, he who is coming will come, and will not delay. But my righteous one shall
live by faith; and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” I believe the message for us is that in the face of impending
catastrophes, we must remain strong in our faith. Faith for what? That whatever may happen, we remain steadfast in our belief that God
will look after us, and bring us into His presence.
How do we maintain our faith and right relationship with the Lord in these days and under these conditions? I believe we find the answer
to this in the first 3 chapters of the other great book on the topic of the day of the Lord, the Book of Revelation. In the first chapter,
John describes an encounter with and vision of the glorified risen Lord Jesus. In chapters 2 and 3, Jesus dictates letters to the members
of the seven churches in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). These letters are Jesus’ last recorded words to his church and he includes the
instruction that all the letters are to be read in all the churches. This would indicate to me that each church would profit from what
Jesus had to say to each of the churches. Deriving from the main ‘theme’ of each letter, I believe they contain instructions for the 7
(completeness) things necessary if we are to stand (living by faith) in the days that are ahead:
Ephesus –first love – there can be no doubting who is the object of our faith. It can be so easy to drift away from the love we had for
Jesus at first. In this context, it is important to understand that love is an action, not a feeling: I believe, therefore I act!
Smyrna - We must be willing to bear reproach for His Name. To be all He wants us to be is to be willing to suffer with Jesus and His
people. – It may mean we will invite controversy. (2 Tim. 3:12, “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”.)
Pergamum - Receive (and act upon) with humility, the word of God which is able to save our souls. (James 1:21) “Therefore, putting
aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls”.
Thyatira - Honour God with your body – avoid all kinds of sexual Immorality. We must live lives that are pure and untouched by sexual
sin.
Sardis – wake up! and dedicate ourselves wholly to His service. Love Him more than our activities – more than anything. “You have a
name that you are alive but you are dead!”
Philadelphia - Love each other. Love is not a feeling. Love is an exciting challenge to action – to do the right thing for each other, no
matter what we feel. We must practise laying down our own opinions, learn to be caring, to engage in deeds of giving, encouraging each
other. Learn to love – love God and “do unto others…..” > Continued next page.

Laodicea - Be on fire for Jesus. – Nothing lukewarm. This is not just first love but a zeal for God that comes from deep and intimate
relationship.
These are the seven attributes Jesus wants from us for the difficult days that lie ahead. Many are warning us that the next period –
decade – will be very difficult. May the Lord help each one of us to live by faith and not be like those that fall away.
May the Lord bless you abundantly out of Zion at this time, Shalom in Jesus
Bruce and Merrilyn
THE JEWISH CALENDAR:
August-November
9th August – Tesha B’Av
The 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av is a fast day
which concludes a three week period of mourning that
commemorates the destruction of the First and Second
Temples. Both Temples were destroyed amazingly on
the same date. On the 9th Av, even today, the Jewish
people sit on the ground or low stools as is a mourning
custom, while reading the Book of Lamentations.
28thSeptember – 20th October -
The High Holidays
The Biblical Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) when the
ram’s horn (shofar) is sounded in the synagogues, begins a
ten day period of repenting and forgiving. It is preparation
for the solemn Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). Five days
later is the season of rejoicing during the Feast of
Tabernacles (Sukkot).
ICEJ AID assists many needy families at the time
of Rosh Hashanah so that they too can celebrate
with joy and dignity. Please mark gifts Rosh Hashanah
distribution.

A Blessing to the Nations
By Jesma O’Hara
When God called the Jewish people to be channels of His
redemptive grace [Genesis 12:1-3; Romans 9:4-5], He
envisioned a huge multi racial, multi coloured family
comprised of people from all over the world [Ephesians 2:1-3:5],
worshipping Him forever [Revelation 7:9-10].
Many thousands of people from the developing nations are
coming to faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and
His Messiah at this time, despite persecution, hardship and
often in the midst of great suffering and deprivation. Our
focus must be on the Kingdom of God – God’s Lordship over
every area of life, at this crucial time in history. It is not a
time for the promotion of individual ministries, but of
working together in building the Kingdom, for the glory
of God. In that light, John and Jesma O’Hara, representing
ICEJ Australia and Neighbours Aid Community Stores, recently
journeyed to Africa with a team of thirty two people.
Twenty four of the team comprised students, staff and
parents from Nambour Christian College on Queensland’s
Sunshine Coast. Ages ranged from 15 to 68 and all had
come together to bring blessing to the people in Malawi.
This was a great example of the Kingdom of God at work. Pastors and leaders from across Malawi and Mozambique joined together
for 3 days of seminars on Israel and the Hebrew Roots of Christianity while the medical team examined the children in Neighbours Aid
orphanages and schools along with some of the needy villagers; school teachers conducted seminars for teachers at NACS schools, and
students ran activities for the hundreds of children and assisted with the medical examinations. Operation Decoration involved students
and parents in painting and decorating classrooms and dormitories. Resources were purchased for the schools and orphanage. Local
ladies prepared the food for the hundreds of people involved during the week’s activities. Malawi is 28th on a list of the poorest 35
nations in the world and the needs are great but 32 people, committed to making a difference, left a lasting blessing – the Gospel in
action [James 1:27].

Several of the team then travelled onto Kenya, conducting pastors and leaders’ seminars and working with single mothers and the
children at the NACS orphanage and school in Kitale. Kenya is in the grip of famine and food prices have quadrupled in recent months.
Like much of Africa, there are many needs, but the Gospel, shared along with practical support, is changing the most desperate of lives.
Then it was across the border into Uganda, where hundreds of pastors and leaders gathered for more teaching. Ministry to village
women and hundreds of orphans also took place. Ugandan Christians suffered horrible atrocities under Idi Amin and then endured years
of civil war but their love for God is evident in their commitment of care for the many orphans in their nation.
Pastors and leaders in these nations have little or no training and their willingness to travel on crowded mini buses for hours, just to
attend the meetings is humbling indeed.
God showed His heart for the nations when He set the Jewish people apart to be channels of His redemptive purposes to reveal His
reality to a world that is in desperate need of redemptive grace and restoration. Psalm 2:8, speaking of the ministry of the Messiah,
says, “Ask and I will give you all the nations. The whole earth will be yours.” [Good News Bible]
Order teaching tools by Jesma O’Hara - MUSTARD SEED MODULES 1 & 2, $10 each - from the ICEJ Australian Office.
ICEJ PROJECTS
A NEW HOME FOR ISRAEL’S CHILDREN-AT-RISK
All children need the chance to flourish, but for some, family circumstances
can often make it difficult. For a fortunate number of Israeli children, this is
where the “Neve Galim” Children’s Home steps in to provide a warm home
for at-risk youths. Located in the center of Ashdod, Neve Galim focuses on
minimizing learning gaps through both formal and informal education,
while dealing with behavioural problems in a family-model home atmosphere.
In this way, each child receives special attention for their unique needs.
Recreational activities further enhance their development and encourage
each child to reach their full potential. ICEJ AID, with the generous help of
Finnish and Norwegian Christians, recently provided funds for therapeutic
treatment sessions at Neve Galim as well as to replace old furniture at the
home. “Once again, I thank you for your wonderful help in raising the funds
needed for the new furniture”, said Yossi Goshen, the general manager of
Neve Galim. “We value your on-going support and are so grateful to have
friends like you who have become our partners in creating a better future
for today’s children – transforming risk into opportunity.”
Nicole Yoder, Director of ICEJ AID and young
residents of Neve Galim.
HELPING HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS
ICEJ AID continues to help Holocaust Survivors both through the Haifa Home
and an organisation that helps survivors in their own homes. On a recent visit
to the Home, a new resident told ICEJ staff “I was so lonely. My recent
health problems made me feel embarrassed and wanting to hide from
people, now I am making friends and am so happy to be here”.
ETHIOPIAN ALIYAH
Maxine Carlill ICEJ Australia visits holocausts survivors.
As featured in the July WFJ, the Jewish Agency for Israel has requested special assistance from the International Christian Embassy
Jerusalem to help accelerate the return of the last 8,700 Ethiopian Jews to Israel by sponsoring direct aliyah flights over coming
months. A different language and huge cultural differences has sometimes proved enormous hurdles for the Ethiopians and ICEJ AID has
worked with Israeli organisations who have reached out to help them adjust to their Homeland. ICEJ AID is facilitating a summer camp
for the children of the newest arrivals in which they will be prepared for the Israeli school year ahead.

A LETTER FROM ICEJ’S INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
DEAR FRIENDS,
Israel is facing another stormy season. From all sides, the enemies of the Jewish state are conspiring to delegitimize Israel and
even challenge its very existence. Anti-Israel activists from all over the world have tried to launch another sea flotilla bound for
Gaza, as well as an ‘aerial flotilla’ to disrupt Ben-Gurion Airport. The people of Gaza receive ample shipments of food and aid
every day, while they suffer under a radical Islamist regime. So these flotillas are only misguided provocations against Israel.
Meanwhile, more storms loom on the horizon.
In September, the United Nations will host the Durban III conference. Originally convened to challenge racism, the initial Durban
gathering ten years ago turned into a viscous anti-Semitic hate-fest. While the US and some European countries will boycott
Durban III, other nations will use this occasion to once again lash out at Israel. A greater challenge still will be the UN Opening
Assembly in New York in September, when the Palestinian Authority will push for international acceptance of a unilateral
declaration of a Palestinian state along the pre-1967 lines.
This move contradicts the agreed framework for resolving the Israeli-Arab conflict and could cause immense harm to Israel and the
peace process. The ICEJ is committed to engaging these challenges on all fronts, including efforts to stir our national branches to
action on Israel’s behalf. Another most effective activity in this regard will be our prayers. In the beginning of the year, we strongly
sensed God calling us to increased prayer. Since then, every Wednesday has become a special day of prayer and fasting here at
the ICEJ headquarters. In addition, every fourth Wednesday of the month churches, prayer groups and individuals from around the
world are joining us in prayer and fasting for Israel. Please join us in this urgent and powerful global prayer initiative!
As a ministry, we are currently undergoing a leadership transition. It signifies a generational shift for the Embassy as the new
leadership represents a new vanguard of Christian supporters of Israel. This makes it a crucial season for the ICEJ and we are
depending more than ever on your prayers and your support.
Yours in Christ Jesus!
Dr. Jürgen Bühler Interim Executive Director
FAREWELL TO MALCOLM HEDDING
Dr. Jurgen Buhler, the incoming Executive Director, presided over a farewell gathering for Rev. Malcolm Hedding, whose 10-year
term of service ended on 31 July. Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon and Shaya Ben-Yehuda, the Managing Director
for International Relations at Yad Vashem (pictured with Malcolm), were among the dignitaries who brought greetings and
words of praise and gratitude for Hedding’s many accomplishments as head of the ministry. Malcolm Hedding will remain on the
ICEJ’s international Board of Trustees and will continue to travel and speak for the ministry, including at the upcoming Feast of
Tabernacles celebration in Jerusalem.

COMING EVENTS
IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN ICEJ AUSTRALIA’S TOUR TO ISRAEL INCLUDING ICEJ’S
FEAST OF TABERNACLES CELEBRATIONS IN JERUSALEM 11th – 23rd October 2011,
Tour leaders: Bruce and Merrilyn Garbutt; John and Jesma O’Hara.
The significance of the Feast of Tabernacles is the last in the annual
cycle of the Lord’s Appointed Times as outlined in Leviticus 23.
‘Tabernacles’ is recognised as the Feast of the Gentiles, as it is a
picture of the celebrations that will occur when representatives of
every nation will come up to Jerusalem to celebrate this Feast.
Zechariah 14:16.
Tour Israel with onsite Bible teaching.
Celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem.
Join an optional tour to Berlin, probably the main location of the
beginnings and planning of the horrific suffering of the Jewish people
before the miracle of the re-establishment of the modern state of
Israel as foretold by the Prophet Ezekiel.
There is also an optional tour to Turkey to learn about the society
in which the early church existed, and the persecution it faced
and the dangers of compromise! The tour also visits the Gallipoli
Peninsula.
Go to our website www.icejaus.org.au for further information
and registration details.
EXPERIENCE THE TRIP OF A LIFE-TIME!
JOIN THE TEAM FROM NAMBOUR CHRISTIAN
COLLEGE ON THE EDUCATOR’S STUDY TOUR OF ISRAEL,
EASTER 2012 WITH THE THEME:
Tour Leaders: John and Jesma O’Hara - March 31st to April 14th;
“Follow me” - Walking In the Footsteps of Jesus and His Disciples:
Our Bible was birthed by God through a particular people,
living at a particular time with a particular world view and
speaking a particular language. To truly understand its riches,
we need to dive back into the land, the culture and the
language of the Book of Books. Come with us on a journey
through the lands of the Bible, walking where the patriarchs
of old and Jesus and His disciples walked, learning something
of the culture and history.
Optional Tour of Turkey - April 14th to April 19th.
For an itinerary and price, contact John and Jesma on:
joh@squirrel.com.au