And David said to his people, "A great leader and a great man has fallen today in Israel..."
2 Samuel 3:38 (Living)
Another of God's fine servants has gone home.
Shortly after 2:00 o'clock this morning Saleem and I received a call from Andera back in Israel that Saleem's father, Suhail, has passed away unexpectedly at his home in Nazareth. He had been diagnosed with Parkinsons about four years ago, but Saleem told me just yesterday that his father's health seemed to have improved in recent days after some adjustments in his medications.
We are scrambling to get Saleem back to Israel as soon as possible; funerals there generally take place within 24-36 hours after death, but it appears that the quickest he can arrive in Tel Aviv is about 3pm on Wednesday. Please pray for Saleem as he copes with his grief while traveling, and while knowing that his family back home is making the necessary arrangements in his absence.
Suhail was a leading pastor in the evangelical movement in Israel for more than 40 years. He was used by God in a number of churches, including new church plants in Eilaboun and Turan that today continue to grow and reflect the Christ in their communities. He was also among the first of the Arab pastors to suggest and then implement a reaching out from the Arab Believers to the Jewish Believers in Israel. His heart and his view was always Kingdom focused and the ripples of his life will be felt for generations in the HolyLand. Suhail's sons, Saleem and his brother Fedi are both in full-time ministry in the Galilee, and his daughter, Samia, is very involved in ministry in Haifa.
If you would like to contact Saleem, the best way right now would be through email, although he will likely not get a chance to see it for a couple of days: Saleem@CHLF.org.
Saleem and I have been sharing the story of the CHLF Team and Ministry with individuals and churches in Florida for the past week. We were also scheduled to attend the Exponential Church Planting conference in Orlando starting later today, and then preach in Deltona this weekend (which I will still do). In evaluating the trip so far, we agreed just yesterday that if the journey ended early it would have already exceeded all our expectations and hopes.
The CHLF Family has experienced a number of personal losses in the past few months, begininning in November with the unexpected death of Leland Houser's wife Ellen, followed in December by the death of one of the CHLF Founders, Harold Noe. In January, CHLF Team member Bishara Khazen lost his mother in Israel and Hani Billan lost his father. Last month, CHLF Chairman Steve Hammer's mother passed away in California.
Please remember the CHLF Team, both in the US and Israel, as we strive to keep focused on God's leading and wonderful work as life continues with all of its ups and downs, joys and griefs.
Additional Notes: Delta has waived the fees for changing Saleem's return flight, but there will be a substantial additional fare reflecting the difference between the price of the ticket when purchased as compared to today.
I am still hoping to accompany Saleem back to Israel for the funeral and then return this weekend, but as of right now it appears that Saleem may have gotten the last seat available that would arrive on Wednesday. We are still looking.
In Him, for Them,
John W Samples
American Team Leader
No comments:
Post a Comment