With the doors to the Storefront open 7-days a week we have Jews and other people groups from all over the world stopping in to play chess, talk, pick up a book, a Bible, or just look around. So far: Israelis, Russians, Romanians, Americans, Yemenites, Frenchmen, Arabs, Bedouins, Ethiopians, and Indians (from India) that I can vouch for.
Likewise I have met Gedalia. Gedalia is one of the spiritual leaders of the ‘African Hebrew Israelites’, more commonly referred to in Israel as the ‘Black Hebrews’.
As some of you know, I’ve been giving Bibles to and have played chess with a few of these people over the years, but meeting up with Gedalia was a God sent.
I remember the 1st thing I heard about the Black Hebrews was something about them not liking white people. Yet, Lura and I go over to Amiza who braids my kipah and we have a fun time…not a problem. But, I must admit, God used me somewhat as a bridge among these people.
Well, long story short…One day Gedalia stopped by the storefront. One thing lead to another, we rapped about a few things, we laughed, and I gave him a couple of Bibles (OT/NT Hebrew and a NT Eng/Hebrew).
I knew when he’d say to his friends, “Look what I got!” they would snap! And I was SO VERY right!
He came back for a couple more, and a couple more, and a couple more. Everybody wanted one! Guys were popping in on their own…wow!
I told Gedalia that the next time I was in Jerusalem I’d try to score one hundred Bibles.
Praise God it happened, the day of the 15th, the day that I took the Holocaust Survivors to Jerusalem, that’s when I scored. Gedalia couldn’t believe his eyes. He immediately got busy distributing them to his people in Arad. We scheduled delivering the rest in Dimona on the 25th at which time he’s insisting on giving an exclusive tour of their facilities.
P.S.
The Bibles went like hotcakes, only making a dent!
My word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the things whereto I sent it. (Isa 55:11 KJV)
Edwin Beckford
(4/04)