Terry Brensinger, our Senior Pastor, will be away on sabbatical from April 9 through August 18 of this year. He, along with his wife and daughter, Deb and Julie, will reside at the Ecumenical Institute for Theological Research (Tantur) in Jerusalem. This sabbatical, funded by the Lilly Endowment, will provide time for Terry to reflect on the ongoing ministry of the Grantham Church, work on a new book, and experience spiritual renewal with his family. Please keep both the Brensingers and the congregation in your prayers during this period of separation. Also, be sure to check this spot on our website regularly for updates as well as pictures of the Brensingers in Jerusalem.

click to enlarge any photo
May 11, 2008 Update from Terry
We've had a full but refreshing week this week.  Julie met again with her violin teacher here, and she absolutley loves her.  Miryam Ratner, her teacher, is a Serbian who studied violin in Moscow and now lives here in Jerusalem.  They hit it off right away!  In addition to the places we've visited, we have particularly enjoyed reading and playing games together.  There is so much for us to process and talk about, and so much to learn.  The highlight of the week was a visit from Emily Wilson-Hauger, who is here for several days with a group of students from Duke.  Julie grew very close to Emily, so they were thrilled to have an evening together.

Tomorrow morning, the three of us are off to Egypt.  We will visit Cairo and Luxor before traveling across the Sinai to see St. Catherines Monastery and Mt. Sinai.  Deb and Julie have never been to Sinai before, so they are particularly excited about trip.

Please keep us in your prayers.  God is at work in our lives, and he continues to bring new ideas and new concerns to our attention.  Regardless of how long we have been followers of Jesus, there is more to learn and experience.
May 1, 2008 Update from Terry
Deb and Julie arrived safely early Wednesday morning after a terribly long flight.  In between recovering from jet-lag, we've been just enjoying some leisure time together--reading, playing games, and talking a lot, particularly about the situation here in Israel/Palestine.  Yesterday we walked into Bethlehem with another family staying here at Tantur.  We visited the Evangelical Lutheran Church there and saw some of the wonderful ways that Rev. Mitri and his people are "taking the church into the streets."  If you are interested, check out their website -- the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem.  I've attached a picture of the church as well as one of Deb and Julie eating a felafel on Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem.

We miss all of you and pray for you regularly!
April 24, 2008 Update from Terry
This week began with a wonderful worship service on Sunday at a small, international church in East Jerusalem.  The pastor is Palestinian, but the congregation included people from England, the U.S., Chile, Holland and South Africa.  The singing and preaching were inspiring, and the congregation's involvement in evangelism and social justice encouraging.  I also met a young couple there from the states who are studying here in Jerusalem.  They reminded me so much of Deb and myself when we first came to Israel 28 years ago.  We ate lunch together afterward and shared our stories.

I've had opportunities this week to read, write, pray and renew friendships with various people.  I spent one day with George and Afaf Abu-Dayyeh, a Palestinian couple who I've known over the years.  I've included a picture of them.  Please keep George in your prayers.  He will be having open-heart surgery soon.

 I also spent time with the presidents of Jerusalem University College and Bethlehem Bible College.  JUC is doing well after years of low enrollment, and Bethlehem Bible College is a real miracle, to say the least.  In spite of the fact that the Arab Christian population here continues to dwindle, BBC is thriving.  I taught there in 1993, and there were 20 or so students.  Today, there are 130 on two campuses--Bethlehem and Nazareth!

They are in the process of building a new student center, and the enthusiasm is high.  My day there today with President Awad was perhaps the highlight of my trip thus far.  Keep him and BBC in your prayers, particularly that God would provide the necessary funding to keep the new building on schedule.  And if any of you want to contribute some funds to this amazing school, let me know.  They are keeping hope alive in this weary place. Note the pictures of President Awad as well as some of the college buildings.
In spite of the excitement of my time away, I miss all of you at Grantham BIC more than I can say.  Rest assured that I am well and eagerly awaiting the arrival of Deb and Julie on Wednesday.  I'm eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables that I buy at the Jewish market in West Jerusalem.  Please keep me in your prayers and Deb and Julie as they travel.  You remain in my prayers.

George and Afaf Abu-Dayyeh
April 12, 2008 Note from Terry
Here are a few photos.  My camera battery gave out just before dinner, and the sun went down. I can send more later.  One photo is of the front of my apartment, another of me in front of the apartment, another of the front gate to Tantur, another of the center lawn, and another of Michael and Carfmen Zoughbi and their family.  Michael Zoughbi sent the olive wood that we sold -- I gave him a check today for over $4,000 that will be divided among several Palestinian families here.

® 2008 www.granthamchurch.org | web design by isleydesign.com