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Tamara Ramirez's invitation is awaiting your response

Tamara Ramirez would like to connect on LinkedIn. How would you like to respond? Tamara Ramirez RN at Hope Hospice Confirm you know Tamara You received an invitation to connect. LinkedIn will use your email address to make suggestions to our members in features like People You May Know. Unsubscribe If you need assistance or have questions, please contact LinkedIn Customer Service. © 2014, LinkedIn Corporation. 2029 Stierlin Ct. Mountain View, CA 94043, USA

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How could we not know our neighbor? A Lesson From Iganga....

Today our day started at the Prison in Uganda. The same “warden” was there and this time he allowed no photographs! You can all imagine how difficult that was for me. The good news is that there were not many inmates that I recognized which means that many of the men have been released since we last visited in February. Because I had been there before I took the lead, started talking about how we have all made mistakes in our lives and how we are forgiven and allowed second, third and even fourth, fifth and six chances. After that I opened the floor up for questions and we got some really interesting ones. The first one was to explain the differences between the US and Uganda. I started to explain the differences in community. How in America we tend to stay in our houses and not know our neighbors. This concept was so foreign to them. The question kept getting more and more involved as to how this could happen. How could we not know our neighbor? How could we be ignorant if our neighbor needed help? I had nothing to offer because this is one of the things that has always touched my heart about Uganda. That the people are outside communing with their neighbors and though they don’t have much they would give the shirt off their back if needed. We spoke to the men for close to an hour before we moved to the women’s part of the prison.

Thirteen women were currently incarcerated. One of the women had an infant son with her. So his first months of life he’s been raised in a prison. The men had just asked us for help with one of the dorms that was rampant with bed bugs. So in the women’s dorm we were invited to sit on their beds (I have to say we were all privately thinking bugs). Each of the women (ranging in age from 16 to about 50) started sharing their stories. The stories were all heartbreaking. The crimes were such that had they occurred in the US these women wouldn’t even be held for trial. But here at the word of a man, they really didn’t stand a chance. And the terms of confinement are really based on the amount of money they can pay to get out. For some of these women getting any money at all is an impossible task! And most of them have several (more than 5) on the outside depending on them for care! One woman’s husband asked his wife to get a loan so he could start a business. He went away for a while to start the business, but left her pregnant. She sold their bed to pay the rent and the loan payment. While he was gone she had a miscarriage. Her husband returned and demanded that she either return the child (a little hard after a still birth) or he was turning her in to the authorities for theft. Now she is spending her days in prison! We left a pile of underwear for these women who had none of their own. They were really grateful. We will be doing some additional shopping for these women in an attempt to rebuild their dignity.

The day was really good but it was hard too. Seeing the women who have no say and then seeing the kids who are just struggling to stay alive makes you realize just how blessed we are. The women marry so young and really have no voice in what happens after that. They are at the mercy of their husbands who often leave them or bring new wives into the mix. They are always surprised to hear that most of us have only two or three children and that that decision is based on how well we can care for them and provide for them as they grow into adulthood. One of the mothers we visited today had all sorts of tattered clothing on the ground outside of her home. When we asked Agnes why they were there she commented that was where the children probably slept at night. I can’t imagine having my children sleep outside on the ground without any protection. I just love the children of this country and seeing them in these conditions just hurts me. I know I have said this for the past three days, but I believe all children deserve to be loved and cared for. I am so thankful for Wilson and his program. He may not be saving them all but he is saving some!

On a closing note, tonight is the second consecutive day we’ve been without water. Last night I didn’t take a shower and tonight it was no longer an option. Lynda kindly boiled me some water and I was able to mix it with water from the jerry can and honestly it was the first completely hot shower I’ve had. The only drawback was that I had to squat in a bucket!! But now being all clean and sweet smelling it was so worth the effort! So it is off to bed for me. Tomorrow Vicki is going to Idudi to train the Village Health Workers. Lynda and I will be going to Bulubandi to see the kids and work with Julie, then head into the market to buy some items for the women at the prison and then head back out to Kokombo. Our days are long and we often feel like we are on an emotional roller coaster, but in the end we feel we are going where God is leading. At the end of each day, we sit with Yvonne, Kristen and Amy (tonight Brin joined us; she is here with another ministry she has started) at dinner and spend some time talking and laughing! Laughing is always good!!!

Leaving Tel Aviv

Ok - so it's 3:45 am and our plane boards at 4:05 so I am going to put down a few thoughts until Amsterdam.  First of all let me say that the Israelis miss the Americans.  So many people are not coming because of the war and it has taken its toll on the people.  I think in many ways they feel quite alone and it is heartbreaking to see.  If we didn't accomplish anything else, our presence served as an encouragement in a very difficult time.  Some people were surprised, some taken aback, and some just appreciative - they need our prayers and presence - especially in these days.  The airport is so well run -security is tight but very capable and very efficient.  We went through all the security stops and did the counter check-in within 45 minutes - very strong.  Last night we had dinner at the beach in Tel Aviv - the people are out and doing all their normal things because they have learned to live in adversity. School will begin as always and everyone will continue moving forward in strength, courage, and tenacity.  Israelis do not back down and they do not cower in fear - I think I might be able to learn a little from them in this area.  They trust God with all their heart, soul, might and strength.  They do not seem to fear poverty, war, death, or destruction.  They just keep on moving forward.

When I wanted to pray for a cease fire and peace, they wanted to pray for the strength to finish what they started so that they are not fighting this war again in six months.  There are many prayers that go up from the land for the other nations - we prayed for ours.

Ok boarding soon - gotta go!  Love love you all, Linda

Well we are nearing the end of our trip and it's difficult to put into words all that we have taken in over the last week and a half.  It has been challenging, strengthening, enriching, enlightening, and convicting.  These people have a resilience that is beyond words.  They know through the prophecies that they are called to come home and more importantly they know it in their hearts.  The faithfulness of these people is unbelievable.  We went on a tour today and were able to drive thru Jewish settlements that began in what is known as the disputed area.  This area has both Israeli soldiers and Arab soldiers guarding the area.  This is property whose boundary lines can very easily change and yet whole communities have put down roots, built homes, schools and synagogues.  These are not particularly safe areas since it is not in the undisputed area of Israel and yet they follow as the Lord leads - amazing. All of the buses in the area are armored and bulletproof.  They have also planted vineyards in some of the dryest most rocky places and they are producing wine out of the fruits of the vine.  There are so many different sects of Judaism - Orthodox, Religious Jews, Conservative and Reformed.  And then there are those who are Jewish who believe in Yeshua - Messianic.  We have been with different Messianic Jews since our arrival and they are all different but the same.  Some of them have made Alleya from the states and they are trying to figure out how much of the traditions they should embrace and how much to let go of.  It seems that where they all land is that they enjoy the freedom they have found in Yeshua so they don't follow specific laws or rituals but they do celebrate Shabbat and the Feasts and Festivals - especially rich since many of them foreshadow Yeshua.   We have been cared for well by everyone we have been in contact with and we have seen God move in some pretty startling ways.  There is a scripture in Isaiah that talks about the Gentile nations helping to bring the Jews back to their homeland.  I think if I had to name only one takeaway - this would be it.  What would God have me do to assist the people finding their way home ~  prayer, service, funds, political alliance?
Before, I would not have known that I had any responsibility but after being here I am convinced that I have a part.  We miss home :)  Heading your way very soon.  Love and blessings, Linda

Isaiah 49:22 Thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations And set up My standard to the peoples; And they will bring your sons in their bosom, And your daughters will be carried on their shoulders.

Day 6

Monday we served at the soup kitchen in Netanya. Michelle and Matt shopped at the grocery for all of the ingredients - labels in Hebrew. I was impressed with their 1 hour trip! Linda and I stayed to start setting up tables, chairs, etc and found we also had an appointed time of praying for Brian, his family and the ministry. It was a privilege for him to share so transparently about the prayer needs. We prepared food that truly could have fed 100 people easily and about 20 showed up. We also helped set out kitchen items and clothing they could take from. Please pray that the Lord will help Brian to release his volunteers into their giftings. We believe there is fruit there that will multiply out when this happens.

Today Matt and Michelle took much needed down time. Linda and I started the day walking the ramparts around a portion of the current old city. You can't really walk the entire perimeter, but we walked at least half of it, praying over the city. A standout verse from Isaiah " there will be no more destruction in your borders....your walls will be called salvation and your gates praise". 

Then we headed to meet Lisa Miara with Springs of Hope a ministry to victims of terrorism. We learned about her ministry and what the Lord is doing, but more importantly we were called to minister to her. She shared that just a few days ago she cried out to the Lord for support/encouragement and here we were. We prayed for her and the Lord had some clear words for her. She said we were like a breath of fresh air. Several have likened our presence to fresh water or fresh air - It is the Living Water and Ruach Ha kadosh breath of God moving through us. We are so grateful. Please pray for Lisa to have intercessors and helpers come alongside her to help her birth out what the Lord has called her to.

We then scurried off to meet with a gentleman we met at Shabbat dinner who runs a ministry here training others how to pray for inner healing. He took us to a treasure of a museum - Ariel First Temple Museum. Then we went to a local ministry house where those who are rehabilitating from drug abuse run a "boarding house" of sorts - possibility for future trips. And Steve shared a little more about his ministry. He is so supportive of our being her and connecting with the people and the land that he offered to help connect us with others in any way possible. Please pray for encouragement for the inner healing ministry going on here.

Then we met Michelle, Matt and the Otts for dinner. John and Tikvah Ott are a couple who runs the Jerusalem Prayer Tower. They are beautiful people - a walking testimony of God's goodness to His people. Please pray for their provision and that they would be blessed for all they pour out for others.

We have see over and over that God has called us to comfort His people, but not necessarily in ways we expected. We have been called to minister to those who are here ministering. Some themes are emerging - lack of community, lack of help and in some case empowerment of people to come alongside and help, provision (they all raise their own funds), none of them have personal intercessors, ministries are not easily connected here in order to provide support to each other. Yet, interestingly most folks we have met actually know each other - truly amazing. Please pray for these things for all who are here in the land ministering. It is like an underground network that is disconnected and folks really inquire about our intent so they can determine whether to trust - we have heard a few times this is "normal" here. We are praying for unity in the body of Christ here in Jerusalem and throughout Israel.

May the Lord bless and keep you. May He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His peace.