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Newsletter - June 2007 (20 Year Anniversary)
Written during Passover 2007
At last, after what must be at least two years since our previous newsletter, we have been able to now put pen to paper in an attempt to update the recent events of the happenings and expansion of the work of Alon. OUR DAILY REALITY, AS WE LIVE COLLECTIVELY IN HIM, IS ONE OF BEING PART OF A PEOPLE BOUND TOGETHER, constantly on the move, enjoying the ebb and flow of outreach and the many comings and goings at all times … never a dull moment!
The newsletter that follows is written with great thanksgiving to our living God … the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob … Yeshua [Jesus] … all glory to God.
HE IS THE CREATOR AND HE ALONE HAS GIVEN THIS VISION OF ALON AND HAS MIRACULOUSLY BROUGHT IT TO PASS ……OUR PROVIDER AND GIVER OF PEACE, JOY, UNITY AND A LIFE WORTH LIVING.
At this time of Passover, I realise that it will be twenty years since we, Davit and Sara, and at that time our three children, returned to South Africa from being in the nations. Some years previous to that we were committed to running our own successful business etc with two very small children until the hour when GOD’S ABRAHAMIC CALL came with the explicit instruction to “leave all behind” … AND SO WE VENTURED INTO THE UNKNOWN.
After many years of sojourning in the nations, as part of God’s equipping, we returned to South Africa. All we owned in earthly possessions was that which we could carry in our limited bags plus a few dollars … but what was planted in our hearts, for years already, was the burning of a God-given vision.
On one particular ordinary day, the vision was divinely imparted to both Sara and myself simultaneously, although we were not in the same place at that exact time. It continued to grow more and more clear during our season in New Zealand at Orama Christian Community on the Great Barrier Island. At that stage we had already extensively lived cross-culturally, with both Jew and gentile in the wider body of Messiah for many years. In spite of not knowing when or how God would raise up His work through us, we had to face the constant reality and challenge of many hard-learned lessons which paved the way in preparing us for the vision and call of God for the future.
There were many lean times when, from one day to the next, we did not know where the funds would come from to simply survive, and this was only heightened by the fact that we were a family with young children depending on us, oblivious to the testings we were going through. But God had given us the guarantee that if we were to honour His mandate unto us not to make our needs known to man but rather that we were to open wide our mouths to Him, then He would surely become our provision. He never failed us!!
At the time of our return, South Africa was in the throes of the Apartheid era and many affluent people, including believers, were starting to emigrate elsewhere due to severe political unrest. In the midst of this turbulence and paranoia God called us to establish His work, a work that, from the very outset, would be completely multi-racial and would embrace all nations.
And so we arrived, finally, in this Lowveld area of southern Africa, an area that was totally foreign to us at the time, but we came with the pioneering assurance that this was God’s work, and that He would guide and instruct us in His unfolding plan. From this time on the community began to grow as different ones joined us from around the world.
Many colourful and diverse seasons followed which, in stark contrast, culminated in a painful and complete death of the vision, with a CONFISCATION of the land in which we had already invested so much labour and money. However, the same early “core group” continued on in an Abrahamic togetherness. All throughout this difficult period we enjoyed a corporate unity.
Without revealing to us what the following steps would be, God directed us to a new locality, 1500km south of where we laid the vision to ”rest.” We were given a new task: local church responsibility, the formation of a Bible school, active involvement with the Body and establishing relationship with the local Jewish community. A season of wonderful testimonies followed with many coming to a genuine salvation in the Lord and then integrating naturally into a living expression of body life as the Alon family momentarily “settled” during this interim period in the southern locality.
In this time we experienced incredible blessings and all the signs pointed toward us putting down roots into this desert ground (Oudtshoorn locality). However, before we became comfortable and too established, His word came in, alerting us to the fact that we would soon “break camp” and be on the move once again to HIS DESIRED PLACE FOR US, IN BRINGING FORTH HIS PURPOSE AND VISION. With an extended family of believers at different stages of their own personal walk, and many children in tow, this was not a simple task, especially as God was calling us to venture into the GREAT UNKNOWN … but we EXITED WITH HIS ABUNDANT PEACE AND CONSTANT PRESENCE … A PILLAR OF FIRE BY NIGHT!
So, after the three years in the desert God led us back to the Lowveld [1600km north] and in a SOVEREIGN MOVE OF GRACE HE RESURRECTED THE VISION AND PLANTED US IN A VERITABLE GARDEN OF EDEN IN THE HILLS OF AFRICA WITH THE MOST PANORAMIC OF VIEWS. The first base could not compare to what God had provided, this new property far outweighed our greatest expectations and we were constantly amazed by God’s providence and provision in the details of what He had entrusted into our care. However, with new territory came many new challenges and difficulties that kept us constantly before God in prayer. There were clearly some very strong demonic strongholds present and we waged continual warfare for an extended period of time. Other realities challenged us, such as not being situated in a city or town but in a very rural setting in the African hills … limited accommodation and funds, a severe water shortage, great danger of potential runaway fires during the dry winter seasons … (on 3 occasions, we have had waves of fire passing us by, as we stood together in prayer calling upon GOD for HIS mercy/protection, and we experienced HIS miraculous intervention)
BUT ALWAYS PRAYING AND WORSHIPPING THE LIVING GOD AND HAVING TO LEARN GREATER SACRIFICIAL WORSHIP IN TRUTH, REALITY AND HUMILITY.
LIVING IN THE LIGHT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE WORD OF GOD … ALWAYS WITH A PEOPLE IN A HOLY COMMUNION OF A SHARED LIFE IN OUR MESSIAH.
TOGETHER IN A LIFE THAT IS BEYOND OURSELVES AND COMMUNITY, BUT A PULPIT FOR A LIVING MESSAGE WHICH IS AUTHENTIC.
ESSENTIALLY AN ABRAHAMIC, HEBRAIC AND MESSIANIC PEOPLE AT THE VERY CORE TO BRING ABOUT A DEMONSTRATION OF HIS POWER AND LOVE AS WE LIVE OUR LIVES TOGETHER AS IMPERFECT PEOPLE IN HIM.
NOTHING WOULD HAVE PREPARED US BETTER FOR WHAT WOULD FOLLOW BUT THE GRACE OF GOD…
ALL PRAISE TO OUR FATHER for making the way to release our hearts into HIS peace and joy during the suffering of our daughter, Alona, with brain cancer. Her illness started at the age of 6 years at our homebase and she departed into glory in her 7th year.
We saw a little girl emaciated and wasting away, resembling a holocaust survivor…at times her breathing would stop as she battled on…yet so many miracles took place which demonstrated HIS power and love to us during her 9 months of suffering. By GOD’S grace we did not waiver or doubt concerning HIS promise of complete and total healing, of resurrection and long life…but we continued standing and singing praises giving glory to GOD in the Highest, WHOSE WAYS ARE BEYOND OUR WAYS … her desire during her suffering was to return to ISRAEL when she got better but GOD took her to the ZION FROM ABOVE…there is much more to share at a later appointed stage about this.
She was destined to live a full life span…7 years given to her by GOD and then to enter in a new beginning of such glory. Fruit will and has already been produced in a great way by the testimony left behind by a girl who radiated a pure BRIDAL LOVE for her Messiah. This “holy moment of intense suffering” was chosen by GOD to be a part of the foundation of ALON established on the CHIEF CORNERSTONE, YESHUA.
More and more our eyes, that have sadly become dazzled by the glare of the earth and what it can offer for a fleeting moment, are being adjusted to “HEAVENLY CONSTELLATIONS”, so that together with the watchmen at night we may be partakers of the grandstand view of GOD’s majestic kingdom and have the listening ear to discern the MASTER’S VOICE …so needed in this prophetic hour as GOD’s plan unfolds in the BODY OF MESSIAH, ISRAEL and the NATIONS.
It has been a remarkable journey over these years and one of mostly standing back, … RESTING IN HIM…and For HIM to bring about HIS OWN WORK FOR HIS OWN PURPOSE AND PLAN.
At times we became too involved, acted outside HIS love and unnecessarily brought tears, hurt and heartache upon ourselves and others.
At times we felt like giving up as the challenge, demand and responsibility became too much, but GOD changed our hearts as we moved forward.
At times the dying to self, the life in obscurity, the fading away of own desires, ambitions and plans made a comparison with others and the seeking of approval from others to rise up in us.
At times the deep cry for our own defence in the light of severe persecution from family in the LORD, blood family and strangers made us to weep deeply as self-pity wanted to reveal the truth.
At times we cried because we were really hurt and could not understand why but GOD always brought healing in the light of surrender, humility and forgiveness.
At times we were cut very deeply when we heard that we were a cult from stories circulated by people known and unknown to us, but always opportunities were given to forgive and gain more of JESUS.
We had trials with health problems and operations but GOD sustained us.
At times we are so exalted as if ALON is a little bit of heaven but for sure we do not like that as without HIM AND HIS PRESENCE we would not be here.
So we have had seasons and moments, but GOD CONTINUED to shower his rich blessing upon us…be it HIS abundant provision, his liberty into our hearts, his saving and healing grace on many people from the nations…from different cultures, both Jew and gentile.
We cry … we laugh …we sing…we dance…we celebrate…we enjoy….
We have unity in HIM.
We don’t have to pretend, to be false, to have rituals, to be religious or strive to become known or to have a name or ministry. A life together IN HIM reveals REALITY.
We are free from all debt EXCEPT THE CONTINUING DEBT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
We continue to give out HIS word, HIS love and even financial support into works of GOD…even to First World nations in spite of our weak currency.
We see teams from here taking the true gospel into the marketplace and into the congregations of GOD’s people.
We see many unbelievers, Jew and gentile, passing through the community and often a life is changed by THE LIVING GOD.
Believers from all over the world visit and enjoy hospitality and the presence of GOD together with us.
We see single young people change from being purposeless to becoming disciples and men and women of GOD…learning the ways of GOD and reality, and not seeking their own name, fame and ministries.
We see healthy marriages come about in the apostolic order, many babies being born and children growing up in a very balanced but GODLY order that shines forth a great testimony of GODLY FRUIT.
We see widows and orphans being cared for and changing within our own family. We see a COMPLETE VILLAGE OF PEOPLE and activity high in the hills of Africa…At night a SMALL CITY OF LIGHT in the otherwise dark hills - on average 160 people from young to old are living daily on the base...
houses, buildings, workshops, an orphanage, a primary and high school, an art centre, a sanctuary, community halls and kitchens, an highly acclaimed restaurant and cabaret venue, a well developed avocado and macadamia farm with dams, roads and many other trees and fruit / vegetable gardens all showing forth good stewardship.
We are Jew and gentile, black and white, plus 10 different nationalities that are part of the permanent group of ALON … South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, USA, Israel, Switzerland, Germany, UK, France, Denmark…and 12 different cultures (English, Afrikaans, Swiss, French, American, Sotho, Zulu, Pedi, Shangaan, Xhosa, Shona and Chinese) amongst our school kids at our own Blue Mountain College at present.
We have our own medical practice with an aids clinic…our own law office…our own accountancy firm in our own office park where we mingle in the marketplace, adhere to a biblical pattern in business and give out the salvation of JESUS.
We are totally debt free …not owing money to man or the bank.
All our buildings in town at the office park,
the 4 farms that form the Alon homebase,
our base in Cape Town called Petach Tikva that comprises a compound of 4 homes and 3 flatlets.
Our first boat, Tahlita, got sold in Israel after a long season of using it in Cyprus, Turkey etc. and it is now in the Tel Aviv marina. The 2nd Tahlita is presently moored in Cape Town.
Our base in Cyprus that we sold 2 years ago after a blessed time in that part of the world…but then moved on to the next step in expansion outside of Africa which we will share about at a later stage.
Bianca, our daughter, is very happily married to Andrew (English/Australian) whom she met in the Sinai, then Israel, some years together in London and now living in Melbourne, Australia with our first grandchild LEAH (many trials as she was born pre-mature).
Gad, our son, is married to Jessica who is from Rhode Island, USA, and was brought up in Europe until age 12. She met JESUS here at Alon and the two work together with us, be it here or outside Africa at times.
Sara and I can go away for long periods of time as another generation of GODLY leaders (age 40 plus) have been established under us and others under them (age late 20’s to 40’s group).
THIS IS NOT ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER… BUT RATHER THE HAND OF GOD THAT WORKS WONDERS… AND IT IS ONLY A SMALL BEGINNING…
We, the original group that started out 20 years ago plus the rest that were added to this work of GOD, are still labouring together in unity by HIS GRACE. Always new ones receive salvation and many are added moment by moment…GLORY TO GOD. IN HIM WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING.
A special thanks to many GODLY men and women, Jew and gentile, that helped us along the way thus far…and wonderful WORKS OF GOD in the nations where we could live for seasons and learn something more of JESUS AND HIS WAYS.
PS:
We are at all times very aware that we live in an ever-changing South Africa with the REAL danger of CRIME, MURDERS AND CONFISCATION OF FARMLAND etc, etc. Millions of South Africans have immigrated to what appears to be safe nations with better opportunities…???
It is wonderful to know that at this point in the 20th anniversary of ALON there is a sense that this WORK OF GOD has come of age, as in the book of NUMBERS 1:3 where the men of ISRAEL 20 years and older were numbered in the first census of ISRAEL to serve in the army.
We trust that the LORD has established something at ALON as an indigenous planting of the LORD that will contribute towards HIS KINGDOM PLAN in service to HIM locally on the homebase, in AFRICA and as we reach out to ISRAEL and the NATIONS!
At this milestone of 20 years something rich and wonderful has been established and we can say thus far the LORD has brought us as we stand in awe of what the LORD has yet to do…
God’s richest blessings in Him,
From the hills of Africa.
In the love of our Messiah Davit, Sara and Alon family
You are welcome to visit our website which is currently being updated: www.alon.org.za
EXODUS 15:17
YOU WILL BRING THEM IN AND PLANT THEM
ON THE MOUNTAIN OF YOUR INHERITANCE--
THE PLACE, O LORD, YOU MADE FOR YOUR DWELLING,
THE SANCTUARY, O LORD, YOUR HANDS ESTABLISHED.