Our Calling to Israel - Willie’s Recollection

On the December 1st 1997 one of the promises of the Lord to us came to pass in our lives! This word took 8 years to come into fulfilment. In a prophecy, God told me that I would be working overseas, outside of South Africa. At the time when this word was given to me I had no intention to leave South Africa and thought it was out of line. But nevertheless we recorded it and shelve it at that time. This word came to pass on this day when I started to work at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel.

Eccl 3:1 "Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses".

On the 12th May 1997 I saw an advertisement in a magazine and decided to apply. Something was just driving me to do it. Other people also saw it but they decided not to apply. When I made some queries they told me that the work is in Israel. I was confident that the Lord wanted us in Israel although I never visited the land. Cornelia visited the Holy Land in 1996 on a tour. At this stage things at work was still o.k. and I did not intend to resign.

Job 37:5 "At God's command amazing things happen, wonderful things that we cannot understand".

During the events that build up we as a family decided that each one of us needed a word from God before we will move to Israel. He was faithful and gave each one of us a new word. At this stage my work was still secure and I did not want to leave South Africa. The Lord knew better. During this time of preparation God gave us constantly new words. On the July 27th many of my fellow workers were devastated when they informed us that section of the company would be closed at the end of September 1997. We were part of that section. Some were crying while I was laughing. They thought that something serious was wrong with me and decided that I needed some psychological help to take me through this ordeal.

I knew that the Lord knows what was happening and he prepared us already. I did not need psychological help. The others workers needed it much more. I received two envelopes from the company. One was to inform us that the maintenance section will close down. The reason was the restructure of the company. The second letter was of airlines who were interested in me. They were all outside of South Africa. None was from Israel. They all wanted me. Due to some difficulties the company decided to extend the closure date till the end of October. They also decided to keep a few people on till all the work is completed. Some leased aircraft had to be returned. I was one of them.

On a word of God to Cornelia, at a woman's conference we decided to go for a quick visit to Israel. When we arrived in Israel it was Rosh Hashanah and many places were closed. The people who we stayed with try to make an appointment for me at the company. I wrote down the information from a magazine on the aircraft.

At this stage no offerings was received from Israel. We visited Mt. Zion Fellowship on the October 3rd in Jerusalem. They received a fax earlier from Virginia in the USA and it was read to the people there. "Unexpected and unexplained in the next 30 days. God is going to do this. Within 6 months you will ask yourself: Where did we came from?" The next day we left for the Galilee. On our return a message was on the answering machine and finally an appointment was made on the afternoon before we left Israel. No promises or any commitments were made.

While the aircraft took off I told my wife to start packing on her return to prepare for our move to Israel. She and our two daughters left on the October 21st 1997 to Israel and stayed with some friends. She immediately looked for an apartment and found an open one. She signed a contract and moved in. I informed agency in Ireland of our telephone number in Israel. I stayed in South Africa to wrap things up at work. On November 20th my wife received a phone call that they needed me for an interview. I was busy with my last arrangements, including the shipment to Israel and left South Africa on the November 25th 1997. I had an interview and security clearance on the November 26th and was informed to start working on the December 1st 1997.

This is only a brief summary of things that happened prior to our move to Israel. God gave us many words and we knew that it was just another piece of the big puzzle. I know many of you will question me on this move to Israel. An international move without concrete assurance that I will have a job on the other side. This was a move in faith. We stood on the words that God gave us. We believed that it would be fulfilled. We believe that we heard correctly and that He will not let us down. Will you do something like this?

We learned from this. The story of Abraham in Genesis 11: 27-32 spoke to us. Abraham had to do it in faith. He had to leave Ur. In faith he had to wait for a promised son for many years before it came to pass.

How long are you waiting for God's promises to come about? Are there any promises still outstanding in your life that needs to be fulfilled? We wrote the promises and prophecies down in a book. From time to time we read through that book to remind us of those things that still needs to be fulfilled. Pray to God about those that are still outstanding, that it will come to pass. Stand on the word of God and believe that it will be.

Proverbs 4:12-13a - When you walk, your steps will not be hindered and when you run, you will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go.

Isaiah 41:10 - Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 42:9 - Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Number 14:24 - But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring the land where he went and his descendants shall inherit it.

Are the "giants" keeping you from your "promised land"? Remember ten spies went out to check the land. Eight came with bad reports. The bad report was a faithless one that defamed the Lord's delivering abilities. Read more in Numbers 13.

Today we know that this call to Israel was for a season. We stayed in Israel for five years and left the country in November 2002 on our next assignment to Germany.