"Who is this coming up from the wilderness,
Leaning on her beloved?"
(Song of Songs 8.5)

1 October 2000

L'Shanah Tovah--A Good Year--to you, Haverim!

I am writing this Update to you on Sunday, the 1st of October (and of Tishri), the day after the Shofars sounded, signaling the beginning of the New Year in the Jewish/Biblical calendar. I am sitting in a home in Kendal, at the edge of the beautiful Lake District in the northwest of England. I have completed an inspiring week-long HSD-type school, and yesterday spoke at a Christian Friends of Israel-U.K. rally. Later today I travel by train four hours south to London, where on Monday I will speak to a women's meeting. Then on Tuesday morning I fly out of Gatwick airport, returning home to Dayton. Ten days of intense activity await me, culminating in the Lord's great Feast of Tabernacles the weekend of the 13th and 14th. Unprecedented levels of advanced reservations are occurring, and an enormous sense of excitement and anticipation is building for this season ordained for rejoicing. A few days ago I met a lovely couple that is flying all the way from England to attend our Feast! In next month's Update (and our website) we will report on all the doings -- including an unanticipated but amazing last-minute addition to the program!

Betrothal in Israel I return to Dayton a different person than when I departed three weeks ago. I return engaged to be married! Yes, the Sovereign Matchmaker - blessed be He!- has been at work in my life.

You will, of course, be hearing much more about this amazing turn of events. But for the moment, let me give you just a glimpse into what has transpired. Our gracious heavenly Father has sown into my heart a most intense love and affection for a godly and beautiful woman, a Jewish believer living in Israel.

Keren Hannah Golan is South African by birth (a year younger than I), but made aliyah to Israel in 1991. Until June of last year, she lived in Jerusalem and was active on many fronts there. Among other things she worked at the Israel Bible Society bookstore on Jaffa Road, taught elementary grades at the Anglican School, and worshipped and worked at the King of Kings congregation. All who know her well, including acquaintances of mine in Israel, speak fondly of her as a real "treasure."

Four years ago Keren was employed by the ministry, First Fruits of Zion, as co-editor of their magazine (now called Bikkurei Tziyon). In June of 1999, the Lord led her into the wilderness, quite literally. She moved from the hubbub of Jerusalem to a small, isolated kibbutz in the desert of Israel, near the borders of Gaza and Egypt. There, with others, she has worked full time on the magazine.

This past year in the wilderness was a great spiritual challenge to Keren. It caused her to seek after the Holy One of Israel with greater intensity and focus. She learned, sometimes in painful but deeper ways, to depend upon, be intimate with, and trusting of her Redeemer. And the Great Shepherd of her soul proved faithful. He spoke a promise into Keren's life, taken from the Songs of Songs - that at the appropriate time, she would "come up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved." That promise has come to fulfillment.

On the 14th of October (at the peak of our Sukkot celebration), in the sight of "the great, mighty and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love" (Neh 9.32) and in the presence of His worshipping community of faith, Keren Hannah Golan and I will unite in covenant marriage. From formal betrothal, to final consummation; from our respective "wildernesses" we shall enter the "season of our joy." And the sound of our rejoicing shall be heard far away (Neh 12.43).

Letter #1 -- The Betrothal
On the 17th of September I sent out an e-mail letter announcing my betrothal to Keren. Then a few days ago, on the 26th, I mailed out a follow-up report to friends and intercessors. To give you a sense of things as they actually happened, I reprint these two letters below.

Dearest family and friends,

Shalom and blessings upon each of you from the wilderness of Israel!
I have some wonderful news to share with you. You will be the first to hear of this, and I know you will rejoice with me and give thanks to our Father for His sovereign and gracious will in this matter.

I am writing to you from Kibbutz Kerem Shalom ("Vineyard of Peace") near the border of Gaza and Egypt. As I stated in the Haverim newsletter just sent out, I am here "on the King's business." It so happens that this King also is a Matchmaker!

I came to Israel looking for a treasure in the desert. And I am astonished to report success beyond any expectation! I found the woman whose love has utterly captivated me. Keren Hannah Golan truly is a jewel, a treasure, worth far more than rubies.

Actually I knew that already, because I had come to know her heart and spirit in a most intimate and moving way in recent months. But meeting Keren Hannah face to face has only added to my admiration and affection for her.

Keren and I have corresponded since June and been in near daily conversation for more than a month. It all started with her e-mail to me in Australia, asking that I write an article for "Bikkurei Tziyon" (First Fruits of Zion), an impressive bi-monthly magazine that she co-edits.

Little did I know then how the hand of God would be at work in some of the most striking and extraordinary ways ever in my life. During the course of our developing relationship, He has placed an amazing love in my heart for this beautiful woman, His bat segullah ("treasured daughter").

On Friday evening, Erev Shabbat, in the illumination of the Sabbath candles and in the presence of Adon ha-Shabbat, I pro-posed to Keren Hannah. I asked her to become my covenant partner in marriage, ministry and life. I am enormously happy to report that she humbly and joyously accepted.

This may seemed rushed to some who are hearing this for the first time, but I assure you that it is not. It is righteous and redemptive, and in God's perfect timing. The Almighty has been our matchmaker in the most amazing way. With humble gratitude I can only thank Him that Keren Hannah is my "basherte" (a partner destined by heaven).

I leave Wednesday for two weeks of intensive ministry in England, returning to Dayton on 3 October. Keren then will leave Kerem Shalom and join me in time for our great Sukkot celebration in Dayton the following week. "Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved?" (Song of Songs 8.5)

Sometime that weekend of the 13-15th, we will have a simple ceremony. In the Jewish manner, we already are married by betrothal (kiddushin), but then we will complete the covenant union in nissuin (the "lifting up"). Under the chuppa of a sukkah (tabernacle), we shall enter the season of our rejoicing. Barechu et Adonai hamvorakh - Bless the Lord Who is worthy of all blessing!

Thank you for all your prayers and many kindnesses toward me this past year. Our gracious Father has turned my sorrow into joy, my tears into wellsprings. Blessed be He who arranges marriages! It is Keren's and my prayer and fervent commitment that this union shall be for the sake of His great name and to the praise of His ineffable glory.

Blessings from the Land given unto our father, Abraham.
Dwight & Keren
17 September 2000


Letter #2 -- The Wedding

Dear Family and Friends,
I awakened at 5:00 a.m. this morning (GMT -- I am in Sussex, England), and realized that this would be my last opportunity to send you warmest and heartfelt salutations for Rosh HaShanah (which begins Friday evening).

I leave momentarily for a six-hour car journey to the north of England, where I will be conducting a five-day Haverim School of Discipleship for sixty people. We will be at a retreat center, and I will not have e-mail access there.

So "L'Shanah Tovah!" May it be a sweet and good year for you and your loved ones. I know your names are inscribed for life because of the precious name of Yeshua, Barukh Shmo (blessed be His name)!

Also, just a quick update on the wedding plans. The special ceremony will be incorporated into the final (Saturday) night's grand celebration of Sukkot in Dayton, on the 14th. What an amazing setting it will be for the bridegroom (on behalf of the Lord) to come to his bride (from Israel) and to unite in covenant oneness and rejoice together!

Please pray for Keren Hannah and me in the intense days of the next two weeks. She is having to finish an issue of the magazine she edits, Bikkurei Tziyon, at the same time as packing up her things, selling household items, and preparing to fly out of Israel on the 5th. It is quite a busy time for us both.

Some of you have asked: Yes, Keren is moving to Dayton. Our mutual hope is that it will God's good pleasure eventually to give us an apartment in Jerusalem also, where we can go from time to time -- a place where I could study, write and interact with the scholars there.

Also please pray for me. I will be teaching nonstop for the next five days. It will be a wonderful opportunity, but physically and spiritually demanding.

Thank you for all your notes, letters, e-mail greeting cards, etc., congratulating us. Your kind and generous responses have touched our hearts.

May the King of the Universe bless you from Zion and keep your minds, hearts and souls in His loving hands.

Dwight
26 September 2000

Post-Feast Activities After the Feast, Keren and I barely will have time to catch our breath before we leave on Thursday, the 19th, for a weekend conference in Denver with Jonathan Settel Ministries. Then, the 23rd - 25th, I teach a six-part video series for the Simchat Beit Torah Bible School.

Finally, we get to "head to the hills" for four days of R&R. We will stay with friends of Keren's in a mountain home near Estes Park. Then we return to Dayton at the end of the month, in time to drive to Grand Rapids, Michigan, the next weekend for ten days of meetings. (Call our office or check with jcstudies.com for itinerary details.)

I really look forward to seeing many Haverim members at these various venues, including all of you coming to the Feast. What an honor and pleasure it will be to introduce you to the precious companion and perfect counterpart the Lord has given into my hands to love and care for on His behalf. The work He has given me to do is not to be done alone. Keren Hannah is a lovely and godly woman who releases such joy and hope into my life. I stand amazed - and grateful.

Thanks be to Abba for His hesed v'emunah (lovingkindness and faithfulness) toward His sons and daughters. His amazing grace and abounding love have overtaken me. What can one say, except "Mi kamokha, Adonai?" "Who is like unto Thee, O Lord?"

Testimony The Lord graciously and tangibly anointed the CFI residential seminar last week. We addressed many difficult but important topics, and emerged with a new sense of clarity regarding the simplicity and centrality of Christ to our faith and lives. In unexpected ways the Lord answered questions and addressed needs deep in the hearts of many who attended. He is so gracious!

A lady on the last day of the school, gave me a lovely card from Israel, with a picture of sheep grazing on a green hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee. She wrote:

"Dear Dwight:
"Thank you for your ministry to us this week. I feel like one of the sheep on the front of this card -- feeding in a lush green pasture. I'm full to overflowing with the richness of God's Word. I have also, for the first time that I can ever remember, known something of the fellowship that Jesus' talmidim [disciples] must have enjoyed as they gathered around Him, drinking in His words and enjoying His company. I think we have all experienced the Lord in a unique way this week.. . ."

My heartfelt thanks to Christian Friends of Israel - U.K. for arranging this meeting and for distributing our tapes throughout England, Ireland and Wales.

Season's Blessings May this season of repentance, renewal and rejoicing be full for you, dear friends and faithful supporters. In our beloved Messiah, the Sovereign of the World is shining His Face upon you and loves you deeply! Rejoice with me in the goodness of our God. He is worthy!