My husband, our boys and I were praying about finalizing our Aliyah, for we came on tourist visas. “Go as tourists,” the Lord had instructed us in America, “and change your status there.” 

We lived in Jerusalem, and everyone warned us for “heaven’s sake” not to change our status in Jerusalem. “It's the lions’ den,” they said. “You’ll never make it, especially since you are black listed” (because of my Dallas radio programs). Hence we prayed most fervently. Then my husband said, “O.k., this coming Wednesday we’ll go.” As we sat awaiting our turn at the Ministry of the Interior we heard the woman with whom we were to speak yelling at everyone who entered her office. I saw my husband’s lips move in prayer. But I felt an extraordinary calm. We were “walking on water” now in obedience to the Lord’s directions. We would either make it to shore or drown. We were entirely in His hands. Our names were called. We went in anticipating the shouting. Lo and behold, she spoke ever so kindly, asked us to be seated and treated us with respect. She would expedite our application, she said, and wished us well, with a smile upon her face. When we left we heard her once again yelling at the next person entering her office. 

We had no papers to prove our Jewishness. As a second generation Holocaust survivor I am still searching after my family’s records of genealogy. My parents’ birth certificates  were falsified to say “Lutheran Evangelicals,” and so my birth certificate also states “Lutheran Evangelical,” despite the fact that we are Jewish. How then could I prove my Jewishness? When I considered conversion, the Lord forbade it, saying, “Don’t produce an Ishmael. I have promised you citizenship, in Jerusalem. Don’t look to the left nor right, only trust Me, and I will do it.” 

My husband neither had proof, although I discoverd, when researching his family, that his paternal lineage had come from a Polish shtetl called Raskov (which still exists even today), had emigrated to England, done very well there, and then some members of the family moved to America, entering the U.S. through the Texas port of Galveston. His maternal lineage also was of Jewish origin, but gravely assimilated. However, their names still bear strong witness of their heritage. In any case, G-d obviously reckoned him as belonging to the fold of Israel, because He told us to make "Aliyah". And He does not encourage nor bless lying, and would not have led us to build our future upon a lie. 

I say all this in order for you to understand that every step we took was a step of faith. At that  time we had no papers or certificates to prove our right to immigrate to Israel on the Law of Return. And now the Lord instructed us to apply at the “lions’ den,” the Ministry of Interior in Jerusalem. 

Three times we were required to present ourselves to the Ministry of Interior, each time being interviewed by a religiously observant man. Religious employees at the Ministry of Interior are customarily more scrutinizing about proofs of Jewishness than others. The man never asked a single question, never said more than was necessary, prolonging our visas not only for 3 months, but for 6 without extra fee. He gave us our temporary residents visa without any difficulties. 

Then came that Wednesday morning, when we would change our status from temporary residents to permanent, on the Law of Return. Again we passed through the usual procedures, and came to sit in front of our religious "friend.” He entered each application without ever looking up. When he came to the passport of our youngest, his name reading “Michael Christopher Lee”, the clerk dropped the “Christopher” without blinking an eye, and wrote only Michael-Lee. In this room were two other clerks likewise processing applications. One was very tough, and the other fearsome. She sent almost every applicant to be “fleeced,” as the “special questioning” is called. Her voice was sharp, she never seemed to smile. 

On the day we were to receive our passports and our papers with the new status as “citizens” of Israel, it was not our kippa-wearing man who called us in -- but this terrible fearsome woman. “Oh Lord,” I cried out in my heart,”what now? Why did you not watch over who will process us today? You know she sends almost everyone to be fleeced. Please, help!” We went in, she motioned us to sit down, and with a broad smile she said, “Congratulations! You are now citizens of Israel! Welcome home!” And she handed us our completed passports and papers. 

My desire to hug the Lord was so intense, words cannot tell! 

This is only one account of the many miracles, great and small, the Lord has worked on our behalf and continues to do so. Yes, it takes bold faith to obey. Yes, it takes the willingness to let go of everything with a cheerful heart. Yes, it takes trusting Him completely. Yes, it takes working hard. And yes, there are many difficult obstacles to overcome, and sometimes we fear the Lord is late --- but He never is. Sometimes people won’t do or give what He tells them to meet your need, and so you have to struggle a little longer, holding on in trust a little longer. But He WILL provide help from another quarter. He WILL fulfill His promise, no matter how impossible it seems. In the depths, He will part the waters, and through fiery trials, not a single hair on your head will be lost. Whether through storm and tempest, heat of day or cold of night, He will let nothing smite you if you persevere in faith and trust⁸. Family, friends and brethren may fail, because they are human beings. G-d never ever fails anyone who entrusts into His hands their whole life and livelihood, and also is willing and ready to obey His leadings 

G-d honors the faith of a woman who trusts G-d, even if her husband is an unbeliever. If he supports her, the Lord will bless and use him. If he opposes her and her faith, the Lord will set her free⁹. 

What a mighty G-d we serve! 

So, take courage, all who read this! You can never go wrong when you follow His Messiah, the Lamb of G-d, wherever He goes¹⁰. No matter what the obstacles and hardships, what He promised He also will do¹¹. Only do not doubt, but persevere, and continue following Him without looking back. The reward will make your heart leap for joy! 

Be blessed, beloved, and strengthened in your faith, encouraged in your endeavor, and uplifted in your heart. Nothing is too hard for our G-d, the Holy One of Israel, Melech Ha'olam, baruch'hu, and nothing is impossible for Him¹², who searches to and fro throughout the earth to show Himself mighty on behalf of those who believe, trust and obey Him without wavering¹³. What He has promised He also will do --- and He is NEVER too late!¹⁴ Don’t dash forward foolishly, but always wait carefully on Him. Presumption is NOT faith, and it leads to harm. But when He leads and guides you, obey and follow. All work done in His Name and for Him is joy, even though it may be hard. 

May the Lord bless you and keep you, prosper you and preserve you in good health. 

Yours in Him, 

Annelore