Linda Crawford

 

On Sunday morning we said farewell to a couple of Israeli young men who are touring our beautiful country of New - Zealand. While they were staying with us we played the CD " RENAH". One named Ran remarked  that his name was taken from that word meaning joyful singing , song.  They listened to the joyful singing and we had such a wonderful opportunity of sharing with them our love for Israel . The other young man was called Ido and came from a Priestly line, we were doubly blessed by them . This is the second couple we have had in our home staying over one night before going to tour the top of the North Island . While in our home we shared with them a sample of our testimony and we pray the music and message will bear fruit in their lives in causing the Two Houses Of Israel to come together!

 

Well as every good story starts with a beginning usually the birth , David was born September 1936 in  Dungarvan Waterford Eire [  not far from where the Waterford Crystal is made ]. His father was a Methodist minister . As in his early childhood David ate the paint off his cot and also chewed at his lead toy soldiers. David became very week and nearly lost his life . His Uncle was a Doctor and received a paper on lead poisoning and realised this was what was wrong with David. A lump of lead the size of a small fist was removed from his stomach, unfortunately damage was done to the nerves of his right side mainly his right arm which affected fine control. Therefore his early school years were spent in Dublin with his grandparents as his parents were shifted around to different circuits in Ireland. David's parents were responsible for starting an Agriculture college Gerteen and a Christian endeavour holiday home , they also worked amongst the Gipsies.        David's Aunt was a teacher at Wesley College where he attended as a pupil.  This college also had Jewish as well as Methodist pupils , also one of Israel's former Presidents  Chime Herzog was a pupil at Wesley. In 1960 David left Belfast  Northern Ireland and came to New Zealand on board the Rangatoto a New Zealand Cargo and Passenger Ship. Shortly after arriving in Christchurch we met and married in 1964 at an Assemblies of God Church.

 

My name is Lynda and I was born February 1943 . My childhood was not a happy one as my parents had divorced when I was just a toddler. For the first seven years of my life I was isolated from other children bought up by an elderly Catholic couple . One occasion that stands out even today in my mind was seeing a black pudding in a Butcher shop, on being told what it was and that people ate it, I screamed and said I would not eat it . Even though at that time I was only about four years old , something in my spirit told me it was wrong to eat blood 

 

 My Father remarried when I was seven ,and I was united with my brother Malcolm and sister Janice , latter we found out that as babies we had all been dedicated in The Assemblies of God. We are all believers today because the Heavenly Father was watching over us and never forsook us. Our new mother had a real hard job on her hands and we love her dearly for all that she has done for us. Before this happened at the age of six a neighbour who was a Jewish believer in Jesus [Yahshua ] with permission from my father took me to a Methodist Sunday school , and it was here that I first heard about Jesus [Yahshua ]. At school I was teased and continually taunted spat on at one stage gas masks were bought to the school . It was like the enemy knew what was going to happen in my life in the future . On the way home was a grocery shop , where I used to take refuge , later I found out that it was owned by a Jewish couple. The first church that we attended together was a Congregational church then a Baptist church which was closer to our new home. This Baptist Pastor would pray for us three every Sunday morning before Sunday School started.

 

Meeting David was truly a blessing and through him I learned to cope with many insecurities. It was the year before David arrived that in 1959 at a Baptist camp that I was born again. David was 17 years old when he was born again .Before our marriage we had been attending different Methodist Churches and became dissatisfied and felt there was more. My Grandmother was a member of The Assemblies of God in Christchurch and we heard that a preacher was going to talk about the Baptism of The Holy Spirit. We went to this service were baptised in the Holy Spirit with the experience of Tongues. We were first fruits coming out of the denominational churches into this experience.

 

From that time on our lives changed dramatically especially our prayer life which was no longer just words but seemed to flow straight from our hearts.

 

We were married in The Assemblies of God  30th March 1964 which was a Monday as it was Easter [Passover ]at the time. At the wedding breakfast as the telegrams were read out one has stuck in our mind - MAY YOU BE LIKE ABRAHAM AND SARAH AND MAY YOU HAVE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL . This was only part of this telegram but it stuck in our minds. Early in our marriage we heard the Audible voice calling David . Then David had a vision of the almond or fig tree coming into blossom and a scroll on the ceiling saying when you see this happen My coming is very near. We also had a vision of Messiah . Went to the bible and opened up in Joel 2  and my eyes fell on the verses 28 -29. Our early married life was in spent in Christchurch where we attended The New Life Center which was then next door to the synagogue . The Father gave us four lovely sons who all have married beautiful wives and we are at the end of July to have our sixth Grandchild. 

 

In the early 80's we joined a prayer meeting for Jewish people to come to knowledge of their Messiah. In 1982 a Prophet by the name of Kim Clement came to New Zealand and the New Life Center in Glenfield that we were attending . He was from South Africa. As he was playing the piano he suddenly stopped and said that the Father had given him a name that he had ever since arriving in New Zealand but that he had not had the release to say it until that night . We were sitting in the front and could have fallen through the floor when we heart him say, ' THE NAME IS CRAWFORD IS THERE ANYONE HERE WITH THAT NAME ? COME FORWARD AS THE FATHER HAS A WORD FOR YOU ."Part of the prophetic word was that we were called as intercessors and that a change was going to take place in our lives with in the next few weeks.

 

It was after that we met we met our first Messianic Jewish Couple and joined a house prayer group who prayed for the Prisoners of Zion that were in Prisons suffering hardship in Russia , some of whom we were later privileged to meet when they visited New Zealand. The theme of the Prayer Meetings at that time was " Let My People Go".  We wrote to Semyon Gluzman who was had been a prisoner in a Russian jail because of his faith. We also have a letter from Natan Shcharansky after we had sent them a gift at the birth of their first child.

During these early years our Love for Israel  and the Prophetic Fulfillment of that Nation grew in our hearts. It was at the Christian Outreach Center that we introduced the Children to The Feasts  as celebrated by Israel after reading "Celebrate The Feasts " by Martha Zimmerman. About this time we also attended The Jewish Messianic Alliance and attended some of the Feast celebrations like Passover , Purim , Sukkoth and Hanukkah . We also joined at one time  and were on the committee of Friends Of Israel . I also joined an Israeli Dance group . One of the Films shown at Friends of Israel was of Sar - El  , oh how our hearts burned with in us at the thought that somehow we could be part of such a venture and vision to help and assist Israel in a very practical way which to us at that time seemed impossible .

It was at the Jewish Messianic Alliance we met Jim [ Ya'acov Denby ] who is now our friend and Hebrew teacher . 

 

In 1989 the  Kalanit Dance Group was asked by the Jewish Society if we would represent them at the opening of The commonwealth games  in Auckland as every nation that had made New Zealand their Home were asked to send a National Dance Group ,  a Banner Holder plus musicians for the opening ceremony in 1990.  The Jewish Society were unable to because of other commitments at the time so the dance group gladly stepped in .   The group decided after prayer that I should be the Banner Holder. David and the boys were most supportive. The group was looking back and knowing what we do today a good representation of Israel being made up of Both Jews and Christians, Judah / Ephraim.  Now at this time David and I did not Know anything about Torah but decided that year to read the Bible through from Geneses to Revelation reading a few chapters every day together. David was working shift work so this took real dedication.  Now on the front of the pinafore was a Menorah and two Olive Trees / branches , the reading on the night was Exodus 25 the making of the seven branch candlestick that was one awesome sign . 

 

At the beginning of the Practices the banner was near the main stage but the practice before the opening night the organisers decided that the banner holders should be with the dance group this was the opposite side of the field. That night the wind blew very strongly and at one stage I let the banner go down. So the prayer group prayed that the banner would be shifted back to a place of prominence. On the opening night one of the flag bearers asked if someone would change places with them as they wanted to be on the other side of the field . This was the opening we had prayed for so naturally I volunteered to take their place . Yes , the banner was given a place of prominence near the stage near the original spot. Halleluyah ! Because of the significance of the occasion we also studied and looked up all the Scriptures on the candlestick , Banner , Ensign and also Zechariah 4 : 11 - 14 concerning the TWO OLIVE TREES. Isaiah 13 : 2 - Lift up a Banner on a High Mountain , Raise your voice to them ; Wave your hand to them that they may enter the gates of the Nobles. Another verse was - All the inhabitants of the world  and dwellers on the earth , when He lifts up the Banner on the Mountains , you see it and when He blows a trumpet you here it. Yes , The sound of the Trumpet and Music was heard above all the other Nations Music.  Isaiah 5 : 26 was  the one that spoke to us and we felt was fulfilled that night. HE WILL LIFT UP A BANNER TO THE NATIONS FROM AFAR !  Yes , this banner was raised from the ends of the earth amongst representatives of many nations.  As I walked with the banner I sang a very anointed song written by a New - Zealander . The experience of standing holding the Banner and praying for the Nation of Israel  remembering those who had died and suffered through the Holocaust was one of absolute awe , peace just over whelmed me as the lights of the camera's added to the occasion  . As the Nations passed bye I waved at them , this particular shot was shown over and over on the Television.  Next day Jews from the Commonwealth Nations that saw the news and opening ceremony  rang saying how pleased and blessed they were to see their banner flying so proudly in such a prominent position .        Thought at that time it was only because of being an intercessor was the reason for holding the banner.

Now after learning about the Two Houses of Israel and their coming together as one in these last days it all makes sense  our lives and the things that have happened is like a tapestry that on one side looks like a muddle of threads and knots. Yet , on the right side a beautiful pattern has been worked .  That which was once unclear is now being revealed.  In 1991 our desire to go and serve with Sar - El became a reality and we became the first and only married couple that went as volunteers from New Zealand. This was after the rocket attacks on Israel had taken place and we were sent to a base in the Negiv. During this time we were witnesses to the Miracle of the return to Israel of the Ethiopians in Operation Solomon. , the base we were on was used in this special operation and in many ways we helped in preparing the base for the influx of soldiers who were involved . The men put up a fence [ in record time ] that's New Zealand team work . Us women cleaned up after the sealing of the windows , white washed corridors after cleaning the walls and also painted rooms and toilet blocks. We also painted doors with brown paint as well as logs. Cleaned concrete sites and put up tables , chairs as the men erected the tents. We sorted and counted Army gear, cleaned  store houses and put maps together in what they called nylon and what we call plastic which we then stapled together again us women used team work to accomplish the job. We also toured around Israel in a bus as well experiencing many things. 

In 1995 we again went to Israel mainly for the celebration of the 3,000 year celebration of King David. We were present at the Christian Feast of Tabernacles that Year . Again we served with Sar - El this time making Bunkers on  The Golan Heights tying the steal frames together with wire  [ not easy on the hands ] .  During this time we also had the privilege of visiting Hevron and The Tomb Of The Patriarchs. So many special things happened while their like Holding the Torah on Simhat Torah in a liberal Synagogue in Jerusalem , ending up in a procession bringing a new Torah to their Synagogue and an earthquake as we were about to leave Israel.  David was the only David from New Zealand at a special gathering to meet the former Mayor of Jerusalem Teddy Kolick where only 10 David's were represented from the nations!

On our trip in 1991  we visited Ireland there we visited Trinity College in Dublin mainly the place where the Book Of Kells is stored. The reason for this visit was that my Uncle told us that his mother and my grandmother on my [ birth mothers] side was a Swift and that we could be connected with the Famous Jonathan Swift who was both a writer and Dean of St Patricks in Dublin There were books of his life on sale and I felt lead to buy His Last Will and Testament. On crossing the green I was struck with Godly indignation at what I saw written. Money was to be given to a certain charity so long as Christianity existed in any form saving [ in other words except ] Atheists , Infidels and Jews.  I said " I do not want anything to do with this ancestor."  When we arrived back home in New Zealand we continued the prayer meeting that we had in our home. In February 1992 there were three of us as David was at work. One of the women was a Messianic Jewess and she had a word of Knowledge that the Father wanted to break a Celtic Anti Semitic Spirit off my family.  Immediately I remembered The Last Will and Testament of Jonathan Swift. We all prayed in agreement . First I repented and confessed and asked for forgiveness. The words that came from my lips and from my heart went like this - " FATHER TURN THE WORDS OF JONATHAN SWIFT THAT HAVE BEEN AGAINST YOUR PEOPLE ISRAEL ,TURN THEM AROUND TO BLESS YOUR PEOPLE ISRAEL ."  In the May we visited our friend Shela who had been with our group in Israel . While there we were looking through some Jerusalem Posts that she had there when my eye caught site of a half page article that seemed to jump out at me and filled me with awe. It was headed " An Open Letter To The Jews Of The World " There is none so blind as those that won't see." [ Jonathan Swift.] This half page was warning the Jewish People NOT to give back the land that God had given them . I wrote to the Jerusalem Post and they gave us the name of the person in Canada who had written the article so I wrote to her. Carol Dawson was her name and the very month that the prayer to break off the curse was prayed she was again invited to Israel , the time before she had taken the article but every door closed to her having it printed, this time the door opened and in the May edition the warning was printed. Yes, , the curse was broken , Carol had research the original writer of the saying and found it to be Jonathan Swift. People had told her it was not necessary to include who was responsible for the saying but she strongly felt it was of great importance as it well turned out to be. Involved were both Jews / Christians eg. both houses of Israel ! In fact when our letter arrived with Carol one of the Jewish men involved was at the house visiting. Five nations were involved , this article was only meant to be printed in the nations that were having elections at that time , instead it was sent world wide . Surely this was a mighty answer to prayer and a breaking of a curse. 

 

We have also been affected by the decision and ruling of the Messianic Jewish Alliance that we could not be members of that Alliance as we were not Jews. That if we wanted to be associate members we would have to have permission from a Rabbi in America this we did not agree with so we left. About four years latter we met up with Jim [Ya'acov] Denby who started a Hebrew Teaching group at Pari Detention center with a small group of men who wanted to learn the Deeper truths . That started over three years ago , and we go just about every Friday morning.  Every other week we go for a Shabbat meal and lesson at Jim [Ya'acov ] Denby's home.

 

Over the last few years we have been shown how mixture for Mythology and sun worship has infiltrated the Christianity, the knowledge and celebration of Yahweh's Feasts. Most precious of all was the revelation of the Memorial names . It was about three years ago that we heard the call to come out of The Assemblies of God that we had been attending.  It seems that we have been like pioneers and here we are a part of this end time restoration of The Two Houses Of Israel. Our first being your article that Yaacov read to us on what we have called the Prodigal son , the revelation on the two sons was new to us and we were blessed by it. Now we have your site and teaching which so feeds us with such excellent spiritual food.  Recently we came across the original Alpha beit with letter meanings. This bought new revelation on DVD . The D - Dalet [ door ] being like a tent one pointed to the heavens the other to the earth making the star of David . The middle letter the vav which links and joins and looks like a Y just like the symbol of the two Houses becoming one in the Father's hand. The person mentioned to do with that letter is none other than Yahushua . We are so blessed by the Torah readings that we receive , there is so much Precious Spiritual Manner that has come our way including from over the internet. From The depths of our Hearts we say Thank you Father for all your blessings and causing us to be part of this great family called ISRAEL