Hannah S. wrote: "When anyone in Hungary spoke of Zionism five or even 2 years ago, Jewish public opinion condemned him as a traitor of Hungary, laughed at him, considered him a mad visionary, and under no circumstances heard him out." Reminded me of how I too, subject to ridicule or suspicion, am a pioneer for God's Church here in the Mideast. Mr. Fiedler [one of my former ministers in the Worldwide Church of God] had said once about my "activist" activities (of writing to The Blade, my beliefs & actions) that I was so "unorthodox" - I countered so was Mr. Armstrong, and like him, would go it alone if necessary, convinced of the rightness of my convictions. Later, somewhat angry or frustrated, he said, "Why can't you just be like everyone else who goes to the Mideast for the Feast [of Tabernacles], is satisfied and returns? Why do you have to always make inroads?" I said what he called "inroads" I considered "open doors" that I never sought nor pushed open, but walked thru in faith, and that I simply believed what the Church taught, that I'm descended in part from Bet David & therefore choose to return to my ancient Homeland of the Jews - Israel. He said he was German but didn't feel he had to move to Germany. I said that was his prerogative.

Earlier, he & Mr. Gilbert [his associate pastor] gently cautioned me not to appear so Jewish that I'd give people a wrong impression of the Church - like saying Shabbat Shalom, etc. I thanked them for their concern, commented I was already aware of the need to be balanced, but also that God had used my understanding of the Mideast to become all things to Jews & Arabs, more so than others in the Congregation. Then when H.Q.'s forbade my Mideast Feast attendance indefinitely, fearing I might misrepresent the Church (as a homosexual) [due to one complaint about me during the Feast in Jordan that contradicted the biblical procedure of Matthew 18:15-17, as Mr. Gilbert noted], it further encouraged me to think a separation was due [like the US was driven to separate from England after a series of injustices], a different work to be accomplished [with a God-given focus on Jerusalem and the Jews].

Years before I was sent back home from Israel, strongly encouraged to do so, and was to await a minister resident in Israel to "supervise" my "activities." [Church elder Carl Fields commented to me, "Are they setting a precedent?"] I've waited 7 years, Grandpa has now died, I've received my inheritance, toured Europe and now, almost 30 (potentially significant), am living in Israel studying Hebrew! I have felt drawn to Israel, desire to become a part of this ancient but young nation's history, and fulfill, ultimately, my destiny in Jerusalem.