Today we travel to the Holy Land to be with Lori Kate Lowenhar. She shares her life in the Holy Land and how following God’s plan led her there.
Meet Lori Kate
My name is Lori Kate Lowenhar, I’m an international speaker and musician living half of my life in the Galilee of Israel. This beautiful area in northern Israel is known as the Jezre’el Valley translated from Hebrew means “God sows”. I chose to immigrate to Israel many years ago from Indiana following the call of God’s plan on my life. I grew up with a Jewish father and a Gentile mother, both accepting their Savior after getting married.
In our home, we observed Jewish holidays in addition to the Christmas and Easter holidays. It was important for us to maintain our Jewish heritage as the family grew in faith. I accepted the Lord as my Jewish Messiah at a young age, our family traditions produced a unique childhood. It also allowed God to plant seeds in my heart. These seeds eventually drew me to the mesmerizing land we call Israel. The land of “milk and honey” as the Bible describes, a place so diverse and extraordinary in every way.
What drew me there?
What drew me to God’s Holy Land? A place where we find a mix of Jews and Arabs living side by side, an international array of foods, and religious freedom. As well as the birthplace of Yeshua (Jesus’s Hebrew name).
I made my first trip to Israel in 1996. I felt an immediate and profound connection to the land during my three-month stay. The minute I planted my feet firmly on Israeli soil, God’s next chapter for my life began.
God’s Next Chapter
This connection continued to grow even after I returned home. By my third trip, I knew Israel would be my permanent home. In 1998, I took a giant leap of faith and moved across the world. Solidifying my commitment by becoming an Israeli citizen and getting married. However, absorbing into the “Land of Milk and Honey” was not a smooth transition. I faced challenges and experienced a significant culture shock. Nonetheless, relying on the strength of the Lord proved to be the driving force that kept me going.
In the early years of my life in Israel, I lived in the North. We were close to the Lebanese border, where we regularly heard rocket explosions. I was eight months pregnant with my firstborn when the Israeli army pulled out of Lebanon. I remember how terrifying it was to run to the bomb shelter down the road when the sirens went off.
This is just a small part of my story. My exciting experiences and adventures of living life in Israel has allowed me to really Hang On to God’s promises and His Word in every possible situation. Getting married, having children, teaching music in schools, and learning a new language, all allowed opportunities of growth and maturity. It was a huge adjustment settling down. I didn’t move to Israel employed by a mission agency, I knew that my purpose of living in the homeland was to be a light and encouragement to others.
What Is Life Like in the Holy Land?
There are many Jewish and Arab believers living in Israel today, and many more hearing about Yeshua daily either through technology, word of mouth or even through dreams and visions. God is at work and it’s exciting to see it firsthand in a land where Yeshua was despised and rejected.
Dependency on God’s strength and mercy, His soothing healing balm has sustained me when there is worry, stress, fear, trauma, exhaustion and chaos terrorizing Israel. War is ugly, it’s brutal, and in times of facing the reality of death, I can honestly say that without God’s supernatural help and shalom (peace), I wouldn’t have been able to release my struggles to the Lord. There is no easy way of dealing with grief and pain. God’s Word is our only hope to persevere.
God Is In Control
Though Israel faces regular attacks, we have a God who is mightier than anything and anyone! Knowing God is in control has allowed me to let go of fear and by allowing the Lord to establish the work of my hands. My life in Israel has blossomed! You may not live in a war zone, or in a tumultuous place, perhaps you are challenged with a critical decision or dealing with a scary health diagnosis. Maybe your stress level is extremely high, what is something you can let go of and release to the Lord?
Let God walk with you, speak to Him, He listens and cares. Let His abounding love and compassion invade your soul and rest in knowing that He is with you! Surrender your hurts, your pain, open your hearts to sense what God is revealing to you. Listen, be attentive to His Spirit, declare Scripture, rely on His faithfulness as He desires an intimate relationship with you.
Scriptures
Psalm 55:22 NIV “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
More About Lori Kate
Lori Kate and her husband, Ilan, have 4 children and live in Yokneam Illit in the Galilee. Their oldest son is currently in the Israeli reserve army unit serving in Judea/Samaria and their youngest son is stationed in Tel Aviv playing trumpet in the military band. Lori Kate and Ilan co-founded an international musical ministry called One Lev-One Heart. One Lev continues to share their music with hundreds of audiences internationally bringing their unique sound of Israeli worship to nations all around the world. Lori Kate is an international speaker and musician and is available to speak at conventions and conferences. www.onelevoneheart.com
Want to Share Your Own Story?
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