I WANT YOU! A number of you have asked for an update on how hosting is going, so I want to clarify that the Host Israeli network is not yet actively hosting, but we are now enlisting and training hosts! We hoped to already be actively hosting by this time; however, due to continual issues with outside developers for the past 3 years, in September 2022 our tech team decided to scrap the tens of thousands of dollars and years of work invested in the apps up to that point, and start from scratch, building it ourselves so we are not dependent on outside developers. We made quick progress and are now confident this was the right decision. Ultimately, this will save us a lot of time and money.
In December our team finished the second version of the Host Israelis mobile app! This app is exclusively for our hosts to watch training videos, interact with Israelis and other hosts, and manage their listing for Israelis to view on the separate but linked Planet Zula app. In the coming months, we will continue to edit and improve the Host Israelis app and finish building the Planet Zula app for Israelis.
Our goal is to have over 50 hosts active on the map before we invite our first Israeli guests in the Spring of 2023. This is where you come in! Please pray that God will provide 50 good quality hosts quickly so they can get through the entire application, interview, and training process to begin hosting this Spring! And please consider if you might be one of those 50! You can visit hostisraelis.com to learn more. I can’t express how excited Carissa and I are about this ministry, and what an incredible opportunity it is to be a host. We long for the day when we will again be in a position to personally host Israeli travelers and share the love of Jesus through hospitality.
For now though, we are thrilled with the opportunity to welcome a new little disciple. Aviya Praise Kerstetter was born February 12th! Although it was an unusually difficult pregnancy due to Carissa’s pre-existing chronic illnesses and gestational diabetes, we praise God for a smooth delivery and healthy baby girl! Please pray for us as we adjust to being a family of 4.
Thank you always for your prayer and support for us in reaching Jewish people for Messiah!
Love,
BJ, Carissa, Ari and Aviya