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del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 21:20 26/10/2006 American evangelical group arrives in Ashdod on solidarity mission By The Associated Press After a stormy 35-day journey at sea, a group of American evangelicals traveling on a creaky World War II-era cargo ship landed in Ashdod on a solidarity mission only to run aground in red tape, with long delays in unloading their cargo of clothes, toys and medical supplies. Still, the 42-member crew was unfazed Thursday, keeping a positive, enthusiastic attitude in a colorful demonstration of the growing alliance between fundamentalist Christians and the Jewish state. "The Bible says, 'Who blesses Israel will be blessed,"' said Don Tipton, the group's leader. "We believe that." Advertisement The "Spirit of Grace" steamed into the Israeli port of Ashdod in early October from Louisiana, flying an American flag and a huge banner reading "Jehovah" in Hebrew letters. Three weeks later, the low, gray-painted ship is still docked, its 900-ton load of goods bound for local charities stuck on board as the gears of Israeli bureaucracy slowly turn. The band of evangelical Christians on the "Spirit of Grace" are bearing the delay the same way they sailed their weather-beaten cargo ship through three fierce storms in the Atlantic Ocean on the voyage over: with a cheerful faith that their mission is God's will. "It's taken a bit longer than we expected, but it's given us more time to tour the country, and we're having a great time," said Sandra Tipton, Don's wife. Julio Lieberman, the group's Israeli shipping agent, said the delay was due to paperwork that the government requires for charitable donations from abroad. "It's taken far too long, but it should be sorted out in a few days," he said. Yigal Ben-Zikry, a spokesman for the Ashdod port, said workers could unload the ship "in half a day" as soon as government approval comes through. The "Spirit of Grace" - formerly the U.S.S. Pembina, a 62-year-old Navy ship that saw action in World War II - is operated by Friend Ships, a foundation run by the Tiptons, born-again Christians originally from Beverly Hills. The group owns four other ships, as well as landing craft and a helicopter, all based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, at a facility that the group has dubbed Port Mercy. Like the "Spirit of Grace," the vessels are staffed entirely by volunteers and used to deliver supplies donated by Christians to disaster-struck countries around the world. But the mission to Israel is different. "This is not aid, it's an expression of friendship and love," Don Tipton said. The members of his crew, he said, like many other evangelical Christians, see supporting Israel as a divine commandment. They were further spurred on by the recent war in Lebanon, he said. "After the war, we saw that Lebanon was getting lots of aid and friendship, and I thought, hey, they're not the ones who just got mugged," Tipton said. He had preparations for this journey, which had been planned before fighting broke out, sped up. The voyage of the "Spirit of Grace" reflects the growing alliance between American evangelicals and Israel, a relationship which has seen evangelical Christians become more vocal politically and more generous financially in their support of the Jewish state. Despite some hesitancy In Israel about the evangelicals' political agenda for Israel, which opposes any territorial compromise, and about their religious beliefs - some see the ingathering of the Jews to Israel as a necessary prelude to a cataclysm in which anyone who isn't Christian will die - the friendly feeling has generally become mutual. Today, one of Israel's biggest and most accepted charities is an evangelical-funded group, the Chicago-based International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, which distributes $30 million a year to different projects in Israel. "We love and admire Israel - we tell our congressmen and senators this, and we stand behind Bush," said Tipton, 62. "We won't let anything happen to Israel." Tipton's crew is a diverse group. Its oldest member is the chief engineer, Wally Barber of Seattle, 83. Its youngest is Ruth Larson, four months old, who came along with her parents. Serving on the ship is "a calling," Lloyd Williams, a white-bearded veteran sailor from Durban, South Africa, said over the noise of the engine room. Williams wore a Star of David on a pendant around his neck. Merrie Uddin, originally from Detroit, was working in a Louisiana casino until a hurricane destroyed it last year. "It was a blessing," Uddin says, because the loss of her job led her to sign up with the "Spirit of Grace." Kristin Boettcher of Des Moines was in college when, she said, "The Lord got ahold of my life," and she found her way to the ship. Jim Fotia, a Californian with long hair and a beard, said he joined the trip because he "felt the call" to come to Israel. "I'm amazed at how much it's like southern California," Fotia said. Despite the bureaucratic foul-ups that have kept their charitable cargo stuck on board, the Christian sailors said they've been warmly received at this busy port, where their vintage vessel, its earnest crew and its blue-and-white "Jehovah" banner stand out among huge international cargo ships, grimy tankers and Israeli naval craft. Workers have invited them for dinner in the port's cafeteria, and the port has waived some of its usual tariffs, Donald Tipton said. "We had to be nice to these people," port spokesman Yigal Ben-Zikry said, "they're more Zionist than any Israelis I know." Bookmark to del.icio.us Construction freeze PM says no W. Bank construction without his prior approval. Lived to tell the tale Surviving hiker recounts Friday's attack in Hebron Hills.   1.   Evangelicals deserve support 21:52  |  Nathaniel 26/10/06   2.   OMG!! Bless Israel or Bless the JEW? 22:06  |  ilana 26/10/06   3.   Great story. Thanks for posting. 22:25  |  Gina 26/10/06   4.   Evangelical Christians 22:29  |  Nancy Chaplin 26/10/06   5.   Welcome and god speed 22:29  |  Sal 26/10/06   6.   One Christian Zionist - Usually - Worth More Than 100 Jews 22:36  |  Tod Zuckerman 26/10/06   7.   Evangelical Ways 22:38  |  Joan Stuchner 26/10/06   8.   American evangelical group 22:53  |  sssss 26/10/06   9.   They are just jews infiltrated into evangelical institutions 22:57  |  Tayfun_Turkey 26/10/06   10.   Nathaniel yes 23:04  |  bev 26/10/06   11.   american friends of Israel at Ashdod port 23:20  |  Ray 26/10/06   12.   You Should Listen to Their Religious Speechs on US TV 00:42  |  Joseph E . 27/10/06   13.   we must support israel. 00:53  |  maria 27/10/06   14.   Most come with 00:58  |  Virginia 27/10/06   15.   Evangelicals do not deserve anything 01:33  |  Dan 27/10/06   16.   don`t believe them 02:26  |  sam 27/10/06   17.   Evangelicals are NOT Christians 02:38  |  James 27/10/06   18.   If only more would go--and stay 02:47  |  Dee Dubb 27/10/06   19.   Poor Jesus 02:56  |  Al 27/10/06   20.   They want us dead 03:02  |  David 27/10/06   21.   As an Evangelical myself 03:25  |  Andrew 27/10/06   22.   Thank you, Evangelicals! 03:40  |  Peter Burman 27/10/06   23.   james...evangelical are not christians. 03:56  |  maria 27/10/06   24.   #20 ..David..I agree.. 03:57  |  Ali 27/10/06   25.   Don`t Start preaching here Andrew! 03:57  |  ilana 27/10/06   26.   #16 Yes, Sam, they are not true Christians 04:03  |  hala 27/10/06   27.   #21 Andrew, who is their King? 04:09  |  hala 27/10/06   28.   # 9 Yeh, it`s yet another Jewish conspiracy 04:54  |  garrick 27/10/06   29.   #26 hala 05:37  |  ilana 27/10/06   30.   Don`t fret Hala 06:34  |  Gina 27/10/06   31.   They are also more nuts 11:02  |  John 27/10/06   32.   Evangelical Ways 18:03  |  Martha 27/10/06   33.   Inregards to iLana 18:52  |  Geoffrey Conn 27/10/06   34.   NOTICE: American evangelicals will destroy Israel one day 19:23  |  The Jackal 27/10/06   35.   hala....rapture. 19:59  |  maria 27/10/06   36.   JACKAL..christian fundamentalists don`t hate 20:27  |  maria 27/10/06   37.   #17 Evangelicals not true Christians 20:34  |  Martha 27/10/06   38.   #37 A gnashing of teeth in the outer darkness 21:45  |  hala 27/10/06   39.   #35 maria`s rapture 21:53  |  hala 27/10/06   40.   refute to They are just jews infiltrated into evangelical institu 22:35  |  anon 27/10/06   41.   response to "Poor Jesus" 22:39  |  anon 27/10/06   42.   Don`t start preaching 00:23  |  Martha 28/10/06   43.   the coming messiah. 02:07  |  maria 28/10/06   44.   From An Ex-Evangelical--SEE NO EXAMPLE HERE Of Christians! 04:50  |  Proud Pal Defender 28/10/06   45.   you say you`re an ex-evangelical. 06:43  |  maria 28/10/06   46.   Ship and crew 08:54  |  Don Tipton 28/10/06   47.   Ex-Evangelical DOES NOT MEAN Ex-Christian! - 1 10:34  |  Proud Pal Defender 28/10/06   48.   Ex-Evangelical DOES NOT MEAN Ex-Christian! - 2 11:07  |  Proud Pal Defender 28/10/06   49.   there`s a big difference between..... 15:26  |  maria 28/10/06   50.   God Bless All Christian And Muslim Zionists! 15:54  |  Yosemite Sam 28/10/06   51.   Ex-evangelical 16:00  |  Martha 28/10/06   52.   Born Again...And More! - 1 01:07  |  Proud Pal Defender 30/10/06   53.   Born Again...And More! - 2 01:11  |  Proud Pal Defender 30/10/06   54.   CORRECTION: Born Again...And More - 2! 01:20  |  Proud Pal Defender 30/10/06   55.   Forceable Convertion 16:45  |  Cyasher 01/01/08

Today Online Burston: Here's to '67 borders, the new middle of the road Responses: 108 Two Gazans killed as Hamas-Fatah clashes enter second day Responses: 129 Shin Bet: 2007 saw dramatic drop terrorism fatalities Responses: 32 Rosner's Guest: Evangelicals love Jews, Jewish Israel Responses: 28 Haaretz TV: Shin Bet denying vital treatment for critically ill Gazans Responses: 30 Rosner's Domain Factor panel: Better for Israel if Clinton wins Iowa Guest: is it important for American Jews to learn Hebrew? What Will the Palestinian Authority Do With All That Money? More Jewish lawmakers support Clinton (WTR) More Headlines 16:53 Barak: West Bank roadblocks are effective, will remain in place 16:42 Two Gazans killed as clashes between Fatah, Hamas continue 15:40 IDF commando killed in training accident in the Arava desert 15:51 For Dutch educators, Islamophobia can be a teaching aid for Holocaust studies 16:09 Bush changes itinerary of Israel trip to fit in visit to Capernaum 16:02 Defense Minister to IDF: Place illegal outpost residents on trial 16:05 Four Palestinian workers die in road accident on way to Israel 16:45 Jewish Agency, interfaith group deal angers U.S. Jewish leaders 16:58 Domestic flights from Tel Aviv, Haifa to stop running on Saturdays Previous Editions Select Day 31 dec 30 dec 28 dec 27 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec 21 dec 20 dec 19 dec 18 dec

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