Well, we haven't done this many posts in such a short time since we first arrived over 3 ½ years ago! But as you all know, things are happening and happening at a quick pace. We even have to think to remember which day it was that we had the last siren in Jerusalem....was it really only two days ago? Since then there have been so many rockets we've lost count. And if you have downloaded the app we offered in the last post, you'll see it's going off constantly - it's a good way to get a feel of what it's like here. We've had friends telling us they are using it to pray for Israel and the people.
When Linda went to the Post Office for work on Wednesday, there were so many soldiers going in and out of the Central Bus Station carrying their loads as they were being deployed, pulling luggage and lugging large bags or back packs. She was able to talk to this one female soldier to encourage her that we were praying for them, and how grateful we were that they were protecting us.
Then, yesterday, Jim received a call from a commander that said if we could bring the equipment for the soldiers right away they would be available to receive them. So we left work, picked up the shlukers (water back packs) and headed to the army base to the north, in Bet El.
 |
| Shlukers |
We briefly met with a commander of the Shimshon "Samson" Unit - to give them the much needed Shlukers. We spoke a few minutes about current events around Israel. When Jim encouraged him that we not only believe that what they are doing is right, but righteous, protecting God's Land and people - you could sense an immediate trust form. He then began to share some of the struggles they have been having with the riots in the area, beginning at 11 pm after the Arabs are done fasting for the day (it's still Islam's "holy" month of Ramadan) and going throughout the night with violence.
Our new friend shared how he's been contacting his wife 3-4 times a day to assure her of his safety. We again let him know we understood that we could not be in Israel without them protecting us, and that there were many people in prayer for their safety.
 |
| Sheep on the way back to Jerusalem.
As a CFI staff, we carried on today much as usual. To be honest, was a bit distracting, wanting to know what was going on around us in our beloved Israel. We have great respect for our team that visits the holocaust survivors. They prayed and made the decision to still go on their scheduled visits near Ashdod to survivors they promised to see. Imagine, these people made it through World War 2 and the holocaust and came to Israel, the one place on earth they thought they'd be safe. Now here they are in the midst of rockets and sirens. It must bring back terrifying memories. We are proud of our team that decided that it was important as Christians to not cancel and say, "We can't come.", but instead said, "We stand with you."
Here's a few pictures of the realities from the past few days:
Rockets fired out of Gaza into Israel Tuesday night.
 Intercepted rocket in central Israel – Nes Tziyina 
Remnants of a rocket shot down by the Iron Dome over Greater Tel Aviv.
This video is of a wedding that was interrupted by rockets in Ashdod on Tuesday.
As we already sent out in a quick email earlier today, there was a second siren in Jerusalem. This after many rockets around Israel today - including several at Tel Aviv, and also in Dimona, where Israel's nuclear reactors are located.
The Iron Dome intercepts as many rockets as possible. It intercepted 2 of the 4 targeting Jerusalem tonight. The other 2 landed in open areas. As one friend encouraged us tonight - "And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night, that our God is still there." Thanks, Bill. :)
Iron Dome
One thing that is really frustrating is the unfair news coverage of this conflict. Black is white, up is down, wrong is right. It's quite unbelievable.
The IDF keeps the border crossing to Gaza open all day despite 120 rockets being fired from Israel. Not only that, but did you know that Israel supplies electricity and water to Gaza?
Even with all that's going on, Israelis go on with life as usual. Not even tonight's siren and rockets over Jerusalem could stop karaoke night next door to our apartment at the home for wayward teens as seen (heard) in this video. :)
Thank you for your encouraging words, prayers and for choosing to stand with Israel - even when it's not the popular thing to do. As Israel defends herself, and chooses to put an end to the constant rocket fire from terrorists on Her citizens, we remember this scripture, which puts things in clear perspective:
"An unjust person is an abomination to the righteous,
and he who lives uprightly is an abomination to the wicked."
Proverbs 29:27
Israeli soldier on a tank praying.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment