Heavy Hearts

It is with tears that we write this post.  Our hearts hurt and grieve with all Israel as we have begun to have significant loss of lives of our soldiers - those brave men laying down their lives for their nation, for their people....for us.

Just three days ago we began the ground operation.  Our first loss was a 20 year old soldier.  Then it became four more.  Now today we were informed of thirteen additional soldiers all from Golani Brigade.  There are also 50-60 wounded soldiers in hospitals.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/soldiers-killed-in-gaza/

While Jerusalem is only a mere 50 miles from Gaza, it feels so very far away.  We keep asking ourselves, what more can we do? How can we encourage, support, and give to these brave young men and women??  It's so hard to explain the intensity of wanting to be a part of supporting them in some way, even if small.  On a personal level, we have at times been stopping soldiers on the streets, trains, buses, shops & restaurants to encourage them, thank them, and let them know we are praying for them.  Sometimes we have offered to buy their drink or snacks.  Sometimes they let us, and sometimes they won't let us.  Today we got to do a little bit more.

Ever since the last war with Gaza, we have been wanting to reprint some cards we were running out of.  The cards are of Psalm 91 (quoted in our last email) and written in Hebrew.  They are the size of a credit card (printed on both sides), and the soldiers can keep them with them in a pocket or wallet.  Jim ordered them last week, and they were ready for pickup today.

Psalm 91 (front & back)

We felt it was important to pick these up as soon as possible to get them in the hands of the soldiers in the midst of this operation.  While we were at the supplier's office in Tel Aviv, they received the word about the 13 Golani soldiers killed.  The news hit all of us in the office like a ton of bricks, we were all numb, not even knowing what to say or how to react.  No one wanted a ground operation, and yet we understand why it is necessary.

As we left with our promise from God to those who defend this Land written on these little plastic cards, we realized that our plans for the day had just changed.  We knew we had to go find soldiers to encourage.  Not knowing exactly where we were going to go, we headed south towards the cities north of Gaza where we knew there are army bases.  We didn't make it too far down the road before we heard the code red siren.  As with most other drivers, we pulled over to the side of the road, got out of the vehicle and squatted on the side of the road until we heard the booms of the Iron Dome destroying the incoming missiles.  We then got back in and continued south.

We were in Rishon LeZion.

We had heard how appreciative soldiers were for cold drinks and such, and Jim had it in his heart to provide some to whomever we were led to, so we stopped at a supermarket just south of Ashdod to get some cold sodas and teas.  He then determined that we would go to an army base not far from there - a Golani Brigade base.

Ashdod

We knew we would not be able to gain access on the army base, as we had not received prior permission.  We did, however, give the drinks and Psalm 91 cards to the soldiers we met outside and at the gate.  They seemed a bit surprised that we came all the way just to give them cold drinks.  We did our best to show them our support and let them know we were praying for them.  Jim also told them we were sorry for their loss in the Golani Brigade that day.  They told us they were safe, but their friends and fellow soldiers were in Gaza.

We then left to get a bite to eat before heading back.  Everywhere we went, there were soldiers.  And to as many as we could, we gave the Psalm 91 cards.  We also saw a lot of military vehicles on the road.

Sky on our way home 

While this war is very complex, as Prime Minister Netanyahu stated this evening, Israel did not choose this battle, it was imposed upon us. And that the difference with most countries and Israel is that everyone in this country knows at least one person who is fighting in this battle - including us.  Jim had visited and provided equipment for the Golani brigade that lost so many of its own today.  We also know other soldiers and commanders fighting for us in this war.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-israel-engaged-in-historic-battle-for-its-home/

Israel could take care of this quickly by bombing all of Gaza, but the IDF soldiers instead are willing to put their lives on the line to save Gazan civilians.  Compassion continues as Israel agrees to two humanitarian cease fires, even as Hamas still fires rockets at Israel.  Daily Israel delivers food and supplies into Gaza.  Israel is even building a field hospital near Gaza to treat Gazan civilians.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-set-to-open-field-hospital-for-wounded-gazans/

In the mean time Hamas is hiding under the hospital in Gaza and being transported in ambulances.  The tunnels the IDF have found are in private civilian homes, schools and mosques. Hamas tell the people not to leave their homes when warned by Israel, then blame Israel for women and children who are killed.  

http://www.jpost.com/Operation-Protective-Edge/Analysis-Fighting-terrorists-who-move-around-in-ambulances-363498

Our prime minister again tonight apologized for the civilian casualties. It is not Israel's aim to kill civilians. It is, however, the aim of Hamas, as they have proven with the continual rockets into Israel and the tunnel attacks in which they bring not only weapons with them, but handcuffs and sedatives in order to not only kill people, but kidnap civilians or soldiers.  From one of the online news sources Saturday:

"The Hamas terrorists who infiltrated into Israel via an underground tunnel this morning, in a raid which killed two soldiers, were wearing IDF uniforms.  They were also carrying weapons, handcuffs and sedatives, indicating the plan was to kidnap soldiers or civilians and take them back into Gaza.  Military sources say the two soldiers and the IDF jeep in which they were patrolling were not the target of the infiltration. That their patrol happened to be in the area when the Hamas gunmen emerged prevented a far worse terrorist attack, the sources said."

Eliminating these tunnels is one of the two main objectives of Operation Protective Edge.  There are hundreds of these tunnels networked all under Gaza leading into Israel.  These are not just "mole" tunnels, but are fortified with cement walls and equipped with electricity.  Some are as deep as 90 feet.  They have even been found under washing machines in civilian homes.  They have more than one entrance and exit and many are linked together.

Many of you may not understand why a ground operation is so important to be successful in defeating Hamas.  If you will, please take a few minutes to read this important explanation from Sgt. Benjamin Anthony, both a veteran and a combat reservist in the Israel Defense Forces.  His understanding of why it is necessary is based on Numbers 32:6: "Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here?"  We believe you will hear the heart of the Nation and its defenders.  Remember, he wrote this a few days before the ground operation began.

http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/why-a-ground-incursion-is-needed/

Last week before the ground operation in Gaza, the head of the Israeli army’s Givati infantry brigade, Colonel Ofer Winter, wrote these words to his soldiers:

"History has chosen us to be the sharp edge of the bayonet of fighting the “Gazan” terrorist enemy which curses, defames and abuses the God of Israel. We have practiced and prepared for this time and we take upon ourselves the mission with full humility, and being willing to endanger ourselves and give our lives to protect our families, our nation and our homeland.

We will act together forcefully and with resolve, with initiative, and with deceptive tricks and aim for contact with the enemy. We will do everything to live up to the mission and wipe out the enemy and remove the threat from the Nation of Israel. We will not return without acting.

We will do everything to return our boys safely. Using all means at our disposal and with all required force.

I trust you, each and every one of you, to act in that spirit, in the spirit of Israeli fighters who are the pioneers leading the camp. The spirit of Givati. I turn my eyes to the sky and call with you, “Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God, the Lord is One.” The Lord God of Israel make our path successful, as we are about to fight for Your People, Israel, against an enemy who blasphemes your name. In the name of the IDF fighters and in particular the fighters and commanders of [this] Brigade, bring to pass what is written: “For the Lord your God goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies and to save you.” And we all answer, “Amen.”

Together and only together we will win."

"So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, 
that the priest shall approach and speak to the people. 

And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: 
Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. 

Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, 
and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; 

For the Lord your God is He who goes with you, 

to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’"

Deuteronomy 20:2-4

Rockets from Gaza, Syria & Lebanon

Well, it looks like everyone wants to jump in the middle of this battle and take advantage of the chutzpah (Hebrew/Yiddish for audacity) of Hamas attacking Israel with rockets.  In the past few days, not only has their been well over 100 rockets per day fired at Israel from Gaza, but now a few here and there each day from both Tyre in Lebanon, and from Syria as well.  These rockets have landed in open areas in the Haifa area and the Galilee & Golan Heights area - all in Israel's north.  Lebanon is north of Haifa, and the city of Tyre is at the top edge of the picture on the coast.

Some friends of ours in Israel put out a really good description of another recent attack on Tel Aviv this weekend:

"It was 8pm on Saturday evening. Much of Israel had just settled down in front of the television to watch  the evening news. Suddenly the announcer reported that Hamas had just issued a warning that in exactly one hour a major attack would be carried out against Tel Aviv, with a new type of missile that would test Israel's ability to defend itself. The minutes passed tensely...and at exactly nine o'clock, Israel's local TV stations started transmitting live feeds showing the yet tranquil skyline of Tel Aviv.

All Israel collectively held its breath.

At 9:02, the barrage began. Sirens went off, people ran for cover and in the distance orange balls of fire could be seen streaming towards Tel Aviv. First one, then a second and then a third. Death and destruction were speeding towards Israel's largest city. The nation watched- mesmerized by the drama that was unfolding before it. And then, just as suddenly, streaks of fire exploded upward from the ground. The Iron Dome had spotted the incoming missiles and had launched its interceptors. Would the missiles hit their targets? Would Israel be spared? Just as the first ball of fire seemed to be getting too close to the crowded city, it exploded in a burst of light. Then, the second and then the third missile also disappeared in fiery explosions. A sigh of relief- the Iron Dome had done its work.

Hamas actually put the live feed on their local network so that its suffering people would be able to watch first hand the death and destruction in Tel Aviv.  In the end, they had to substitute a lie that buildings had been hit and that there were Jewish casualties. The victimized people of Gaza celebrated a make believe victory and Israel thanked God and our very competent military for a disaster averted."  Eddie & Jackie

God's timing is so very perfect.  Sunday morning we travelled to Tel Aviv to pick up an order and to place orders for Jim's CFI project - David's Shield, helping Israel's soldiers.  When we arrived at the office of our distributer, a commander was there that we have a close relationship with.  He was placing a request for supplies he was desperately in need of for his troops.  He is the commander of 500 warriors in an elite special forces unit.  After we spent a few minutes greeting him, our distributer let us know that the commander was in need of DryFit shirts (they have a special breathable fabric that is essential) for his team today in the Gaza area.  Because of God's perfect timing, Jim was able to authorize the order to be completed for these brave warriors protecting Israel through CFI's David's Shield project.  We pray that as they wear these shirts, that they will be as a protective bullet-proof shield about them.

Here's a few pictures of the soldiers preparing to be called as the most recent physical guardians of Israel.  A modern day David's Army!  

Our commander friend was so amazed, and so very grateful that his request was met so quickly.  He would deliver these shirts in just hours to his troops.  We took this opportunity to share our solidarity with him.  To express our concern, our love, and our prayers for the Defense Forces.  His response was that he knows how much we care, and that we help so much; that they can feel our encouragement behind them like a wind helping them move forward as though go.  We praise God we were able to help in some small way in supporting these brave soldiers.

If you haven't already seen on the news, it is quite amazing the great lengths the IDF goes to to protect innocent civilian lives in Gaza.  While the world is saying the opposite, Israel is doing everything it can to protect lives.  Even the Palestinian Envoy to UNHRC agrees in this 2 ½ minute video.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/slightest-doubt-cancels-mission-says-iaf-officer/

Before Israel bombs a house, it gives a non-explosive "knock on the roof" of the targeted house giving the inhabitants a chance to evacuate.  They also drop leaflets warning citizens to leave as they did a few days ago.  Hamas, however, told them not to listen to Israel, and to stay in their houses.

Prime Minister Netanyahu made a comment that brings this into clarity: "The difference between Hamas and Israel, he said, was that while Israel was using anti-rocket batteries to protect Israeli citizens, Hamas is using Gaza's citizens to defend their rockets."

http://www.jpost.com/Operation-Protective-Edge/Netanyahu-in-cabinet-Operation-Protective-Edge-could-take-time-362570

For some strange reason, because there haven't been any casualties in Israel, the world seems to think 

the war is unfair.  What they are forgetting is who started this, and the fact that Hamas is targeting innocent people with the sole purpose to kill.  Not to mention how obvious it is that the God of Israel is protecting this Land and people!

Recently, a rocket from Gaza knocked out the electricity for 70,000 Gazans - the power line was in Israel.  The Israel Electric Company was working to restore the power.  Israel has even given Gaza 500 units of blood donated here in Israel.  The amazing compassion is endless.

 http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Gazan-rocket-knocks-out-power-for-70000-Gazans-362624

Other good friends in Haifa gave this explanation of Hamas:

"Interestingly, one of the Hebrew words for 'violence' is 'hamas'. It is highly unlikely that Hamas the terrorist organisation made this link when they chose a name for themselves. In their reasoning, the name Hamas is an acronym of the Arabic words 'Ḥarakat al-Muqāwamah al-ʾIslāmiyyah', which means 'Islamic Resistance Movement'. The word 'hamas' literally means 'zeal' in Arabic. But in Hebrew, it is 'violence', and many times in the Hebrew scripture, the word 'violence' is 'hamas', including Isaiah 60 and Psalm 11. 

Violence [hamas] shall no longer be heard in your land,
Neither wasting nor destruction within your borders;
But you shall call your walls Salvation,
And your gates Praise. – Isaiah 60:18

But the wicked and the one who loves violence [hamas] His soul hates.
Upon the wicked He will rain coals;
Fire and brimstone and a burning wind
Shall be the portion of their cup.
For the Lord is righteous,
He loves righteousness;
His countenance beholds the upright – Psalm 11:5-7

The writers of these scriptures certainly did not have in mind Hamas, the terrorist organisation that we know today, but the nature of the enemy we are facing is the same: one who loves violence and destruction. As we cry out to the Lord in intercession, we can pray that God will defend those who cry out to Him, and that He will bring judgment on the plans of those who plot violence and destruction." Colin & Helen

We read an encouraging article yesterday about a church in California.  They had downloaded the Red Alert app we mentioned in a previous blog.  They chose to connect it to the church's sound system, and every time Israel had a rocket alert, as a congregation they went to a "bomb shelter" in solidarity and empathize with the people of Israel that were at that exact time doing the same.  Wow.

There has been so much information flying around in the past week, it is difficult to decide what to share.  Ultimately, the most important at this time is for there to be an understanding by those who don't live here the legitimacy of this operation and the realities of our enemy, Hamas.  The following video is an excellent explanation why even though most Muslims may be peaceful, it is the minority in Islam that our focus must be on.  Please take a few minutes to watch this very insightful video, it's only 5 minutes and it is in English. :)

Although we would love to experience a true "cease fire", the past has proven that this only allows Israel's enemies to stockpile more weapons to use against Her.

We have also shared a link to this movie a couple of times on this blog - Against All Odds, Israel Survives.  If you haven't seen it yet, we highly recommend it.  If you don't want to watch it on the computer, maybe you can rent it.  It's full length (1 hour 42 minutes) documentary of true stories of miracles in modern day Israel.

While the past week has been an adventure like no other, we once again say we would rather be no place else.  Several of you have also said you wished you were here as well - it's hard to watch what's going on in Israel when your heart is here.  We've had offers for places to stay if we needed to leave, and while we are so very grateful, this is where we belong.  We show our love and commitment by our presence, encouragement and love.  Thank you all so very, very much for all your prayers.

This song shares our heart...."Why should I be afraid?"

PLEASE PRAY FOR  the men who carry the main burden of responsibility:

·         Binyamin Netenyahu - Prime Minister

·         Moshe Ya’alon – Defense Minister

·         Benny Gantz – Chief of the IDF

·         Amir Eshel – Chief of the Air Force

·         Ram Rutberg – Chief of the Navy

We received the prayer below from a friend, and thought many of you may want to have it as well to pray in solidarity with Israel.

Prayer for Members of the Israel Defense Force 

He Who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - may He bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Force, who stand guard over our land and the cities of our God from the border of the Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah, on the land, in the air, and on the sea. 

May The Lord cause the enemies who rise up against us to be struck down before them. May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our fighting men from every trouble and distress and from every plague and illness, and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor. 

May He lead our enemies under their sway and may He grant them salvation and crown them with victory. And may there be fulfilled for them the verse: For it is The Lord, your God, Who goes with you to battle your enemies for you to save you. 

Now let us respond: Amen. 

WOW - WOW - WOW!!!

WOW - WOW - WOW!!!  This is a common phrase for Israelis, even when all they speak is Hebrew.  :) You'll hear it quite a bit these days.

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.

At war with Gaza - the Lion of Judah Roars

Well...we weren't going to post another blog this soon, but so much has happened since we did one just 9 days ago.  Many of you are keeping up with what's going on in Israel right now, so you are aware of the current events these past two weeks.  We also wanted to give a first hand view of what's going on, since news bits don't always portray the whole picture.

We sent out a prayer email last week on Monday evening as we learned of the bodies of Gilad, Eyal and Naftali being found.  Tuesday was a mournful day for all of Israel, as a people and a nation.  It was palpable, as one rode the bus or train or walked the streets - and yet, life goes on.  The funeral was the next day, Tuesday at 5 pm in Modi'in, where the three boys were laid to rest together.

At the same time as the funeral, there began an unrest in Jerusalem amongst those who would have been peers of these three youth.  It began last Tuesday about 4 pm at the "string bridge" just a few blocks from where CFI is temporarily located (at our "Lighthouse" Distribution Center) near the Central Bus Station.  However, we didn't know about this until we left from work a little after 4:30 pm - right into the middle of the riot/demonstrators who were then moving towards, and then down, Yafo/Jaffa Street.

While these angry Jewish young people took to the streets, hollered out awful things (calling for revenge and death to Arabs), caused some damage, attacked some innocent Arab people, with several being arrested, it was not quite as bad as you may have seen in the news.  While their words and actions were very wrong, they felt the need to get their anger out.  If only they had just marched down the streets, blocking traffic and the train - and not speaking words of hatred and causing harm.

Having walked down Yafo not far behind this growing number of people, it seemed they were headed towards the Old City.  Not wanting to go home, but looking at an opportunity to grieve with, and show solidarity to a People who are constantly targeted, I decided to go to Zion Square on Yafo Street.  Here, was a group lighting candles in memory of the boys and who were in prayer for the families.  There were also two men singing appropriate songs in which a small crowd gathered to mourn together and read Scriptures and prayers through the loud speaker.

At one point the men were singing a popular Israeli song, Am Yisrael Chai - The People of Israel Live.  It was then that the large crowd of rioters/demonstrators made their way back from the Old City - having been turned away by the police with threats of tear gas - towards Zion Square.  As they passed by, it was a strange dichotomy of the wide range of emotions going on in Israel - pain, hurt, and anger.  Much of which, we were were feeling as well.  The below video during that moment was a picture of all this emotion.

It was then that we needed to make our way to the coastal city of Ashdod to pick up a coworker who was visiting holocaust survivors when the car broke down.  We stopped home briefly, to find that rockets were once again coming out of Gaza into Israel.  The rockets were landing about 50 miles south of Ashdod, and we made our way in that direction.  Once we arrived, we had to wait some time for the tow truck to get there, so we went to the beach, a five minute drive away.  As we stood there with our feet in the Mediterranean Sea looking at the stars,  it was so calm and peaceful - yet not far to the south there were rockets launched by terrorists, rioting in Jerusalem, and a lot of hurting people.

As we were getting ready for work the next morning, emotionally exhausted and sleep deprived, we heard the news of the young Arab teen that was found dead.  Starting last Wednesday there has been a lot of Arab rioting.  They have caused much damage, even to the point that the Jerusalem light rail train is not running north of Ammunition Hill due to damage caused by one of the train stations being set on fire.  The riots have continued in Arab towns around Israel and Arab sections of Jerusalem.

At the same time, we can tell you from personal experience, that this is only in pockets.  On the buses and trains and shops, Jews and Arabs are side by side with no contention.  So, yes, it's really bad in many areas as you will see in the news.  But overall, things are somewhat "normal" at this point for us in Jerusalem and most other cities in Israel.  

The authorities have already arrested the murderers of this crime.  As 3 of the 6 men arrested have already confessed, sad to say it was a revenge killing by these angry Jewish individuals taking things into their own hands.  Needless to say, the Arab community is outraged and letting it be known with violence everywhere.  Several Jewish people have been attacked, and the police have tried to squelch the rioting without much success.

The Jewish community is literally shocked.  No one wants to believe that a Jew could possibly commit such an atrocity.  There is such embarrassment and anger and frustration, and the word on everyone's lips is "shameful".  So, not even 24 hours after the funeral of these three young Jewish boys, they are almost forgotten, as the (literal) raging fires burn in the Arab communities over the murder of this young Arab boy.  And no one has even mentioned the young Jewish woman in the north who was brutally stabbed 17 times by an Arab taxi driver (who confessed) just a few weeks ago.  

Since our blog about 1 ½ weeks ago, Israel has had about 350 more rockets come in from Gaza.  40 in just one hour last night!  100 for all of yesterday.  Even since we've been writing this post our siren alert app keeps going off.  About 150 more today.  Jim was supposed to deliver some much needed supplies to soldiers this week, but the IDF said all visits had to be cancelled; they will send soldiers to pick up the equipment.  

The IDF has been slowly sending troops to the Gaza border since last Friday. Earlier today, IDF asked to deploy 40,000 soldiers to replace soldiers around Israel so they could then be sent to the Gaza border region.  Even just now Israel shot down a rocket over Tel Aviv.  

Iron Dome shoots down Hamas rocket over Tel Aviv

http://www.jpost.com/Operation-Protective-Edge/IDF-chief-Gantz-asks-for-call-up-of-40000-reserves-amid-Operation-Protective-Edge-361953

Normally rockets land in open areas, and there is no damage.  With this many, though, homes, buildings, and cars are beginning to receive damage.  Last week, in the midst of the rocket fire and sirens, students in Sderot (the most commonly hit city) took exams for schooling.  Can you even imagine your child living like this??

http://www.jpost.com/National-News/Sderot-high-school-students-take-matriculation-exams-amid-falling-rockets-361439

As "Operation Protective Edge" gets under way (beginning last night), Israel's leaders have said it's "time to take the gloves off" as we enter an operation that probably won't end real soon.  Cities within 40 miles from Gaza are taking strict precautions preparing for this war with instructions from Home Front Command, including preparing bomb shelters.  This directive is now spreading to cities further away, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.  Up to this point Israel's response has been through the Air Force, but it is also likely that the IDF will begin a ground defensive.  Please keep these brave warriors in your prayers.  And their parents....remember, Israel's infantry army is mostly age 18-21.

http://www.jpost.com/Operation-Protective-Edge/Tel-Aviv-Municipality-prepares-to-open-public-bomb-shelters-361962

A while ago we downloaded an app that alerts us whenever a code red siren goes off in Israel - alerting of incoming rockets.  "Red Alert" provides real time alerts every time a terrorist fires rockets, mortars or missiles into the State of Israel.  Here's a link to learn more if you are interested in this app so you can pray for the safety of the people in these areas - it's now in English, so when you hear the alert, you will know to pray.  

Check out this app on iTunes:

Red Alert : Israel Kobi Snir News, Social Networking Jun 29, 2014 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/red-alert-israel/id873642097?mt=8 If  you would like to keep up with the news in Israel during this war, here's a couple of good websites: http://www.jpost.com http://www.timesofisrael.com

One of the frustrating things during this is the world - including the United States government - calling on Israel to "show restraint".  To go through what this nation has endured over the past few days, weeks and even years - and do nothing.  They need to remember how they felt on September 11th, when America's peace was ripped out from among her by terrorists.  How they wanted to stop these Islamic terrorists from ever harming their citizens again.  How they would feel having rockets fired constantly at them, their families, their children.  Israel has the same mandate to protect its people - and Her enemies are only mere miles away....This video shows the reality Israel faces each day.

We ask, do you really want to have a clear understanding of the situation in Israel?  If so, please watch this 5 ½ minute video.  It's easy to understand, clear, precise and to the point.  Bottom line:  if Israel's enemies were to lay down their weapons today, there would be peace.  If Israel were to lay down Her weapons.....there would be no Israel.

We ask that you would please agree with us in prayer - 

That God's truth will reign, and the enemy will not deceive the world with negative propaganda against Israel.

That He will give discernment to Israel's leaders on how to handle each of the volatile situations its facing. 

That those who need to be brought to justice for crimes committed will be (they have still not caught the murders of the 3 Jewish boys).

That He will protect the soldiers and the people and the Land.

That a blanket of peace will fall over this nation.

That His will - will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.