Shalom Brothers and Sisters,
This will be an exciting update with of media clips and informative links!
I am sure you have been wondering what the latest news is from my perspective. I pray I can share with you a
thorough update of the war Israel is engaged in. These are very crazy times in Israel, but God is revealing Himself as who He says He is:
The God of Israel!
As you must already know, Israel is in a "war" with Hizbollah of Lebanon (though Hizbollah is a Syrian terror group). Over 1800 rockets (ketyushas) have been launched at Israeli towns and cities. Most of the north are in bomb shelters even now. Haifa was the most shocking of cities targeted because it is a thriving, modern popular Israeli port city. I have been there many times. It is a beautiful place. Tiberias was another shock even though it is further north of Haifa on the Sea of Galilee. The miracle is that even though over 1800 ketyushas have fallen on Israeli towns and cities, very few lives have been taken. This is evidence of God's protection of His Chosen People! (Attached is a presentation of pictures taken in Haifa... these pictures may be slightly disturbing) Israel has completed several successful operations to take out Hizbollah strongholds and they continue to do so.
New emergency manuals were distributed at CFI yesterday to all of our staff. It is good to be prepared and read up on the emergency procedures such as sirens, gas mask procedures and sealed room requirements. I never thought I'd be eating a bowl of cereal while reading how to put on a gas mask properly or how to give myself an injection if I am exposed to nerve gas! I sometimes have to laugh to myself.
The fact of the matter is I am relatively safe from ketyushas here in Jerusalem. So far, they cannot reach this far (that we know of). So Jerusalem is not on a state of alert. However, Jerusalem is on a very high state of alert for suicide bombings. Many arrests have been made of would-be suicide bombers that were already wired with bombs and about to detonate. I work in the most central part of Jerusalem so often the suicide bombers are arrested in very close proximity to where I work, even across the street. Once again, I do not fear.
Living in Israel at such a tense time as this has made me trust in God in ways I have never had to before. It's almost a surreal feeling when you hear of an arrest across the street of a would-be suicide bomber. I just thank God that I have no spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). I can honestly say that I am not afraid and even in times the enemy has tred to stir up fear, it is quickly defeated. There can be peace in the midst of war, but only when you have a relationship with God.
Due to the current war situation in the north, CFI has set up a 2006 War Relief Fund to support the people during this critical time! This is an excerpt from our Director at CFI, Ray Sanders:
As you might expect, during the past week we have received a number of telephone calls and e-mails regarding the situation in Gaza and Lebanon. In addition, we are also receiving inquiries from within Israel for practical and financial assistance for a variety of needs. For this reason, we have decided to establish a WAR RELIEF FUND 2006 to make available funds for requests such as displaced families living in bomb shelters and make-shift living quarters, families who have lost their homes do to rocket attacks, toys for traumatized children, those who are wounded lying in hospital beds, newly arriving immigrants, soldiers serving in harm's way and emergency needs among the believing community. To facilitate this assistance, Tom Mauro, our Director of Administration, is presently on the ground with Arik Lubovsky, our CFI Liaison in the Galilee, assessing the enormous needs. There is a great need for finances for these various emergency needs which are required because of the situation.
We are quite sure that a number of our supporters will want to become involved in this specific appeal for help. Therefore, we encourage you not to miss this opportunity to practically stand with Israel and the Jewish people in this crucial hour. We encourage you to make this urgent need known in your communities and country that there is a way which people can help. Please designate all gifts to WAR RELIEF FUND 2006 payable to CFI and we will administer the funds to the people who need it the most. Thank you for all of your ongoing prayers for the people of Israel during this stressful time.
Tom Mauro, our Director of Administration at CFI, is currently in the north and has reported the following:
War Relief Report – July 18, 2006
Tom left Jerusalem on Tuesday afternoon and went to meet Arik. Together they went to visit more than 300 Ethiopian children at Hadassah Neurim which is between Hadera & Netanya. These children were moved from the north and the Ministry of Education wanted them to continue their studies. They had no school supplies with which to do so. CFI was able to provide funds to buy school supplies for the children. The director was so blessed that Christians are standing with them in practical ways during these difficult days. The director's house was destroyed by a Katyusha rocket in recent days.
War Relief Report – July 19, 2006
Proverbs instructs us to "acknowledge Him in all our ways" and gives us the promise that He will direct our steps. The Lord was truly directing Tom and Arik's steps on Wednesday. On the drive up north, they stopped at a center that is feeding soldiers who are serving in the conflict. They have been feeding as many as 1,000 soldiers a day! Tom gave them funds to help with the food costs and got a chance to chat with some of them. He made a contact that he will be giving to Karen for possible David's Shield opportunities.
As they continued up north, suddenly they heard the sirens and saw rockets. These were the rockets that hit on Wednesday in Nazareth and killed two children. Tom and Arik said the car shook and they could see and smell the smoke from the fire. They immediately started praying and felt an amazing sense of the Lord's peace. They went to the hospital in Afula where ambulances were taking the wounded and they spent some time praying.
From there, they continued north to Tiberius and went to the hospital there. Tom had a wonderful opportunity to visit a wounded soldier there.
Gil is a tank commander and is only 20 years old. He was serving on a base up on the border. A cable snapped on his tank and he sustained eye injuries. Tom told him that he was there representing Christian Friends of Israel and many Christians from around the world who love Israel and that it is our desire to put our words to actions. Tom tells me he wishes he could have captured on camera the look on this young soldier's face when Tom told him that we are standing with him and his comrades and that we are praying for them. Tom was able to truly put our words to actions and give Gil some money to bless him. Tom also gave him some money to take back to his comrades on the border and to let them know that we love them and stand with them. Tom and Gil have already talked about having lunch next time Gil comes to Jerusalem!
Tom wants all of us to know that he feels our prayers and that we are all in this together. He may be the hands and feet but it's coming from all of us, so be encouraged….God is faithful and is using CFI in a very strategic time. Tom reports that everywhere he goes, people are so blessed by the fact that we love them and are supporting them.
I am so thankful to volunteer for an organization that responds to the needs of the people during a crisis, not just after! Though Lori (fellow volunteer at CFI) and I both desire to go to the north and do what Tom is doing, we trust God will order our steps and place us where we need to be!
A mutual friend of Tomer and I was called into reserve duty. He is a Believer and he has a wife and a daughter. His name is Josh. Attached is an Israeli news clip of reserve duty soldiers leaving for their assignments and Josh is one of them that was interviewed. You will recognize him when you see him holding his daughter and saying goodbye to his wife:
My friends, this war is very personal not only to Israel, but to me. Since God birthed within me this calling, I have known that to serve Israel would require me to be here during it's most difficult times. These difficult times are here with War on three fronts: Lebanon, Gaza and Nablus. I so desire to serve and reach out as best as I can. I yearn for God's Chosen People to come into a personal relationship with Yeshua. Just to be here during "unsafe" times makes a huge statement. I have no intention of leaving Israel regardless of how bad things may get. I have made a committment and could never turn back. Israel is my home now and my life is here. I love each day I am given here with an unquenchable passion!
As you see news reports on television, I challenge you to stop and say a prayer for our soldiers, police and medics as well as the civilians and all of us who are here experiencing attacks from the enemy. Many staff members of CFI, including myself, have received many encouraging emails from friends and family at home and we sometimes read them in our morning prayer meetings to build each other up! Thank you so much to those who have taken time to write and pray. Your words are not only encouraging me, but our entire staff!
In closing, I thank you all for considering my calling to Israel. As you know, I am a volunteer and must raise support in order to keep living here and serving here. I pray that if God would lay it upon your heart to give a donation or support me monthly that you would contact my mom at: kcmather3@aol.com for more information. Your donations are critical and literally provide me with groceries and necessities. Donations in any amount are received with joyful gratitude!
This is Erin reporting LIVE from Israel...
Psalm 135:4
For the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His special treasure.