With all of the random things that have been happening here lately, just within the past week, it seems as if Israel has changed overnight. Let me see if I can give you a good overview and catch you up on all of the craziness of this tiny country!
Before I explain this series of unusual events, allow me to expound on the change I have sensed in the spirit. I often explain to people when they ask that it feels like static is in the air and it causes tension, a dynamic, spiritual tension that also feels heavy. This tension causes fatigue as well. Yet very recently, it has gotten even heavier. You can feel it in the air. I believe a battle is about to be waged and the spiritual forces are gearing up. Trust me, this is unlike anything I have ever experienced before... and I have lived here for over two years now!
Broken Nose -
This past Sunday, Tomer was making an arrest with one of his fellow officers at 4AM when the man they were arresting became violent and lashed out while Tomer was trying to arrest him. The man elbowed Tomer in the face and broke his nose. Tomer was too pre-occupied to notice it was truly broken until they took the man into the station. Tomer was sent with the other officer to the ER and was told that his nose would have to be set in the near future. Please pray for Tomer as this is scheduled for Sunday morning. (Remember, Sunday in Israel is like Monday for you in the States!)
Mugging -
This past week, three of our female CFI volunteers were waiting at an empty bus stop after a church service one night. A teenaged Arab boy ran at them, grabbed one of their purses and started running. The only problem was that the purse he grabbed was hooked to her arm and he drug her across the pavement and she slammed her head very hard against a pole. He pried the purse loose and ran away. Unfortunately, her passport, money, credit cards, camera and cell phone were in her purse and she lost everything. Thankfully, she has recovered and CFI will replace all that was stolen. Situations like these though can be traumatizing so please pray for Cindy and that she will truly continue to feel the peace of God in her heart.
Emergency Room -
On Monday, when I got to CFI to start working, I got a call from one of our volunteers that she was being sent to the ER for continuous episodes of numbness in her body. I immediately went to meet her and we spent from 10AM - 7PM at the ER running tests and waiting for results. Thankfully, Tomer's Aunt is the Head Nurse and was able to speed things along for us and gave us some extra attention throughout the process. All of the results were normal and there is still no reason the doctors can find for these episodes. Please pray for Donna, that God would reveal to her what the problem is and the He would heal her completely.
Protests -
This past week has been a week of protests in Israel! The largest protest was one I happened to agree with... a protest of our current disfunctional government under Olmert. Over 120,000 gathered in Tel Aviv at Rabin Square to protest the current political situation. It is almost certain that there will be elections this year for a new administration. We must start praying for God to raise up a strong, solid, capable and GODLY leader here in Israel!
Molotov Bottle -
As if a broken nose weren't enough, Tomer was driving yesterday on the way to pick up something when a Palestinian from a nearby Arab village threw a molotov bottle aimed at his car! It landed ahead of him and the fire lit up the road for a moment but PRAISE the GOD OF ISRAEL that it did not land on his car!
Police Injuries -
This week has been a rough week for the police. As Tomer was home recovering, the next day two of his police friends were at a house demolition where a house was being destroyed because it was illegally built by an Arab on Israeli-owned land. (Many Arabs try to do this to gradually take over our land! Think of Jericho, Bethlehem, East Jerusalem, etc.) The police were securing the area when all of the sudden an Arab man threw a rock and it smashed into Tomer's friend's head. He was immediately rushed to the ER. After the rock was thrown, another officer ran to the Arab man and the Arab punched him under the jaw and knocked him out. He also was ruched to the ER and temporarily lost all feeling in his jaw. I know both of these men and I ask that you lift them up in prayer for healing and a swift recovery.
Preparing for War -
In the past two weeks, several alerts have been stated that speak of possible upcoming war with Syria. This could mean now or it could mean late summer or early fall. We don't know but we are starting to prepare. Several of our apartments have been issued gas mask fliers to have them checked and updated to meet the standards.
I was recently assigned to head up CFI's emergency response team and to formulate plans of action and all sorts of fun things!
I have to admit, I didn't get around to preparing personally at home until we had a brownout and then a blackout in my neighborhood... I sat in the darkness, I didn't even own a flashlight! Suffice it to say, I took that as a hint from God and bought some necessary supplies as well as water and food.
So, as you can read, it's been an eventful week! I am trying to keep up with my normal routine on top of all of this, however, I don't know if my routine could ever really be defined as "normal" living here! I am already looking forward to seeing everyone this summer when I return home for a vacation. I will send another email in the near future about some meetings we are planning and details of when I will be home.
Your prayers are needed now in a great way! We really need men and women to wage war in the spirit and lift up the events that are happening all over the world. I know I can count on you to do so.
Thank you all for your prayers and support. It truly helps me get through each week and I couldn't do it without your encouragement!
This is Erin reporting LIVE from Israel...
"You made Israel your people forever, and you, O Lord, became their God."
II Samuel 7:24