Update From Sderot 9/1/12

I can't believe that it has been this many weeks since my last update. The summer here has simply flown by, with a whirlwind of activities and many visitors who came to bless us with their gift of serving along side of us. Our heartfelt thanks to each of you. For me it has been a time of growth and time spent in the Word.

As you can read below, the rockets from Gaza continue to break the fragile quiet. Nearly fifty rockets were sporadically fired at the cities of the southern Negev this summer. Rocket fire has increased this week as school here once again reopens.
For those of you who have asked about my next trip to the States, I will be back in October sometime after the Feast of Tabernacles. I look forward to seeing everyone again. In the meantime here is more about what has be going on here in Sderot.


Rocket Fire Once Again Increases As The Children Of Sderot Return Back To School

The first week of school was marked by three straight days of sporadic rocket fire in the South. Three rockets were fired toward Sderot on Sunday, the first day of school and three more on Monday. Two rockets damaged buildings in the industrial area and two people received medical treatment for injuries. As the week progressed a total of five rockets hit Sderot, including a home on Friday morning.

The Growing Threat Of War

The degree of concern being expressed in the media in regards to the “coming storm” this fall is greater than anything that has been aired to date. There are almost daily threats from the nations surrounding Israel. This week Hezbollah’s MP Walid Sakariya states that Iran’s nuclear program is designed to “finish off” Israel. The growing concerns about chemical attacks from Syria are only reinforced by published statements from the Syrian rebels that they have taken over a military base and have found missiles with “non-conventional warheads. The leadership of Iran continues to spew threats of genocide with increasing frequency.

New Pamphlet Issued This Week To Prepare The Israeli People

The new pamphlet was sent out this week by Home Front Command to homes across Israel. The favorite children’s TV character featured on the front cover is a sad reminder that Israel is a society that needs to teach its children to prepare for war. Additionally, the Home front command prepares medical personnel and the public with state-wide emergency drills. The increased threat of chemical attacks has caused Israelis this week to stand in lines across Israel in order to receive gas masks.

We have started to gather the necessary emergency items; drinking water, food, medical supplies. This week I gathered together supplies for a "first responders" box and have begun to discuss and develope a crisis plan within our family fellowship. I have to admit it feels somewhat surreal, much like being in the middle of movie as it races toward it's climax.

Thank you for allowing me to share. I am thankful that we are able to continue to bless and minister to the people here in Israel at this time. We give thanks to our Heavenly Father who continues to move in the hearts of His people to “stand in the gap” and support this ministry. Your faithful prayers and vital support are greatly appreciated. Todah rabah! May Yah bless and keep you…

Escalation Of Rocket Fire In The South

Rocket fire has greatly increased since Monday. Between Monday and Wednesday afternoon a total of 57 rockets fell into Israeli territory. On Monday, a rocket landed close to a Border Police vehicle wounding 11 border police. Hamas terrorist carried out the overwhelming majority of attacks. The change from their regular denial of responsibility to openly claiming responsibility is a significant change.

A week ago on the 16^th, two 122 mm Grad rockets were fired at Israel’s southern border with Egypt from the Sinai Peninsula. On Monday, a three-man terrorist squad infiltrated into Israel territory at the Israel/Egyptian border. They detonated an IED while attacking vehicles that belonged to some construction workers. They also launched a RPG and opened fire with light arms. An Israeli construction worker was killed in the attack.

Israeli Air Force carried out a number of counter-terrorism attacks which was followed by a massive barrage of rockets targeting the western Negev.

This morning at 0630, Sderot was awakened to the sound of alarms going off. The “Tseva Adom” was being heard all over town as the rocket barrage began. I awoke as the first alarm sounded and as my feet hit the floor, the first rocket hit with a thundering loud impact causing the windows to rattle. “That was close!” I thought to myself as I opened the bedroom door. As I stepped through the doorway, I heard the sound of two more rush by overhead and two more found their target. Two… three… four… five… rockets hit as the houseful of visiting friends and children gathered together. Adults trying to comfort the children while shielding them with their own bodies.

Ok, so this sounds like some scene from a movie… but it wasn’t. Over the next 45 minutes the scene was played out five more times. Each time the sound of impact sounded like it was just outside the outer walls. Each time, parents could be heard asking, “Where is Ezra?” or “Where is Gabriel?” as they searched the huddled children to assure all were there.

The morning’s rocket salvo left one man with shrapnel injuries to the neck and stomach, and many more were treated for shock. A factory and a school took direct hits, causing extensive damage. Approximately twenty rockets in less than an hour brought the total since Monday to 150 rockets.

“Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though

war arise against me, yet I will be confident… For he will hide me in

his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of

his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.” Psalm 27:3, 5

                

“… from your bounty, Yah, you provided for the poor.” Psalm 68:10 


 The Father’s steadfast love and faithfulness in our lives and the lives of those He allows us to serve is without end. There are so many times He brings someone to us with a need, and then provides that need through another source. Or we are given things that at first may seem like an odd donation only to have someone come to us requesting that very thing. 


Last month at the storefront, a lady came in seeking help. Her husband is working, but with three small children it just doesn't stretch far enough. She had asked if we could help with some diapers and formula. Now diapers and formula aren't part of our regular items we distribute but we sure have been getting a lot of requests lately. It dawned on me the other day that all those children who were 11, 12, and 13 when the rockets first started in 2000, are now grown, married and having babies. The children of 2000 are now bringing the next generation of children into this war zone reality. Anyway back to the young mother asking for help. We now have about 5 or 6 young families we help out with diapers and formula when we can. As funds become available we purchase what we can and then make deliveries. Well the day the mother came in we had just gave out what we were able to buy that week so we had nothing to offer her, but told her we would help when we could. Later that afternoon, a truck arrived from a ministry in Jerusalem called Joseph Project. We were expecting some beds and chairs that we would distribute to those in need. Well there weren’t any beds or chairs on the truck, but instead a pallet of boxes. Our Father's love and concern for His children is so amazing. You guessed it... the unexpected boxes were filled with diapers. And of course, being able to share with this young mother (we called her that afternoon to come back in) that God loves her so much that even before she asked Him to help her that morning, the day before the truck was being loaded with what she needed. Praise Him!


About a week ago, a couple who live in the north contacted us because they wanted to give a donation to provide for some needy families for Shavuot (Pentecost). Now it was a Thursday and there was much to prepare for the double Shabbat that was quickly approaching. Not to mention the shopping and dinner to prepare for the Thursday night fellowship. There are times when we must put our carefully planned agendas aside in order to let the Father bless us. 


So arrangements were made to meet with the couple, who had 1000 sheckles to donate and wanted to buy additional food for eight families. The couple later shared how they had collected the money by saving loose change for the past year. 
So anyway, they go to the local market to buy eight each of the items we told them the people would appreciate. Meanwhile we get another phone call. It was a family who in the past chose life when faced with a pregnancy at a financially difficult time. At that time we promised to help in any way we could to relieve the burden of the expanding family. The father called because he had lost his job and the family had nothing for the holiday. 


How amazing our Father is! He touches the hearts of a young couple over a year ago to save up. And right in His perfect timing He orchestrates it all, bringing together those that have to give and those that need. Then He allows us to share with both His great love and provision as we share the parts of the story unknown to those involved. Hallelujah!


I praise you for all your wonders and mostly for your great love. Help me to be an instrument that effectively broadcasts the story of your glory.