Below is the City Center of Sderot just as stores were beginning to close a little before 2pm for Shabbat. Here are some quotes from the Jerusalem Post Online Edition about the past few days in Sderot. "After a turbulent Friday on which some 40 Kassams and mortar shells slammed into the western Negev, the attacks continued Saturday morning as two rockets fired from Gaza hit the Sha'ar Hanegev region...Late Friday, two Sderot homes suffered direct hits from Kassams, sending six people into shock - four of whom were eating their Shabbat dinner when the rockets struck."
Sderot, mid-day Friday, standing in front of the little restaurant where we bought schwarma and falafel to go.
Below is a bus stop in Sderot. All bus stops in Sderot are also bomb shelters. There are bomb shelters by the schools, play grounds, the public library, etc. Several years ago when I read that Israel was going to build bomb shelters at all bus stops, the residents of Sderot were actually asking the question "Instead of doing that, why don't you fix the problem? Like going into Gaza and eliminating the terrorists?" That sounds logical, however to the rest of the world that would be "against the peace process". So Sderot and other communities nearby are sacrificed daily for the sake of the "peace process".
Our first visit was with a lady whose husband was killed 5 years ago by a kassam on his way to work. She has 3 children and had to go to work herself. Her oldest son is in the IDF and the second son is eagerly approaching that age. Both young men want to serve Israel even though they do not have to since their father sacrificed his life for the nation. Notice how she welcomes guests (strangers) with open arms. "You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. Exodus 22:21.
Their home was lovely and she said "there are too many memories here for the children and me to consider selling it". Outside on her patio is a little garden. Frequently, at CFI, we enjoy the fruit that grows on this tree. It looks like miniature oranges but is also has a little sour flavor like a lemon. They are very good. You eat the outside peeling and all. You think I would know the name of something that I put in my mouth.
While we were sitting with her and enjoying her hospitality, a voice over a loud speaker started saying in Hebrew the equivalent of "Code Red, Code Red." Our hostess explained that a kassam was coming. While sipping my tea, I thought it was an appropriate time for a short prayer, "Father, protect us!" Then we could hear an explosion in the distance. After a few more minutes of conversation, it was again, "Code Red, Code Red." Another explosion. As we continued visiting, the next time we heard the loud speaker, there was more of a "warning siren" sound. She explained that this when there are multiple kassams coming. The Lord Jesus was with us at all times and we never left our places around the table. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7
After asking if we could pray for her protection and safety, then we went to our second family to visit. They were located in west Sderot which is the closest to Gaza. The above photo with the smoke stacks in the distance is Ashkelon located on the Mediterranean Sea. Ashkelon is just north of Gaza. As the kassam rockets continue to have a longer range, Ashkelon may be the target of choice in the future for the muslims because there are more refineries and factories there. Below in the distance would be northern Gaza. The white object in the sky looks like a surveillance blimp or something similar. You can see all the observation towers. The prophet Zephaniah, when talking about the Day of the Lord, had a lot to say about this area. For Gaza shall be forsaken, And Ashkelon desolate; ... Zephaniah 2:4
Visiting our second family who again shows us tremendous hospitality. Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. Deutoronomy 10:19.
A few years ago, the gentleman of this house was standing outside in his yard when a kassam landed two meters from him. The shrapnel hit him behind his right ear and he had to have major surgery on his ear, his jaw, around his nose, etc. It still affects him today. All of our visits today were follow-up visits for inital contacts made by CFI. Below is the Certificate of Honor that CFI presented to this gentleman on the first contact. After many stories we again asked to pray for their protection. He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." Psalm 91:1-2.
Even in Sdeot, the beauty of the Lord is there.
Most of the families shared that the kassams definitely come in the morning and the evening. During the afternoon hours, young boys head outside to enjoy a game of football (soccer). As a parent, can you imagine the worry of just allowing your children to go play soccer? Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King... Psalm 149:2
When we broke for lunch, I started sharing my spicy schwarma with two stray cats.
Word soon spread among the cats that some old man was sharing his lunch. However, when I uploaded this photo to the pc, I was amazed to see "the cross" from the sunlight on the dumpster. I knew the Lord Jesus was with us all day but how humbling that He also took the time to remind us that He was there. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20.
Both the cats and I can testify that it was a good, spicy schwarma. One of the cats started sneezing a few times and I figured it must have been too much "hot" sauce.
Our 3rd visit was with a family where the husband is getting ready to undergo surgery for brain tumor. He was also involved in a kassam attack and his 3 young children live with great fears. None of that kept them from welcoming strangers into their home. The young man said "the door is always open." With all the hospitality, we definitely had plenty to eat on Friday.
The young man was eager to show us his parrot. He also recited a story where he was walking home from school when the kassam alarm sounded. While running to nearest bus stop for cover, he fell and hit his head. There is still a little knot above one of his eyes. This young man said he would like to have "a good night's sleep without kassams".
The oldest daughter was very shy but wanted to display the quilt that CFI gave her the first time. She really got embarassed when I said that "I needed a picture!" I don't blame her, I never like to have my picture taken either. When the alarms start sounding and the excitement begins, she has trouble with her vision. That was something we definitely covered in our prayer of protection and safety for them.
After a couple of hours, the shyness was gone, and she was demonstrating her fondness for dancing. Notice how all three children are smiling. The youngest daughter lost her two front baby teeth while playing outside and starting to run when the alarms sounded. She very bravely just stated, "I start to cry everytime I hear the alarms." These children have grown up with kassam rockets nearly all of their childhood. They need a lot of comforting prayer. "Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me." Mark 9:37
As evening approached, the mother was wanting us to leave before the kassams started falling again. For a short time, this family was laughing and enjoying themselves. Then it would be back to reality. After praying for all the children and adults, there were plenty of handshakes and hugs. However, we still had one more quick stop. In Sderot, we visited a small Russian congregation of believers who meet in one of their homes. I was reminded of what God said to Elijah when he thought he was the only one. Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him." 1st Kings 19:18. The Lord always has a remnant of believers even in Sderot.
As the JPost article said "Late Friday, two Sderot homes suffered direct hits from Kassams." Because of the Russian praise and worship, we did not even hear the sirens. Our eyes were focused on Him rather than Gaza and the things of this world. Just the way it should be. When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." Mark *:34-38
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