Communities Under Attack by Maggie Huang
A Land of Promise
Israel is a beautiful country with diverse landscapes and scenery, ranging from desert in the south to lush green hills in the north. That beauty is incredibly varied, and while traveling in Israel you are almost certain to, and very often, gasp in awe at the beauty this land has to offer. It truly is a land flowing with milk and honey promised by God to the Jewish people as an Eternal Inheritance (Genesis 12:7; 13:15 & 15:18; Exodus 6:8; Lev 20:24; Numbers 34:1-12; Deuteronomy 31:20 & 19:8; Judges 2:1; Psalm 105:8-11… to name just a few scriptures). Indeed God marries Jewish people to the Land of Israel (Isaiah 62:5); this land was laid desolate when the Jewish people were in exile, Mark Twain testified of that desolation when he visited Israel in 1867.
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Praise God that the desolate land of Israel is rejoicing and blossoming again as God has brought back the Captives of Israel to this Land (Isaiah 35:1 & 58:11), and the nations have marveled at what God has done (Psalm 126: 6). The restoration of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel is God’s doing, to prepare for what is to come – The restoration of all things (Acts 3:21). And as Bible believers we are in awe of what a Covenant keeping God we serve, who watches over His word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12).
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Oppositions to God’s Eternal Purpose
Today Israel is literally surrounded by haters of Zion whose common goal is the destruction of Israel, to oppose what God is doing with all His heart and soul, which is to replant the Jewish people in the Land of Israel (Jeremiah 32:41) for His Holy Name sake (Ezekiel 36:21-22).
The Israeli communities have been under ongoing and constant rocket attack, especially in areas bordering Gaza in Southern Israel. And in the North, backed by Iran Hezbollah has acquired around 150,000 sophisticated guided missiles aimed at regions not only in North, but the entire land of Israel. It is not “if” but “when” Hezbollah will use their stockpiles of missiles to attack Israel.
- Furthermore, the incendiary devices fired from Gaza have caused
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2,155 fires ignited by arson kites/balloons (as of 2 July 2019)
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8,747 acres of land – farmland, forests, nature reserves – destroyed.
- Estimated cost of the damage done by the rockets, mortar bombs and arson from Gaza from March 2018 – August 2019: NIS 35 million; direct damage caused by the fires: NIS 14 million.
Misery Living Under Constant Rocket Attack
An additional cost, that cannot be estimated only in money, is the cost of the trauma suffered by the civilian population in southern Israel, especially the children. For more than 15 years, rocket attacks have been part of the daily routine for people living in Southern Israel bordering Gaza… Some civilians only have less than 15 seconds (some even less) to run to a bomb shelter or safe room when “Tzeva Adom” (siren warning of an incoming rocket attack) is sounded. It disrupts the daily life, causes death or injuries as well as indescribable trauma to children and adults alike, affecting their mental wellbeing and capability for work or study and livelihood. The resulting uncertainty and constant state of high alert are taking their emotional toll on residents in the South.
Strengthening the Hurting and Weary Souls
It is reported that more than 70% of civilians in Southern Israel need to take anti-depressant to be able to function. Nevertheless, many families are determined to stay and build their lives on their land in the Western Negev, and we are here helping to strengthen these communities under constant attack (Psalm 35:3). In addition to home visits to strengthen each individual affected by rocket attack, Project CUA also has provided collective assistance to affected communities with: A marathon studies project to help children with learning difficulties, horse therapy for traumatized children, relaxation holidays and therapeutic spas, food vouchers for Passover and Feast of Tabernacle holidays, and special events for different groups of rocket survivors.
Thank you – our supporters, for enabling Project CUA to be the hands of God and our Lord, to mend the broken-hearted, to feed the hungry, to comfort those who mourn, to calm the people in great distress and to help them to look to God and put their hope and trust in Him and His words. To support Project CUA, please send your financial gift to CFI Jerusalem designated to Project “Communities Under Attack”, thank you.
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Contact Communities Under Attack at: cua@cfijerusalem.org
