Back to normal, nearly…
I traveled to the north again today as part of a Bridges for Peace mission to deliver food and supplies to needy families there. Passing us on our way north were several tanks on flatbed trucks heading south. Our first stop was to Kiryat Shemona, where some 800 rockets fell over the course of the fighting with the Hezbollah. Several homes have minor damage, such as windows shattered and shutters blown apart, from where the rockets had missed the buildings but still caused damage from the shock of the impact. Again, when weighed against the number of rockets fired at the city, there were thankfully very few direct hits against homes. However, we examined an apartment building that had sustained a direct hit on Saturday, just before the cease-fire went in to effect.
We went to our target neighborhood where students and several poor families were living. Less than 10 minutes after we opened the doors to the truck almost all the food and supplies were gone. One neighbor would tell their neighbor, they knew best who around them was in the most need. I talked with a 14 year old girl who came to get some food from us. She and her mother stayed in their apartment throughout the war, suffering the impact of Katusha rockets around them, the constant boom of Israeli artillery firing into Lebanon, and the smoke and ash that filled the air. All the residents were so very grateful to receive this food, and thanked us many time over, even after we told them that it came from Christians.
While in the neighborhood we toured their communal bomb shelter. It was located between several apartment buildings, and a Katusha had landed only 3 meters away from it! The steep stairs led down about two stories underground to a set of heavy steel doors. Inside the room were bunk beds, a modest shower and bathroom, and not much else. It was very hot a stuffy inside, and could only be worse when filled with people. The children had drawn several pictures and placed them on the walls, as well as painting several designs directly on to the walls. Their efforts brightened the place had helped somewhat, but it was still very sad that children had to spend so much time in such a place as that.
In the city itself things were beginning to return to normal. The street lights were working again and there were several cars on the streets, including a student driver getting a lesson. The city buses were operating, shops were open, and people were seen walking out and about for the first time in a month. A man drove in a van advertising by loudspeaker the watermelons that he was selling. The only thing that betrayed the sense of normalcy was seeing many of the residents acting like tourists, moving from place to place around the city with camera in hand, photographing and talking with their neighbors about each of the Katusha strikes and damage.
The road north to Metulla was also busy with traffic. The gate to the town was open, and for the most part the army was gone. Some engineer and other units remained behind, but the tanks were gone. All was quiet, except for the buzzing of Israeli spy drones overhead.
We later saw where the tanks had moved to after they left from Lebanon. They were staged in an open area, close enough to the border to respond quickly enough if called upon.
Next we headed west along the road known as the Northern Highway. This highway runs generally straight from just south of Kiryat Shemona to Rosh Hanikra on the coast, many times right along the border with Lebanon. It was from there where I finally entered into an area where the artillery was set-up and was allowed to film. The guns had now fallen silent, and the commander had no problem letting us take pictures and talk with his soldiers. They were tired, having worked very hard around the clock during the fighting.
After the artillery we turned back south and headed towards Jerusalem. We stopped in Tiberias for dinner, where that city really had returned to normal. Stores were open, cars and people were everywhere, including in the pedestrian shopping area in downtown. The restaurant we went to had been open for two days, since the day after the cease-fire. Our waitress was glad to see customers again, and glad to see the sunlight again after so much time in the bomb shelters.
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August 18th, 2006 at 1:46 pm
Praise the Lord Will,
Thank you for your report, have been checking in daily and praying that all is going well for you…..Thank you for taking food and supplies to those dear people….I know you must have been a ray of light for them….We are all so happy that at last they will have some peace, it may be for a short time, but at least we will take it.
I have really enjoyed the Zola programs, they are absolutely wonderful….your interview with Benjamin Nentanyahu was an eye opener, he tells it like it is, so much to be concerned about…..All happening in God’s timing.
God bless you Will, keep up the good work…I know your Mother is so proud of you and she is doing an excellent job…Jeff Seif and Walid Shoebat what a team they make, their conversation is priceless…God bless…Dortha Mae
Redding, CA
August 18th, 2006 at 2:10 pm
Will, your report gives us a very practical view of life today in Northern Israel. I pray for Israel everyday and I know that the Lord God is intimately interested in all of this. And since I am also a supporter of Bridges for Peace as well as ZLM, I am happy to hear that needs are being met, and the gospel is going into these areas too.
Thank you very much for your faithfulness Will…God keep you and your associates in His care. His Son will be here soon…Praise God!
chris
August 18th, 2006 at 7:07 pm
Will and Sandra, hi from Fla. I am telling all , every day, that all christians should be praying that God bless Israel. This latest turmoil over there is polarizing believers, and I can see the hand of God in it. Even some who formerly were oblivious to who and what Israel are in scripture, are starting to see. God is opening eyes, crucial now in these times… We will meet soon, I pray, and I will get to meet Zola
August 18th, 2006 at 7:12 pm
Thanks, Will, for the updates and pictures. Started sending some support to Bridges for Peace since Zola trusted the organization, and you are part of it. Good to see ways the money is put to use. Found them on Charity Navigator, but last update 2004. May have been updated by now. At any rate, I’m glad you’re there! As others are saying, keep up the good work and may God keep all of you safe under the shelter of His wings.
August 18th, 2006 at 10:54 pm
Sandra and Will,
My family is definitely praying for you and the work of the Lord that you are do faithfully carrying out. God Bless.
Kenneth
August 19th, 2006 at 3:54 am
Thank you, Will. Many are blessed and enlightened due to your efforts. Keep up the good work. “One foot in front of the other”.
From and old vet in South Carolina.
GOD bless you!
August 19th, 2006 at 11:41 pm
Will, thank you for your insight into the true happenings in Israel. I think of you constantly, praying that you are safe. I look forward to each and every report you publish, knowing that if I am reading your words, then you are back home safe and sound. Keep up your outstanding work. With that said, get plenty of rest and take care of yourself. Uncle O.
August 20th, 2006 at 4:37 pm
G-d Bless You! My son and I have been signing up to pray at Bridges for Peace… We read your article on the website (WTG) WILL (YEAH)and under the prayer pointers! I am so proud of you- I can only imagine how your mother feels… I also watched Joni! I am telling you Sandra you were made for the Big Screen! Jeff you looked very handsome and sounded articulate- although guarded? I am all for what Zola said in his last messages- it’s time to speak the truth plainly! (maybe they won’t let you?) My prayer it to beef up my giving soon! I tell unbelievers that think serving the Lord is boring- your totally WRONG! Who would of thought that this time last year all of what you Will, Sandra, and Jeff- could of gone through so very much – and you shine with the ease of the Holy Spirit…The Peace that passes all understanding…THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH!!! It is soooo ovious that the Lord is with you…Praise G-d, the G-d of Abraham, Isacc, and Jacob! May the Lord Bless you and keep you, may he make his face to shine upon and be gracious unto you and give you Peace…Numbers 6 vs 23… EXCELLENT WORK!!!
March 3rd, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Hi hey from sabb. in long isl. county
I’m so very proud to say i did try william’s (will’s) website and was in an outta town as they say, library So now i keep up with newsletter and parsons himand lesson. . He’s meshpohcha alright. Then i’d pray for those over traveling the holy land ssoooon. Tip place to dine was business tiberias.
went to early messianic in town holbrook
prayers ; please do pray for the melville rental bldg. on tov day of kippur they do want to manage my finances to be a tither I’ve met deke silverman and he won’t stay in touch texan…. Aside from where to attend saturdays. They are modern day Israelites who do need other you’d known the 7th day or fundamental sabbatarian to attend for annual fast thanks peney lyn S. Mikvah immerseion yr.95′