One for the Books

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 While zipping up my luggage in the morning of Saturday (Oct 7), prepping for my evening flight back to Manila, we're all waiting for breakfast, and before we jump in the bus for that one last BBQ fellowship with all the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) Feast volunteers, a sudden sound of wailing sirens and bombing from afar stopped us, then a loud cry requesting us to run to the nearest bomb shelter! All of us in the hotel felt perplexed and surprised thinking what’s really happening! But what surely amazes me was despite of that announcement, I NEVER felt fear, what was on my mind was the safety of everybody, I powerfully sensed the comfort of the Holy Spirit as He gave me presence of mind and the will to worship with those who are with me no matter what's going on. As everyone inside the bomb shelter started praying & singing, we could somehow hear the raging helicopters and rockets flying above us, then we learned that Israel was caught completely off guard by a surprise attack from Gaza as they fired 3,000+ rockets into Israel while terrorists infiltrated by boat, car, and paragliders across the border.  We were just altogether with my fellow volunteers from different nations and friends the night before for the Global prayer gathering for Israel and celebrating the end of Sukkot and surprised as we woke to a state of emergency- that later on leads to war. I firsthand experienced the kindness and love of the Israelis during Jerusalem March that week, and I truly fell in love with the country as I sensed this unfathomable mixture of joy, peace and awe while walking in those Holy sites. Hence, its heartbreaking for me to leave knowing that there are some people I've met and befriend with who are now fighting in the army just to redeem the peace & freedom on which I witnessed when I arrive. Let's pray without ceasing for Israel! Praying this won’t take long as there’s many innocent lives that has been badly affected. 🙏🏽

"God is known in Judah; His name is great in Israel. His tabernacle is in Salem; His dwelling place also is in Zion. There He broke the flaming arrows, The shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. -Selah" Psalm 76:1-3

 

 

 

 

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