I have been here since Tuesday morning. After quite a bit of traveling I arrived safe and sound and with all of my luggage! The family I live with is in the middle of lots of preparation for the mother's youngest sister's wedding! The wedding is on Tuesday (which I've been informed is a popular day to get married, Moses says something about marriages taking place on the 3rd day of the week). Because of all of the extra preparations and overall craziness of this last week I have not been able to make it into town yet (also the house I will be living in when in town is currently housing wedding guests, no room in the inn!). So I guess you finally get a truly short update as I haven't been to any sets yet or even had much contact with the locals.
About all I have at the moment is in regards to the little skirmish on the northern boarder. The Lebanese opened fire on the Israeli soldiers who had permission to do some clean-up along their side of the boarder. They had gone through the correct authorities to get permission (from an organization called UNIFIL, who is in charge of the section of ground between the Israeli side of the boarder and the Lebanon side of the boarder) to do this clean-up. However, this organization had to inform Lebanon officials that Israel would be doing this and had permission to do so. It was after all of this that the Lebanese soldiers opened fire (unprovoked) on the Israeli soldiers. UNIFIL officials had to be present during this clean-up and have verified that Israel did not provoke the attack and was only doing the clean-up they are allowed to do. However, Lebanon had members of the media ready with cameras to make a story and report it as Israel's fault. They have mostly been reporting that Israel fired shots first. Yes, they did open fire in retaliation, and made a bit of a mess, but they did not start it. Over and over the media has done it's best to mark Israel as the bad guy. Be careful what you believe.
Also, a while back I sent a link for a video of the new mall in Gaza. Later I found out that the video on that link had changed, and that many of you weren't able to see the footage of the mall. I'm am including a link for an article with photos of the opening day celebrations at the new Gaza mall. Why do they need aid ships? Click here.
Also this week, there was a large explosion in Gaza killing a number of locals and destroying several homes. What caused it? The PA has said Israel did it, they flew over and dropped a bomb in the middle of the night. Israeli authorities say that they didn't have any planes anywhere near the area at that time. If you ask the locals though, they can and will tell you the truth. The explosion came from a building where terrorists have been keeping all sorts of military equipment, guns, bombs, grenades, ammunition etc. They choose to store it in the middle of a well populated neighborhood rather than in the middle of nowhere, because they know the Israeli military will think twice before destroying it - aware it would cause civilian casualties. However, the terrorist organizations don't care if they kill their own people. Locals have spoken out saying they knew what the building was being used for and they didn't like it. Shortly after the explosion they have said that Hamas vans arrived and collected all evidence that would prove to anyone who would want to investigate, that it was just an ordinary building, and therefore Israel must have done it.
We must continue to pray for God's protection of Israel, and for the U.S. to stand with Israel. Pray for eyes to be opened, eyes to see and ears to hear!
Thank you so much for all of your support, and your prayers. Please continue to stand with me and believe for the rest of the Lord's provision so I will be able to stay as long as He is desiring for me to stay. Blessings from Israel and much love to you all! I will include photos in my next update, haven't gotten that organized just yet!
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