Amid missiles, former Ephrata family keeps faith in Israel
By Ryan Robinson
Updated Feb 19, 2007 15:52
Then click the remote and go on to something else.
Basem and Patty Shalloufeh, formerly of Ephrata, and their 5-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, are living in Nazareth and experiencing the Israel-Lebanon conflict firsthand.
The Christian missionaries have been e-mailing Clara Weaver and Rick Monyer of Harvest Fellowship Church in Reamstown. Following are excerpts:
July 16
Shalloufehs: Israel is at war right now and we are here for such a time as this. The missiles are hitting every city. Two million people are in shelters.
July 17
Shalloufehs: Last night there were many rocket attacks around Nazareth. Many people were wounded. Neighbors asked Basem for a Bible.
Basem’s niece asked me why I wasn’t afraid. I told her because I believe in Jesus. People see how we are responding and are amazed.
The sirens and war planes are heard all the time. One rocket was only about five minutes from us.
July 18
Shalloufehs: Thirty rockets just hit 20 minutes from us.
One night the people were screaming in the streets. We know we are here for such a time as this. Basem said whatever happens, we need to be ready.
July 19, 8:29 a.m.
Shalloufehs: We have the worst day here. Over 70 rockets in the Nazareth area, Haifa, Tiberias — many places. Just now the alarm went off. We need to go to the shelter.
July 19, 10:08 a.m.
Shalloufehs: Two missiles hit us. Please, please pray. We are shaken up. Three just hit.
Monyer: Hit where? Your house? Your street?
Shalloufehs: The center of Nazareth. Three people just got killed.
July 20
Shalloufehs: Rockets landed in Tiberias and Haifa and other places. Government offices closed. No one can go anywhere unless it’s an emergency.
Weaver: Pastor Gene said if you need to get out, we will get you a ticket.
Shalloufehs: We are with family. Even through this war, we are praying people to get salvation. We hope the situation will be better, not worse.
July 21
Shalloufehs: A lot of rockets in Haifa, 30 minutes away. About an hour ago, there was a siren in Nazareth. Four or five rockets landed 10 to 15 minutes away from us.
We have a shelter in the house. If we hear a siren, we go in.
You don’t have to worry. God is with us-Amen:) Today, I got a little discouraged, but now I’m fine.
A couple of days ago in Nazareth, Basem was going to go to the car place (where the missile hit), but God spared him. The day the war started, we were going to go to Akko for my papers and we didn’t — God changed our plans two times.
When I see doves, they remind me God’s holy spirit is with us.
One day, we walked to the forest. We saw a shepherd on a cliff watching his sheep down below. It’s a reminder to us that he is watching us very carefully, the Great Shepherd, Amen.
July 24
Shalloufehs: We greet each other with kisses and hugs. Even if you’re a stranger, you greet them with a kiss.
The news here is very graphic. It shows blood and everything.
Elizabeth watches Bugs Bunny and Tom & Jerry on TV. She is really scared. When she hears war planes, she says, “Oh no. It’s a bomb.”
July 26
Shalloufehs: We went up to Nazareth Elite. A siren went off. Elizabeth was so frantic as everybody in the building went to a small hallway.
As we went outside we saw a young lady hyperventilating, trembling and sweating. She fainted. I never have seen so much fear.
Thirteen soldiers got killed and many wounded today. The average missiles every day is 100.
July 27
Shalloufehs: I like to walk five to eight miles, praying for Nazareth. I share with people about the Lord’s love and grace.
Yesterday there was a rainbow in Jerusalem.
No rain and no clouds at all.
_____
The Voices column is written by a rotating team of New Era staffers. It appears Mondays.
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