In the Middle of It All
As we write to you today, the Middle East feels unsettled. Sirens, headlines, uncertainty — it can feel overwhelming from the outside. And yet here, in the middle of it all, we are witnessing both the seriousness of war and the unmistakable mercy of God.
Rockets continue to fly day and night across our skies. Families move quickly when alerts sound. There has been loss, and we grieve every innocent life affected. War is never abstract when you are living inside it. It is loud. It is exhausting. It is sobering.
And still — God is protecting.
The vast majority of incoming rockets are being intercepted before impact. We cannot ignore the danger, but we also cannot ignore the miracles. Protection at this scale is not accidental. It is mercy.
These are historic days. These are serious days. But they are not God-forsaken days. Scripture reminds us:
“Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep”
Psalms 121:4
While the sky is loud, the Lord is steady. While alarms sound, He remains attentive. He is not overwhelmed. He is not absent. He is working — even now.
What Daily Life Looks Like Right Now
Life here continues—but differently.
Tourists are stranded throughout the region. Flights are delayed or canceled. Families are adjusting daily routines around alert systems. Children are home. Workplaces are running in shifts or paused altogether. Many elderly residents simply remain underground because it is too exhausting to run up and down stairs every time a siren sounds.
In some areas, people are spending entire days—and sometimes nights—in bomb shelters. Children sleep on bare floors. Elderly men and women sit upright in plastic chairs because there is nowhere else to rest. Parents try to create a sense of normalcy in a space never meant to be a living room.
And yet, in the middle of this, we see something beautiful.
We see neighbors checking on one another. We see communities pulling closer together. We see spiritual openness increasing. People who once hesitated to speak about faith are now asking for prayer. The atmosphere is serious—but hearts are softer. There is fear, yes. But there is also faith.
Please continue praying:
- For protection over innocent lives
- For peace in this region
- For comfort for grieving families
- For courage and calm for children
- For wisdom for leaders
God is moving—even here.
What Beit Hallel Is Doing
Our team has not stopped.
While sirens sound, our volunteers are packing food, water, and supplies. We are going from shelter to shelter, bringing practical help and encouragement. Even when alerts interrupt distribution, our team runs to safety and then continues serving.
Today, because it is Purim, we prepared and delivered gift packages filled with sweets for children stuck in shelters. Watching a child smile underground, holding a small Purim gift, reminds us that light cannot be silenced.
But beyond the sweets, we discovered something urgent: many shelters have no mattresses. Elderly people and families are sleeping directly on concrete floors. Some are spending night after night underground without proper rest. It is exhausting and physically painful.
Because of your support, we have already begun providing sleeping bags and mattresses. But the need is ongoing.
One mattress costs $60. For someone sleeping on bare concrete, that mattress is not a luxury—it is dignity. It is relief. It is rest in the middle of war.
At the same time, our bomb shelter must remain operational and ready at all hours. The annual rent and utilities for 2026 total $35,000, ensuring that this safe space stays open and equipped for families who run there when sirens sound. This shelter is not just a room—it is refuge, prayer, and protection combined.
If You Feel Led to Stand With Us
If you feel led to stand with us during this time, there are two very tangible ways to help:
- $60 sponsors one mattress for a family or elderly person sleeping underground.
- Any size gift toward the $35,000 annual shelter rent and utilities helps keep this refuge open and ready.
Our posture in days like these is not shaped by headlines, but by Scripture. We anchor ourselves in God’s promises, not in fear.
We are asking the Lord to stretch out His hand in mercy — to shield families, to comfort the grieving, to restrain violence, and to bring wisdom and clarity in the midst of chaos.
And above all, we are resting in this truth: the God of Israel is faithful. He sees. He hears. He responds.
Thank you for carrying Israel in your prayers.
Thank you for standing with us with compassion and conviction.
Your faith, your generosity, and your steady support are felt here more than you know.
Thanks and blessings,
Pastor Israel
