Shabbat Shalom from Israel...sort of! Swifties, the Swiss, and Drones

Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat Shalom from Israel, sort of. Elana and I are on an El Al flight, which I think legally is considered the territory of Israel. It sure feels like it as we are seated near an Israeli Swiftie (I had to look up the proper spelling). In fact, the flight is full of Israelis who paid an enormous amount of money to come to the most expensive country in the world—Switzerland—to see Taylor Swift two nights ago. The Swiftie near us is giving Elana the full run down.

When you couple that with the fact that the school year ends today for the Swiss, the airport was packed. The Swiss love vacations—everyone in Switzerland gets around three months paid vacation. In fact, a drug-using mailman that my friend Shawn is trying to win to Jesus, makes 120,000 CHF (134,000 USD)! 

After waiting for a half hour in a line that literally went half way around the terminal—even the workers said that had never seen anything like it—I remembered that EL AL partners with Delta where I have status because of three overseas flights a year. And just like that we were whisked away (not exactly) to the quick line. It is nice that two of my best friends (El Al and Delta) are now friends. 

More Serious Things

Anyway…we are heading HOME!!! However, it will be short lived for me. My dad is in the hospital and my mom is struggling as well. Next week I will head back to the US for a month to be with them. Fortunately, my sister and two daughters are there helping. 

Even More Serious Things

Last week, I shared with you that we are giving just over 27,000 shekels ($8000) to Southern Gaza Brigade 6646, the Gavati Battalion 630. We lost the commander Lt. Col. Netanel Elkobi a few months ago. His number two, Lt. Col. Yevgini Yarotsky, has taken over. They have been risking their lives for many months to protect Israelis. 

When we gave them a party back in January—just after the death of Lt. Col. Elkoby—Yevgini was on crutches, as he was wounded in the same surprise attack from Hamas. Please remember, although Israel has made mistakes in this war (as all armies do), the soldiers just want to survive and return home, as they defend Israel. Hamas is bent on bloodshed and murder. They are willing to sacrifice thousands of Palestinian women and children without any remorse. 

Okay..back to our boys in Gaza. They need drones. They asked for eight and I committed to four. We do want we can with what we have, while seeking to help other units. As I write, Lynn in our office is vetting the non-profit we will go through. We never gives the funds directly to the soldiers, but buy the aid or work with a charity. By Monday, I hope we can purchase the life-saving drones. I shared with you last week, that if Gavati Brigade 630 had small drones a few months ago, it is likely that Lt. Col. Elkobi and the two other soldiers that fell that day would still be with us. 

My dear friend Sergeant Dovev sent me a video the other day (that I am not allowed to share) that shows how the surveillance equipment you bought his unit has saved lives. They were able to see a Hamas infiltrator before he got to them. Who knows how many lives you have saved with helmets, vests and drones! As God gives you grace, please continue to partner with us and pray for our hostages to come home—by rescue, a deal, or the supernatural power of the God of Israel. 

Thank you so much. 

In just a few hours, Elana and I will have our first Shabbat dinner in Israel in four weeks! 

Shabbat Shalom!