Israel, a land of beauty, diversity and wonder, is facing an insurmountable challenge, as it has been since before the modern state was reestablished: caring for and helping heal the brokenhearted. Today, our small nation, a country of nearly 8.7 million people, is caring in varying degrees for an estimated 10,000 living victims of terror attacks.
From 1920 until the end of 2015, 3,743 citizens of Israel, both Jewish and Arab, were killed at the hands of Islamic Jihadist terrorists opposed to our nation’s existence. Terrorism has produced, through the years, an ever-mounting number of residents with both physical and emotional wounds. Most never get over the experiences of their attacks, such as witnessing a mother or father murdered in front of them. Some have had more than 50 percent of their bodies scarred due to Molotov cocktails exploding nearby, while others have seen their friends killed before their eyes. Those who survive often go through multiple surgeries, including cosmetic procedures, and have prosthetic limbs. All have some form of continuing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Gifts, teachings, and food for women’s day terror attack survivors
The words of the prophet Isaiah say, “He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted …” (Is. 61:1b). This cry sounds louder and louder each year of Israel’s nationhood and restoration. Later in the same chapter, the prophet adds, “To console those who mourn in Zion …” (Is. 61:3, NKJV).
Isaiah’s words describe our work at Vision for Israel, a faith-inspired, Jewish-believing nonprofit humanitarian aid organization based outside Jerusalem in the heart of our country. Since Hamas suicide bombers murdered four of our older daughter’s friends in February and March of 1996, Vision for Israel has sprung into action on this front, never looking back, but moving with a greater intensity every year to assist these victims of terror attacks and comfort them through the display of God’s compassionate heart for the people of Israel.
400 victims of terror attacks attending Purim event
In 2016 through the end of March 2017, we have provided educational grants for victims of terror attacks, supplied financial vouchers to alleviate the financial challenges that come so often with the Jewish holidays and purchased much-needed special medical chairs or equipment when called upon to do so. We have also, sponsored banquet-type dinners that bring hundreds of terror victims together. Here, they can look each other in the eye and see mutual pain but also share comfort in these new friendships, knowing that someone else has been through the same shock. This experience is healing for the soul and opens the way for the light of God’s goodness and faithfulness.
Food preparations for Women’s Day terror victims
At Vision for Israel, we are so thankful for partners who stand with us in prayer and finances, as Christian Life Missions has done in the first quarter of 2017. These precious gifts and donations make a way for us to provide streams in the desert, light where there is darkness, hope where there is despair. Vision for Israel can serve as eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. And working on behalf of CLM, we can fulfill the words of Scripture: “[They] will know [us] by our fruits” (Matt. 7:16a, MEV).
Thank you once again for comforting all who mourn in Zion.
Barry Segal – President and Founder, Vision for Israel
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