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Israel, the Magnet
The hellish fire ended and they are off to Israel
The “Red Alert” sirens just ended and people are already headed to visit Israel. Many Jews, particular Israelis who live abroad, were not deterred by the rockets fired at Israel from Gaza and made their summer scheduled trip happen. Others, whether Jews or not, canceled their scheduled trip and others waited for the war to end so they can reschedule and travel.
Many Christians stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel. One such Christian is Pastor Kevin Dieckilman of Simi Hills Christian Church, who heads the One Heart For Israel organization.
On August 31, 2014, Pastor Dieckilman, leading a group of 26 Christians, 17 from California and 9 from New York, were at the Los Angeles airport ready to depart for Israel. At 5:00am, like a soldier on duty, yours truly was at the airport to see the group off and find out why they are going to Israel, a country that just entered a ceasefire with Hamas, after 50 days of fierce fighting, while everything is still shaky over there.
The group made up of members of three different churches from New Wine Church in Fullerton, California, Hiding Place Fellowship, Simi Valley, California and Recovery Church, New York its members will join the rest of group in Israel.
Pastor Dieckilman told me that some who registered to go were still concerned about the war and thus canceled their trip but most declared Israel is safe, packed up their bags and were ready to depart.
Talking to some members of the group while they were waiting in line to book in, here is what I heard:
William: “Visiting Israel is my lifelong dream and I have never been there yet; the country is my home.”
Susan: “It is my first trip to Israel. I just lost my husband to cancer and this trip is a healing trip.”
Andrea: “I am from Hungary. I have lived in the US for 12 years and my dream is to go to Israel to get closer to Jesus and after all Israel is the Holy Land.”
Nether rockets nor war will stop the pro-Israel Christians to visit Israel. The more such defenders of Israel we can cultivate the stronger Israel will get.
God Bless the Christians who stand for truth and freedom and with friend like you Israel is not alone.