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Sorrow and Hope

October 21, 2024

“It looks like an apocalyptic film!” The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) battalion commander standing next to me murmured these words almost to himself as we peered at the gruesome landscape stretched out before us: the charred shells of burned-out and bullet-riddled cars as far as the eye could see. He caught my eye and said with great sadness, “I still can’t believe it happened.” I gave him a hug, after which we continued gazing upon the endless rows of grisly reminders of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

Israel brought over 1,200 vehicles destroyed in the attack to Tkuma near the Gaza border. Here, they put the grisly remnants on display for the world to witness the violence committed on that black day. Every car tells a horrific story of murder, bloodshed and violence.

Standing in front of the display is like surveying a giant crime scene. You can see the evidence of bullets tearing through windscreens, while hundreds of bullet holes bear testimony to family vehicles being machine-gunned. Then there are the burnt wreckages of ambulances and shuttle buses that exploded upon the impact of RPG missiles.

I recalled in the days after October 7, 2023 seeing the footage of bodies—bloodied and burned—strewn along Highway 232 alongside an endless path of burning or ransacked cars after Hamas terrorists ambushed the unsuspecting drivers. Gazing at the graveyard of cars at Tkuma, that footage now came rushing back in a raw, grief-stricken moment as I stood silently next to the IDF commander.

Since October 7, I have walked through the destruction of Kibbutz Be’eri and Kafr Aza numerous times, witnessing piles of rubble, charred remains of homes and the scattered debris of children’s toys and bicycles. I have stared at hundreds of pictures of murdered victims at Re’im, the place of the Nova festival, and moved among the trees with a broken heart at the sight of memorials placed by families. I have listened to the heroic stories of survivors who fled from terrorists, soldiers who fought desperately and those who saved hundreds. I have held sobbing mothers and fathers in my arms and cried as they spoke of their murdered children.

One year has now passed. Israel observed the commemoration with tears and determination to press forward with strength and unity as the war continues to rage in Gaza and now also in Lebanon. Israelis will tell you that every day feels like October 7, yet the clarion call, am Yisrael chai (the people of Israel live) continue to resound.

Days before the one-year commemoration, Israel experienced another ballistic missile attack from Iran. The Islamic Republic fired 400 missiles, with just over 180 making it into Israel. Interceptions lit up the night sky as the majority of these deadly missiles were shot down. Millions of Israelis ran to bomb shelters, praying to God and huddling with their families. As I was abroad in Japan, my wife comforted our terrified children alone in our safe room, praying with them and reading books while the sirens screamed. Yet Israel witnessed a miracle from God. Not one Israeli was killed! Once again, the God of Israel demonstrated His mercy and power to Israel and the world.

Israel remains in deep trauma and pain. Many see the hand of God at work despite the terror, yet countless lives have been shattered. Too many Israelis now face life with crushed souls, plagued by nightmares. Some feel abandoned by God and the world, while others feel levels of despair and try to cling to hope.

I have met countless people who suffer and struggle. Through their tears, I remind them that they are not alone. God loves them with an everlasting love and has rallied millions of Christians around the world to pray, give, support and stand with Israel. This is the pulse of Bridges for Peace. This is why our global Christian partners have been able to donate ambulances, provide thousands of bags of food and clothes, purchase home appliances for displaced Israelis, provide trauma care and countless other physical forms of love. Our Christian partners have donated nearly US $3.3 million since October 7, 2023 to support Israel in its darkest hour. We will not back down. We live and breathe the words of Isaiah 40:1, “‘Comfort, yes, comfort My people!’ says your God.” We demonstrate this love every day and the people in this nation experience it.

A neighbor who has developed a friendship with our family since October 7 sent me a voice message after the Iranian attack. Her voice was strong and confident as she said, “Yesterday was a miracle! I was lying in the middle of the road, seeing all the missiles above my head, terrified and yet saying, God, You’re unbelievable, giving us the best signs we can ever get!” This is the result from months of impacting our neighbor with love and support, reminding her that she is not alone and that the God of Israel keeps His covenant.

The Lord God of Israel lives and He is moving in the hearts of the people of Israel and stirring the nations. We can get bogged down, distracted, discouraged and angry at the evil, chaos and darkness we see around the world. Or we can seek the Lord, be a light for Him in the darkness, stand boldly for truth, recognize the amazing things that God is doing in the nations and partner with Him as we live in these prophetic days. He is uniting Christians around the world who love what God loves and stand with His nation. Will you be that light that comforts Zion and presses back evil? Donate to our Crisis Fund today!

Shalom,
Rev. Peter Fast
International CEO

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