July 18, 2019
Dear friend of Israel,
Blessed are those who plant trees. An unforgettable highlight of my first trip to Israel was planting trees in the Israel forest.
The events of the past few months remind me of Nehemiah’s dilemma to rebuild the walls after the enemy had burned Jerusalem leaving even the city gates in ruin. Israel wielded a hammer with one hand and held a sword in the other. (Read in the book of Nehemiah the amazing story of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem in just 52 days.)
Here are just a few stats. But they give an idea of what first responders like Bridges for Peace have dealt with:
1700 fires in 3 days
3700 acres of fruit trees destroyed
40 homes in one village alone
47% of the forest of Ben Sheman burned
1700 acres of crops near Jerusalem lost
The enemy knows that destruction of crops will bring about devastation to the people. We must not allow that to happen.
We must work waving a sword of victory as Israel rebuilds and replants in the wake of destruction.
Bridges for Peace needs you to help us wield the hammer for Israel’s sake.
Ed and Bonnie Smelser