We saw them as soon as we pulled into the parking lot of the Starbucks just outside Grand Canyon National Park – a young family with four kids. BJ said, “We should offer to take a picture for them!” (This is an approach we often employ to start a conversation with Israeli tourists at scenic vistas from the Grand Canyon to Rio de Janeiro, but struck me as an odd approach on a nondescript Starbucks patio.) But just as we were getting out of the truck, the dad was standing up to take a family photo!
We suspected they were Israeli before we said, “Shalom,” but our hunch was confirmed when we saw them recognize the Hebrew writing on my shirt and soberly exchange knowing looks. The shirt reads, “Bring Them Home NOW,” in Hebrew, and we make sure one of us is wearing it every time we go out. Not a moment after the photo was taken, Eli* nodded to me. “We really like your shirt,” he said, “It means so much to us.” He and his wife Yam* were visibly emotional as they shared how challenging it is to be abroad, worrying about family and friends back in Israel during the war.
At the time of this writing, Israel has released hundreds of convicted terrorists, including mass murderers with life sentences, in exchange for 7 Israeli women who were held hostage in dark terror tunnels for over a year. Many of these terrorists were released back onto Jerusalem’s streets. The Israelis we encounter here in the US are caught in an impossible dilemma. To remain in Israel is to daily face rocket sirens, terrorism, protests, and news of war, with no reprieve. To travel abroad is to leave family behind and venture into a world that has predominately and violently turned against Israel, not knowing who is friend and who is foe.
It is our deep privilege to stand with Israelis in the midst of the grief and the noise of war, and to offer the comfort of a friendly face, a familiar greeting, and an acknowledgement of their grief. Thank you for standing in the gap with us. We want nothing more than to provide them a safe haven of healing and hope – an escape from the chaos, a quiet place to rest and encounter the Prince of Peace. Please pray with us that God would provide the perfect property for us to launch Camp Zula in June. Visit campzula.com for more details.
Love,
BJ, Carissa, Ari and Aviya
*names changed