Israel has just gone through another wave of tension and pain, and this time it was Iran that launched hundreds of ballistic missiles directly at Israeli cities, targeting civilian areas and causing massive destruction. Twenty-eight people were killed, including women and children, and only one of the victims was a soldier. Thousands were injured, around 10,000 had to leave their homes, and at least 40,000 properties were either partially or completely destroyed.
Sderot, a city that has already endured years of rocket attacks from Gaza, found itself once again in the heart of the storm. Like in many parts of the country, people had to run to shelters, surrounded by sirens, explosions, and a constant sense of fear. These are difficult times, and people are truly emotionally exhausted, as every aspect of daily life keeps being interrupted by violence, uncertainty, and pain.
The elderly are among those suffering the most. Many of them had not yet recovered from the trauma of the October 7 attack or the long war in Gaza that followed, and now they’re facing yet another emotional blow. They feel helpless, overwhelmed by anxiety, and are spending their final years in deep sadness they can’t always express.
And in the middle of so much suffering, and taking advantage of a brief moment of calm, we felt it was time to do something for them, so we organized a special trip to a spa, designed to offer them a day of rest, comfort, and emotional relief. We wanted them to be able to disconnect from the stress, breathe deeply, and feel a bit of peace, even if just for a few hours.
It was truly moving to see them enjoying the warm pools and saunas, sharing a good meal, talking quietly, and reconnecting with a sense of calm. Many told us it was the first time in a long while that they had felt genuinely at peace. One of them told us, “This gave me strength. I really needed it,” while another simply said, “Incredible. I feel relaxed.”
After so many hard days, this small break felt like a healing touch, and we could see it in their faces, there was relief, there were smiles, and a kind of joy that hadn’t shown up in a long time.
We believe that healing also includes the soul, not just the body, and that walking alongside the most vulnerable in their pain reflects God’s heart, and that’s why we want to keep being close to those who need it most in Sderot, and we invite you to be part of this with your prayers and support.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3