In the Bomb Shelter Under His Wings

Tents of Mercy Congregation

Kiryat Yam, Israel

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

Tents of Mercy’s annual children’s camp almost didn’t happen.

The 12 day war with Iran exploded upon us in the very days that we should have been at the height of preparations and closing up registration. None of the circumstances seemed to lean favorably towards going forward with the camp. Many of our usual counsellors were unavailable, and the gracious team of volunteers from Beltway Church in Abilene, Texas had their flights to Israel cancelled multiple times in a matter of a few weeks.

We were literally moments away from a rare and monumental decision to cancel the camp ― something we had not done since Covid. In the moment of truth we prayed and laid out a fleece of faith before God. Then, miraculously, all the details fell into place and we understood that He was ordering and establishing our steps to proceed.

The maximum number of 90 children registered to attend (with even more on the waiting list). They came from over 8 congregations in the north and center of the country, including Ahavat Yeshua (Jerusalem), Katzir Asher (Akko), Or Hai (Kiryat Haim), Shavei Tzion (Haifa), Tiferet Yeshua (Tel Aviv), our own kids from Ohalei Rachamim (Kiryat Yam), and a few others.

We spent an activity-packed, heat-drenched, fun-filled, God-ordained week ― learning, talking and singing about running “toward the goal to win the prize for which we are called heavenwards in the Messiah” (Philippians 3:14). After two years of exhausting and devastating war, we were led to choose this theme to built up our faith, adult and child alike, with the encouragement that “those whose hope is in the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Even though we had seen God’s clear guidance, during the first day of preparation, in all honesty, we were still somewhat uneasy ― almost expecting something to go awry. As each of us moved forward with our designated tasks, our hearts skipped a beat when the license from the Ministry of Education was delayed due to a new and inexperienced clerk. However, at the very last minute the license came through, just as the team was holding an emergency drill in the event of missile sirens.

We repeated the same drill the next day when the campers arrived so that everyone would know exactly what to do. “Just in case,” we thought. The next night a few minutes after the evening meeting ― there was an actual siren warning of incoming missiles from Yemen! Hearts racing, but in an entirely disciplined manner, all 150 or so of us ran/walked to the designated bomb shelters (most of us have had a lot of practice doing this over the past couple of years). We stayed in the shelters for the next ten plus minutes awaiting permission from Home Front Command to leave the suffocating safety. (Even with air conditioners the crowded space was hot and stuffy and though grateful for the refuge – we were possibly even more grateful to be able to leave.) While inside, the kids were calm and even happy, spontaneously joining in cheerful songs to pass the time. Thank God for His protection and His blessing ― that evening and throughout the rest of the camp!

Praise reports from the parents:

… Thank you so much for an amazing camp that you all put on for the kids! It is an extraordinary experience that does not exist anywhere else. Every year I am blessed hearing the stories the kids tell about the time at camp, learning and growing and bonding with other believers. Maybe you could even add another camp at spring time…

…I wanted to say a big thank you! My daughter arrived with a lot of anxiety about coming for the first time to camp and being there in this season. Despite the siren that sounded the second night of camp, she came home ecstatic and said that she is eager to return next year!

…The kids returned home with experiences that strengthened their walk with Yeshua!

…My twin boys came home so happy! They loved the counsellors and can’t wait to come back next year. They were nervous how it would be to be without a cell phone all week, but said they didn’t even notice.

…I have no words to explain the blessing of everything you all gave and conveyed to the kids! Thank you for the patience, the long-suffering and the heart-felt giving you all poured out this week!

SUPPORT NOW