Missionary Life in a War Zone
Tamir's family gather in their bomb shelter in Israel
by Tamir Kugman
That morning, we were woken up by sirens.
It was the very morning we had planned to celebrate the biblical holiday of Purim at our congregation. Costumes were laid out; the script had been prepared; we were ready to rejoice.
Instead, Israel’s air raid sirens went off across the country, and we ran to a bomb shelter.
This happened on the 11th of Adar, a meaningful date in the story of Esther and in Jewish history. It is the very date that Haman, the evil Persian government official, was defeated, and the Jewish people rose to defend themselves against those who wanted to annihilate them. And now, in our own time, Israel had stepped into a historical moment that felt eerily familiar, in combat with Iran located in what was formerly known as Persia.
For generations, we have lived under threats from Iran and others who have vowed to destroy us. And yet, as events unfolded, we found ourselves praying not only for our own protection but also for the Iranian people.
Two days later, we were supposed to celebrate our daughter’s 11th birthday. Instead, we spent those long days and nights in the bomb shelter. Every hour or so, we would hear the whooshing of missiles and explosions.
In those two days, thousands of missiles were launched at Israel from Iran. We thank God for his protection. Without his promises, this would feel unbearable. And yet even with that protection, civilians have died and homes were destroyed. One of our Jews for Jesus café/church spaces had its windows shattered by a nearby missile strike.
There are no easy wars. Living with the knowledge that a missile could fall on your home is neither normal nor comfortable. You think about it at night while your children are asleep and during the day while you sit down for a family meal. But this has become part of our daily rhythm.
And yet, in the midst of it all, something else is happening in Israel – something you will never see on the news.
People in Israel are finding their Messiah!
Just last week, two young adults from secular backgrounds were baptized in our congregation. And three more have asked to be baptized. In the last eight weeks, more than 300 Israelis have requested New Testament in Hebrew from us!
Congregations and ministries are partnering together to take care of the families that have lost their homes. Instead of closing our missile-damaged ministry center, our team quickly boarded up the windows and opened its doors to the people.
Meanwhile, my older children are boldly sharing their faith at school, and God is moving in the hearts of their classmates. Just recently, one of their friends asked for a New Testament. Our home group has grown to 18 people. And last week, just before our meeting began, another young adult professed faith in Yeshua.
All of this is unfolding at the very same time: war and worship, sirens and salvation, fear and faith. We feel the tension of both realities.
Our Jews for Jesus missionaries in Israel need a lot of your prayers. Please pray that God will strengthen us, guard us, renew our energy, and keep our hearts steady. Pray that we will remain focused, joyful, grateful, and kind to one another even in these days.
And please pray that in the midst of a shaking world, many more would find the unshakable hope of Messiah!