Contact: Jerry Dykstra, Media Relations Director, Open Doors USA, 616-915-4117, JerryD@odusa.org
SANTA ANA, Calif., Jan. 14 /Christian Newswire/ -- "On Friday (January 9), we received news that the building where our bookshop is located was hit by a missile," is what the Palestinian Bible Society (PBS) confirmed on Monday. "The missile hit the fourth floor of the building .The bookshop and community center did not suffer any damage. It remains to be seen whether the hit caused any unseen structural damages. No casualties or injuries were reported."
In a telephone conversation with Open Doors, Pastor Hanna Massad, leader of the Baptist church in Gaza, said that any person in Gaza can become a victim. He shared: "A few days ago we heard about a Christian who was drinking tea with his neighbor on the sixth floor of their apartment building. The Christian man then was called down by his wife. A few moments after he had gone downstairs a missile came down, shaking the building to its foundation. Their building was hit and when he ran back upstairs it became clear that the floor, where he had been sitting a few minutes before, was directly hit by the projectile. His neighbor died instantly."
"Very often the top floors of a building are hit worst if a missile comes down," shares another church leader who originally is from Gaza and frequently contacts his church members in Gaza. "Because of this increased risk, many people gather together in the landings of their apartment buildings during the night. They are packed with several dozen in the staircase; it gives them a feeling of safety."
Call To Prayer Today
The Palestinian Bible Society has called for a worldwide time of prayer today regarding the chaotic situation in Gaza.
Open Doors learned from Labib Madanat, Development Director of the United Bible Society in Israel and Palestine, that the Anglican hospital in Gaza, which is near to the closed bookshop of the PBS, is still operational. Madanat says: "It is operational, but lacks medicines and daily necessities. The doctors are in need of everything." Also, the lack of power in Gaza is a concern. However, the situation seems to have stabilized to some extent with approximately four hours of electricity per day.
Anglican Hospital Lacks Basics
In a statement on www.j-diocese.org, Reverend Suheil S. Dawani, Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem, confirms this situation of the Anglican hospital. He states: "Everyday since the beginning of military operations, the Al Ahli Arab (Anglican) Hospital has received 20-40 injured or wounded patients, in addition to those with non-conflict related illnesses. About one-fourth of the patients are children."
The Bishop also notes: "The conflict has brought new types of medical and surgical conditions. For example, patients with burns and acute, crippling psychological trauma are being seen more frequently. Because it is not possible for aid workers to enter Gaza at this time, the hospital's staff is working around the clock. They are struggling with the effects of exhaustion and limited resources in a conflicted area of ongoing military operations. Many medical items are needed, especially bandages and supplies for burns and trauma. The hospital's windows have all been blown out or shattered from rocket and missile concussion. Cold permeates the entire premises."
According to an Open Doors field worker, the church in Gaza is not gathering. He says: "Because of the dangerous situation, people stay in their homes and Christians do not gather for services anymore. They try to stay in touch and pray with each other by telephone. From outside Gaza, Christians try to contact family and friends by phone to exchange the latest news and to pray and encourage each other."
About the situation of Pauline Ayyad, widow of Rami Ayyad, manager of the Bible shop in Gaza who was killed in 2007, Madanat confirmed: "Pauline and the children arrived safe and well in Bethlehem since Christmas Eve. They will stay in Bethlehem until things calm down.
Relief Help
Among others, the Palestinian Bible Society is offering help for the victims of the war. Open Doors is co-supporting the relief consisting of food supplies and other necessities.
The Palestinian Bible Society also realizes that not only Palestinians suffer from this situation. In a recent newsletter it stated: "We also understand the suffering that the Israelis are going through in the different settlements and cities of the south; the continuing shelling of missiles over civilians with only 15 seconds pre-warning is horrifying and unacceptable."
The newsletter closed with a paragraph from Madanat. He writes: "Within the body of Christ, we are people who also belong to our nations. This belonging and citizenship should receive meaning, value and form from our belonging to our heavenly citizenship. Two days ago I was struck by anger and pain. Yesterday I met my brother and colleague Victor Kalisher who is a Messianic Jew. We debriefed, shared our hearts and prayed. The body of Christ should be a safe territory to walk in the light, receive healing and practice forgiveness. It should not be betrayed to become an additional battle ground."
An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to our Website at www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.
(For more information or to set up an interview, contact Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email jerryd@odusa.org).
