The
fires in Northern Israel is said to be the worst disaster in the nation’s
history. Now Christian Life Missions (CLM) is partnering with Vision for Israel to
respond quickly to the need.
Christian Life Missions is the non-profit partner of Charisma magazine. In 2006 it partnered with Vision for Israel, headed by Barry
and Batya Segel, to raise $150,000 to help rebuild a civic center in Northern
Israel. Every dollar raised will go to help in Northern
Israel.
“We can
spring into action to meet the need because of our relationship with Vision for
Israel. They have the infrastructure and the relationships to respond to the
need,” said Steve Strang, president of CLM and publisher of Charisma. “We have
total confidence in them and their ability to respond quickly and to use the
money as it should be used.”
Readers
of Charisma also responded generously when the tsunami hit Southeast Asia in
2004. That time CLM partnered with the equivalent of the National Association of Evangelicals in Sri Lanka to
respond to the need. And readers responded to Hurricane Katrina, also working
again with local churches in Louisiana.
“American Christians are so
generous when it comes to helping Israel,” but most of the things people raise
money for pale in comparison to the need that now exists. We are happy we can
do something, and do it quickly to comfort those who mourn in Israel. As
scripture says: “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes,
the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of
heaviness; that they might be called
trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be
glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3)
An
inferno raged across the Carmel Forest for four days. Over 5 million trees were
consumed. 12,300 acres of land was destroyed. 17,000 people were evacuated.
Three communities were totally wiped out including a kibbutz and one of the
country’s oldest artist colonies. 219 people were left homeless. And 42 lost
their lives in the fire.
Fire has once again defined the region of Mount
Carmel in the north of Israel where Elijah once called down fire from Heaven (1
Kings 18) against the false prophets of Baal. But this time it was a man-made
disaster.
On December 2nd a 14 year-old Druze boy was smoking a hookah
pipe with his three friends in the Carmel forest. When they were done, he threw
out the coal from the pipe into the woods. When the coal touched the bone dry
trees leeched of moisture by severe drought, they immediately went up in flames.
The children panicked and ran away without telling anyone. This is how
Israel’s worst disaster in 40 years started.
M
any countries around the world sent special
fire-fighting equipment and volunteers helped Israel to eventually defeat the
blaze, but with the flames gone
already the world’s attention is shifting elsewhere. But for so many who
have lost their homes, businesses or loved ones, their pain is just
beginning.
Vision for Israel says
it is determined to stay and help for as long
as it takes to meet the needs created by this terrible disaster and see
that the beauty of Mount Carmel will rise again from the ashes. Some communities
have literally lost everything.
” We are working closely with a
youth village populated mostly with Russian orphans. The children and staff need
everything from shoes and blankets to school supplies like books and colored
pencils. And Vision for Israel is also planting new trees in the region so that
the once legendary beauty of the Carmel Forest will be available for the next
generation ,” Barry Segel
said.
Steve Strang said:
“Please join us in the process of comforting the people and
rebuilding the land. Together we can be vessels of God’s love for the people of
the region and custodians of this land so rich in Biblical history.
To contribute
to our emergency·Israel Fire Relief
campaign,·go to·christianlifemissions.com/israelfirerelief. Or
you can send a check made payable to Christian Life Missions (marked for “Israel
Fire Relief”) to 600 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary,
FL·32746.
Cheri Fuller and Cindy Lamb Curry 
Marilyn Hickey 
