Date: Friday, March 21, 2008
To: Undisclosed Recipients
Subject: Update on Ami, package bomb victim
The following is the latest update from Israel on the son of Leah and David Ortiz, believers from Ariel, Israel.
It comes from leaders of a congregation that itself has been the target of much harassment and persecution from "anti-missionaries."
We spent an eventful afternoon at the Shneider Children's Hospital in Petah Tikva, visiting David and Leah Ortiz. Jewish, Arab, and other believers came around throughout the course of the day all the way from Kiryat Shmoneh, Shfar Am, and nearer -- from Dan to Beer Sheva -- to stand with and encourage and comfort the family.
The doctors this morning gave the good news that Ami would live through this horrible ordeal, but he is also very severely injured: second and third degree burns on his face, neck, and chest; a piece of metal in one of his lungs, that may need to remain; a piece of metal in his right eye, which was removed, and the nerve was not cut, but there is still some question over whether he will be able to see in that eye; two of his toes were amputated; a heavy loss of blood from his thighs, raising concern over their future strength; serious injury to his hands. Thankfully even miraculously -- apart from not dying from such a major blast, which blew out all the windows in the apartment, was that none of his organs are damaged (apart from the metal in the lung), no arteries were severed in his neck, which received a terrible wound, and no brain damage. (No one is allowed to see Ami now except for his father and mother.) The doctors estimate now that he will be in intensive care for at least two weeks.
Please pray for the healing of Ami's right eye, and that God would also heal him and other members of the family from all psychological damage.We all pray and hope for God's intervention to heal and to bring good out from this evil murderous act. It is clear that the perpetrator intended to kill as many of the family as possible had they all been standing around the box to open it.
We also pray that Ami's recovery would work faith in all the children of David and Leah, and that David's call to take the gospel to anyone will not be stopped. May the Lord use this murderous act to wake up some amongst those who thought to do such a thing to reconsider their ways and fear God, departing from evil and from evil-doers.
As an aside, our own congregation has had three incidents over the last 2 1/2 weeks of vandalism, annoyance during the service, and theft of a security within the congregation complex. In Arad, one of the believer's home was entered, and a thief took her camera and a list of those believers associated with the Christian group she works with.
In the love of Jesus, who died and rose again!Date: Thursday, March 27, 2008
To: Undisclosed Recipients
Subject: Update on Ami...
Other Damages and Implications:
Thank the Lord the house is insured. One brother has directed the replacement of the window glass, and that was going on today. Others have pitched in to clean up.
Our faithful brother who runs the soap factory has spent some time helping to clean up the apartment. E told me that Ami's blood was all over the apartment. All of the furniture was destroyed. It is amazing that Ami is alive realizing that he was actually holding the bomb when it went off. Ami works for us in the soap factory each week after school. He truly is a precious young man.
One sad thing is that their dog, Dusty, survived the blast but is not doing well. He doesn't look injured, but he appears to have gone deaf and he's not eating. So many little tragedies you wouldn't expect, surrounding the big one. At this moment the community is in shock and many are understandably cautious.... especially believers.
The implications for the Messianic community in Israel are huge if this proves to have been carried out by Jewish religious extremists. It would mean that the hostility and persecution has jumped to an entirely new level.
A ministry in the Judean Hills received a call on Friday morning from their believing neighbor, who said that last night someone came into their ministry compound and fired rubber bullets at her window.
The attack was reported on Friday in a half page article on page 6 of Yediot Ahronot, the largest Israeli Hebrew newspaper. On Sunday, it was reported on a full-page article on page 11. News reports this week have been neither positive nor negative toward Messianic Jews. They almost all refer to us as a cult or a sect; and downplay the terrorist aspects of the explosion. In any case it represents one of the widest exposures of Messianic Judaism in the Israeli media to date. It remains to be seen what their coverage will be when the attacker is found.
Despite the enormous tragedy of this event, let us pray that God will honor the suffering of this young man to bring about a breakthrough for His kingdom. With the right media coverage, it is possible that by the end of this week, for the first time in history, virtually every Israeli will know about Messianic Jews and of our faith in Yeshua.
The Bomb:
Apparently the damage to their home is indicative of a large, sophisticated explosive device designed to kill or maim the whole family.
It was not put together by an amateur, but by a "pro". It contained a substantial amount of explosives, and a big number of nails, and other metal particles. It is obvious that the bomb was made to kill, and injure as many family members as possible. And yes, the apartment is seriously damaged too.
The Family's Ministry and faith:
They live in Ariel, which is across the green line well into the West Bank. Most settlements are filled with religious Jews, most of which are kind, decent people who simply believe that the Word of God promises ancient Judea to the Jewish people. However, there is a minority who, possessed by misguided religious zeal, can become quite violent against those Jews who have embraced Yeshua.
As we left the hospital (the father) David told me that he knows God has a plan. "At first I was overcome with despair. I felt darkness. But then the Lord spoke to me, 'David, I have a plan.'" Let's agree for the Lord's plan to come to past.
Date: Friday, March 28, 2008
To: Undisclosed Recipients
Subject: Ami: Serious eye surgery in the AM
Here is the latest update on Ami Ortiz: Tomorrow morning at 8:00, Ami will have a serious eye operation to try to take out a piece of metal near the cornea in his right eye.
Personal Account: I just spoke with David, who hadn't slept all night or today. Ami, as he is coming out of heavy sedation is only having flashbacks. His body is in the hospital, but his 'soul' is getting into the ambulance.
Ami's right eye is still not seeing, and his right lung is still collapsed. There are holes in his chest, threatening the lungs.
Pray to stop the flashbacks and to bring healing into Ami's memory and psyche; and also for Ami's right eye and lung.
The police do have a lead as to who did it and who is behind it. Pray that God would give them the best strategy to apprehend the guilty ones.
Rumors are spreading around Ariel that the Ortizes are leaving Ariel. This is not true, and tomorrow they will have a congregational service as a way to squash the rumor, and they have also ordered new tiles for their apartment.
The Father's blessings upon you all,
(Name Withheld)
Date: Monday, March 24, 2008
To: Undisclosed Recipients
Subject: Latest Update
Dear Steve,
This event just happened and believers have been waiting to gather more details from the Ortiz family and the police investigation. Not too many Christian ministries have decried this attempted murder of a Messianic Jewish family. The damages were heavy to their home in Ariel, not to mention their son. He is still under sedation after amputation of some toes. They are trying to save other limbs and his eyes. There is practically no skin on his thighs but it's a miracle that he is alive.
Certainly Messianic Jewish ministries are decrying it but concentrating on prayer and support for Amiel Ortiz and of course the whole family. This comes as a shock and a wake up call to the Jewish believers here. It has been building up towards this for some time. Although I have not checked other ministries web sites yet, most of what I've seen on the internet is coming from church news bulletins abroad or the secular press such as AP or CNBC. I am patient but where are the Christian Zionist voices to be found in standing with the Jewish believers at this time? Let's give it another day or two - obviously, a little of my emotions here.
There is a strong sense that many Christians who love Israel have separated themselves from their Jewish believing brethren for the sake of their orthodox or ultra-orthodox Jewish relationships and funding. Mayor Ron Nachman has publicly denounced this sort of extremist violence whether by Jewish or Muslim groups. He is fond of this Messianic Jewish family and respects their support and commitment to the community of Ariel. The Ortiz sons have served in elite Israeli combat forces. I have heard only good things about him. Praise the Lord. So here it takes Jewish unbelieving leaders to stand for the Jewish believers that has been our experience as well like in Ma'alot.
The mayor of Ariel is probably letting the police investigation take it's course. The guy who left the bomb was caught on a security camera but unfortunately the sun was shining towards it so the picture is not clear. Hopefully, they can capture this person.
I believe that Israeli officials from the Foreign Ministry, the Tourism Ministry, the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Justice should all be bombarded with strategic letters of great concern for the Evangelical and Messianic believers in Israel. I also believe that there may be some illegal monitoring of Jewish citizens by ultra-orthodox elements through groups like Yad L'Achim who were responsible for living problems. Their name should be mentioned as one of great concern to freedom and democracy. You can Google their name to get to their USA web site, however they are based here and have paid informants and a spy network that they are proud of amongst believers in Israel. They also claim that their connections go very deep into government circles.
That's all for now, thank you for your concern.
(Name Withheld)