We Are Ready

My heart was heavy as the alerts came in. Deadly missiles were entering Israel, my homeland, from the north and from the south. War had broken out on multiple fronts within our tiny country. Tens of thousands of Israelis – including elderly and children – were stuck in bomb shelters for the foreseeable future. Soldiers – our sons and daughters – were on the frontlines. The outcome of the war was uncertain.

But it was only a test.

Of course I knew that this was just a drill, an exercise that involved the offices of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews in the U.S., Canada, and Israel. But when I gave emergency updates to all of our staff, I truly felt like it was happening: families trying to flee Israel’s border towns, stuck in traffic while missiles were falling around them; Israel’s secure borders being breached.

Since our staff is separated by thousands of miles, the drill was set up to assess our ability to coordinate efforts and respond effectively in such a crisis, and to evaluate where we might improve. It was this proactive strategic thinking that led to 24 hours of “war.” However, even as I knew this was only a drill, my heart also knew that with tensions rising on our borders in real life, this could so easily be reality.

As the day progressed, my heart was uplifted. I witnessed what is possible when our staff members work together with dedication and determination to fulfill our mission. Our “whole” is truly greater than our many moving parts. Time and space were no obstacle for our team members. Our global staff worked around the clock to respond efficiently and professionally. In a real-life scenario, this would mean more lives are saved, more people are given much-needed aid, and worldwide support is broadened quickly so that we can keep doing what we do best.

Within hours of the announcement of the “crisis,” The Fellowship produced fake news alerts, prayer alerts, and appeals for help. We simulated the opening of emergency centers within all major cities in Israel and the galvanizing of 3,000 volunteers to bring food, water, diapers, and baby formula to more than 20,000 people in bomb shelters. Our Israeli staff gathered stories, photos, and videos and sent them to our office in Chicago, where they were edited, produced, and appropriately delivered “around the world.”

We learned a lot from this experience, and while we celebrate our success, we will always strive to improve. It’s no easy feat to coordinate hundreds of staff members spanning three countries, but The Fellowship proved that it is possible – and also that it is essential.  

My conclusion after “experiencing war” for 24 hours?

I don’t want it.

I’m terrified of it.

I’m praying it won’t happen for real.

At the end of the drill, when I turned on the news and saw terror kites lighting fields of Israel’s crops on fire, and masked terrorists rolling thousands of burning tires at Israel’s border crossing, suddenly, for just a moment, the line in my head distinguishing reality and drill got blurred. But now I know that, if war does come to pass, God forbid, The Fellowship is ready. Israel’s friends must be prepared, too, to stand alongside Israel, pray for Israel, and support her.

The Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps – neither must we

If you'd like to learn more about The International Fellowship for Christians and Jews please visit www.ifcj.org.